Shadows of Betrayal

Chapter 2.1: Pack Dynamics

Later on, when everyone had gone into deep sleep, Selena sat by the fire, her mind contemplating what she should do next. She was tracing the idle patterns in the ashes. Her fingers smelled like smoke and snow.

Darian sat beside her. She did not turn towards him, her head still bowed down. The steady and grounding heat of Darian's body drew her gaze towards him. She smiled with a serious expression.

"You should sleep, Luna," he said quietly.

"So should you, Alpha," she said, pausing to think.

"Alphas don't rest," he explained.

"Neither do Lunas." Selena's smile was fading. They sat together in companionable silence, listening to the crackle of fire. The flames danced across the stone walls, flickering like old memories.

After a long silence, she spoke, “Those tracks that I found were new, but one track was heavier than the rest. Whoever led them was familiar with our land.” Her tone grew more cautious as she said that. Darian’s expression grew darker. He said with determination in his tone, “We must find them before they can get us.” Luna interrupted him, saying, "You make it sound very easy.” Darian gulped down the saliva. “For me, it has to be.”

That was the difference between the two of them. Darian always led with determination and certainty, and Luna always inquired. Together they somehow managed the pack between instinct and reason. She then turned away from him.

“The least we can do now is rest.” She said. “Yes,” Darian said, but both of them remained stationed in their positions.

The snow started falling again the time den went completely quiet. Thick flakes were drifting down from the black sky, melting down in the heat of the fire. Inside, the den slept peacefully. The wolves and humans crawled together, and their breaths made a rhythm over the earth. Selenastood at the mouth of the den, watching the world from her eyes. It was quiet here, but she knew better. It was the quiet before the rise of the storm. Selena felt cold, and she wrapped the cloak around her tightly. The cold air was stinging her lungs, sharp and clean air. Somewhere far off, there was an owl hawling but beyond it was mere silence.

Soon Darian joined her. He spread his hands as if he wanted to hold her hand and warm it. Selena held out her hand. Darian warmed it up with his own warm breath. “Still awake?” He politely inquired, almost whispering in her ears. “Well, someone has to keep the watch.” They stood side by side contemplating over the snow covered slopes of the mountains. For a long time, they did not speak. The moon was full, hanging low over the horizon.

“Do you ever miss it?” Selena cleared her throat before speaking, “Being wolves more than humans.” He glanced at her. “Sometimes I do. But wolves don’t have to choose. They are just wolves, but we have to choose.” Selena smiled over when Darian finished. “Maybe this is what makes it harder,” she added. “Maybe that’s what makes us stronger.” Darian corrected her politely. She looked at him and then went outwards to the forest. “Do you really think that?” She sounded surprised. Darian closed the gap between them and hugged her, flinging his arms around her back. "I have to. Otherwise, all of this is absurd.” He kissed her forehead. Selena’s body felt empowered over this gesture of intimacy. She looked deep into his eyes. They were bright and golden. Darian was a sight for sore eyes. She smiled and kissed him on the lips. Darian and Selena hugged each other like two trees intertwining.

After a while, Selena inclined her heels up to reach Darian’s ear and whispered, “Something is coming, and I can feel it.” He whispered back while massaging her back, “I know; I can feel it in my bones too.”

They did not know what was lurking behind the shadows of this forest, but for tonight, they were together, in each other’s arms. Although they were not resting. They were not taking a pause from overwatching their den, but what made the most sense in that moment was the “togetherness,” a sense of belonging, a sense of home.

Selena laid herself on the snow-covered ground, and Darian followed her. They hugged each other. Their bodies coiled into each other. They were caressing the curves of each other’s bodies. Selena put her frozen hands over the bare, hairless chest of Darian and Darian buried his head on her chest slightly smooching on her neck. They were wild animals, but their minds were heavy tonight. Their caressing on each other’s bodies was becoming sensual, carnal and luscious.

It was a rough night for them and they ought to balance it with the blend of their eternal love. They were panting. Their bodies were saying all the troubles, difficulties they have endured together and the one they will endure in the future.

"Luna, hug me tightly. I don't want to go away from you" Darian murmured in her ears and Selena kissed his lips under flowing emotions.

"I don't want to stay away from you either, Darian, but I am sensing that air is changing. I don't know where it takes us"she said with tears in her eyes.

"Wherever it takes you, I will find you Luna" He said in determined way. His body grinding against her. Their eyes met and they stared into each other's eyes for a long chunk of time.

"Promise me that you will never abandon me" Selena spoke in trembling voice." I will not, no matter where you go, my love, my respect and my passion for you will always follow you" he kissed her passionately.