REGRET— the shadow wolves

Chapter 5

Brandon 10 years later

Frantically, I searched for Mikayla, my wolf urging me on. Her scent guided me, carried by the wind. We couldn't give up this time; we had to find her before it was too late. She was our fated mate, and I refused to let her leave the pack, her family, or me. In my dream, there was still hope. I hadn't made the heartbreaking choice yet; there was still time for us. I hadn't ruined everything. But then, as I came to a stop, I saw that the road had disappeared, and there was nothing ahead of me but a steep drop-off. I was high enough to see the distant horizon. Like all my dreams, this one had ended abruptly.

I had lost her once again. But I wouldn't let her go. I would follow her until the very end, even if it meant risking my life. In a split-second decision, I jumped off the cliff, propelled by the wind towards the river below.

A heavy weight bore down on my heart. This was not part of the dream that I so desperately clung to. This feeling should have brought me comfort, but instead it only ignited anger within me. I wasn't seeking any kind of solace; all I wanted was Mikayala-my mate- and nothing else could ease my pain. With great effort, I pushed the weight off my heart and allowed my agony to pour out through a scream that reverberated through my entire being. The sound of pain, loss, and regret echoed off the walls as I woke up from the dream.

My heart was beating fast, and my senses were slowly starting to wake up.

"He's deteriorating, isn't he? I hoped he would at least improve, but it seems like he's only getting worse."

"I know this is hard to hear, Lucy, but what you did was unforgivable. As soon as Mika left, she must have shifted. His wolf picked up her scent, but by then she was already gone. In his mind and in his heart, she's still waiting for him to claim her."

I recognized my brother Dante's voice. He was a few years older than me and had always been kind, respectful, and wise. But ever since that fateful night ten years ago, something changed in him, too. He became dark and haunted, carrying the weight of all the pack's burdens. Nothing went according to plan. My wolf went out of control and wouldn't let Lucy get close to me. Our pack has been falling apart ever since. It's like when Mikayala left, she took the light and unity that held us all together with her.

My pack remains oblivious to the fact that Mikayala is my true mate, and I chose her sister instead. This decision is my biggest regret, and I can't help but feel overwhelming hatred towards Lucy and Mikayla's parents, the former Alpha and Luna. How could they have convinced me that this was the right choice? How could Lucy have agreed with such a foolish idea? They claimed it was for the good of the pack, that I needed to refuse my mate in order to step up as a leader. They said Mikayala would never shift, that she was weak and useless. They convinced me that I wouldn't feel the pull towards her after mating with Lucy. And even though Lucy initially agreed with me, they eventually convinced her too. In the weeks leading up to our mating, she even told me to spend one last night with her sister as a gift for her love. She wanted to secure a spot at the regional art museum for Mikayla's paintings and spoil her with gifts only girls could dream of. I hesitated all the way up to the last day, but their bargaining chip was a threat to send her away if I didn't comply with their wishes.

However, our plans never came to fruition. Instead, we were forcefully relocated to another territory as our pack was falling apart. I didn't have the strength to argue against it; my wolf and I were constantly at odds, and I couldn't continue living like that much longer. Not only did the pack move 100 miles west, but we also merged with the Grey pack - a cruel and hostile group. It was either that or face death. They attacked us when we were at our weakest, but the former Alpha made one final deal to save us all.

That was nine years ago, and now, thanks to my brother Dante's wise advice, we are finally returning home. Since our pack moved, there has been an imbalance in the region. Prey has become scarce, and our old territory is now considered haunted - if you believe the rumors. But Dante won't share his true reason for wanting to go back. He claims he can sense something that might bring Makayla back. I can't help but feel envious of this claim since Makayla is mine. But considering my current state - slowly dying - it's enough reason for me to return to the place where I still feel her presence everywhere.

Mikayla, my love. My biggest regret. If only I could apologize to her just once and find some peace for myself. But she vanished without a trace, never to be seen or heard from again. Some say she entered the mysterious shadow forest, but no one could survive that. And yet, I still feel a connection to her. Not a strong one, but enough to give me hope that she is still alive. That's all I can do - believe in her survival.

"Brandon, are you listening?"

"Yes, loud and clear."

"Tomorrow we set out on our journey to reclaim our old lands. We'll be traveling with our former pack members as well as warriors from the Grey pack."

"Is that really necessary?"

"Yes, they need to see us fulfilling our promise of creating balance in the region and between packs."

What he didn't tell me was that the Grey pack also needed us to reclaim our territory in order to defend against an expanding threat from the east. They needed us for protection.

” Do you think Mikayala will be there?”

My words hit Dante like a punch, his jaw clenching and his expression turning grim. "I don't know," he replied, his voice tight.

"Maybe she's waiting for us there?" I suggested, trying to hold onto hope.

"Think logically, Brandon. Why would she be?" Dante said, his words cutting through any optimism. At that moment, Lucy's face fell and she quietly left the room.

"I'm not holding anything back. You're not the only one who lost someone that night. Mika was my best friend, a brilliant strategist, and far from weak - despite what you may think," Dante continued, his words piercing me.

His last statement struck a painful chord within me. I deserved to suffer for my actions, but so did her family.