WILDFLOWER AND WOLF

CHAPTER 10/ A PACK IN PERIL

Kato and Luna stood in the den, their voices hushed in conversation. "We've searched every inch of the forest, Kato. I don't know what else to do," Luna said, her frustration evident.

Kato's expression was grave. He remained silent without saying a word.

Just then, a wolf burst into the den, his eyes wide with urgency. "Elder Kato, Luna! Akira has arrived!"

Luna's heart skipped a beat. "But he's not due back for another moon cycle," she said, her mind racing.

Kato's face turned grim. "Something's wrong. Let's go."

They hurried to meet Akira, trying to compose themselves, but their unease was palpable. As they approached, Akira's eyes locked onto them, his gaze piercing.

"Lily is missing," he stated, his voice low and even, before they could even greet him.

Luna's heart sank. How did he know? She exchanged a nervous glance with Kato, but Akira's expression remained unreadable.

"I see," Akira continued, his eyes narrowing. "And you two were just discussing your failure to find her, no doubt."

Kato and Luna exchanged a guilty glance, their pretence shattered. Akira's calm demeanor was a thin veil for the anger simmering beneath.

Akira's eyes bore into them, his gaze piercing. "I trusted you with her care, Luna And yet, she's gone. Tell me, what happened?"

Luna swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "We searched the forest, Akira. We couldn't find her anywhere."

Akira's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with a hint of fury. "You couldn't find her? Or you didn't look hard enough?"

Kato stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Akira, we did everything we could. I told you she was a threat and maybe she has returned back to her human village and now she knows our den, maybe you should start thinking about the pack being in danger" he said.

Akira's gaze turned to Kato, his eyes flashing with anger. " If she's harmed in any way... there will be consequences." he said.

The air was thick with tension as Akira's words hung in the air.

Luna stood there with her head bent to the ground.

Akira silently leaves the clearing without saying another word.