Vengeance of The Dezan Luna

"You're such a buzzkill" Aden groaned, dragging his feet through the fallen leaves on the forest floor. Risanna rolled her eyes, the moonlight striking her blue-grey irises and giving them an eerie glow in the darkness. "Forgive me for not wanting to die tonight." They stood at the edge of the forbidden zone, a spread of forest that separated their territory from the neighboring Wraithclaw Clan. No Dezan wolf had ventured there in decades, not since the blood feud that had claimed dozens of lives on both sides. "We're not going to die," Kolton insisted, his serious expression betrayed by the excited glint in his eyes. "We're just.. exploring." "Yeah. Exploring where we could get our throats ripped out," Sara muttered, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Real smart plan, guys." Melody slipped her arm through Risanna's, her blonde hair gleaming silver in the moonlight. "Come on, Ris. When was the last time you did something your father would disapprove of?" Risanna snorted. "This morning? When I told him his training regimen was archaic?" "That doesn't count," Aden laughed, crossing his arm over Sara's shoulders. "She means something fun." Thane followed quietly behind the group. His attention, fixed on Melody. The six of them stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their potential transgression hanging heavy in the air. As the Alpha's daughter, Risanna knew better than most the risks of venturing into disputed territory. And as the Beta’s daughter, Melody should understand it too. Risanna shot Melody an accusing glance, “How does this not worry you?” “I leave all my worries to Thane” Melody shrugged and an almost unnoticeable smile tugged on Thane’s mouth. “Besides, you know you want to, else you wouldn't be here” Melody grinned. Risanna knew Melody was right, because at this moment, with the full moon riding high and her wolf clawing beneath her skin, the rules seemed less important than the thrill of defiance. "Fine," she sighed, shaking off Melody's arm. "But we stay together, and we don't go deeper than a mile. Deal?" The others nodded enthusiastically, and even Sara caved. Risanna chuckled at their excitement. They were all nineteen, adults by human standards, but still pups in the eyes of the pack. This little rebellion was their way of showing they were prepared for the responsibilities ahead of them. "I'll lead," Thane spoke up, stepping forward. Being Melody's soulmate and the most physically imposing of their group, no one argued. They weaved through the forest quietly, their senses running high for any sign of danger. The air here was different. Wilder and untamed by the regular pack patrols that kept their own territory familiar. The only sounds surrounding them were their footsteps and the episodic hooting of an owl. "See? We're fine," Aden broke the silence, nudging Risanna playfully. She was about to respond when a shift in the wind caught her attention, carrying with it, mild smoke and an acrid smell. "Do you smell that?" she whispered, bringing the others to a halt. The smile on their faces shifted to concern as they caught on to the scent."Campers, maybe?" Aden suggested, but even he doubted that. Kolton shook his head. "I don't think Wraithclaw are the camping type”. A growing sense of dread settled in the pit of Risanna's stomach. The smoke was getting stronger, and now she could detect it coming from the direction of their clan, with something else beneath it. The metallic tang of blood. “Blood” Thane stated as if reading her thoughts. "We're going back," she said, her voice rigid. "Now." They raced down the woods, their rebellious escapade, forgotten. But the closer they got, their ears picked up on a chorus of howls, splitting the night's tranquility. Howls laced with rage and bloodlust, not the familiar songs of their packmates. "Come on!" Risanna beckoned for them to pick up pace. Thane's wolf surged forward in response to the danger. Doing their best to avoid stumps and branches as they desperately tried to reach the safety of their pack lands. But as they cleared the final hill that overlooked their home, they screeched to an abrupt stop in horrified disbelief. The Dezan compound was enveloped in flames. Dark figures patrolled the burning buildings, their snarls audible from the distance. “Rogues” Aden's voice cracked. Rogues were wild wolves without pack or honor, driven by a madness that made them more beast than person. "No," Melody whimpered, her knees buckled. Thane caught her before she hit the ground, his face grim. Risanna stood in shock, watching her world burn before her eyes. In the clearing near the main house, she could make out the crumpled forms of fallen packmates. Not even the little ones were spared. Among them was the distinctive silver hair of her father, the Alpha, and beside him, Melody's parents. "We have to help them," Sara choked out, tears streaming down her face. "It's too late," Kolton said, holding her back. "Look." The rogues were systematically moving through the compound, ensuring no survivors remained. There had to be at least thirty of them. Far too many for six untrained wolves to challenge. Risanna felt something break inside her, a shattering so profound it left her hollow. In the span of minutes, she had gone from rebellious teenager to orphan, from future Luna to prey. "What do we do?" Aden asked, his usual humor replaced by raw fear. Before she could answer, one of the rogues lifted its head and howled. A different call this time. A hunting call. "They've caught our scent," Risanna murmured, her dread building. "They know we're here." "The caves," Thane said suddenly. "If we can get to the limestone caves by the river, we can mask our scent." It was their only option. With one last pained look at the ruins of their home, they veered into the depths of the forest, the savage howls of their predators echoing behind them. As they ran, Risanna made a silent vow. She would survive this night. And she would make those responsible pay in blood.