The Divide
358 Words
The following days passed like a blur, each the same as the one before, and the promise of attack growing more terrifying with each passing day. From one day to the next we cooked, cleaned, and cared for the pups as our warriors patrolled and trained for combat. Every few days we would receive word of another attack on a neighboring pack, each story the same with no survivors. It seemed as if the rogues were getting more careful, attaching from different directions, and using different tactics to distract and confuse the warriors. One evening at dinner, Andro, my father's beta spoke up, "We cannot continue in this way forever. The rogues are coming, and they have destroyed each pack so far. We even received word this morning that the Sunburst pack, one of our strongest allies fell to them three days ago. Our only hope is to leave this land and settle our pack somewhere far from here, where the rogues will never reach." Soft murmurs flooded the room, some in agreement and some against. Then a young warrior stood, anger in his eyes, and shouted "We cannot leave! Our ancestors founded this pack on sacred land, and we cannot abandon it. The sunburst pack was strong, but we are stronger. We must stay and fight, for our pack and for our Luna!" More murmurs, as wolves began to form sides, each arguing their views. Murmurs quickly turned to shouting and the room erupted into chaos. "Enough!" My father yelled in his alpha voice, whereupon everyone was silent once more. "We cannot let this divide and weaken our pack. Only together will be strong enough to fight and to survive." Survive he said, not avenge or attack. A new sense of dread enveloped me as I realized that my father, our alpha, was afraid; maybe more afraid than anyone. As my head hit the pillow that night my mind raced, envisioning a world where we ran, abandoned our home, everything we knew and held dear. My wolf tried to comfort me but it was no use, tears flooded my pillow, eventually crying myself into a restless sleep.
- Writer
