Moon's shadow

The Reckoning

The breaking of a branch made Rhea turn around forcefully. Her face was alert, her sharp eyes peering further into the forest, ready to shift into her wolf form in case of any danger. The moon rested delicately in the sky, pouring shining light down the dense forest. It had been weeks of tension, preparation and anticipation since they began surveying the Greywolf territory incessantly.

Nothing had happened yet. There was no sign of Kieran Shadowclaw nor his rogue wolves, not even in the secret clearing Rhea had led the pack to. It was abandoned and desolate, with very little signs of its previous habitat. He had disappeared into thin air. His absence created extreme angst among the pack. Everyone was alert and focused.

Lumina swiftly stood by Rhea, her eyes assessing the situation. Her voice was peaked and alert. “Did you hear something?” They had grown close over the weeks, patrolling together protecting each other's back. Rhea provided comfort, Lumina did not realize she was missing. Another woman she could talk to and confide in. The mission they shared and the manner in which to accomplish it brought them even closer.

Rhea's shoulders tensed and she clasped her hands. “I thought I did. But there is nothing.” She answered thoughtfully, “I must be hearing things.”

“I can't sleep. I'm worried too.” Lumina shared sincerely.

“I know what you are going through. It was worse for me.” Rhea comforted Lumina, holding her hand.

“You've never really told me how Kieran killed every last one of your pack. There must have been at least one left. Have you not tried looking for them?” Lumina inquired curiously. Her eyes shone eagerly, looking at Rhea.

Rhea's expression hardened, and she pursed her lips tight. Most of the time, she never fully answered Lumina. Whenever a sensitive subject came up, she would brush it off, but her demeanor would completely change. The deeper their friendship grew, the more unanswered questions Lumina had for her.

Silence passed between them as they carefully maneuvered through the thick forest. Rhea was absorbed in deep thoughts.

“Rhea? You didn't answer me.” Lumina probed.

Rhea's gaze remained steady as she focused on the thorn-covered paths, hidden from naked eyes. She crouched low to escape a low-hanging branch. “I really don't recall such things, Lumina. When I'm ready I will tell you everything.” She gave a shaky smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

“Right. Still, now you can talk to me. You are in my pack now, and I've got your back.” A slight frown appeared in Lumina's expression even as she said those words.

“Thank you for your kindness,” She said softly. My voice was barely above a whisper. They navigated the forest silently, then Rhea added, her voice laced with regret. “If it wasn't for me. It would still be there. My pack, my family.” Her face was contorted in pain.

Lumina reached out and placed her hand on Rhea's arm. She was about to respond when Rhea suddenly stopped walking. Her body tensed, and she motioned for Lumina to stay silent. She pointed towards a small hidden clearing, partially hidden by tall baobab trees but still visible. They crouched low and crept slowly closer to the clearing, ears perked, carefully avoiding the broken branches. The leaves remained still and not a single plant was disturbed. They were experienced from their weeks of training and secret surveys.

Two figures stood closer, involved in a deep conversation. One said with a clear scheming voice. “Tension and confusion is building up. Some believe there is no danger at all. We need to attack now.” Lumina's heart skipped a beat, her jaw dropped and the hairs on her body stood on end. That voice was as familiar as day. It belonged to someone she knew, very well. Someone she trusted. The traitor was none other than someone so close to her.

“No. Not now. During the celebrations, the full moon is fast approaching, that's when we will attack.” A deep authoritative voice boomed.

“I don't think that's fast enough. They are already suspecting someone in the pack to be a traitor. If we wait any longer they will know it's…” His voice was desperate and mixed with fear.

“Listen to me.” Alpha Kieran's voice was stern and sharp, as he ignored the other person's concerns. “No one will know anything if you continue doing what you are doing...” Kieran stepped closer to him, he held him by the shoulders and stared into his eyes intensely. “Unless you are having second thoughts..” he asked sharply.

“No..no of course not, I just mean we should not wait..” his voice was tentative and weak, unlike when he stood and gave orders to the Greywolf pack–always filled with confidence and certainty.

“Good. Soon, whatever will be left of Greywolf pack will be yours to do with, as you please, after I have had my fun.” Alpha Kieran said bitterly. His voice was coated with malicious intent.

Lumina was shaking uncontrollably, her face pale with shock and anger, as it registered to her that one of her own had turned his back on the pack and offered them up to the enemy on a silver platter. A trusted leader in the pack. Her mind was fogged with questions whirling freely. Her fists clenched as she thought of the times she trusted and listened to his counsel. She was tempted to attack.

“You can't do it now.” Rhea said softly, squeezing her hands tightly. “ We must get back. Trust me, we will get him, but we have to move now.”

As bad as she wanted to tear at the traitor's neck and pay him back for the death of her dear pack members, she knew what Rhea said was the right thing to do. They had to retreat. She moved blindly through the dense forest, her legs heavy. If it had not been for her extreme familiarity with the woods, she would have drawn attention to them already, since she was not even looking where she stepped.

“Now that we know who the traitor is. We can proceed with the plan. Attack them before the full moon.” Lumina stated categorically, looking into her friend's eyes once they were not within earshot.

“We must! It is finally time.” Rhea said almost immediately. Her voice thick with excitement, her eyes glittered in the dark, she had a determined expression on her face, her brows furrowed in anger. “I promise you, we will take them all. Wipe them away.” She promised.

***

Lumina nodded in agreement, though her mind wondered why Rhea was not willing to share her full encounter with Kieran. She contemplated if Rhea would truly be able to assist them in going against Kieran when the time came. She trusted her. Everything she said had been true, but what if she got cold feet and ran away?

She shoves the thought to the very back of her mind. She had time to think of that, till then, she had a traitor to purge from the pack. They made their way back to the pack deep in thought.

“We have to get some sleep for now. We have a lot to do in the morning,” Lumina declared as they approached the cabins.

“Goodnight Alpha.” Rhea nodded, as she made her way towards a cabin that was specially made for her.

The sun was peeping from the horizon, casting a golden glow in all directions of the big clearing inside Grewolf space. Day to day activities were not taking place in the clearing. There was no open fire with the rich smell of roasting meat. No laughter from happy kids running around the woods. The mood was gloomy with thick tension hanging heavily in the air. All the members of the pack gathered around the clearing, their eyes focused on a figure who knelt in the middle of the clearing with his head hung low. Voices gasped, rising and falling in whispers, accusing fingers pointed at him harshly and the pack's judgmental expressions bore into him sharply.

Lumina's heart rapidly thumped against her chest. Her body trembled with rage as she stared at him. Someone she gave her trust to assist her lead the pack.

“Eliam Stormborn, second in command to Carden Thorne, you stand accused of betrayal. Plotting to wipe away your own pack alongside Kieran Shadowclaw. What do you have to say for yourself?” She demanded sternly, eyes gazing at him. Her dark eyes glimmered against the golden rays of the sun.

Silence.

“Speak!” Lumina Greywolf growled furiously, baring her sharp teeth towards the traitor. Eliam winced in fear. His shoulders slumped as he hesitantly lifted his head towards Lumina. Hatred, fear and anger raged in his darkened eyes. Even though he was bound and restricted, he looked like he wanted to leap at Lumina and tear her throat.

“I did not betray you.” He stated coolly, looking at Lumina with a determined expression.

“Did you not conspire with Kieran Shadowclaw to kill your own pack members during the full moon?” Lumina's voice was deathly cold.

“Yes. I did liaise with Alpha Kieran but not to wipe away my pack. To take over and lead them myself!” Eliam’s tone was full of conviction, he held Lumina's gaze courageously, as he spoke confidently to the pack. “We are not a pack ruled by a woman full of decorated words but with no strength. You only took over because you are Alpha Elias’ daughter. The pack needs a brave, decisive warrior. One who does not rely on strangers for our survival!” His voice was full of contempt.

Tension fell over the pack. As the members stared at one another with stolen glances. Some spoke in hushed tones considering what Eliam was saying. Others disagreed quietly.

All the blood drained from Lumina's face, she was as still as the quiet waters, her voice was low and filled with low boiling rage. Since she could remember, power had transitioned smoothly in the family from her great-great-grandparents down to her father. But all had been men. Her father did not have a son, so, naturally, leadership fell on her. Eliam's intentions were clear, he wanted to challenge Lumina for her position. “Is that why you killed our five members? Kyle, Joline, Franktus, Lospez and Andreas. All for power?”

“That was a necessary evil for the food of the pack. They saw how weak you are. In your reign we have already lost five members. How many more must die, Lumina?” Eliam snarled spitefully.

“Eliam. Leadership is more than power and strength, it requires wisdom and patience and trust. You seem to think you can do it with your strength alone. Do you think Kieran will help you? He wants to eradicate our pack.” Lumina demanded authoritatively.

“Well, that's between me and him. Two alpha males. It seems to me you are too afraid to fight.” Eliam challenged Lumina. His tone was condescending. He tugged roughly at the ropes that bound him.

The clearing erupted in loud chatter. Every wolf gasped in shock. Lumina had been challenged publicly. There were only two ways to go. For her to accept the challenge or step down disgracefully.

Rhea was silent and stiff. She was oddly quiet. She merely observed and bore witness to everything as the scene unfolded.

Carden was enraged, his sea-green eyes squinted in anger, his hands balled in tight fists. He wanted to make his way to Lumina, to step forward and protect her, yet he didn't dare to. This was a crucial moment that could either establish Lumina as a true alpha or not. His hands were tied. He hoped Lumina knew he was there to support her.

Lumina growled in anger. Her body trembled as she prepared to transform into her wolf form. “I accept your challenge. But when this is over, everyone here will witness and see you as the traitor you are. You shall die.”

The fight for power was not something taken lightly. People died before they could let it go. Eliam snarled dangerously as he turned into a huge reddish-brown wolf, with eyes that sparkled in the golden rays of the sun. The pack members moved closer and closer, forming a small tight circle, everyone wanting to know how the fight would go. It was going to be rough, ferocious and merciless.

Lumina turned, her wolf smaller than Eliam's yet beautiful, with fur as smooth as silk. She had gone to battle against wolves that were much bigger and stronger than Eliam, but her swift movements and quick calculation had always been her strength. She posed herself ready to attack, her muscles coiling with strength and determination.

Eliam launched an attack, sprinting in the air, his teeth bare ready to bite into Lumina's neck, his powerful muscles stretched as he forced his body forward. Lumina swiftly avoided his attack, leaping to the side and sinking her teeth in Eliam's hind leg. Eliam yowled in great pain as he moved to the side, using his claws to swing at Lumina at unprecedented speed and strength, he left deep red marks on her flanks. Lumina winced in pain, but her eyes never left Eliam for a second, she moved quickly, teeth snarling in rage and fearlessness.

“Is this your happiness? For us to fight among ourselves, you fool.” Lumina jested, going in circles around Eliam. “Is this all you got? I'll kill you in ten moves.”

Eliam saw red. His fury blinding him, he leaped in the air, with improper calculations. Lumina was more than prepared, she was beneath his reach and bit his other hind leg, twisting it ferociously, Eliam howled in pain and hopping around without balance. Lumina grabbed the moment and threw herself at him, biting into his stomach and her weight pushing him to the ground. They rolled around in the dust, biting and swiping at each other with sharp claws. A ball of fur marks on the ground.

Lumina's moves were well calculated, wasting no time, her sharp snarling teeth positioned on his neck, ready to bite into it any second if he so much as a move.

Pin drop silence fell over the pack. Everyone watched intently, waiting to see what was going to happen. Eliam was breathing desperately under Lumina. Lumina snarled dangerously, biting his neck lightly.

“Yield or prepare to meet our ancestors,” Lumina commanded ruthlessly.

Eliam lay fidgeting, trying to find a way to free himself.

“Yield or I'll kill you!” Lumina commanded, biting into Eliam's neck. Eliam winced, his body pressed into the ground. He lay still and shifted his head, letting Lumina have access to his throat as a way of yielding.

Lumina let go, nudging him aside with her nose. She turned into her human form. She stood with head held high, her eyes roaming across the pack members. Carden took off his white shirt and draped it around her naked form. The shirt absorbed the blood dripping off her injured stomach. She was injured. Eliam's injury was way worse. Lumina spoke with a cold but soft voice. It was clear her anger had not dissipated yet. Her chest heaved as she surveyed the members, then settled her eyes on Rhea. “I may seem gentle, kind and generous, but that does not mean I am weak. My mother taught me that a good leader is one who leads with love and trust not fear and authority. So not my kindness for stupidity nor my gentle nature for weaknesses. Let no one forget this. For the punishment of betrayal, you will be put to death.”

“Yes Alpha.” Carden growled loudly, his voice filled with pride and admiration as he knelt down in front of Alpha Lumina and inclined his head in honor of the Alpha.

One by one, the members of the pack knelt down bowing and howling in respect of the first female Alpha.

“Shift back.” Alpha Lumina commanded Eliam, who lay still on the ground. He shifted back slowly, his face covered with shame and regret.

“You shall tell us everything about the plot. You shall remain under tight custody until after the end of the war. You may be a traitor but you are still one of us. You shall receive a fair trial and receive fair punishment.”

“Yes Alpha.” Eliam mumbled, his eyes downcast. His tone was that of respect and shock at Lumina's mercy.

“Take him.” Carden commanded. Five warriors pounced on him, dragging him off to the holding cave.

“We have received information about a planned attack on our pack. The Shadowclaw clan plan on doing it on the night of the full moon. We shall ambush them before the full moon. Therefore, brothers and sisters, my fathers and mothers let us prepare for battle. Long live Greywolf pack!” Lumina howled loudly. The pack members loudly howled back, in agreement.

The pack members filed out of the clearing in twos and threes, ready to begin the day. Lumina was left standing in the midst of the clearing. As the sun rose higher and higher, Lumina contemplated the journey ahead. If only the confrontation with Kieran Shadowclaw had been as simple as that battle with Eliam. Her heart pounded with anticipation of the coming fight. Tomorrow was unpredictable, but today she stood proud and tall as the unchallenged Alpha of the pack.