Chapter five: As fate would have it

I moved through the dense woods of the Silver Creek pack territory, and an inexplicable sense of anticipation washed over me.

It was as though the very air crackled with energy, and my instincts told me that something extraordinary was about to happen. The forest seemed to hold its breath in silent expectation, leaves rustling softly as if they whispered secrets to one another.

In the hearts of the wilderness, I heard a sound- sweet, innocent laughter that seemed out of place amidst the solitude of the woods. My wolf stirred within me, recognizing something familiar yet distant in that sound. It was a laughter that resonated with a timeless, primal memory.

Driven by a strange curiosity, I followed the source of the laughter, my sense alert to every detail. Each step I took felt like a journey through a realm of wonder and enchantment, where the vibrant green of the leaves above seemed to shimmer with ethereal light.

The air was imbued with the fragrance of wildflowers and earth, enhancing the magical aura of this hidden world. I remember when my pack was this way until we were cursed.

As I entered a sunlit clearing the scene unfolded before me. The laughter that had drawn me here belonged to a group of children, their faces lit up with joy as they danced.

There, before my eyes, was male. He was engaged in a tender moment with a child, their shared laughter echoing through the forest. From my concealed vantage point, I couldn’t make out the child’s features, but there was an undeniable connection that drew me to him.

A rush of emotions flooded me as I watched the child in particular, a sense of longing and warmth I couldn’t fully comprehend. I was inexplicably drawn to the sight of this child, even though I did not know his true identity.

This made me remember one of the great issues at hand here. My pack as of this year has not managed to conceive one child; this was a major issue considering that if things continued the way they are now my pack may be extinct within years even though werewolves lived longer lives than humans.

Our pack which had once been blessed with nearly a hundred new pups each year had spiraled into a disheartening decline, reaching an unsettling zero. This dramatic shift sparked a torrent of frustration and discontent within our ranks, casting a cloud of turmoil over our community.

The moon goddess appeared to be meting out her punishment, her divine wrath fueled by my failure as a mate to Claire. My decision to heed my mother’s counsel and partner with another, a mate of greater strength, in the belief it would fortify our pack, had backfired.

The consequences were glaringly evident in our dwindling numbers and the growing unrest within our pack. I bore the heavy weight of responsibility for this dire situation and was resolved to make amends.

Amid this upheaval, a soft, barely audible rustling behind me caught my attention. I turned to see Sonya approaching. It was a puzzling sight, given her role as our Luna, as there was no hint of grace in her movements, and her reputation as a terrible person was well-earned.

“Jacob,” she called, her voice laced with a familiarity I didn’t appreciate.

I bristled at her casual tone. ”call me Alpha Jacob,” I replied curtly, my voice sharp with irritation.

Sonya’s smile wavered, her eyes narrowing for a moment before she regained her composure. ”You know,” she began, her voice holding a hint of defiance, ”You don’t even call me Luna. ‘it’s always just ‘Sonya.’

My response was unapologetic.”I was not chosen for the title of Alpha. I was born with it,” I stated my tone unyielding.” You, on the other hand, were chosen as Luna by the pack. Continue to disregard my name and I’ll be forced to snap your useless neck.”

Sonya’s expression tightened and she nodded tersely, a glimmer of frustration in her eyes. “Fine, Alpha Jacob,” she conceded, her tone laced with a hint of annoyance as she emphasized the title.

“The meeting is about to begin, they have requested your presence.” She spoke drawing my attention away from the laughing child.

I was immediately hugged by my best friend, Alpha Peter, who I knew I could trust with my secret. This secret couldn’t be told to anyone.

The grand meeting hall of the Silver Creek pack, led by my best friend Alpha Peter, was a sight to behold. We shared a bond that transcended the boundaries of our respective packs, and today’s meeting was one of the utmost secrecy.

Taking my seat beside Alpha Peter, I knew that this conversation had to remain hidden. A clandestine exchange between friends. The room was shrouded in an air of confidentiality.

“Thank you for accepting this meeting,” I began, “Today’s discussion holds a secret of utmost importance that must remain hidden from prying eyes.”

He nodded solemnly, understanding the necessity of secrecy. The matter we were about to discuss couldn’t afford exposure.

“The issue, Alpha Peter,” I explained, “is the declining number of pups born within Silver Moon. It threatens our pack’s stability and reputation. Soon if other packs hear of this news and know that the moon goddess doesn’t favor us then it could mean war.”

Alpha Peter listened attentively, recognizing the gravity of my words.

“Should this problem become known,” I continued, “it could have dire consequences for everyone in the southern valley, not only for my pack. That is why we must handle it discreetly, known only to us.”

Alpha Peter regarded me with a solemn nod, acknowledging the weight of my request. We both understood that this secret meeting was not only about solving a pressing problem but also about preserving the reputation and strength of Silver Creek, our friendship, and the future we held in our hands.

“Alpha Jacob,” Alpha Peter responded with a voice that conveyed empathy, “I comprehend the gravity of this situation. What do you propose we do to address this same issue discreetly and protect Southern Valley’s future?”

As I turned to Alpha Peter, the weight of my revelation hung heavy in the air, and I couldn’t hide it. “Alpha Peter,” I began, my voice tinged with a mix of guilt and desperation, “I’ve sought guidance from the highest witch, Nadia, and the only way to reverse our pack predicament is to find my mate and redeem myself for rejecting her all those years ago. But finding Claire is like looking for one grain amongst billions.”

“My actions have greatly angered the moon goddess, and I’ve implored Nadia, the white witch, to assist in locating Claire. However, she was hesitant to aid me, fearing that the moon goddess would strip her of her power to help me, given the moon goddess’s anger towards me. I’ve prayed day and night to her, and it seems that nothing has come of it,” I explained, my voice carrying the weight of the seemingly insurmountable challenge before us.

Alpha Peter regarded me with a mixture of understanding and concern, “I see the weight of this burden, Alpha Jacob. It’s sad Claire is not here, it would’ve been an easy fix.”

“The white witch told me that the only one who could help me by pleading was Paige herself. Nadia told me you were able to get me to see the oracle, Paige.” I explained watching as a deep sigh emitted from him.

“I need to see the oracle.”