Chapter 9: The Silent Divide

The following morning, Erika found herself standing on the porch of the Pack House, the warm sunlight glinting off the shield above the doorway. Today marked the beginning of her immersion into pack life. She had spent the night replaying the breakfast conversation, mulling over Diego’s sharp words and the pack’s hostile stance on rogues. Her resolve to understand this new world had only deepened.

Inside, the pack bustled with activity. The scent of coffee and freshly baked bread mingled with the earthy aroma of pinewood. Diego had summoned her to observe their morning meeting, a routine gathering where issues were discussed, plans made, and decisions finalized. It was Erika’s first glimpse into the mechanics of pack life beyond Diego’s terse explanations.

She stepped into the lounge, her footsteps soft against the wooden floor. All eyes turned to her as Diego rose from his seat at the head of the room.

“Luna Erika,” he said, gesturing for her to sit. “We’re honored by your presence. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Erika nodded and took a seat at the far end of the table, conscious of the stares that followed her every move. The atmosphere was formal but charged with an undercurrent of tension.

Diego began the meeting, his authoritative tone commanding attention. “Let’s start with updates on rogue activity.”

Pippo spoke first, his voice measured. “A pair of rogues were spotted near the western border last night. They didn’t cross into our territory but seemed to be scouting. No direct threat yet.”

“Yet,” Lucia interjected, her voice sharp. “They’re testing us. We should make an example of them.”

Erika’s brow furrowed, but she kept silent, observing how the pack handled such matters. The discussion shifted to patrol schedules, resource allocation, and upcoming events. As the topics meandered, she found herself struggling to keep up with the jargon and hierarchy of responsibilities.

At one point, she hesitated to ask a question about territory boundaries. Before Diego could answer, Lucia’s voice cut in, smooth but tinged with condescension. “That’s common knowledge among Lycans. Surely you learned that growing up?”

The subtle jab wasn’t lost on Erika, but she met Lucia’s gaze with quiet determination. “My upbringing was… different,” she replied, her tone even. “I’m here to learn, not to pretend I already know everything.”

Lucia’s smirk faltered, and Diego’s sharp glance silenced any further comment. Across the table, Sofia offered Erika an encouraging nod, her warm smile a balm against the chilly atmosphere.

Later that day, Erika joined Alessandro for her first patrol round. The sun hung high in the sky, its warmth tempered by a brisk wind that rustled the trees. Alessandro led the way, his stride confident and purposeful.

“Patrols aren’t just about keeping rogues out,” he explained. “We’re the first line of defense, but also the eyes and ears of the pack. Observing the land, noting changes, identifying potential threats—it’s all part of the job.”

Erika nodded, absorbing his words as they trekked through the dense forest. The terrain was uneven, roots and rocks hidden beneath layers of fallen leaves. More than once, she stumbled, her sneakers ill-suited for the rugged path. Each misstep was met with muttered comments from Aris, who had joined them for this round.

“Careful, Luna,” he quipped, his tone dripping with mock concern. “Wouldn’t want you twisting an ankle out here.”

Alessandro shot him a warning look. “Enough, Aris.”

Erika bit back a retort, focusing instead on steadying her footing. The camaraderie among the pack was evident, but so was their skepticism of her abilities. By the time they returned to the Pack House, her legs ached, and her pride had taken a few bruises. Still, she resolved to endure.

That evening, Erika found herself lingering near the lounge, drawn by the low murmur of voices. Pippo and Aris were discussing rogue activity, their words tinged with disdain.

“They’re nothing but feral beasts,” Aris said, his tone bitter. “No loyalty, no discipline. Just chaos.”

Pippo nodded. “And they bring nothing but tragedy. Every pack has lost someone to rogues. I don’t see why anyone would waste time trying to understand them.”

Erika leaned against the doorframe, her thoughts swirling. She wondered about her own family’s history. Why had her parents chosen to live among humans, away from Lycan society? Was there more to the rogue phenomenon than the pack acknowledged?

Her musings were interrupted by Sofia’s soft voice. “You’re thinking about the rogues, aren’t you?”

Erika turned, startled to find Sofia standing behind her. “I… yes. I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to their story. Not every rogue chooses that life, right?”

Sofia’s expression grew somber. “You’re right, but it’s hard to see beyond the pain they’ve caused. Diego… we’ve all lost so much to rogues. They’ve taken parents, siblings, friends. It’s why the pack is so united in their stance.”

“Even you?” Erika asked, her voice soft.

Sofia hesitated before nodding. “Even me. My older brother, Carlo. He was ambushed while protecting our youngest sibling. The rogues didn’t just kill him—they tore him apart, piece by piece. When we found him, there was hardly anything left to bury.” Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. “And Lucia… she watched her mate get ripped away from her in the middle of a crowded festival. No one could save him. The rogues struck fast, melted into the shadows, and left chaos in their wake.”

Erika’s throat tightened as Sofia continued. “Pippo lost his sister. Alessandro, his parents. Aris—his entire family was slaughtered during a raid. Everyone here carries scars, some visible, some not.”

The gruesome imagery painted in Sofia’s words chilled Erika to the bone. She felt a surge of empathy for the pack, their hatred of rogues suddenly more understandable. But then Sofia’s tone shifted, thoughtful and questioning.

“What if the group that did it weren’t rogues?” Sofia asked, her eyes searching Erika’s. “What if they were humans… or Lycans, hiding in plain sight?”

Erika blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. “Why would anyone…?”

Sofia sighed. “Power. Revenge. Greed. Who knows? But if we don’t ask the hard questions, we might never find the truth.”

A heavy silence hung between them. For the first time, Erika sensed the complexity of the pack’s struggles. It wasn’t just about vengeance—it was about survival and uncovering a deeper truth.

By the time she retired to her chambers, Erika’s mind was made up. She needed to prove herself to the pack, to show them that she wasn’t just an ornament but someone who could stand by their side. But more than that, she needed to understand. The rogues, the pack, her own past—they were all pieces of a puzzle she was determined to solve. For now, she would observe and learn. And when the time was right, she would act.