CHAPTER 2

"Can I go out and play now?" Mia asked, her eyes wide with hope.

Her parents exchanged a look before nodding. "Yes, but only if you promise to be careful and listen to Noah.

Mia nodded eagerly, and her brother led her out into the forest to join the other children. Mia felt a thrill of excitement as she ran, her feet pounding on the ground. She had missed the feeling of the wind in her hair and the sun on her face.

As they played, Mia watched in awe as her brother Noah shifted into his wolf form once again. His fur was a deep brown, and his eyes gleamed with intelligence. Mia knew that wolves were intelligent creatures, but she had never seen it so clearly before.

Noah ran ahead of them, his wolf form agile and powerful. Mia watched in wonder as he leapt over logs and darted through the trees. She couldn't help but feel a little envious of her brother's abilities.

Soon the sun began to set and they headed back home. 

Noah watched as his younger sister Mia received a warm hug from their parents. He couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Mia always seemed to get special treatment from their parents, especially their father.

Noah had always been close to his father, but ever since Mia was born, he felt like he had been pushed aside. He knew it wasn't intentional, but he couldn't help but feel a little bitter about it.

As he watched his sister bask in their parent's attention, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be treated like a princess. He shook his head, trying to push the thought away. He was a wolf, after all, and wolves didn't care about such things.

But the thought stayed with him, nagging at the back of his mind. He wondered if his parents loved him as much as they loved Mia. He knew it was a foolish thought, but he couldn't help the way he felt.

"Mom, when will I be able to shift into a wolf-like Noah?" Philip looked at Maria, who then explained that for some people, they first shift in their teenage years, while some do before then and that she should be patient.

Noah watched as his sister's face fell. He could tell she was disappointed. He remembered feeling the same way when he was younger, desperate to shift and prove himself as a member of the pack.

"It's not fair," Mia pouted. "I want to be able to shift now."

Maria put a comforting hand on Mia's shoulder. "I know it seems unfair, Mia, but everyone's body is different. You'll shift when you're ready, and it'll be worth the wait."Noah nodded in agreement, knowing from experience that the wait was worth it. He remembered the thrill of his first shift, the rush of power and freedom that came with it. He couldn't wait for Mia to experience the same thing.

Phillip and Maria were warriors of the pack, sworn to protect their territory and its inhabitants. So when news of rogue wolves invading their territory began to spread, it didn't take long for them to be summoned to a meeting with the alpha.

As they approached the clearing where the meeting was to be held, they could sense the tension in the air. The other members of the pack were gathered around, whispering amongst themselves as they waited for the alpha to speak.

When the alpha finally appeared, he wasted no time in getting down to business. "As you all know, rogue wolves have been spotted in our territory," he began. "We must be prepared for any possible attacks. Phillip and Maria, I want you two to stay put and keep watch over the western border. You're one of our most experienced warriors.

Phillip bristled at the command. He was eager to fight and protect his pack, and the idea of staying put and waiting for the rogues to come to them didn't sit well with him. "With all due respect, Alpha," he spoke up, "I think we should take the fight to them. We can launch a surprise attack and take them out before they have a chance to do any harm."

The alpha turned his gaze on Phillip, his eyes narrowing. "You forget your place," he growled. "I am the alpha, and I make the decisions for this pack. You will do as I say, or face the consequences."

Phillip lowered his head, chastised. Maria rubbed his back in a comforting gesture, reminding him to respect the authority of the alpha. "We will do as you say, Alpha," she spoke up. "We will stay put and prepare for any rogue who dares to cross our borders."

The alpha nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now go, and do your duty."

As they walked away from the meeting, Phillip couldn't help but feel frustrated. He knew he had a lot to learn about respecting the chain of command, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were missing an opportunity to take the fight to the rogues.

Maria could sense his agitation, and she spoke up to comfort him. "We will do what we can to protect our pack," she said. "We will stay alert and be ready to fight when the time comes. But we must also remember that the alpha knows what's best for the pack as a whole."

Phillip nodded, but he couldn't help but feel restless. He knew the rogues were out there, somewhere, and he couldn't help but wonder when they would strike.

Days turned into weeks, and still there was no sign of the rogues. The pack continued to go about its business as usual, but Phillip could sense the tension just below the surface. Everyone was on edge, waiting for the attack that seemed inevitable.

And then, one night, it happened. Phillip and Maria were on watch when they heard the telltale sounds of a group of rogues approaching. They tensed, ready for action, and signalled for backup.