The border

Dry leaves scrunched beneath their feet, and the faint howl of the night owls echoed in the still woods. 

Jordane stared at the skies, her heart beating like crazy. She heaved out a silent, heavy sigh, receiving a slight to her right ribs afterwards,

Livvy had edged closer to Jordane, her eyes warily shifting toward the exhausted mother walking behind them. 

There were only four of them, as per Jordane's request, and they were headed toward the boundary separating them from the other werewolf pack. 

Although no formal letter was sent to inform the Alpha of the pack they were approaching, Jordane must find a way to get him to talk with her face-to-face. 

That was part of the condition her father had agreed to. Whether the other Alpha decides to kill the mother and child would be out of Jordane's father's concern.

"Stop scowling," Livvy hissed in Jordane's ears. Her feet hurt from walking, and they couldn't afford to rest until they reached their destination. 

"Didn't you want this?" Livvy added, refusing to look back and seem suspicious to the woman whose fate lies in their hands.

Jordane clicked her tongue, apparently not happy with the result of her own doing.

"Well, yes! But no, this wasn't what I expected him to choose!" Jordane answered back, her tone frustrated. She was mad at herself for believing that her father would cave and let the woman stay.

That naive thinking brought her and Livvy to the middle of the woods with the mother and child, leading them to an uncertain future.

'Will the Alpha even give me a chance to speak?' she had been confident that it was possible earlier while standing in front of her father.

However, now that she was facing the consequences of her interference, she was not too sure that it was such a great idea.

"I feel very idiotic right now, Liv," Jordane admitted. "The last thing I needed is to be reminded of it."

Livvy shook her head in disbelief. Internally, she was more than happy to be Jordane's friend. No other wolf, not even her siblings, could dare to go against her father's wishes nor stand up against the Alpha.

Still, she wished they didn't have to spend the rest of their evening walking in the woods and facing the other pack's scary, arrogant Alpha.

But then, Livvy knew how much Jordane was already regretting her decision. Even so, she knew her friend wouldn't back out easily. 

'One day…' Livvy thought. 'One day, you will be an Alpha's Luna. I am sure of it.'

Livvy kept that insight to herself. Voicing it out now would only garner her a glare from Jordane. They were both sweaty and exhausted after the long day they had. 

"I am only being a good friend, Jadie," Livvy answered, patting Jordane's shoulder., "You know how it is. '

Livvy chuckled good000-naturedly. Jordane didn't join her, but the corners of her mouth twitched.

Allowing herself a few minutes to ease her mind, Jordane took a deep breath. She inhaled the cold misty air that blew softly on their skins. 

It was short-lived as the border came into view. Despite the dim lighting, Jordane felt her chest tighten. She could sense her insides twisting into tight knots. 

She had no idea what to do or where to begin. This was the first time she risked going against her father, and also anticipating to be scolded by her mother later when she returned. 

Yet, she had been somewhat used to that for the last part. However, her father's wrath was something she hated to see. 

"I hope you have a plan, Jordane," Livvy stated, not even masking her worry. She didn't even need to voice that one out. 

Livvy knew Jordane would immediately understand. However, the uncertain look clearly written on Jordane's face spoke for her already.

"I don't," Jordane replied. "But have I ever failed to achieve what I wanted?"

Livvy chuckled for the second time around. 

Jordane had a point. There was not one moment when she could remember Jordane not getting what she wanted or giving up.

Nevertheless, she knew they had no control over what would happen next. Plus, they haven't met the Alpha of the other pack. If he happened to get persuaded by Jordane to talk with her, it would be the first time they actually see a face.

Rumour has it that he was ruthless and strictly adhered to all rules regarding their kind. 

'If that's the case, would Jordane be able to convince him to keep the mother and child alive?'

Biting her lower lip, Livvy prayed silently to the moon goddess.

'May your mercy and grace be upon the newborn and his mother that they may have a better life than facing death.'

Jordane stood feet apart from the border. The wind whistled loudly in her ears, making every hair on her body come to alertness. 

She shivered, glancing at the night sky, seeking some sort of protection. 

'I don't really know what I'm supposed to be doing, but please, spare the lives of these two innocent souls.'

Just as she had finished sending her pleas to the moon goddess, two silhouettes emerged from the other side.

Jordane squinted, her heart hammering inside her chest, and her skin prickled excitedly. She became confused about the sensation her body had started giving out, forcing her to step back while trying to assess the situation.

The male figures that approached them had her sucking some air, her eyes darting from one man to the other, sensing some familiarity with the mysterious figure on the left.

She tried to recall a particular incident, but her mind seemed preoccupied, toggling on the well-built muscles of the man on the left.

Her heart picked up speed and began to pump faster than its normal rhythm. 

Livvy pulled the woman and child behind her as she stood one foot apart from Jordane. Her nerves tingled, a sensation she could only associate when faced with someone who had authority. 

"Could it be…?" Jordane muttered, her eyes zeroing in on the man who now looked very familiar. 

"It's him," Livvy uttered, confirming Jordane's suspicion. The latter's eyes opened wider, her mouth slightly forming a large o. "It's the Alpha."