HIDDEN PARTNERSHIP

POV: Darrell Williams

The sound of Alpha Marcus approaching filled the cave. His presence commanded both respect and horror in equal measure, and his silver fur shimmered in the unsettling blue light.

I looked at Ivory and noticed that her eyes reflected my same bewilderment. Why was the Silver Claw Alpha in this situation?

Marcus scanned the cavern, taking in the tight exchange of words. "Well, isn't this cozy?" he grumbled.

Anger twisted Rovin's face. "Marcus! You're ahead of schedule." My thoughts were racing. Too early? Were they collaborating? Marcus laughed, his laugh resonating against the walls of stone. "Plans change, my dear friend. I decided to speed things up."

I moved forward, putting myself in the way of my group and this new foe. "What's going on here?" I demanded.

Marcus looked up at me, a gleam in his eyes. "Ah, Darrel, the young one. There's a lot to learn about politics in packs." "This isn't politics," Ivory fumed. "You're holding our son hostage!"

Whimpering, Jere