Chapter 3: Dark Moon Pack

The sun had disappeared behind the tree line, its long shadows stretching over the width of the pack's premises. Sophia's stomach knotted as she neared the meeting area. News of the hostile behavior by the Dark Moon pack was rife in the pack. Whispers coursed through the air like a cold wind.

She entered the big hall where a meeting was going on and immediately felt the tension radiating from the pack members. Her father stood at the head: Alpha Robert, commanding, powerful. His deep voice boomed loud through murmurs, cutting off everybody.

Thank you all for coming," he said, his voice firm and laden. "We cannot turn a blind eye to the Dark Moon pack's intentions. They have been spotted on the edge of our borders, and we must be ready for anything."

Sophia sat down beside Ash, her younger brother. He had always idolized their father, and Sophia could see the concern etched in his eyes.

What do you think's gonna happen?" Ash whispered, his head close to hers. "You don't really think that they'd actually attack us?"

"I don't know," Sophia returned, looking at their father. "But I hope not. It could mean a lot of trouble for us.

Robert continued, his face stern. "We have reason to believe that they want to expand their area. This may mean some form of confrontation, and we must be ready. Our pack is strong, but we can't underestimate them.

Murmurs once again filled the room. Some wolves appeared afraid, others much angry. The anxiety coursing through Sophia's veins heightened. What if the Dark Moon pack decided to attack? They were ruthless and notorious for brutality. The tales her parents told her of the past battles which occurred flashed through her head.

"Anyone who has ever seen the Dark Moon pack, please come forward," Robert implored.

One wolf, elder Jacob, slowly rose to his feet. "I saw them at the river last week. They were hunting near our border, and I heard their leader, a brute named Victor, boasting about taking our land."

The mention of Victor made Sophia's heart run with stories of his strength and danger running through her mind. What are we supposed to do?, she wondered, helpless.

Bobbing his head, Robert took it all in. "We'll have to increase our patrols. I want scouts out there watching for anything that might seem like trouble. We can't afford to get caught off guard."

Sophia felt a well of fear and anger rise up. Why did things have to be this way? Why couldn't they just all live in peace?

As time drug on and on, her mind went back to Daniel. Was he in league with the Dark Moon pack? Just the thought alone churned in her stomach. She wanted so desperately to be able to trust him, but all that was happening just seemed to instill doubt within her mind.

"Do you think Daniel is okay?" she whispered to Ash, breaking his focus.

Ash shrugged. "I don't know. He has been different lately, but perhaps he is just worried like everybody else."

The meeting continued, but hardly anything sank into Sophia as she listened. Her mind was racing, juggling furiously as she tried to piece together the jigsaw puzzle of her concern. She knew she needed to see Daniel, understand what was going on. But how could this be, when the pack was at such high alert?

At last, the meeting was adjourned by Robert. "Stay alert, everyone. We'll be able to make it through everything together, but we must be firm and united."

The pack members had begun to disperse one after another, but the tension was still palpable in the air. Sophia continued to watch her father with a respectful and somewhat fearful expression on her face. Turning, she wanted to seek Daniel out and have a talk with him when, right at that moment, her heart just sank as she noticed out of the corner of her eye.

Outside, Daniel stood, speaking with a few rogue wolves from the Dark Moon pack. Immediately, her heart was racing in fear and confusion. What was he doing with them? Did he really betray them?

"Come on, Ash. We need to go," she said suddenly, tugging on her brother's hand.

"What's wrong?" he asked, looking back at the scene.

"I saw Daniel running with the Dark Moon wolves. We have to go!" she exclaimed in a voice still shaking with fear.

Ash's face went wide. "Are you sure? What if you're wrong?"

"I hope I'm wrong, but we can't stick around to find out," she said, her heart pounding in her chest.

They ran from the hall, but Daniel's face talking so casually with those rogue wolves was stuck in Sophia's head; he had somehow betrayed her.

"Where are we going?" Ash panted, scampering to keep up with her fast, brisk pace.

"I don't know, somewhere safe," Sophia replied-the more lost by the second.

The weight of uncertainty hung over them as they walked through the trees: What was happening with their pack? In fact, were they in danger? And Daniel?

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ash spoke up and broke the silence. "I'm worried about Dad."

Sophia nodded. "He has a lot on his shoulders. But we need to be strong for him too.

They emerged onto the boundary of the forest, and Sophia stopped to catch her breath. The moon shone bright overhead, lighting up the path ahead. "Let's head to the main camp. We have to stay close to our family."

"Okay, but what about Daniel?" Ash pressed.

"I'll figure it out," she said, determination welling up in her chest. "I need to confront him about what I saw.

But what if he is really with them?" Ash asked, furrows etched on his face.

"Then I'll have to make a choice," Sophia said with a heavy heart burdened with so much uncertainty.

In their minds confused, they made their way back to the main camp, where the rest of the pack was. The trees sang songs of laughter and chatter; somehow, the atmosphere wasn't right. According to Sophia, all this was an act-so it would seem like all was well and yet danger was just a nose away.

As they rode closer to the large fire, Sophia saw her father speaking with several warriors about the patrol. She knew she needed to talk to him, but first, she had words that needed to be said to Daniel.

"Stay close, Ash," she whispered, starting to walk towards the fire.

"I will," he replied, his eyes concerned.

She looked frantically for Daniel, and her heart was like it would jump out of her chest. She had to know the truth. Then, she saw him at the edge of the camp, still with the Dark Moon wolves. Her stomach began twisting in knots.

"Daniel!" she called out, shaking.

He turned to her, and across his face was a look of surprise. "Sophia! What are you doing here?

"Why are you with them?" she insisted, her voice rising. "Are you truly working with the Dark Moon pack?"

Daniel's eyes changed and confusion and hurt crossed his features. "What? No! I'm not with them. I was just-

"Just what? Just talking?" she cut in, exasperation finally starting to leak through. "How am I supposed to trust you when you're here with them?"

His eyes finally widened, and he took one step forward. "Listen, I swear I wasn't doing anything wrong. I was trying to figure out what they want."

"Figure out what they want?" she echoed, her heartbeat rising. "Do you even hear yourself? You put our pack in danger!

Stop! You don't understand!" Daniel pleaded, desperation in his voice. "I was trying to protect you. I thought if I could learn their plans, I could help."

Sophia was torn. Part of her wanted to believe him, while the other part felt betrayed. "Help? By talking to the enemy?"

"It's not what you think!" he insisted again, frustration lacing his words. "I promise, I'd never turn my back on our pack.

Far off, a commotion arose and sent a howling through the night. The pack was statue-still with pent-up tension. The rapid beating of Sophia's heart whirled her around in time to see, fear clutching at her.

"What was that?" Ash whispered, his eyes wide with fear.

"I don't know," she said, the fear setting in, "but we gotta find Dad!"

As the sound got closer, Sophia felt her heart beating in her chest. The stakes couldn't get any higher than they did at that moment, and she knew they all were in danger. The Dark Moon pack wasn't a rumor but tangible danger.

She turned to Daniel with desperation on her face. "You need to come with us. We can't be alone right now."

Daniel nodded; his face turned serious. "Right. Let's find your father."

As they ran to the clump of people which just about started to amass, a premonition struck Sophia-an uncanny feeling that nothing would ever again be as it was. The darkness pulsed with menace, and she sensed they were standing at the threshold of something dangerous.

And then, in that fugacious flash of time, the danger lurking around her-what came into her mind was defense for her pack, her family, and herself against all odds.