Chapter 4: Confrontation

Sophia's heart skipped a beat as she slipped into the cool, dark woods. She was going to follow Daniel. The words he spoke with the Dark Moon wolves seemed to reverberate in her mind, and she couldn't get rid of the fears those words crept into. What were they planning?

The moon was high above, and its light could barely filter through the thick foliage above. Deeper into the woods she walked, her instincts kicked in; she had to be quiet, not to draw attention to herself. There were crickets chirping, leaves rustling, and far off, an owl hooting. Still, she listened for one sound-the strong beating of her heart.

Daniel!" she whispered shaking. "Where are you?

Then she saw a blur of movement up ahead. Hiding behind a thick tree, she watched what was going on. And there, in a small clearing, was Daniel standing and talking with Kael-the rogue leader of the Dark Moon pack. Sophia's stomach was roiling with anxiety at every word that fell.

You sure this will work?" Daniel asked, low. "I don't want to hurt Sophia."

Kael laughed, the cruel sound running chills down Sophia's spine. "We'll crush the Rivers pack with your help. They'll never see it coming."

Crush the Rivers pack? Was he really going to betray them all? It stuck in her throat. Instantly, Sophia was plagued by a waterfall of questions. Daniel, a part of this? How?

"But Sophia, she trusts me," Daniel exclaimed, the turmoil in full lends in his voice. "What if she finds out? I will never let anything bad happen to her."

Kael's hand waved through the air. "Trust? That is just something in the way of our plan. We will show them what real power does look like. You are a part of this now, Daniel."

And the words cut into Sophia like a knife, instantaneous anger and hurtfulness rose in her. Daniel was her friend, her protector. How could he do this to her? She wanted to burst out and confront him right there, but something stopped her from doing so.

Maybe I should just tell her the truth," Daniel said hesitantly. "I don't like this. I don't like any of this."

"Too late for that now," Kael said icily. "You've chosen your side. It is happening, and it is happening tonight. You are either with us, or you are against us.

She could see into Daniel's face, his features at war with his loyalty for her and his involvement with Kael. Here was her chance. She took a deep, preparatory breath, ready to step out and confront him, when suddenly from the bush right next to her, there was a sudden rustling.

Her heart racing, she froze. Was that a rogue wolf? Or worse? She held her breath and listened intently. The noise grew louder; now she could make out someone moving in the shadows.

"Daniel!" she called out, her voice shaking with fear and anger. "What is going on?

Daniel and Kael turned to her, shock and guilt upon their faces. Daniel looked as though he had just seen a ghost, while across Kael's face registered a lapse into anger.

"Sophia!" Daniel exclaimed, pressing one step forward. "I-"

"Save it!" she exclaimed loudly, for the shaking of her hands. "You're going to betray the pack! You're with them!"

"Wait, Sophia!" Daniel implored again, pressing a step closer. "I can explain!

Kael laughed, moving to stand protectively in front of Daniel. "You're too late, little wolf. You don't even know what you're getting yourself into. Daniel is one of us now."

Sophia's heart fell. "You can't mean that! You've been lying to me, Daniel! How could you do this?"

It wasn't supposed to go this way," Daniel said, voice shaking. "I tried to protect you, us. Still Kael.in one thing, he's right: we are in danger. The Rivers pack cannot keep looking the other way from the threat."

"So you decide to join forces with them?" Sophia returned, hot anger growing inside her. "You think it is the best answer-betrayal?

Daniel looked wracked with indecision, his eyes darting between her and Kael. "I thought I could find a way to protect you. I thought if I could be part of their plan, I could find a way to stop them without anybody getting hurt. I didn't mean for you to find out like this."

"You should have trusted me!" she shrieked as the words rebounded off the trees. "You should have come to me instead of skulking around!"

Kael snorted. "Enough of this pathetic drama. We need to take action, before the pack realizes what's going on. You can either join us or get out of our way. Your choice, Daniel."

The heart of Sophia was racing. "You are making a mistake! They will not spare you just because you are helping them. They will turn on you!"

Daniel's face had gone pale, caught in a struggle. "I-"

But before he could get the words out, Kael cut in, his voice low and dangerous. "You know what happens to traitors. Choose wisely, Daniel.

It was a heavy fog of tension. To Sophia, the earth was splitting down the middle beneath her very feet. The urge to grab Daniel, to yank him from Kael's clutches, was overwhelming, yet the fear of what Kael might do froze her to her spot.

"I won't let you hurt my pack," Sophia said firmly. "I won't let you hurt anyone."

Kael snarled, "And what will you do? You're just a pup compared to the likes of us. You have no power here."

Sophia straightened up, not budging an inch. "Maybe not yet. But I have my family, and we will fight back."

"Your family won't save you from this," Kael belittled. "Daniel, are you with us or against us?

Daniel turned to Sophia with a look of uncertainty, his eyes not knowing quite which way to turn. "I… I don't know," he whispered.

Above her frustration and terror rose. "Daniel, please, you know who I am! You know I would never betray you."

"I don't want to hurt you," Daniel said, shaking.

Kael's patience was growing slim. "Enough! We need to make a choice now. Daniel, you have till tomorrow to decide. Join us, or face the consequences."

"Daniel!" Sophia wailed in despair. "Don't do this! You're better than this. We can stop them together!"

Kael narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to Daniel. "What's it going to be?

She watched him struggle, her heart breaking, and a part of her so desperately wanted to believe he would choose her, choose the pack-but a very firm grip of fear ensnared her. The bond they shared felt so long ago, so very distant, and overshadowed by the dark choices facing them now.

More rustling in the bushes, and she felt her heart fall. More Dark Moon wolves? The attack was already ready to roll?

"

Go!" she hollered, wheeling around to start running, "We need to warn the pack!"

"

Sophia, wait!" Daniel called out, but she didn't stop. She had to warn her family; she had to get away from this nightmare.

She ran faster, her legs carrying her through the woods while her mind was racing. It was real danger, and now she knew Daniel was right in the middle of it. The urge hit, the need to find a way to save him and her pack from the looming threat.

As the darkness closed in from every direction, she would not let the fear take precedence. She would fight for her pack, for her family, for Daniel-no matter what lay beyond the horizon.