Chapter 5: The Choice of Loyalty

She ran as fast as her legs could carry her between the trees, her heart racing with every step taken in the conciliation with Daniel and Kael without knowing what was to happen from one second to another. She came round a bend and almost col­lided with Ash standing facing her, his face stern with concern.

"Sophia!" he exclaimed, tugging at her arm and balancing her. "What's wrong? I saw you running. Is everything all right?"

I-I don't know, Ash," she stammered between breaths. "I just heard Daniel talking to Kael. They are plotting something against our pack!"

"What?" Ash's eyes enlarged. "We have to warn your father. This is bigger than you and Daniel. We cannot let them catch us off guard.

The shake of her head emphasized the confused expression on Sophia's face. "What if Daniel is being manipulated? He would never betray us; he cares for the pack!"

Ash frowned, putting himself in her shoes. "I understand you care about him, but we can't take any chances. When he's with them, then we move, and fast.

Inside, Sophia was turmoil, desperate to hold on to the hope that Daniel was still in their camp, but the weight of his conversation with Kael fore-fronted her heart. "What if he's in too deep? What if he can't get out?"

"I don't know," Ash replied, frustrated equally. "But we have to put the pack first. They are our family. They need to know what is coming.

She nodded, well aware that he was right. Her family would never turn their backs on her. But the idea of Daniel being on another side, opposite hers, was an agony she didn't want to face. "Okay. Let's go warn my father."

As they started to make their way through the trees, images entered Sophia's mind: how she had wished things might have been different, what would have happened if he'd never met Kael, what would happen if somehow they could start all over, like it used to be.

"Sophia, focus," Ash cut in. "We need to hurry.

They quickened their pace after that, avoiding branches and scrub. The moonlight illuminated the path ahead yet somehow gave the shadows a deeper darkness than before. The air was thick with tension to Sophia, and she could sense the storm ready to break.

"What if we're too late?" she asked, trying to keep the fear from rising into her voice.

"We won't be," Ash replied confidently. "We get there on time. Just stick close to me.

Muffled howls were loud enough to overhear across the woods as they ran. The sight of Sophia, who suddenly was still, made her heart sink with a gulp. "You hear that?

Ash froze in a burst, puffing the skin of his face. "Yeah, that doesn't sound good. Could be Dark Moon pack. Closer than we thought."

"We have to hurry!" exclaimed Sophia as it coursed into her veins full of adrenaline. She started running again, forcing herself to run faster. Already, the howls were getting louder, and she knew she was running out of time.

As they neared the clearing, used so often by the pack as a meeting place, her mind began to wander once more back to her father. What would he say? Would he believe her about Daniel? Would he be angry, or worried?

They were grounds thick with tension in the air, wolves milling at every corner, wary faces masking instinctive warnings of lurking danger. There he was, she saw-Alphas Robert talking to some of the older wolves.

"Dad!" she exclaimed, running up to him.

Robert turned to face her, wide-eyed. "Sophia! What is wrong?"

Daniel," she panted, almost unable to breathe. "I overheard him talking with Kael from the Dark Moon pack. They are planning something against us!"

"What?" Robert's voice turned to stone as his eyes closed in, narrowing. "Are you positive?"

"Yes! I overheard them. They are going to attack us!" Sophia exclaimed, trying to talk, her voice trembling with urgency.

"Summon the pack!" Robert ordered flatly, his voice firm. "We need to prepare whatever they are planning.

As the wolves drew near to encircle, Sophia's stomach twisted. What if Daniel was among them? What if he was being under duress? She turned to Ash and nodded reassuringly in return.

"Your dad needs to know the truth," Ash said quietly. "It's our only hope."

With the pack gathered, Robert stood over them. "All, listen!" he said, firm in his tone. "There's a threat against us by Dark Moon pack. We need to prepare for an attack. Sophia has overheard highly valued information about their plans."

Murmurs went through the crowd as wolves nodded to each other with concerns. "What shall we do?" one wolf asked, fidgeting about.

"We're gonna defend our turf," Robert said matter-of-factly. "Still, we gotta be prepared for war. We gotta put everybody on high alert."

"Dad," Sophia chided as she stepped forth, her voice shaking. "What if Daniel is under some sort of control? What if he isn't the enemy?

For one instant, hardness softened from Robert's stare, but he shook his head. "I pray for his sake that he is still loyal to our pack. But we cannot take any chances. If he is involved with Kael, we must deal with him as a threat."

My heart hurt even to think about it. "But he is my friend! I just can't believe he could betray us!

Ash placed a hand on her shoulder. "We must think clearly, Sophia. Emotions becloud our judgment. Your father is right. We must protect our pack."

The howling in the distance grew louder, sending ripples of fear down Sophia's spine. "They're coming!" she screamed, panic high in her chest.

"People, to battle!" Robert thundered on as his voice rumbled on. "Prepare to defend our home!

Sophia felt a quiver run down her spine as the transforming forms into their wolf forms emerged, a feeling of dread, yet determination that this was a fight over what rightfully belonged to them-one that needed to be done. Though her heart bled for Daniel-how she wished she could reach him, pull him back from the darkness he seemed to fall into.

Stay close to me, Sophia," Ash said, turning into his wolf form beside her. His fur glinted reassuringly in the moonlight. "We'll face this together."

"Okay," she said, her voice settling. She turned into her own wolf form, and immediately the power surged through her body. The world sharpened around her, and her senses came alive.

She readied herself for battle, and in doing this, she cast a nervous glance toward the trees to think that either Daniel was accompanying them or he was gone to the Dark Moon pack. Torn by loyalty and love, she could barely stand her doubt.

In an instant, the howls closed in, hanging in the night like an omen of evil. The blood coursed through Sophia's veins, mixed with cold fear. The Dark Moon pack was coming-and they were ready to fight.

"Sophia," Ash said with eyes of a serious intensity. "Whatever happens, remember that your loyalty is to your family, your pack. We will protect each other."

"I know," she said, her voice firming into an unmovable decision. "We'll fight together."

It wasn't until the first silhouettes finally cut through the trees that Sophia felt her heart race in her chest. She was ready for whatever was to come next-ready to defend her family, her pack, and the love she still held within her for Daniel, whatever the outcome.

She turned back to gaze at the closing wolves, took a deep breath, and steeled herself for the struggle to come over the things that mattered most.