Chapter 4 - Off Into the Night

As the moon hung low in the sky, bathing the forest in a silvery glow, the members of the Order gathered in a secluded clearing, their forms illuminated by its ethereal light. With a sense of purpose burning bright within them, they shed their human forms, their bodies morphing and contorting as they shifted into their powerful wolf forms. The air crackled with energy as fur sprouted from their skin, their muscles rippling with newfound strength and agility. With a primal howl that echoed through the night, they bounded forth into the darkness, their senses heightened and their instincts razor-sharp.

The group of 9 were a site to behold as they raced through the underbrush. Alpha Mikhail with his golden amber coat took the lead, his werewolf a towering figure of strength and authority. Muscles ripple beneath his sleek coat, evidence of his years of training and experience as the Alpha of werewolves of the Order.

"Keep in touch." Mikhail mindlinked Elena as she turned towards their pack lands to return home. Beta Elena's werewolf, a vision of elegance and beauty, yipped a farewell, her fur a shimmering cascade of silver and moonlight yellow that seems to dance in the night.

Marcus's werewolf, a striking blend of strength and stealth, his fur a deep shade of midnight blue that seems to absorb the light around him, sped up to run alongside Aurora. His eyes, a piercing shade of emerald green, gleaming with intelligence and cunning, followed Aurora's movements for a few seconds.

Although she didn't see it, Aurora was the most formidable and opposing of the group. In human form, Aurora stood tall and resolute, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the ages, she exuded an aura of quiet strength and determination. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back like a river of molten silver, shimmering in the moonlight with an otherworldly grace.

But it was not just Aurora's human form that commanded attention – it was also her wolf, a creature of unparalleled beauty and power. With fur as black as the night sky and eyes that gleamed like silver orbs in the darkness, she moved with a fluid grace that spoke of centuries of lineage and heritage.

While Aurora couldn't remember anything about her past, Mikhail, Marcus and Elena had many discussions about possibilities of her lineage - it was one of the reasons Mikhail insisted on joining them on this particular mission. They were traveling into a region that might lead Aurora to answers to questions she's never asked - none aloud at least. 

"What do you need Marcus?" Aurora mindlinked. While most wolves from various packs couldn't mindlink - a perk of being in the Order was the members could mindlink eachother, even being from separate packs.

"I'm just curious if you know the history of the Nightshade Pack", he responded without giving away any of his previous admiration.

"Just what was in our brief", Aurora responded - relieved to be discussing their mission. The issue with that pack had been nagging at her and she couldn't shake the feeling that this mission would be most difficult for her personally - but she had no idea why.

"Lucas, got any history of the Nightshade Pack for us?" She asked, opening the mindlink between the entire group of 8.

Lucas Stonefur, with his chestnut brown coat and golden eyes, was the groups numbers and history wiz. The man was too smart for his own good and often helped the members understand their rivals better with his indepth knowledge of who they are. His wolf sped up to position himself in the middle of the group as he went into the pack's history.