Chapter 133: Crimson

(Hera's POV)

As we ventured deeper into the forest, the ancient trees towering above us, I couldn't shake the sense of disappointment that gnawed at me. The elders, the guardians of our pack's lore and traditions, had failed the younger wolves. Their focus on rituals and ceremonies had left a void in the education of our pack's youth, leaving them susceptible to the insidious whispers of the red moon.

The air was thick with the scent of pine and the subtle murmurings of the wind through the leaves. Finn walked beside me, still burdened by the shame of the previous night. His eyes, once filled with hope, now held a quiet desperation. I knew the weight of responsibility rested not just on my shoulders but on the entire leadership of our pack.

"The elders should have prepared him," I muttered, my voice carried away by the gentle breeze. "They are the keepers of our history, the guardians of our knowledge. Yet, in their pursuit of ancient rituals, they neglected the very essence of our s