03. Shadows of Menace

[Gabriel POV]

Of course, after the fight with my pack and some stray lycans at the park, we all got text messages that there would be a meeting. I was quite uncomfortable about it because I knew that I had abandoned my pack earlier that day, and it wasn't something that my fellow lycans would keep away from our leader. My mind was racing with thoughts of what they might do to me when I arrived, but I couldn't shake the image of Rachel from my head.

As I rode my bike to the meeting place, my nerves were on edge. I knew that I was taking a risk by coming here, but I couldn't stay away. When I arrived at the woods, I saw that there were already a few lycans gathered around the clearing. They all looked up as I approached, and I could see the disapproval in their eyes. The woods were a beautiful and peaceful place, but they held a lot of history for our kind. This was where our ancestors had gathered for generations, but it wasn't always like this. There used to be a cave where we would meet, but the humans had demolished it years ago. Now, the clearing was our only option for a meeting place, and it was where we had come to discuss important matters. 

As I made my way to the pack meeting, I couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort in my gut. It wasn't that I didn't want to be there, it was just that I knew I wasn't on the same level as the others. Being a low-ranked lycan in a pack full of strong and powerful Lycans had its disadvantages. I always felt out of place here, with my low rank and lack of respect from some of the other lycans, but I had no choice but to attend.

The meeting was being held in the clearing of the woods. The moon was high in the sky, illuminating the area with its soft, silver light. I could hear the sounds of the other wolves howling in unison as I approached the group.

The pack leader, Marcus, was addressing the pack members, talking about the importance of unity and how we needed to work together to achieve our goals. He went on and on, narrating how we've faced many challenges and overcome them through our unity and strength and how we cannot become complacent. I could feel myself getting more and more frustrated by the second.

Finally, he called me out in front of everyone, accusing me of abandoning my team during a crucial moment. I tried to defend myself, explaining that I had no other choice but to leave, but Marcus wouldn't hear any of it. He was furious, almost wolfing out right then and there. His luna, Sophia, stepped in to calm him down. She spoke to the pack, reminding them of our achievements and how we'd survived this far because of our unity. The other wolves in the pack responded with a chorus of "ayes".

As the meeting came to a close, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see one of the pack members, named Jake, staring at me with a sinister look in his eyes. "I saw you run off with that human girl," he said in a low voice. "You owe me a big favor for keeping my mouth shut about it."

I tensed, not liking the tone of his voice. "What kind of favor?" I asked warily.

Jake just grinned. "I'll let you know when the time comes, little pup." And with that, he walked away, leaving me with a feeling of unease. It was clear that he was trying to intimidate me, putting me in his style of threat. I knew that I had to be careful around him from now on.

I trudged home with my head hung low, feeling the weight of Jake's words still heavy on my mind. It wasn't easy being a lycan, especially when you are constantly surrounded by others of your kind who hold onto our strict customs and rules. But that was just the way it was. The Lycan's way.

As i walked through the quiet woods, i couldn't help but think about Jake's threat. I had been foolish to think i could get away with running off with a human girl, even if it was just for a few hours. I should have known better. After all, it was against Lycan law to fraternize with humans in any way. But I had always been drawn to them, fascinated by their ways and their fragility. I had never been one to follow the rules blindly.

Jake, on the other hand, was the opposite. He was a strict enforcer of Lycan law and never strayed from it. He had caught me and the girl together earlier that day and had wasted no time in threatening me with punishment. l knew that Jake was just doing what he thought was right, but it still hurts to be treated that way.

As I reached my small cabin in the woods, l let out a deep sigh. I had always been an outsider in the pack, never quite fitting in with the others. But that was okay with me. I preferred my own company and the quiet solitude of the woods. It was the only place I truly felt at peace.

But now, with Jake's threat hanging over me, I couldn't help but feel even more isolated than usual. I knew that the other Lycans would be watching me closely now, waiting for me to slip up again. And if I did, the consequences would be severe.

I slumped down onto my bed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I thought about the girl I had been with earlier, the way she had smiled at me and talked to me like I was just another human. I knew I couldn't see her again, but the memory of her lingered in my mind.

l closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to push the thoughts of the girl and Jake out of my head. I knew that I had to follow Lycan law, even if it meant denying myself the things I truly wanted. It was just the way it was.

As I drifted off to sleep, l couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sadness. I knew that I would always be an outsider, always be different from the others. But I also knew that I had to stay true to myself, even if it meant going against the pack's customs and rules. It was a heavy burden to bear, but it was one I was willing to carry.