Chapter 2 A Pack Divided.

It was hard to breathe because the air was so tight. I stood near the clearing's edge and observed the wolves arguing, whispering, and making uneasy glances at one another. Everyone felt that something had changed since last night.

I really wasn't supposed to be here. Although I had nowhere else to go, Omegas are typically kept out of pack matters like this. I was still haunted by the strange silver wolf, the man. I kept recalling his words in my head

"I've been waiting for you, Daisy," He said.

What was that implying? Who was he? Why also me?

Dahlia was standing with her usual crowd of admirers across the clearing, and I saw her calm and collected expression. She didn't seem bothered by the group's growing anxiety. No, she made the most of it. She was aware that the chaos might provide her with the chance to take charge that she had been waiting for.

As he spoke to the wolves that had gathered, my father, Beta of the pack, stood next to the Alpha with a grim expression on his face. Sharp and authoritative, his voice carried through the clearing.

"We must maintain our unity. We will fall if we don't cooperate with this real threat.

As I looked around at the wolves that were surrounding him, I bit my lip. Doubt, fear, and rage appeared on their faces, and I could see it. Here, there was no unity. The cracks were getting bigger and the pack was already beginning to break apart.

"What danger?" A single wolf in the crowd called out, " We haven't seen any actual evidence! merely tales of a rogue wolf!"

"That isn't just a liar!" The frustration in my father's voice was palpable. It's much, much worse. It is, "He's correct!" Dahlia's loud, clear voice cut through the silence. Instantaneously, everyone shifted their focus to her as they turned to look at her.

We cannot make hasty judgments. Strange phenomena have previously occurred, and they have always been dealt with. We have the strength to deal with this.

The crowd echoed with an agreement mumble. Dahlia spoke in a way that inspired others to follow her. They trusted her more than our father even now, despite everything that was happening. surpassing me.

I tightened my hands as the old ache of jealousy and bitterness swelled inside me. She was always able to persuade others of her reliability and knew just what to say.

I was the unnoticed twin, watching from the sidelines and going unnoticed.

"I've met him!" I said it out loud, which surprised even me.

All eyes were on me. I immediately regretted speaking up when Dahlia fixed her sharp gaze on mine. However, it was now too late.

"What were you saying?" The low, dangerous voice of my father

I mumbled, "I... I saw the wolf," my heart racing. Last night in the bush. He transformed into a man.

I could feel the weight of their eyes on me as the crowd broke into whispers. My chest contracted. I wasn't welcome here. What was my thought?

"Have you seen the rogue?" Taking a step forward, Dahlia's eyes narrowed. And you did not respond?"

I mumbled, feeling smaller and smaller each second, "I didn't know what to say."

"You weren't sure what to say?" Dahlia's tone was sharp, and I could see that she was up against a challenge. Daisy, this is significant. Why didn't you tell Father right away if you really saw something like that?

I admitted, barely raising my voice above a whisper, "I... I was scared."

"Scared?" Dahlia continued, her voice shaking with doubt. Therefore, rather than carrying out something useful, you just... Hid?"

I felt my face burn from embarrassment as the crowd burst into laughter. But I didn't lie. The wolf had spoken to me after I had seen him. Why did no one trust me?

"I don't believe she is lying," The crowd parted to reveal Rowan stepping forward after a deep voice broke through the noise. His eyes were fixed on me, but they were not kind. I've also witnessed strange things. Something is out there."

Dahlia gave me a frown, shifting her focus between Rowan and me. I saw a flash of doubt in her eyes for a moment, but she quickly covered it up with her usual confidence.

She said, crossing her arms, "Fine." Let's say you actually saw something. Why is it important? We are more powerful than any criminal or foreigner who dares to enter our territory. It will be handled by the pack.

There were nods and murmurs of agreement in response to her words. She, not I, commanded the pack's devotion. Even to our father no longer.

However, I wasn't sold. I knew deep down that the wolf I saw wasn't just a rogue. We had no idea what else was going on. There was something else going on.

I tried to keep my voice steady as I said, "I think we should be careful." He claimed to have been waiting for me.

The tone of her laughter was icy and sharp. For you? Daisy, why would anyone wait for you?

I didn't want to admit it, but I kept my eyes fixed on her. I'm being honest, and I'm not sure why. Something is taking place that is greater than any of us.

Dahlia narrowed her eyes and gave me a prolonged stare. She then turned to look at the other members of the group with a slight grin. Ghost stories are out of the question at this point. Tonight's hunt has been ordered by the Alpha. We must concentrate on that.

There was a shift in the crowd, with some people looking at each other uneasy and others nodding in agreement. My father opened his mouth and stepped forward.

He said, "Dahlia is correct," even though I could tell it hurt him to agree with her. We cannot afford to be divided by fear. We will hunt tonight."

I felt like screaming. They didn't pay attention. This was not taken seriously by anyone. None, not even my family.

I felt a hand on my arm as the group began to break up. Rowan was standing next to me when I turned to see his serious expression.

"Really, you saw him?" He asked in a low voice.

With a tight throat, I nodded. I did."

After checking to see if anyone was listening, Rowan leaned in closer. I trust you. We can't tell the others, though. No, not yet.

"Why not?"

"Because they'll get scared. He trailed off, shook his head, "They're already on edge, and if they think there's something bigger at play..." It might split the group apart.

My thoughts were racing as I sucked hard. So, what should we do?

Rowan said in a firm voice, "Keep quiet for the time being." But keep an eye out. We will need to be prepared in the event that the man or wolf returns.

Despite feeling dread curled in my stomach, I nodded. Rowan lacked my faith. He'd always been close to Dahlia and prepared to make fun of me at every opportunity. Why did he suddenly support me?

Dahlia's voice rang out, calling Rowan back to her, before I could ask any more questions. He gave me one final glance before turning and fleeing into the crowd.

My thoughts were racing as I watched him leave. I couldn't shake the sense that terrible things were coming. Regardless of whether they wanted to admit it or not, the group was already divided. Additionally, this enigmatic wolf-man was the spark that could ignite anything.

My thoughts were racing as I started to walk back toward the forest. My haven and haven of safety had always been the woods. I might be able to get some answers there. I might see him once more, and this time I would be prepared.

However, as I entered the trees, a brisk wind blew through the limbs, causing the hairs on my neck to stand up. I stopped breathing and froze.

Then I spotted him.

The silver wolf, his purple eyes glowing in the shadows, standing just beyond the trees. He stood there looking at me like he was waiting.

Fear and another thing twisting within me caused my breath to become trapped in my throat. I had no idea what to do.

The wolf then turned and vanished into the night, almost as it appeared.

With a racing heart, I moved forward.

Behind me, someone called out "Daisy."

I turned around, but there was no one there.