Chapter 4 4

The moon hung high above, casting an ethereal glow over the sprawling forest. The shadows deepened as Selena crept through the underbrush, her eyes trained on the distant figures of the Crescent Moon Pack warriors, their silhouettes barely visible in the dim light. Her heart beat in steady rhythm, each thud a reminder of the task she had set before herself. The air was thick with tension, the forest alive with the promise of conflict.

The events of the past night had left Selena with little time to digest the magnitude of what she had learned. The Crescent Moon Pack wasn't merely guarding their territory-they were preparing for an all-out assault on a rival pack. The thought had chilled her to the bone. This wasn't just about revenge for her family; it was about stopping a war before it could even begin.

Darius's words echoed in her mind. "This will be the final push." The final push for what? A complete domination of the land? Was he aware of the implications of his actions? Was he truly prepared to lead his pack into war, regardless of the consequences?

Selena's hand tightened around the hilt of her dagger, the cold steel a comforting presence against her skin. She had come to stop this war, to prevent her enemies from spreading the destruction that had already scarred her life. But now, facing Darius from the shadows, she realized the extent to which this war had already consumed him.

She moved quickly, silently, through the thickening woods, her senses sharp as she made her way toward the clearing where the warriors had gathered the night before. The further she went, the more the forest seemed to swallow her whole. Silence had descended over the land, and the air was thick with the promise of danger.

The clearing was exactly as she had left it, save for the quiet hum of distant voices. Selena's breath caught in her throat when she saw the figures standing at the center. Darius was there, his broad frame standing tall in the moonlight, his back straight and rigid, speaking with a group of his most trusted lieutenants.

Her eyes narrowed. Darius was surrounded by men and women whose loyalty to him was unwavering, their expressions sharp with anticipation. Whatever plan he had set in motion, it was well on its way.

"I want everything in place by dawn," Darius's voice cut through the air, steady and resolute. "No mistakes. We can't afford to give them any advantage."

The warriors nodded in unison, their faces hard with determination. Selena couldn't help but feel a knot tighten in her stomach. These were the wolves who would follow Darius into battle-loyal, fierce, and ruthless. They wouldn't hesitate to tear apart anyone who stood in their way.

She needed more time. More time to learn their plans, to get close enough to Darius to discover his true intentions. She couldn't allow the pack to carry out whatever scheme they were plotting. The lives of countless innocent wolves were at stake.

With the warriors preparing for the battle ahead, Selena slipped back into the shadows, careful not to draw attention. Her mind raced as she retreated into the forest, moving toward the village with quiet steps. The weight of her responsibility pressed down on her chest, but there was no turning back now.

The next few hours were critical. Darius had mentioned that the attack would take place at dawn, but what did that truly mean? What were they planning to do? The rival pack was said to be on the other side of the mountains, but Darius's sudden readiness to engage in war seemed rushed. There had to be more to the story.

Selena's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Liana."

She froze. The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unmistakable edge of command. Darius's voice.

Her breath hitched, but she quickly regained her composure. She turned slowly, meeting his eyes from across the courtyard. He was standing near the door to the hall, his posture still rigid but with an air of expectation.

"I need to speak with you," Darius said, his expression unreadable.

Selena nodded, masking the surge of unease that flickered in her chest. "Of course. What's on your mind?"

Darius motioned for her to approach. His eyes seemed distant, almost contemplative, and she could sense a shift in his demeanor-an unease that was now mirrored in her own chest.

When she was within earshot, he spoke again, his voice low. "Liana, I need you to understand something. The decision I made... it wasn't easy. It's not something I take lightly."

The cryptic nature of his words only served to heighten her suspicion. "What decision?" she asked, trying to maintain the calm, measured tone of Liana.

Darius glanced toward the hall, his expression shifting as if weighing the best way to explain himself. "I'm leading my pack into a war, Liana. It's not something I wanted, but it's something that must happen. The enemy pack is dangerous, and we have no choice but to strike before they strike us."

Selena's breath caught. She had already suspected as much, but hearing it from him, spoken so plainly, made it all the more real. A war was about to be waged, and she was at the center of it, playing a dangerous game with the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack.

"You're planning to attack them?" she asked, keeping her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

Darius met her gaze, his eyes filled with an intensity that made Selena's pulse race. "Yes. We will attack at dawn. The rival pack has been gathering strength, and we've had reports of their plans. We can't wait any longer."

He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "I need you to stay here, Liana. Stay safe. Let me protect you from this."

Selena's heart raced at his words, at the warmth and the genuine concern she heard in his voice. The thought of him-of Darius-protecting her sent a wave of conflicting emotions crashing through her. How could she betray him? How could she use the trust he had given her to destroy everything he cared about?

"I will stay here," she said, her voice soft but firm. "But you can't fight this war alone, Darius. You need your pack's loyalty to stay strong."

Darius's face softened, a rare moment of vulnerability flashing in his eyes. "I don't want to lose anyone, Liana. But I can't let them destroy everything we've built."

The sincerity in his words made her falter, but only for a moment. This was not her battle. It wasn't her place to decide whether the Crescent Moon Pack should wage war or not. She had come for vengeance, and that vengeance wouldn't be stopped by the Alpha's soft words or his caring gaze.

"I understand," she said, offering him a reassuring smile. "Do what you must. I will stand by you."

Darius didn't seem entirely convinced, but he gave a small nod before turning away, his mind already consumed by the plans for the coming battle. Selena watched him go, her thoughts churning with conflicting emotions. She had done her job-appeared loyal, supportive, and understanding. But inside, she was already formulating her next move.

She couldn't allow the Crescent Moon Pack to carry out its plans. The war would destroy everything-innocent lives, families, and the fragile peace that still lingered in the lands. She had to find a way to stop it, and fast.

The next few hours were a blur of action. Selena gathered what little supplies she needed and slipped out of the hall, moving silently through the village. The moon was full now, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. The air was crisp and still, the calm before the storm.

She needed to find the rival pack, to warn them, to stop Darius from carrying out his plans. The danger wasn't just to her-it was to the entire region, to the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

But how could she stop the war without destroying everything she had worked for? How could she sabotage Darius's plans without losing herself in the process?

The questions swirled in her mind, but there were no easy answers. Only the cold, hard truth: she was playing a dangerous game, and the stakes were higher than she could have ever imagined.