Chapter 5 5

The first light of dawn crept through the trees, casting pale streaks across the forest floor. The air was thick with tension, as if the very earth itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the battle to come. Selena stood at the edge of the clearing, her back pressed against the rough bark of a towering oak, eyes scanning the horizon. Her pulse raced in her veins, the weight of the choice she had made pressing heavily on her chest.

The plan she had concocted-if it could even be called that-was a risky one. Time was slipping through her fingers like sand. If she failed now, the consequences would be catastrophic, not just for her, but for everyone involved. She had spent days preparing for this moment, gathering information, and yet, there was still a part of her that hesitated.

Her gaze flicked back toward the village. Darius would be leading the charge soon, guiding his warriors into battle. The Crescent Moon Pack was poised for war, and there was nothing that would stop them. Except her.

The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, a reminder of the nature surrounding her. She could almost taste the stillness of the forest, the quiet before the storm. The village behind her was preparing for the fight of their lives, but Selena had her own plan in motion.

She needed to intercept the rival pack before Darius and his warriors could make their move. This was no longer just about vengeance for her family. It was about stopping a bloodshed that could tear apart everything, everything she had been fighting to protect.

The sounds of footsteps reached her ears. She turned sharply, her hand instinctively going to the hilt of her dagger. A figure emerged from the shadows-lean, tall, with dark hair that framed his sharp, chiseled features.

"Selena."

The voice was low and tense, but there was no mistaking it. It was Darius.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and she instinctively took a step back, her thoughts swirling. This was it-the moment she had been dreading. Her plan was in motion, and it could go horribly wrong. But there was no turning back now.

"I didn't expect to find you here," Darius continued, his gaze searching her face for some hint of what she was planning.

She knew better than to show any signs of uncertainty. Liana wouldn't falter, not in front of him. Not now.

"I couldn't sleep," she said, her voice cool and steady. "I wanted to take a walk before everything begins."

Darius's eyes narrowed, his focus sharpening as if sensing something was off. "Are you sure you're all right? You've been acting distant the past few days."

Selena forced a smile, keeping her expression neutral. "I'm fine, Darius. It's just... everything that's happening. It's a lot to take in."

Darius softened for a moment, stepping closer. "I understand. I'm going to need you to stay here while I take care of things. I don't want you to get hurt."

The sincerity in his voice hit her like a blow to the chest. For a split second, she felt a twinge of guilt, a sharp pang of conflict. He cared. He truly cared about Liana.

But the moment passed. She couldn't afford to let him see any hint of her true intentions.

"I'll be here," she assured him, her voice steady. "Go and do what you need to do. I trust you."

Darius hesitated, then gave a tight nod. He didn't seem entirely convinced, but he turned away without another word, heading toward the heart of the village where his warriors had gathered. Selena watched him go, her heart a mixture of emotions. There was no doubt that Darius was a man of principle, of honor, but he was also a man on the brink of making a decision that would shape the fate of many.

When he was out of sight, Selena exhaled sharply, the tension leaving her body in a rush. The time for hesitation was over. She needed to move.

The rival pack was near, somewhere in the dense forest, preparing to meet the Crescent Moon Pack head-on. Selena didn't know exactly where they were, but she had an idea of how to find them. She had spent enough time in these woods to know their layout, to recognize the subtle signs of movement and activity.

She set off toward the east, keeping low to the ground, her movements swift and silent. The forest seemed to shift around her as she made her way through the underbrush. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig underfoot, was amplified in the stillness of the dawn.

It wasn't long before she reached the edge of the forest, where the trees thinned and the land opened up into a clearing. The air smelled of fresh grass, mixed with the faint scent of something unfamiliar. Her senses were heightened, alert.

And then, she heard them.

A low growl reverberated through the trees, followed by the unmistakable sound of a heavy footfall. Selena tensed, her hand instinctively going to her side. She had found them.

Two figures emerged from the tree line. Selena's heart skipped a beat. The first was tall and imposing, a thick mane of dark hair falling over his face. The second figure was shorter, but no less dangerous, with sharp eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. They were the leaders of the rival pack, the very ones Darius had been preparing to fight.

"Who are you?" the taller man demanded, his voice rough with suspicion.

Selena took a deep breath, drawing herself up to her full height. She couldn't let them see her fear.

"I'm Liana Morven," she said smoothly, her voice even. "I've come to speak with your Alpha. There's something you need to know."

The two wolves exchanged a glance, silent communication passing between them. After a long moment, the taller one stepped forward.

"Speak quickly," he growled. "Our Alpha does not take kindly to interruptions."

Selena's mind raced. This was her chance, her opportunity to prevent the war from unfolding. "The Crescent Moon Pack is preparing for an attack," she said, her voice low but urgent. "Darius is leading them. He's planning to strike first."

The shorter wolf raised an eyebrow. "Why would you warn us?"

Selena's heart pounded as she carefully weighed her next words. "Because this isn't what I want," she said, her voice steady. "I came here for peace, not for bloodshed. The Crescent Moon Pack will be your enemy if you let them. They are preparing to wipe you out, to take everything you have."

A brief silence followed, the tension thick in the air. Then, the taller man nodded slowly, his expression unreadable.

"We'll take this to our Alpha," he said. "But know this: if you're lying to us, we will know."

"I'm not lying," Selena said, her voice firm. "You'll see for yourselves."

The two wolves turned and disappeared into the trees without another word. Selena stayed in the clearing for a moment longer, the weight of her actions settling in. She had just made a dangerous gamble. If the rival pack didn't believe her, if they saw her as a threat instead of an ally, she would be in serious trouble.

But she couldn't afford to worry about that now. The clock was ticking, and if the Crescent Moon Pack attacked before she could stop them, there would be no turning back.

She retraced her steps through the forest, moving quickly, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Darius was out there, leading his warriors toward battle. She needed to stop him-before it was too late.

The path back to the village seemed to stretch on endlessly, her thoughts consumed by the weight of the decision she had made. She had placed herself between two forces, two packs that could tear each other apart, but she had no other choice.

Selena had to find a way to stop the war. To stop Darius... For the sake of everyone.