Chapter 5 The Storm Gathers

Chapter Five: The Storm Gathers

The pack grounds were alive with tension.

The sky was overcast, thick gray clouds rolling in like an omen. Warriors sharpened blades and tested bows, preparing for what was coming. In the center of it all stood Astrid, calm but cold inside. Her heart was a quiet storm.

Kael was coming. And this time, it wouldn't be with a soft apology or a sad smile-it would be war.

Astrid tightened her grip on the dagger strapped to her thigh.

"Let him come," she whispered to herself.

Inside the war tent, Alpha Cane paced slowly. His movements were steady, but Astrid could see the faint crease between his brows. She had begun to read him easily, though he rarely showed emotion.

"He's moving faster than expected," he said finally.

"How many men?" Astrid asked.

"Roughly two hundred," he replied. "All wolves. Some loyal, some just hungry for a fight."

"And our numbers?" she asked.

Cane stopped pacing. "We're ready. But this won't be an easy win. Kael knows how to fight."

Astrid looked him dead in the eye. "So do I."

Later that evening, Astrid walked through the training grounds, her boots crunching on the gravel.

Young wolves were sparring under the eye of older warriors. Sweat clung to their brows, but their eyes burned with determination.

One of them-Liam, barely eighteen-caught sight of her.

"Beta Astrid," he called, breathless.

She paused, waiting for him to speak.

"I just want you to know... I believe in you," he said.

Her heart pinched unexpectedly. She gave a small smile. "Thank you."

He grinned, ran back into training, and Astrid moved on-but that moment stayed with her.

Someone believed in her.

That night, Mira came into her room unannounced.

"You haven't been eating," she said, holding a plate of stew.

"I'm not hungry," Astrid replied, pulling a leather strap tight on her vest.

"You need your strength," Mira said. "Tomorrow could change everything."

Astrid looked at her. "Do you think I'm ready?"

Mira sat on the edge of the bed. "I think you've been ready since the day Kael broke you-and you chose to survive."

Astrid sat beside her, silent for a moment. Then she took the bowl and began to eat.

Before dawn, Cane called a meeting with the lead warriors. The table was spread with maps and stones marking positions.

"We'll cut him off before he gets to the main gates," Cane instructed.

Astrid leaned over the map. "He'll expect that. He always did. We should let him come closer-trap him inside."

Cane raised an eyebrow. "Risky."

She nodded. "But it'll give us the upper hand. I know how he thinks."

Cane studied her for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Alright. We do it your way."

That was the first time he gave her full control of the battle plan.

The next hours passed like a blur.

Armors were fitted, weapons were blessed, messages were sent.

As Astrid fastened the last strap on her boots, she caught her reflection in the polished silver mirror.

Her red eyes glowed faintly, the mark of her lineage. Her dark hair was braided tightly, her face set in calm steel.

But inside, she burned.

She hadn't come this far to lose.

By mid-afternoon, the lookout gave the signal.

Kael's army was moving through the southern hills.

Astrid mounted her horse and joined Cane and the others on the ridge.

When she saw Kael at the front of his army, her breath caught.

He looked different-sharper, darker. There was rage in his eyes, and a deep kind of emptiness.

Their eyes met across the field.

For a moment, the world went still.

Kael didn't look at her with regret.

He looked at her like a threat.

Astrid turned to Cane. "Let him in."

The gates opened just enough for Kael and his warriors to step inside the perimeter.

The trap had been set.

Kael didn't hesitate. He moved forward like a man possessed.

Astrid dismounted and walked into the open field.

She held her arms at her sides-no weapons in her hands.

"Kael," she called, her voice calm but loud enough to carry.

He stopped.

She saw surprise flicker in his eyes.

"I don't want to fight you," she said.

He scoffed. "You want to destroy me."

"You destroyed yourself," she replied.

He took a step forward. "You left me."

"You beat me," she said sharply. "And you killed my baby."

The words hit like a slap.

Some of Kael's men looked at him with confusion. One or two shifted uncomfortably.

"I didn't know," he said finally.

"You didn't care to know," Astrid corrected. "And now, you've come here for what? To finish what you started?"

Kael bared his teeth. "I came to bring you back."

Astrid laughed bitterly. "You're too late."

And with that, she whistled sharply.

From behind the trees, warriors poured in-Night Fang's best.

Kael's eyes widened as the trap sprung shut.

The battle exploded.

Claws tore through flesh. Steel clashed against steel. Cries of pain and roars of fury echoed through the forest.

Astrid fought like a flame unleashed. Every move was precise, every strike filled with fury born of pain.

She moved toward Kael, cutting down anyone who stood in her way.

Cane was nearby, holding the northern flank.

Blood stained the ground.

The sky darkened as storm clouds finally broke open, rain falling in sheets.

Kael found her.

They met at the heart of the battlefield, just like old times-only this time, it wasn't love between them.

Just fire.

"You could have stayed," Kael said, panting.

"And died?" Astrid asked, spinning to strike.

He blocked, just barely.

"You loved me once."

"I still do," she admitted, "but not the way you think."

He lunged again, and she met him blow for blow.

"I wanted to forgive you," she whispered. "I prayed for it."

Kael faltered for a moment, and she kicked him back.

"But you never gave me a reason."

Suddenly, a shrill cry pierced the air.

Astrid turned toward the sound, eyes widening.

A young warrior-Liam-was on the ground, bleeding.

Kael's second-in-command stood over him, blade raised.

Astrid sprinted.

Too slow.

The blade came down

A blur of silver flashed, and the second-in-command was thrown back.

Cane stood there, breath heavy, claws out, eyes glowing.

But his side-his side was bleeding.

Astrid gasped, running to him.

"Cane!"

He fell to his knees, blood pooling beneath him.

The battle raged around them, but all Astrid could see was him.

Not again.

Not another person she cared about.