Chapter 2
As the blazing sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, Eva reluctantly embarked on her journey back. A small, contented smile graced her face, her mind having unburdened itself during a peaceful meditation amid nature's embrace. These moments of solitude had a magical way of rekindling her appreciation for life, allowing her to rediscover the blessings she too often took for granted: health, a loving family, exceptional friends, and the innate qualities that connected her to her primal, animal side.
Walking beside her was Helin, the massive, dark grey wolf, a formidable presence that stood even taller than most she-wolves.
Yet, tranquility gave way to chaos when the acrid scent of smoke and Herculi's fierce growl reached her senses. Without a moment's hesitation, Eva shifted into her light-silver wolf form, her heart racing in her chest. She dashed through the forest, racing toward the pack house with an ever-increasing sense of dread.
Before long, screams and billowing smoke pierced through the treetops. The clearing in front of the pack house had transformed into a scene of utter bedlam. Full Moon members engaged in brutal combat with ruthless intruders. Humans clashed with humans, their bare fists delivering savage blows, while wolves battled wolves, their sharp fangs and claws rending fur and flesh. Those few humans who dared to challenge the wolves met a swift and brutal end. Women of all ages were crying out in distress, attempting to shield infants and terrified children from the marauding attackers who tore the little ones from their arms.
Full Moon warriors labored tirelessly to rescue as many as they could, but some of the assailants managed to flee with weeping children in their clutches, or worse, had young ones clamped between their teeth.
Eva watched in sheer horror as an enormous wolf dashed away with a whimpering young girl gripped in its powerful jaws. Without a moment's hesitation, she gave chase, the girl's painful cries cutting through the night. Eva leaped onto the wolf's back, tumbling to the ground along with the girl as her assailant lost his grip. The wounded child lay sobbing in the grass, trying to hold her innards in place.
As the wolf lunged at Eva, attempting to sink its teeth into her, a colossal wolf suddenly appeared, smashing into the aggressor with tremendous force. The attacker was sent tumbling through the air, landing with a pitiful whimper. An enraged Herculi growled menacingly.
Then something astonishing occurred. The enemy wolf locked eyes with Helin for a moment, lowering its head and emitting a submissive whine.
Eva shifted her gaze to her furious companion. Before she could react, he lunged at the defeated wolf, which made no attempt to defend itself or retaliate.
The entire scene was surreal, an unimaginable nightmare made flesh. After the invader lay lifeless, Helin displayed no signs of satisfaction, continuing to rend the remains into pieces and scatter them around.
"Hey, Hel—" Eva began, approaching him, but her supposed pet wolf abruptly turned on her, snarling with a wild look, his muzzle stained with blood.
Eva was paralyzed by terror. What had come over her loyal companion?
"Ev!" A tall figure, clad only in boxers and bearing numerous cuts on his broad chest, rushed toward her.
"Are you okay?" He examined her carefully, his eyes filled with concern, and then checked the cut on her head.
"Yes, Richy," she assured him, hugging her best friend. Richard, the Gamma's son at Full Moon, had watched over her since they were children, acting as her personal guardian and cherished confidant.
"What just happened here? It's like a butcher's nightmare," Richy muttered, his gaze fixed on the horrifying scene. Organs, bones, and membranes were strewn about in a pool of blood.
"Let's just go back, Richy," Eva murmured, leaning on his arm.
Full Moon's numbers were numerous, and its members were well-trained. Before long, the majority of the invaders lay lifeless on the ground.
The refugees and their remaining children received the necessary care. Some had lost limbs while trying to protect their offspring. The sight was heart-wrenching.
A large silver wolf arrived with two small children clinging to its furry neck. Eva's father had saved at least these two fortunate souls.
Their mothers rushed forward to collect them. "Thank you so much, Alpha!" they cried, bowing and sobbing.
"Alpha, three women have perished, several warriors are wounded, and five children have been taken, all of them boys," the Beta reported to Alpha Grate, his face etched with exhaustion.
That same afternoon, the refugees began to arrive, and some infiltrators had hidden among them, feigning asylum. Their only hope of success against Full Moon had been a surprise attack.
It remained unclear whether these assailants were merely rogues attempting to abduct infants or if they had ties to Lord Skull's pack. Christian, Lord Skull's Alpha, had publicly declared that he didn't care about the decisions of those who left his pack. But could anyone trust a crazed Alpha who had lost his mate?
Conspiracy theories circulated within the pack, suggesting that Crescent Black and their possible involvement had created chaos at Full Moon and weakened the pack.
"Eva!" Her father embraced her tightly, nearly crushing her. "Why are you covered in blood?" he demanded, his eyes darkening.
"It's not mine," she reassured him with a grin, the strange episode involving Helin momentarily forgotten.
"I've told you repeatedly not to get involved in these fights," her father began, launching into a stern lecture.
"How many times do I have to—" The lecture continued for what felt like an eternity, until he appeared satisfied that he had fulfilled his fatherly duty. Alpha Grate then began to issue orders.
"Meet me in my office, Beta. We have phone calls to make and plans to formulate," he instructed, striding away and casting a final, scrutinizing glance in his daughter's direction.
"Go to bed early. Tomorrow, there's a long journey ahead."
As the dust of battle settled and the moon's pale glow pierced the darkness, a lingering unease gripped Eva. The events of this fateful night had raised more questions than answers. What had driven Helin, her loyal companion, to such a frenzied, bloodthirsty state? And what lay behind the enigmatic conspiracy theories surrounding Crescent Black and their alleged role in the assault on Full Moon?
With her father's directive to retire early, Eva's thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and dread. Sleep was elusive as her mind raced, trying to make sense of the chaos that had befallen her pack. She knew that the journey that awaited her tomorrow would hold its own share of challenges and revelations.
Restless and with a sense of impending doom, Eva stared into the night, her determination to uncover the truth burning brighter than ever. The chapters of this grim tale were far from over, and the darkest secrets of their world were yet to be unveiled.