Shadows in the Fold

When the wolves awoke to another day of duties and ceremonies, the moon had just begun to set. The strong perfume of fresh pine combined with the earthy aroma of breakfast cooking in the kitchens. To the casual spectator, it seemed a sense of teamwork and order.

However, for Aria Silvermoon, it became a delicate phantom. She could feel the looks and murmured inquiries following her and Liam like shadows as they strolled into the principle hall. Her acute, inexperienced eyes studied the faces around them, searching for danger beneath the thin veneer of curiosity.

"Loosen up," Liam said beside her, his voice soft but constant. "They're just cautious."

Aria gave him a sidelong glance. "Cautious is a polite term for it. They're gazing at us as if we have a goal written on our backs.

"They're wolves," Liam said with a slight smile, his tone ironic. "That's how they live to tell the tale."

Aria did not chuckle. She did not need to. Liam generally found a way to relieve her anxiety, even if only for a moment. It became one of the reasons she followed him without hesitation, despite the danger that seemed to follow them everywhere.

A group of younger wolves crossed their path, remaining silent as they handed. Aria whispered some phrases—"Omega," "distinctive," "dangerous"—before they disappeared around the nook. Her hands tightened into fists, and the air around her seemed to buzz with restrained force.

"Allow it to move," Liam whispered quietly, placing a hand on her arm. The gentle touch transformed into grounding, drawing her away from the edge.

"I don't accept as true with them," she said quietly. "Any of them."

"You shouldn't," Liam replied. "You just ought to consider me."

That is what she ought to do.

Sage began preparing medicines in the healer's quarters when Liam arrived for his first assignment. The aged wolf looked up as he arrived, her amber eyes narrowing slightly as she observed him. She had seen many wolves pass through her door before, but none like this one.

"You're early," she said, her voice neutral yet cautious.

"I figured it was better than being late," Liam said with a little shrug. He stepped inside, his movements flowing and unhurried, as if he belonged there.

Sage motioned for him to take a seat, gazing as he approached. His presence became unsettling—not threatening, but charged, as if the air around him contained subtle static. She hadn't felt anything for it since her children, but rumors of powerful lineages still carried weight in many of the packs.

"I'm supposed to educate you on the fundamentals," she replied, handing him a bundle of dried roots. "Start with those. Strip the bark carefully. Apply too much pressure, and you'll ruin them."

Liam accepted the bundle deal, his fingers moving neatly as she directed. For a little moment, the room fell still, save for the faint scrape of bark beneath his blade.

"You have done this before," Sage discovered.

"Some instances," Liam admitted. "Our old healer taught me some things before..." He trailed off, his expression darkening briefly.

"Earlier than you ran," Sage concluded for him. It was not an inquiry.

Liam looked up to meet her gaze. Her tone was not accusatory, but rather one of quiet knowledge. It took him off defense. Maximum wolves treated him with distrust, as if they expected him to slide up. Sage's calm recognition became disarming.

"We didn't have a preference," he admitted honestly.

Sage nodded, her face inscrutable. "alternatives are rarely as simple as they seem."

Her words hung in the air, weighted with meaning. Liam resumed his assignment, but Sage's piercing eyes never left his. There was something historical about him that she couldn't quite pinpoint. It wasn't just the odd aroma or the way he held himself. It became deeper, hidden beneath layers of ache and defiance.

Aria, meantime, had made her way to the school grounds, where the p.c.'s warriors were sparring in the morning sun. She stood at the edge of the area, watching as wolves transformed in mid-fight, their movements a swirl of fur and muscles. The spectacle had grown remarkable, but she did not let it scare her.

"enjoying the display?" A voice came from behind her.

Aria grew up to be a towering wolf with auburn hair stained with gray, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. He reclined nonchalantly against a tree, fingers spread across his broad chest.

"Depends on what I'm watching," Aria said coolly.

The wolf chuckled, pushing from the tree and sauntering closer. "My name is Darius." I run the soldiers' education program. I haven't seen you out here before.

"First day," Aria announced. She did not offer her name.

Darius tilted his head and studied her with a subtle smirk. "Are you considering becoming a member? "We should use some clean blood."

"No longer interested," Aria said harshly. "I don't play well with others."

Darius raised an eyebrow, but did not press. "Match yourself. Simply understand that strength is not optional here. If you are no longer a member of the percent, you are legally responsible."

Aria's eyes furrowed, and her hand twitched against her facet, as if suppressing the temptation to conjure something. "i can manage myself."

Darius did not respond, but the knowing expression in his eyes spoke enough. He refocused on the sparring regimen, allowing her to stew in her thoughts.

Until midday, the packhouse was bustling with activity. Liam was assigned to help distribute narcotics, and his meetings with  packs contributors were met with a mix of interest and apprehension. Despite his placid exterior, he should be able to detect the weight of their eyes, the unspoken inquiries behind polite smiles.

One wolf, a wiry young male named Jonah, finally broke the silence as they worked side by side on aspect. "So, where'd you return from?"

Liam looked at him, his gaze cautiously neutral. "a long way away."

Jonah laughed uneasily and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I figured it out a lot. "You and your sister are, uh, different."

"Is that a problem?" Liam requested, his tone gentle but carrying a part.

Jonah shook his head quickly. "No, no. Simply put, humans communicate, do you understand? "You appear out of nowhere, and it is natural for them to be curious."

"Curious," Liam said, his lips curving into a small smile. "That's one word for it."

Jonah opened his mouth to speak, but what he was about to say was cut short due to an unexpected ruckus outside. Shouts resonated throughout the packhouse, followed by the distinct sound of a wolf growl.

Liam's heart raced as he exchanged glances with Jonah. Without preparation, he moved closer to the sounds, his instincts kicking in. The scene he discovered outdoors made his blood flow clear.

Aria stood in the midst of the practice area, her fingers shining slightly with a shimmering inexperienced mild. She was encircled by a semi-circle of wolves, all in half change, their postures irritating and ready to attack.

"What's occurring here?" Liam demanded, standing between his sister and the approaching animals.

"She's a risk," one of the warriors said. "She used magic."

"It turned into an accident," Aria said, her voice steady but tinged with rage. "i used to be just looking to—"

"Enough!" Elijah said as he marched into the clearing, his authoritative demeanor instantly quiet everyone.

His gaze moved across the scene, taking in Aria's nervousness, the blazing power in her fists, and Liam's protective stance in front of her. His jaw tightened, and his wolf stirred within him, its instincts in conflict.

"Provide an explanation for," Elijah told Aria curtly.

Aria paused, the brilliance in her palms dimming as she lowered them to her facets. "It's... part of who I am," she said. "I didn't mean to purpose hassle."

Elijah's steel gray eyes narrowed, but he said nothing for a long time. The stillness became oppressive, and the p.c. held its collective breath as they waited for his decision.

He had to say something eventually. "All individuals, return to your responsibilities. Now."

The wolves hesitated but complied, then dispersed grudgingly. Elijah shifted his focus back to Liam and Aria, his expression unreadable.

"You'll both explain this to me," he said quietly but firmly. "In personal."

As he walked away, the weight of his unspoken threat weighed thick in the air. Liam exchanged a glance with Aria, his stomach churning. Something thin thread of agreement that they'd managed to gain inside the computer had merely been stretched to its limits.

And he had a dreadful sensation it was about to snap.