The sun scorched down on the tall trees, its extreme heat de-escalated by the twisted branches in the dense forest, creating admirable golden rays on the forest floor. Lumina, Carden and Elias walked in single file, skillfully maneuvering their way through the well worn paths. Their silence was occasionally interrupted by owls crying and beetles ticking. Each was engrossed in deep thoughts, their minds raced only for one thing, rallying the five packs they were going to visit. That was the mission, to combine forces and take out Shadowclaw clan. But they had to do the work to convince them, no one was going to willingly volunteer to go up against a ruthless pack that had wiped out and caused a great loss to them before. Their resolution and determination were clearly written on their faces as they moved through the woods.

The occurrences of the previous night still lingered fresh in Lumina's heart. Each time their eyes met, they let the stare linger a little longer before looking away. Despite the going ons, her heart was tranquil with peace she had not known before, her soul was vibrant with life. Elias noticed the furtive glances, felt the tension between them and smiled with his heart, his own mind traveling to the long-gone years when he was youthful and young in love. The feelings it brought to him, he could give anything to bring those years back again. The electric charge that comes with any small physical touch, the fulfillment of seeing a loved one near you, the need for constant companionship. Elias wondered nostalgically if he would ever feel what he felt years ago.

“Let us begin with the Silverpeak pack, and work our way down the list,” Lumina suggested firmly.

“They will be harder to convince. Alpha Marrok lost his son during the Shadowclaw’s attack.” Carden chimed in, nodding his head. He was walking side by side with Lumina, their hands brushing softly.

“That should be reason enough for them to side with us. I don't think any father would let that kind of pain slide.” Elias added, a grim expression on his face.

“Yeah, that's right.” Lumina said, in deep thought. “It may be easier to convince him, he would want revenge.” She thought hard about the other packs, aside from Shadowclaw pausing as a threat to them, there was no urgent motive to push them into making such an important decision. They would need to be more convincing.

“They all have to just listen and make a pact with us. Otherwise, Kieran will definitely rally the rogues and go after us one pack by one pack.” Carden added assertively. He was concerned for Lumina, but he was also concerned about the inevitable danger that caused for all the pack members that had the potential of facing Keiran and his rogue pack in war.

“True. We just have to polish our marketing skills and have a killer sales pitch. Are you guys ready for this?” She asked, grinning. Just ahead of them, a huge clearing appeared. That was the Silverpeak pack.

“Let's do it.” Elias said. And Carden hummed in agreement.

The clearing was in shambles. Tents were torn, fresh mounds of earth visible at the edge of their territory. Their shoulders were slumped and eyes were hooded with wary exhaustion. Mats were strewn about, with wolves with degrees of injury. Some of them mourned in terrible pain. Lumina's heart ached. It was clear the Shadowclaw pack had done a number of them. It was a miracle some of them were still alive.

As they got closer and closer to the middle of the clearing. A tall, heavily built man appeared from one of the bigger tents and walked straight towards them. His face was grim, his eyes flushed with dark expressions of grief and anger. He was once a happy man, but not a trace of a smile was visible today.

“Ah. The Greywolf pack. Alpha.” His sharp eyes flickered from Elias to Carden, then settled on Lumina.  He nodded shortly. “There are many stories of your fight against Kieran. You are a brave Alpha.”

Lumina's heart raced in her heart, as she contemplated the kind of pain Alpha Morrok was going through, even though he tried to hide it, with a brave face and colorful words. “It takes one to know one, I would like to discuss something else entirely, however. I'm sorry about your loss. A father should not have to bury his only son, let alone helplessly watch him die in front of his eyes. More than anyone else, you know what Kieran and his wolves are capable of. So we are here to seek your assistance. Let us join hands and bring him down once and for all.”

Alpha Morrok’s voice vibrated with a hard cold laugh, before his somber tone rang out in the desolate clearing. “If you came here to play on my son's death, hoping I would join you in this fight for revenge, then you were very wrong. I have nothing to fear now nor lose. If Kieran likes, he can come back and finish what he started.” Beneath those words, beneath the calm facial expression, there was a lost look in his eyes, of  a man who did not want to stay alive any longer because life itself was more painful than death.

Lumina took a step forward, and leveled with him. Her eyes were stern and unblinking. “I know the kind of pain you must be feeling. I felt it when my mother died. To want anything else but life. It doesn't go away, true. But when you sit around and do nothing, it becomes even worse, so much so when you are a leader looked upon by your pack. Where is there justice? You may have given up, but have they? I will not stand here and pretend to know what is best for your pack, I have my own fair share of mistakes. But I hope you make the right decision alpha. A decision that is best for you and your pack mates.”

A long bated silence enveloped the group as Lumina's words dawned on Alpha Morrok. He shifted his posture slightly, his expression contorted in deep thoughts. “I see why you are proud of your daughter, Elias. She is a gem.” He turned to Lumina. “You speak the truth. Alpha Lumina. In my grief, I have not considered my own pack members. For them, I will make sure Keiran does not hurt any of them again.”

A sigh of relief spread across the four people, Lumina's tight posture softened, and a heavier burden lifted off her shoulders. One down for more to go. She thought to herself.

“Very well, Alpha. Thank you for your time.”

They went on to the next territory, the upright and fierce Alpha Vaste. His was a small pack but known widely for their fierce and upright nature. Alpha Vaste had sharp features which went hand in hand with his strictness. However, even their strictness could not keep Keiran away, for he and his rogue wolves had attacked and annihilated half of his pack. As the trio set foot in the small clearing, they were met with a hostile environment. Alpha Vaste had a cold expression as he looked at them. “We have heard rumors. You are seeking to form alliances against Kieran and his troupe.” Vaste was not a man who went about the bush with his words. He believed time was money, and it should not be wasted on pleasantries. “He alone has been capable of doing this to us. What makes you think you can go up against that barbarian?” Alpha Vaste scoffed condescendingly.

Lumina's expression was hard and her eyes cold, she did not betray any other emotions she may have had at that moment. Beneath the harshness of Alpha Vaste she understood what it meant to be a leader who had to make a decision that foretold the future and fate of those behind her. Alpha Vaste was just looking out for his kind. “My pack is a victim of what you speak of, so is Silverpeak. We all share one thing in common; we have been attacked and treated like dogs by Keiran. You will not go up against him alone. Together, we will rise and bring him down. Surely we are stronger, wiser together than that malicious barbarian!” Lumina spat on the ground strongly.  “The fear he has instilled in us, is how he wins. If we are too afraid to move, then we will be too afraid to fight. Let us not give in to his threats and intimidation. We can only do this with your help, Vaste.”

Alpha Vaste, looking at her, a flick of emotion fluttered across his eyes. “And you are sure this plan will work? We heard about your previous attempt to take him down too and how it failed?” He was determined to break Lumina's spirit.

“I'm sure we will. Like all battles. There is a losing hand and a winning hand. So long as you are willing to get up and fight another day, then you have not lost yet. So we have not lost, we can still do it.”

“I see. I will prepare my pack.” Alpha Vaste stated and walked away, signaling the end of the conversation.

The three warriors went on to the next three packs. Lumina lectured and convinced until her throat ran dry, the more they walked, the more they saw. One thing was clear. Without uniting, Kieran would come back and finish them all. Alone they would not be able to win. But together, they would be unstoppable.

They slowly moved to the last territory. The Wolfgang pack. They had been severely beaten by Kieran. There was no hope for the few wolves that littered the vast clearing. He had lost his eye in the battle, an ugly scar ran deep from one side of his head to the right cheek.

“I cannot go on. I have nothing to fight for or with. You look at them, you can see it for yourself. I cannot send them to their deaths.”

“It is true, your pack has gone through torture and the worst kind of pain. But now you are not alone. We are here, and we will fight on your behalf. We…” Lumina was prepared to encourage him to fight.

“Save your speech, young Alpha. I will give you what you need.” He said in resignation. “We fight or not, it will not make any difference for us. If we fight we may have a chance.”

Carden had the proudest look on his face as they made their way back to the Greywolf pack. “You have done it Lumina. I always knew you had it in you.

The sweet smell of roasted beef filled the air as they walked into the familiar territory. The pack was gathered around a brightly burning fire. The pack shared laughter, stories as pieces of meat were passed around.

“There is our Alpha.” One of them said. “Welcome Alpha. Welcome leader Carden.” They made space and created room for them. Elias stood and smiled proudly.

“She has done it. She does not need me any longer.” A rear of joy steamed down his face. Before he joined them.

The future was bright and it looked hopeful.