The night sky was clear as day, littered with little stars shining and glittering brightly. The moon rested majestically, its glow giving the forest a mystical feeling to it. The foreboding forest was weirdly quiet and still, magnifying the cries of owls and every little sound that came through the forest.

With practiced ease and skills, the Greywolf pack made their way smoothly through the forest to the Shadowclaw clan's territory. They navigated through the thorn-covered paths expertly, eager to get to the Shadowclaw clan to seek retribution for their loved ones. They were more than ready and prepared to take them on. They had prepared for weeks and highly anticipated the battle. Lumina had been very strict and fierce at the training ground with her sharp commands and corrections. Carden had assisted with the demonstrations and moves. Rhea helped the gathering with all the needed intel and information on the Shadowclaw clan. They knew all there was to know about Keiran, his weaknesses and strengths and how to counter them.

The pack's Alpha Lumina Greywolf walked side by side with her pack members. Her injuries had healed, though not completely. She made up her mind that she would leave her pack to ambush the Shadowclaw clan without her presence. Her expression was hard, with focused eyes, her heart was heavy from the previous incidents, and she hoped this battle could end the unrest once and for all, so her pack could lead a normal life. She wanted the members of the pack to enjoy her leadership, to feel secure and safe in their own territory.

Rhea and Carden closely beside her. They provided the support she very much needed. As much as the two did not get along, they knew when to lay their internal conflicts aside for the greater good. Carden's brows were furrowed in frustration, his shoulders were tense and stiff and as he keenly surveyed the strange environment, he was looking for any signs of danger. Unlike Carden, Rhea was relaxed and laid back. Her storm-gray eyes darted with ambition and determination to get to where they were going. Lumina wondered how she could make the two get along. It seemed impossible. But tonight was not about them, it was about war. Lumina was heavily dependent on their unity and cooperation for everything to work out as planned. A strategy had been laid down smoothly. Executing it would not be as simple. Every intricate detail had to be in place, otherwise it would all be for nothing. To attack Kieran's pack unexpectedly, without them seeing it coming. Leaving them with no chance to fight back nor rally the rogue wolves to assist him in the fight.

Even though the Greywolf pack had issues with Rhea in the past. They acknowledged how smart her plan was to subdue Keiran, otherwise they would have been terribly outnumbered and defenseless. It was their best shot. The only shot they had.

“How much further do we have to go?” Lumina asked, turning her head towards Rhea, her voice barely above a whisper.

“The small clearing should appear in the next hundred yards. They have guards at the entrance of the clearing, but we can take them.” Rhea answered with determination, her voice low.

Carden glared at Rhea for a long time. “I hope for your sake you are right.” His voice was cold.

“I am.” Rhea answered almost quickly, her voice just as cold and laced with pride. “As you'll find out soon.”

Lumina suddenly and firmly lifted her arm in the air, gesturing for everyone to stop moving and be quiet. The air was filled with tension as every member embraced themselves for the attack. They knew the time had come to protect their pack, to give it all they got and determine the future they would have. Whether the Greywolf pack would continue existing or not.

Lumina took in a sharp breath, the heavy burden of responsibility pressing hard on her shoulders. She knew she was not alone. Her father cared for and loved her very much. Her pack fully supported her and put their faith in her. She had to prove she was worthy of their love, trust and faith. And there was no better time than tonight.

“We will attack when I give the signal. Not a moment before or after.” She commanded authoritatively. Rhea and Carden concurred with bowed heads. “Carden, you go left with your warriors. Rhea you go right with your team. I will lead my team to the front. It should not take more than an hour. It should be swift, fast and efficient. Not give them a chance to counterattack. May the moon goddess be with us.”

Carden's heart curled in pain as he watched her. His face was grim and his brows deeply furrowed. If only he could whisk her away from all this and take her to the ends of the world. He wanted so badly to command her not to go. But he couldn't, let alone forbid her in front of the pack.

“Lumina. Promise me you'll be careful. That you'll be safe.” Barely above a whisper, Carden's voice was laced with emotions and his eyes swirled with sentiment.

Lumina looked at him longingly. Her mind raced back to the day Carden visited her in the cabin. His confession still made her heart skip a beat. She wished he knew how she felt about him too. She hoped there would a time for them to share in what they felt. “Yeah, you too.” She said lightly. Her eyes were intently trained on Carden.

The air seemed to stand still, as the Greywolf pack positioned themselves ready to fight. The silence that followed was overbearing. Each person wondered in their hearts if they would leave the place alive or dead. The luminous mood haunted them to their very core. Adrenaline along with anxiety channeled through their nerves, cold sweat broke through their dry skins, scratched by the shape of pointed leaves. Lumina felt no different, hers was doubled as the leader of the pack. Every life was in her hands, the fate of the future lay in the outcome of this very decision.

Just ahead of them was the small clearing, the Shadowclaw territory. Figures walked aimlessly in the clearing, oblivious of the danger they were in. The Shadowclaw clan carried on like it was a normal night. It was a true depiction of what Rhea had reported to the Greywolf pack. It would not take long before they completely rendered them helpless.

“Attack!” Lumina commanded. Her voice was low but full of authority.

Within seconds, the Greywolf pack leaped into the air, fiercely launching attacks on the Shadowclaw clan. They moved efficiently and swiftly, leaving nothing to chance. Carden and his team, Rhea with hers, and of course, Lumina at the fore front. There were blood and ear-piercing screams that filled the doomed night. They were winning.

Until things changed suddenly. A loud deep howl vibrated through the air. The fight halted. A dark huge wolf emerged in the middle of the clearing. His ice-blue eyes were shining brightly in the night. “We have been waiting for you. You did well, Rhea.” His attention was turned towards Rhea. She walked slowly with measured steps towards Alpha Kieran's side. Her head was held high proudly.

Lumina froze. Her mind raced as she thought of what Keiran meant. Suddenly she sprang into action and shouted, “Retreat! Retreat!” Her heart shattered at the thought of being betrayed. She turned towards Rhea, glaring at her. Rhea smiled coldly at her. Her voice full of bitterness. “It's too late. Luna,” she said sarcastically.

They were surrounded from all sides. Rogue wolves of all sizes and shades were spoiling for a fight. “How could you? I trusted you!” Lumina was fuming. Her hands fisted in rage.

“Oh please. Lumina. You are naive and blind. You can't see what's in your eyes. Your friends tried to warn you. You should have listened to them.”

“You were part of us. We treated you like family. I should have killed you when I had the chance!” Carden growled. He was positioned in front of Lumina. He could barely control his temper.

“Family!? Ask your father, Lumina, if he knows what that means! I hate you all. And I will not rest until Elias pays along with you lot!”

“I will kill you now!” Lumina threatened and leaped in the air, lunging towards Rhea. Anticipating this attack, Rhea stepped to the side, swiping at Lumina with sharp claws. Carden jumped, pulling Lumina out of the way, deep claws digging into his chest. A full-out war broke, rogues ferociously attacking the Greywolf pack.

“No! Carden. Carden” Lumina cried frantically. Carden whimpered painfully on the ground.

“Lumina, we have to fall back!” Warriors called out to her. They were outnumbered and badly injured. They would all die.

“Alpha, we need to fall back.” One of them held her shoulder, pulling her from the ground.

“No. I'm not leaving him here!” Lumina yelled, tears falling.

“You have to go. I love you. You have to leave.” Carden coughed up blood, pushing Lumina to go, his eyes half closed, his breath was labored and shallow.

“No! If we die, then we die. But I'm not leaving you with her.” Lumina gathered all her strength and lifted Carden to her back. Then she commanded her team to retreat.

As they retreated into the woods. Lumina swore on her life. Rhea and Kieran would pay.