Armed with the trust and confidence of her members, Lumina Greywolf turned to Rhea Silverclaw ready to listen to the plan, her voice rising eagerly. “Rhea, give us the plan.”

Silence reigned in the clearing as all the attention was drawn to Rhea. Only the most trusted wolves were left behind. Lumina dismissed the rest of the other pack members to continue building the defense system. The warriors waited with bated breaths, all cyked up to know how they were going to seek retribution for their own. Rhea's eyes sparkled with excitement, her eyes darted from Lumina to Carden and finally swept over the pack. She stood up from where she was kneeling, dark brown patches plastered on her dark blue trousers visible in the firelight. She patted her knees, roughly massaging the tense knee caps.

“He does not expect us to attack him now. He expects us to be distracted, building our defenses. He will ambush us soon if we don't ambush him first in his territory.” Rhea's voice was stern and thick with determination. She surveyed the chosen warriors, meeting their eyes with unshakable confidence. Uncomfortable silence fell on the pack as they shifted with unease. The fire crackled loudly, golden sparks leaped in the air, licking the bright moon.

Lumina’s hands balled into a tight fist. “Are you suggesting what I think you are?”

“We go on the offensive. Attack first.” Rhea stated categorically, meeting Lumina's gaze. The two women stared at one another for seconds, each measuring the other's reaction. Lumina thought it was a reckless plan, one that would throw them into the hands of the enemy with no way to defend themselves. But the way Rhea looked at her, eyes burning with unwavering certainty, made Lumina listen.

“You are telling us to leave our territory where we are safe and go out there?” She asked, just to be sure she did not misunderstand Rhea.

“He will be caught off guard. That's our strong weapon. He thinks he has us now. Too fearful and unable to act. But that is his biggest mistake. We get him first when he doesn't expect it.”

“Except for the traitor, no one here knows where they are right now.” Lumina shifted her position, walking from one end of the bonfire to the other, her arms akimbo and head tilted in deep thoughts. Her hair shimmered fiercely in the moonlight. She thought of Rhea's plan.

“I do know.” Rhea spoke up, voice calm and cool. “It's a hidden clearing, north of the big river. When out for my evening walks I'v seen wolves gathering there. At first, I thought it was neighboring territory, but now I'm sure it's them. The rogue wolf who met the traitor from the pack was with them.”

Lumina's fingers tingled with excitement. She thought of how that plan could change their uncertain fate. If they ambushed the Shadowclaw pack, they would beat them and reduce the number of casualties, unlike if they sit and wait for them, there is no telling the kind of damage the traitor has caused by telling the Shadowclaw pack all their weaknesses and strength. 

“If this doesn't work?” Lumina asked Rhea forcefully. She swallowed a hard lump. She didn't want to think of any other outcome other than beating the Shadowclaw clan. But there was a possibility this could fail miserably.

“It won't. We have taken every possible measure, and thought it's true. Every plan has got risks. We shall have chosen the right path for us. We have to move now, without any delays.”

Lumina's heart constricted in her chest. Her mind was fogged with clashing ideas. To attack or to wait and defend. No matter how she looked at it, she could not be able to decide. She felt his burning gaze on her. She turned around and faced him. Carden was looking directly at her. His arms crossed against his chest. His eyes were a mixture of concern, worry and caution. He bore his sea-green eyes into her. His jaws tightened.

“Should we do it?” Lumina's voice was soft, seeking guidance.  She looked at him with eyes that made him want to protect her. His voice was direct and confident. He shook his head slowly. “No. We will be going blind. With Intel from her that we cannot trust. Even if her plan was plausible, we would still be left too open to the enemy. I suggest we wait, know more about the enemy, patrol, survey and gather information as they have been doing on us. We could even infiltrate them as well. Send Rhea.”

Lumina looked away. Irritation lurked in her expression. “We don't have time for that. The Shadowclaw pack will have ambushed us by then and everyone will perish. We have to do as Rhea suggests,”  she whispered more to herself. She trusted Carden, his alertness and calculative moves had kept the pack alive for years. But he didn't know this enemy well, not like Rhea did. She had met him in battle, knew of his weaknesses, and she had the ambition and determination to wipe out the Shadowclaw pack. Her plan offered a swifter way to deal with the problem.

Carden observed the doubt in Lumina's eyes. She had never doubted him before. It had always been the two of them. His eyebrows rose in frustration and hurt. “You cannot trust her, Lumina. How can she be the one to realize we have a traitor and offer a way out?” Carden was skeptical.

Rhea's brows furrowed in anger, her eyes darted to Carden, she threw daggers at him. Her voice was laced with anger. “How many times must I prove myself to you? You are focusing on all the wrong things, it will lead to others' death!. Why do you hate me so much?”

Luna felt the raw, heated tension between the two. She spoke up with authority. “Alright. No more.” She shot a stern look between them. “You are both right. We have to be cautious, but we cannot waste too much time without attacking. Rhea, we shall go with your plan. Carden, you shall lead the ambush. We will make sure to attack first ruthlessly before they have the chance to attack us, but if you sense something is off.  Even the slightest bit we will call off the ambush and retreat.”

Carden's shoulders relaxed a little. Rhea's voice softened as well as she nodded to Lumina.  “Yes. Alpha.” they both said in unison.

Lumina breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she had made a hard decision that rested solely on her shoulders. The future was uncertain and filled with unknown dangers. So she had to trust her decision, Carden and Rhea. She still had her reservations concerning Rhea, but all hands were needed on deck for the success of the plan.  She let her voice boom through the pack.

“This pack belongs to us. We shall do all we can to protect it. Like I told you earlier, we are the only ones who can protect it. We will uproot this Keiran. Be vigilant, observe more and speak less. Know that we have a traitor in our midst, and it is our duty to ensure that whatever is discussed remains here.”

The pack members agreed in unison, voices strong and their wills unbent. Speaking in low tones, their heads nodded rapidly. Lumina felt a sense of pride in her chest, knowing that despite the challenges the pack was facing, they still believed in themselves and knew they could overcome this. The warriors made their way into the woods to patrol. Rhea and Carden remained behind waiting to speak to Lumina.

“Don't worry, we will catch the traitor. Things will work out as planned.” Rhea encouraged confidently, her arm was resting on Lumina's shoulder.  She flicked the hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

“If you say so, Rhea. I hope it will be so.” Lumina watched her intently, the two women shared a long look, with no spoken words between them, then Rhea turned her back and walked onto the dense foreboding forest.

Lumina wondered helplessly if she had made the right decision. I trusted Rhea trusted the best decision.  Her heart constricted. She knew trust was the most dangerous weapon placed in the wrong hands. It could kill within seconds.

Carden stood firmly behind Lumina. The silence between them was enveloped in tension inches thick, the connection between them was heavy and strained. Nobody was willing to speak at first.

“Lumina. Look at me.” His voice was soft, imploring.  He watched Lumina keenly, as she ran her fingers through her hair in frustration, she rubbed her eyes and turned around.

They faced each other, eyes boring into one other intensely, Carden's expression was somber, his eyebrows furrowed in deep thoughts as he studied Lumina's features. Lumina had known Carden since they were kids, he was more than a pack member to her, he was her friend. Her ally and protector, till recently, on that night as she looked into Carden's eyes, she felt far away from him, like there was a deep barrier between them, one that was so high she couldn't climb over it tonight.

“How can I help you Carden,” She asked helplessly. In her heart she knew what he was going to say.

Carden stuttered. “You know what I want to say, Lumina.”

“Then let's not speak of it again.” Lumina said softly. “The woman is trying her best to gain our trust.”

“But is she really?” Carden said with strong conviction.

“I know you suspect her, I do too, but I can't accuse someone without proof. She's innocent until we have something on her. She's helping us.” Lumina said, closing her eyes, she clasped her hands tightly.

Carden took Lumina's hands in his, held her chin. “Doesn't that surprise you? Why is she hell-bent on helping us? I've been tracking her and where she goes. She seems to have it all planned out. She knows everything!”  Carden's voice was laced with irritation. She watched Luna with an incredulous look, as if she couldn't see what was right in front of her.

Lumina forcefully withdrew her hands from his, her eyebrows furrowed in anger, she gnashed her teeth. “Have you been trailing her?” Her voice was fuming, her tone was low.  “Where is the proof that you have, that she is guilty? Tell me. Carden. She is the only chance we have to get back at those wolves for murdering our kind, and we are about to sabotage that!”

Carden was about to respond when Lumina spoke up before he did.

“Don't speak. Rhea has already told us how she knows Kieran and what happened to her and her pack. The woman has been through alot! Can't you see, all she wants is to avenge her pack.” Her voice was sharp in the cold silent night. Her words cut through Carden's chest like a sharp blade.  His eyes flickered with anger, frustration and desperation. He wanted to speak yet he remained calm.

“I can't believe you. I can't believe you did this without even talking to me first!” Lumina was hurt.

“I just know in my heart we cannot trust her. I may not have proof yet, but she's not honest with you, Lumina. I feel it in my bones. I want what's best for you and the pack.”

“It's not all about what you want or feel. What about what I want or feel, hmm? What about what she wants? The man used her and set her aside like a rag. What do you think she is working with him or something?” 

A moment of hesitation passed through Carden's eyes.  Lumina noticed and quickly added, “The woman is heartbroken and embarrassed by the whole situation. Must you continue pouring salt on the wounds?”

Carden's eyes flicked slightly with sympathy. He glanced away from Lumina, unable to hold her gaze. Emotions whirled in his eyes, his jaw clenched, and he balled his fists tightly. He was frustrated. Carden was a man who believed things could only exist in two forms. Black or white?

Emotions clouded Lumina's expression, she looked up at Carden with disappointed eyes. “Carden. I need you more than ever now. Times are uncertain, and you are the only one I can genuinely count on, but you should be able to have faith in me, trust that I can make the right decision for the pack.. it's one of the reasons why we've remained best of friends, but it's like that's not the case anymore…” Lumina's voice faded into the background. “...perhaps we are not as close as I thought we were.” She said softly, unable to look him in the eye.

The tension thickened, and the air hung heavy. A pained expression washed over Carden. She looked at Lumina with sudden pain in his eyes.

“Come on. You know in your heart that what you say is not true. Everything I do, I do it for you.”

“They trust me.” Lumina was categorical. “And let this campaign against Rhea end. She is willing to work for our trust. And I'm willing to give her a chance. A genuine chance without backstabbing her so no more.” Her gaze was firm and tone stern.

Carden's heart flipped in pain. He gasped softly, shock and hurt written all over his expression. He had no way of responding.

“Lumina..” he whispered softly.

“I know you'd give your whole life for me. But I'm looking to protect the pack. It's more about them than me..please understand that.” Lumina looked at him gently. She wished she could make his pain go away.

Carden looked at her with understanding, he nodded gently. “Be careful,” he said.  “You be careful.” He repeated, squeezing her hands gently. Lumina felt a heavy burden in her chest. There was nothing more she could do for him. Carden turned around and walked away, his head hung low. Lumina stared longingly at his back, she closed her eyes and ruffled her hair in frustration. A deep fear gnawed at her chest, of losing what she and Carden had built for years, the connection was special to her, and she hurt when she disagreed with him and chose a different path. It broke her. But she didn't dare to break down, and let herself suffer.

She looked around. The moon, high, shone bright, the sacred clearing bathed in its light. She listened for strange noises but heard none. Ever since the death of her pack members, she could not sleep. A sense of paranoia had creeped into her, each time she heard the leaves rustling, the hairs at the back of her neck stood sharply. An owl's shriek flustered her and a bird's tweeting irritated her. Her instincts warned her to be careful of Rhea too. At the back of her mind, she felt a little voice telling her to be careful. She couldn't tell how.

However, if it was because of Carden, or because of her paranoia. She hoped things would be okay.