Chapter 4




Nightfall paused, looking at her in shock.

"What are you doing here?" Her father questioned.

Moon stepped back, her pelt shivering in fear.

"Tell me," He insisted.

Moon still stayed silent. She didn't want to tell him why. She knew that Nightfall was trying to sneak out. She predicted that Nightfall would plan his attack on BloodPack. But what was StonePack? Why had Star said that? She thought, still not answering the dark wolf's question.

"Speak!" He yowled, claws stretched.

"I-I came to er... watch Dark as well," Moon murmured. She knew that Nightfall didn't believe her, but she had to say something.

"I have to go," she said, making her way toward Dark. Nightfall's stern gaze followed her. She didn't want to bump into her father again. The thought scared her, knowing he had been meeting with the shadow wolf all along.

***

Dark was walking along a trail of small footsteps. Moon watched, quietly following the wolf from afar. She really didn't want to watch Dark. He wanted to see what Nightfall was doing. But she couldn't risk it. She couldn't go leave just yet. But if she stayed long, Dark would find her. He probably already knew she was there. Which path should she choose? Which path lead to the right direction?

"Moon," a soft voice rang in her ears.

Moon jumped pack in alarm, a startled yelp escaped her throat. She had already been seen. I should have went back to camp! She yowled her her head, but she realized she had said that aloud.

"No... don't leave!" Dark's hard gaze faded to anger and fear.

She had no idea what to say. Her heart was pounding faster than ever, faster than BloodPack's attack. She stared at the wolf for a very long time. She forced herself to talk, but it seemed her voice was lost in all the fear surrounding her.

"I-I'm sorry from earlier! I can hunt three elks and bring them back, but the moment I had said that to you, I regretted it. All of it. I just embarrassed myself to the whole pack. And you are a skilled huntress... very skilled. Please forgive me for what I did," Dark apologized. His paws scooted back toward his hind legs.

Moon was left speechless. The darkness pulled her down, her vision fading slowly. It was in endless tugging in her mind. Every moment of silence led her to this... world... a shadow. The darkness pulled her back from resisting. A terrible pain spread across every part of her body. Her eyes slammed shut and she fell to the ground. Was she sick? What was happening. She winced as the pain came back. She tried to keep her consciousness, straining herself to stay awake.

Dark pounced over her, colliding with something behind. Suddenly, everything turned to normal. All the pain, all the darkness disappeared like a fire being put out. Moon looked behind her. Nightfall... her own father was pinned down by Dark, snarling with his teeth bared. Dark's eyes were filled with fury.

"Why would you hurt her? Your only daughter! You monster!" Dark growled, scarlet red blood dripping down his muzzle. Nightfall's neck was ripped open, but still, he didn't look like Dark had hurt him in any way. His face was just full of rage and anger. What was happening? Moon couldn't move a paw. She had to watch.

Nightfall threw off the other wolf, rolling to the side, slamming his paw into Dark's face. Nightfall's opponent staggered back just in time. Dark looked beside him, brushing off snow from an icicle. The wolf grabbed it in his jaws. Nightfall's paws were ready. Ready to doge out of the way. Ready to attack at just the right moment.

But Dark turned around and walked away from the battle, still holding the ice. Nightfall rushed to Dark's side.

Moon's eyes widened.

Dark stabbed the icicle into one of her father's eyes. Nightfall let out a bloodcurdling scream as blood splattered over his whole entire face.

"Stop! You monster!" Nightfall yowled, pulling the icicle out. He collapsed to the soft snow, each breath fading away.

"NO!" Moon yowled in her head, pain running through her eyes.

Loud voices echoed through her mind. Her father's soothing voice could be heard.

But there was an even louder one.

"Get up! Something's wrong with Shard!" Blue yowled.

Moon looked around. She was in a cave, not her cave, but her mother's.

Moon got up to her feet as quick as possible. "What? Show me!"

Blue dashed through the forest quickly. Moon struggled to keep up. Her paws hurt every single step she took. But this wasn't about her, it was about Shard. Something was wrong, and she had to help. They were heading to the edge of the BloodPack territory.

Moon skidded to a halt. Shard was standing in front of a small fire. She was panicking. How was there a fire in the middle of winter? How was this possible? Moon buried the flames with some snow, and it easily went out. Shard looked at her, blinking,

"Oh er... I didn't think of that. My brain is a little ummm... messed up. Thank you," she spoke, bowing down, "You will be a great alpha one day."

For a moment, Moon was very confused. All she did was put out a tiny fire. That didn't make her an alpha. Moon went back to camp. She focused on her dream. No... not a dream but a nightmare. As she thought about what had happened, she remembered the dream that Star had said was a message.

Dark had told Moon that Star and Nightfall weren't her parents, but she denied that. Of course Star and Nightfall were her parents! They had raised her, and had been there the moment she was born. They wouldn't lie to her like that. They were good parents.

Why would Dark be talking to her? Was Blood supposed to see her talking to Dark? Moon placed her paws over her head. A terrible headache passed through her mind. She pressed her claws deep into fur. Small cuts smeared with crimson blood shown on her fur. It wasn't much. She didn't mind at all. Somehow, it soothed her headache. The pain didn't return, and only felt even better.

What was happening? Ripping open her head, only to make her pain go away? This was strange. Perhaps she just had some type of disease or something. Maybe it was because she was just tired. But she couldn't help herself from thinking. Thinking about what had just happened. Was Nightfall meeting up with the shadow wolf real? Or was it a dream all along? Does that mean Nightfall never wanted revenge on any pack? Does that mean she never caught the elk? Does that mean that Dark never hurt Nightfall?

Her head became dizzy, the thoughts shouting clear into her mind. She didn't want to even think of it. Instead she went to go see with Blue. She began to think of her as a pup.

Star and Nightfall sat around her. Her parents weren't alphas. They kept her warm in the winter. Months later. She then was allowed to explore the camp out of the nursery. She saw Blue, another pup. At first she was very shy, not wanting to confront him, but he was a kind wolf. They became close friends, never leaving each other alone.

Blue and Moon grew up, passing their training assessment and becoming a Delta. They still both were, and haven't ranked either down or up. And she was glad. She didn't want to be the next alpha, or a wolf back in training. She didn't want to be an omega... Again. Once she was able to hunt, she became an omega. They were treated terribly. She was the last to eat. But even worse, she was the only omega. The only one in her whole pack. Only three wolves treated her like she wasn't one. Star, Nightfall, and Blue.

Those old memories passed through her mind. She liked them even better than what was happening right now. Everything was worse than he life as an omega. But Moon just pushed those thoughts away. Maybe Blue would clear her mind so she could stay positive.

The white she-wolf stepped into the clearing, looking around for her friend. She walked straight into Star.

"Moon," Star whispered.

"Yes?"

"Don't tell anyone about spying on BloodPack," she muttered.

"O-okay,"

And the moment she had said that, Moon knew. It wasn't a dream. The white she-wolf slowly stepped away. Finally, she just ran out of the area and out of the clearing. But in the corner of her eye, she say Nightfall hidden in the bushes. He had saw them. He now knew who had spied on him. It was Moon, Blue, and Star themselves. No! Moon thought, her hear beating fast. She ran to the opposite side of camp.

Moon skidded to a halt to a voice. A familiar voice.

"Moon? What's with you?" Blue tilted his head.

"Er... Nothing!" Moon said, alarmed.

"Then why are you running?"

"He knows!"

"What do you mean?"

"Nightfall! He-he knows that we spied on him!"

Blue didn't know what to say, his eyes wide. His gaze then fell to the ground.

"There's nothing we can do about it," he murmured and walked away.

And Blue was right. They couldn't do anything. Nightfall would somehow punish them. But she couldn't blame Star now... or could she? It wasn't really her fault. Nightfall might not punish them anyway.

And he didn't.

It had been a few weeks since they had spied on Nightfall.

Moon sat silently in the crowd of wolves. There were so many, more the last meeting. Scar stood on the rock, hid chest fur swaying along with in the wind. But he wasn't very proud of his pack. Three pups were gone. Two lost, and one murdered. Storm and Thrush were now wandering in the forest. Most likely dead. The last had somehow died in its sleep. There were claw marks around its neck. So it was another wolf who had killed it.

FirePack was doing well, like always. IcePack had a few rogues enter their territory, but they weren't too aggressive. ArkPack was doing fine...ever since the attack.

Moon always thought on why BloodPack was even named BloodPack. Why blood? That was just a terrifying name.

"I do wish for all packs to thrive, especially BloodPack. May the troubles blow away," Flame dipped his head, and his pack left the meeting.

"I hope as well, good luck, not to just BloodPack, but to all," Ice said, and her pack also left.

"Scar," Star muttered. Moon couldn't tell if she was angry with the leader, or peaceful.

Scar looked at her, emotionless

"Goodbye. Hopefully, no things happen like that again," Star said, but in an angry tone. The alpha ordered the pack to leave. ArkPack went home.

Finally, a normal meeting for once. A normal meeting that everyone hoped for. A peaceful meeting. 

Moon had no idea on what to do. The whole camp was silent. No one left their den, for some odd reason. Maybe the pack was tired? Maybe no one felt like walking around?

"Everyone, gather around the rock for a meeting!" Star's voice broke through the silence.

Wolves left their dens, heading toward the rock. Some were confused. By now, the whole pack had gathered around the rock. Even Breeze and Sparrow, the pups.

"Why do you call us?" A wolf questioned.

Star nudged Nightfall.

"We are going to send out a few wolves to explore new area. Rogues had been scented at the edge of territory. We need find them, and drive them out," he announced.

There was no reaction. No wolf talked.

"Who would like to come?" Star said.

Dark stepped out from the crowd.

"I will,"

Breeze followed Dark.

"Oo me me!" the pup squeeked.

"No!" Shard grabbed the pup by his scruff, "You are too young to go!"

"Anyone else?"

"Moon and I will go," Blue spoke.

Moon was suprised. She didn't want to go, but Blue had called her.

"Alright," She said, "Frost? Would you like to come?"

"Of course," the she wolf dipped her head.

The group headed out of camp. Blue looked at Moon, smirking. 

Moon imediently scented rogues. Star and Nightfall must have been on patrol last night. The scent was everywhere. It digusted her. She guessed there had been a lot of rogues. Every step she took, sented like rogues.

They were nearby, but she couldn't figure out.

"We should split up," Blue suggested.

"No. If we get attacked, then we have to stay together," Nightfall grunted.

"Follow me! The sent is stronger this way," Star told them, hopping into the snowy  bushes.

The group disappeared into the bushes. It was true, the scent was a lot stronger here. But it faded.

They searched all day. They didn't find anything. No other wolf was to be seen, but they at least marked their territory. Hopefully, the rogues didn't come back.

The sun was now gone, the world was darkening. An unsucsessful patrol today. Moon layed in her den, unable to sleep. She haden't eaten all day, but something in her didn't want to eat.

But then, Scar walked in front of her. Her den, everything turned to white.

"A wolf will leave the light, and will join the dark," he said, his eyes were glowing a dark purple.

"What does that mean? Who will leave the light?" Moon spat. She knew that Scar wouldn't tell her, but she demanded answers anyways.

"But not without a fight, not to be seen in sight," he said, his eyes glowed even brighter, and then...

Poof!

He disappeared.

"Moon Moon! Get up now!" Star's voice exploded through her ear.

"Wh-what?" She slowly got up.

"Attack! Near the border!" She shouted, running out of camp.

Moon bolted to catch up with her mother. She was going a slower pace then usual. She didn't want to fight. She hated all the violence between other wolves. Every wolf was the same, so why fight? Why were there enemies? Why were there allies?

If only the packs could thrive in peace. Then there'd be no more suffering.

Moon could now see the battling wolves ahead. There were so many rogues. They outnumbered the pack. Moon joined in the fight, pinning down a white and gray she-wolf. 

"Flee!" Moon yowled, swiping a claws at the she-wolf's face.

"No! Never!" The she wolf threw her off. Moon focused on her target, never looking away. She simply needed to dodge every attack, until she could strike.

The rogue leaped at her faster than expected. She was pinned down by the rogue. Of course, dodging was hard. It was harder than she thought. The rogue bit down on her neck. But she wasn't stong enough. Moon easily got her off. Maybe they could win the battle. There may be more wolves than then them, but the rogues probably weren't trained better than the packs.

She swiped a claw at the she wolf. She didn't dodge. Moon, satisfied, walked away. Maybe she could trick the rogue. The she-wolf followed her, jumping, claws stretched wide. Moon turned around, and hopped toward the rogue. Her jaws met the other wolf's neck in mid air.

They landed in a thud, Moon's strong grip still on her neck. The rogue thrashed and struggled, kicking, and clawing, but Moon wouldn't let go. She couldn't lose this battle. She would show them that she was strong. Not some weak helpless pup.

Her grip on the wolf's neck loosened. A white she-wolf was tugging on her hind legs, trying to get her off. It was two against one. Moon's hope of winning the battle tied in a knot, and was thrown into the darkness. She'd never be able to prove herself as a strong wolf. No one could help her. Everyone was focused on their own opponent. Blood covered the battlefield. Mostly the rogue's.

The other wolf launched for Moon. "This is for Nightfall!" She yowled.

But a blue flash pushed her out of the way. Blue, biting visously, sank his teeth into the wolf's throat. Moon could see crimson blood pooling below. It truly was terrifying. The rogue's body went limp, and Blue finally let go of its neck. He stood in pride, muzzle stained in blood.

"Anything for you, Moon," He muttered.

Moon wanted to thank him, but she was too terrified to say a word. 

"This is for Nightfall!"

Why would they attack Ark Pack when they were fighting for Nightfall? He was the alpha of the pack, so why destroy it?

The other rogue looked at the body in shock.

"You killed her!" she growled.

Moon, at the same time took pity on the wolf. The rogue must have loved her, but she lost who she loved.

"The battle isn't finished yet," a sonorous voice boomed through the battlefield.

The shadow wolf, the one who talked to Nightfall was right infront of their faces. The light faded each step he took. Right when he had said that, wolves, all kind, swarmed out from behind, each carrying a stick, fire blazing at the edges. There were so many, Moon could hardly dodge out of the way. None of them even attacked, but Moon knew that they had to be burning the forest. 

She followed them as the number of wolves seen dropped. She expected some wolves to help, but no one was there. Not even Blue. Perhaps he had went to help in the battle. But as Moon caught up, she could see the camp unprotected ahead. She leaped at one, but she missed, hitting the rocks with a loud thump. 

She could see some throwing their sticks at the trees, at the dens, and at the perimeter of the camp. Fire blazed around, making it imposible to get through. The elders yowled in shock. The pups cried. A few deltas still at camp had no escape. It was up to the rest of the wolves to put it out. Moon quickly headed to the battle, running into her mother.

"Fire, fire! At the camp!" the white she wolf called. 

Star stared at Moon in shock.

"Retreat!" Her voice echoed through the field of battling wolves. And just like that, as if it was a magic word, ArkPack fled. 

The pack was told to get to water and bring it. Good thing there was a steam not too far. They could easily dig a pathway for the water to put out the flamed. But as the got there, the steam was completely drenched. Moon was terrified on how the fire spread so quickly. Hopefully, it died because of the snow. 

Maybe she needed to get to the far river. They went, and the water was covered in a thin layer of ice. It was easy to break through, but it would be hard to cary back. Moon scooped up water in her jaws, getting to camp as fast as possible. They other pack did the same, bringing water to the fire.

Moon dropped the freezing water. Part of the fire disappeared. Satified, Moon watched as the rising flames went away in a puff of smoke. The rogues had now left, and Blue was rushing toward her, eyes full of terror.

"Nightfall! He's gone! Nowhere to be seen!" he huffed.

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