CHAPTER 4

Gasps of shock could be heard around the battlefield as realization washed over them like a chilling bucket of water. This was the reason they had lost many men. They were dealing with demons, and they were halfbreeds. How could such creatures even exist???

So many questions were up in their minds, but there was no time to dwell on those thoughts. A moment of distraction at this juncture would cost them their lives.

The tides of battle that were once in favor of the wolves started to turn, the transformation tipping the scales in favor of the half-breeds.

After their transformation, the half-breeds didn't hesitate to let out a loud deafening howl, a signal the wolves didn't have to wait long to find out what the howl meant as each wolf was surrounded by three to one.

They were prepared; they came in fully ready to raze this pack to the ground. Alpha Ryan was surrounded by ten to one but still managed to hold his ground, a testament that his ability to make his pack the strongest in the South was not by mere luck.

His battle instincts were remarkable, his heightened senses accurate. He could hear the sound of wind when an attack was imminent, crouch low, and counterattack. He was quick on his paws, never missing a strike. He made decisive attacks in quick succession. He was swift.

It was better to have him as an ally than to make him an enemy. In no time, all ten halfbreeds surrounding him were slain. Letting out an ear-piercing howl, he moved forward like a bulldozer, subduing anything that stood in his way.

***

The night slowly crept in, and the air felt thick with tension and fear. The pack members huddled in the bonkers nervously. This was a long night. At first, they were calm, but the strange howl made their angst about what was happening up there.

The younger ones were lucky to be asleep, as their tired bodies couldn't handle the stress and pressure. On the other hand, the women whispered their prayers for the safety of their warriors.

It was a long night for them. The uncertainty was unnerving, and rightfully so. The women murmured among themselves.

"What do you think could be out there? Would we win?".

"I don't know," one of the other women responded in a monotone voice.

Avery the packs Luna had to be strong for the people even though she could feel Ryan's fluctuating emotions through their connection.

He was a man who could always control his emotions. However, in this battle, she had felt several emotions through their bond, the most prevalent being confusion and resolve.

She knew that something big had to be at play for him to be distracted enough to forget to shut down his link with her, especially during a battle.

After a couple minutes, they heard a familiar howl- that of an alpha, Ryan domineering and ready to fight until the end for the people.

***

The other warriors howled back in response. They would fight till the very end resolutely, and they charged ahead.

There was utter carnage on the battlefield. Corpses and severed heads littered the ground, the grass was stained with blood, and even the wolves standing were covered in blood, uncertain whether it was theirs or that of the assailants they had slain.

The unlucky ones who were not killed were lying on the ground with injuries, some with lost limbs and body parts, a horrifyingly gory sight, bleeding to their certain death.

All that could be seen were mutilated bodies lying on the ground, with others howling in pain. There was heavy damage, and bodies were littered everywhere. This scene would cause nightmares.

***

Snapping back to her senses, Ophelia had a mission to accomplish. She had been ordered by the "Alpha," and she would carry out that task even if it cost her her life. She opened a drawer, picked up a brown envelope, and ran out of the pack house through the back door.

She made a beeline for the forest. Hidden by the cover of the night and thick foliage, she began her journey, sticking to the path her father instructed her to take.

She had always dreamed of freedom. She wanted to leave the pack, but not like this, and definitely not without saying goodbye to anyone. She felt foreboding.

She always had a strong intuition, and she trusted her gut. This time wouldn't be any different. She was fighting an internal battle with herself over whether to obey an alpha or return to help her father.

She hesitated for a moment and headed back toward the battle. She was the daughter of an alpha, and she wouldn't back down or run from a fight; the moonshine pack was her father's pride and joy, and she would save it.

She ran as fast as her human legs could carry her. Her senses weren't as sharp as fully turned wolves. It was a little hard to navigate the forest as skillfully as other wolves, as it was the dead of night, but she was doing a good job.

She grew up on the land and was familiar with the terrain. She would find her way, and she did. Running anxiously towards the carnage, the adrenaline pumping in her veins gave her enough momentum and motivation to push her tired legs further.

The air was suffocating as she drew closer to the battlefield; the pungent odor of blood assaulted her nostrils; it was a nauseating sight; she had to look away for a moment to suppress a gag.

She searched the battlefield for a sign of her father, she was in a frenzy.

"Was I too late?" she panicked!

A wave of relief engulfed her as soon as she sighted him on the battlefield, but that feeling was instantly surged over by a new wave of dread. She was unable to move; her feet were stock-still.

"No!" She muttered!

Through muffled sobs, her legs weren't responding to her commands. She could only stand there, petrified.

"No! No! No!" she cried out. She could literally feel her heart breaking, but it was too late.