Chapter 94: Shared Strength

Derek's POV

That morning, the wind was warm. The kind of wind that brought hope for new life and chances. If I stood on the balcony of the Alpha's quarters, I could see Redwater's heart. Wolves made a steady rhythm as they moved through the village. A brand-new training centre was being built. The school for kids was back in session. From the kitchens, smells of baking bread spread, and laughter rang out from the common areas like music.

The Redwater we had fought to protect was not the same anymore.

It was stronger.

Wilder.

United.

Claire joined me. I could tell she was there by the soft sound of her steps before she even touched my arm. She put her head on my shoulder and said, "You are up early."

What did I say? "I have been thinking." "How far we have come."

She laughed. "How far we still need to go."

She had a point. After the last attack, the traitors were rooted out in both Redwater and what was left of Midnight Moon. Some had gotten away. Others stayed and faced the council's justice. Peace was not something we could just take for granted, though. Not yet.

We had still come a long way.

They officially recognised our union as a group of leaders and mates. Claire and I are now leading together. The same. Thank you. It made the Lunar Council alliance stronger.

But there was one truth I knew deep down: I was not healed. Not all the way.

My wounds were no longer open. But the nightmares hadn’t. The fight with the rogue Alpha haunted me. Not because of the pain, but because of how close I came to losing Claire… again.

And this time, she wouldn’t have walked away from it unscarred.

Claire noticed. She always did.

“You’re too quiet,” she said softly, slipping her hand into mine. "What is it?"

I said, "I keep seeing the blood." "Not just mine. The rogue guys. Ours. It keeps going.

She turned her whole face towards me, and her eyes were very angry. "You do not need to be okay. Not every day. You fought for this pack. You fought for me. Derek, take a deep breath.

I kissed her on the head. It is easier to do that with you nearby.

We all went down to the practice area together. Claire had asked for more tasks that would bring together former Redwater soldiers and Midnight Moon refugees. At first, it was slow, but today I saw something different. It made me laugh to see two warriors who used to be enemies laughing together. Not demanded, but earned respect.

Claire was proud to see Beta Rowan lead a fight between two younger wolves. Theo stood off to the side with his arms crossed and a nod towards a recruit. Elder Myra was talking to a group of puppies under a tree for shade. Her voice was calm, friendly, and reassuring.

We had fought for this dream.

But dreams have dark sides.

There was a war room meeting that afternoon where Claire and I met. A messenger had arrived from the western edge of the territory. A scout had been killed—no signs of who did it. No tracks. No scent. Only a mark carved into a tree near the body: a crescent moon with a claw slashed through it.

Claire stared at the drawing on the parchment, her lips tight.

She asked, "Do you know what this means?"

I gave a slow nod. "This is a warning." One that the old outlaw packs used. Some bad guys did not want to join the council or follow the old rules. We believed they had left.

Claire's eyes got narrow. "They are still there." They are getting together.

We both knew what it meant.

There was never real peace.

She asked, "Do we tell the council?"

I was unsure. "Not yet." We do not want to look weak. “Not after everything.”

Claire said yes, but I could see fear in her eyes. No matter what she said, I knew that the thought of another war scared her.

Still, she was ready to deal with it.

We held a ceremony in Redwater's heart that night under the full moon. The two packs stood together. Claire was tall and stood next to me. She was wearing silver robes that sparkled in the firelight. I spoke first and remembered the people we had lost, forgiven, and still needed to find.

Claire came after him. Her voice was loud and clear.

She said, "We stand as one." "Not the Redwater. Not Midnight Moon. One pack. It is possible. "One house."

The wolves agreed and howled.

But just as the fire got very hot, there was a new howl in the night. It was full of fear and anger.

A scout stumbled into the circle with blood on his arm.

He gasped and said, "Attack." "North Ridge." They came from nowhere—masked wolves—silent. Like ghosts.”

My blood ran cold.

Claire was already moving, eyes flashing gold. “Get Rowan. Gather the warriors. Derek—"

"I am also coming."

She said, "No." "You are still getting better."

"You are not going by yourself."

For a moment, we just looked at each other.

She then gave a nod. "Okay. But do not move.

The night changed back to fire and steel. Warriors were right behind us, drawing their swords and baring their teeth. When we got to the northern edge, things were a mess.

There were four guards down. One dead. Another person barely breathing.

And no sign of the people who attacked.

To say a prayer, Claire kneeled next to one of the bodies and then stood up.

She said in a quiet voice, "This was not an attack." "It was a message."

She told me to look at the trees. There was another mark. This one goes deeper. Better. There was still fresh blood on the bark.

Rowan ran back, out of breath. "They are being sneaky," he said.

Claire said, "No." "They are getting us ready."

"What for?" I asked.

Her voice was hollow. "To fall."

We went back in silence. No one was brave enough to speak.

Still, I could not stop thinking.

Why now?

Why after peace?

Later that night, when the camp was asleep, I returned to the war room. There was something in the mark that scared me.

I looked through the old files, ones from before the council was born. I found it tucked away among the oldest scrolls. The same sign. The name that is below it.

This is "The Crescent Pack."

Dead for many years. We thought that was all.

But their motto scared me.

"From silence, we rise again."

Claire stood in the doorway with a pale face when I turned around.

"You also saw it?" I asked.

She said yes. "They are not just bad guys."

I spoke quietly, "No." "No one remembers that pack." They want people to remember them.

We were in the war room, and the firelight was shining on our faces.

It was rough on Redwater.

But something darker had come to life.

The storm was still going on.