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The moon hung high over Thornwood’s dense forests, its glow casting a silver sheen on the clearing where restless figures moved in hushed murmurs. Shadows flickered across weary faces—wolves who once stood proudly beneath Killian’s command, now uncertain, now wavering.

“You’re certain about this, Matias?” a gruff voice whispered near the edge of the assembly.

Matias, a broad-shouldered warrior with a scar running across his brow, breathed gently. With a voice tinged with conviction, he declared, "I have no doubts, Alden." "Killian has gotten lost." His power is eroding after he dominated with terror and conceit. We've all experienced it.

Leaner but equally seasoned from years of combat, Alden moved uneasily. He muttered, "Leaving... defecting... that's treason," but his hesitancy revealed what he really believed.

Matias gave him a level glance. "And it's not to stay under a collapsing Alpha?"

Alden remained silent.

Muscles strained as they both turned abruptly in response to a stirring in the foliage. From the shadows, another figure walked forward—Seraphina, her dark hair tied back into a tight braid, golden eyes sharp as a blade’s edge. “You’re not the only ones who see it,” she replied gently. More of us are observing and asking questions. Killian has a shorter fuse. His directives are less logical. She crossed her arms and paused. He is in a desperate situation. Additionally, desperate Alphas make bad choices.

Matias gave a nod. Seraphina, we have an option. We may either depart right away and join Thalia while we still have our honor, or we can wait until Killian falls and we are buried beneath the debris.

Seraphina breathed slowly. She said, "I won't go down with him."

Alden was still unsure. "Thalia won't have faith in us. Not after our actions under Killian's leadership.

"She may not," Matias concurred. However, she will pay attention. Furthermore, she is now the only person capable of leading Thornwood.

Seraphina gave a nod. Alden, she battles for something genuine. For justice, not just for her retribution. Killian fights just for himself.”

Alden eventually met Matias’s gaze, and after a moment of heavy stillness, he offered a slow, reluctant nod.

“We move at dawn,” Matias added.

But before they could turn to depart, another entity emerged from the shadows. A younger warrior with a wide-eyed, cautious expression, just past his first shift. "You're not the only one going," he said in a desperate voice. More are congregating in the woods to the east. Killian's forces are becoming more and more fractured.

Matias exchanged a glance with Seraphina. They had underestimated the speed at which the tides were shifting.

And Killian will soon realize it if he hasn't already.

\---

In the center of Killian’s encampment, tensions ran thick as smoke. The flickering torchlight barely softened the hard expressions of the warriors gathered around the war table.

Killian stood at the head, his jaw tight, his hands braced against the rough wood. His piercing glance swept the room, daring anybody to challenge him. “Tell me again,” he continued, his voice dangerously low. “Who abandoned their posts?”

Silence stretched, thick and suffocating, until finally, Dorian, his second-in-command, cleared his throat. “It’s not just a few, my lord.” He hesitated. “Numbers are growing.”

Killian’s fists curled. "How many?"

Dorian breathed sharply. “We estimate at least three dozen left under the cover of darkness. Others are hesitant but wavering.” After a pause, he continued, "Word is spreading." Some people are doubting your ability to lead.

A piercing crack rang as Killian slammed his hand against the table. All the wolves in the tent recoiled as the papers and maps flew.

"Cowards," he spit out. "Weak-willed idiots who are not worthy of my protection." His look sliced through the room, daring anyone to speak against him. “We don’t need them. Let them run. They’ll regret it when Thalia crushes them together with the rest of my enemies.”

Dorian moved uncomfortably. "My lord, we might not have enough troops to hold the stronghold if this keeps up."

A sneer curved Killian's mouth. "The next deserters are then used as an example."

There was an uncomfortable hush in the room.

As if to protest, Dorian opened his mouth, then changed his mind. Rather, he stated cautiously, "There is another issue."

Killian looked at him abruptly. "Now what?"

Dorian paused only a moment before he spoke. Rumor has it that some of the departing individuals have already made it to Thalia's army.

Killian stopped breathing.

Then he grabbed the closest object, a goblet of wine, and threw it against the tent wall with a low, guttural growl. Like new blood, the fabric was stained with a deep scarlet liquid as the metal clattered to the ground.

He growled, "They think they can betray me and live?" His eyes roamed the room, untamed and filled with barely contained rage. "Seek them out. Find them. I want them to be revived.

A menacing grin contorted his mouth. For the purpose of reminding the others of what happens to traitors.

Nobody dared to oppose him.

One thought, however, reverberated among them all in the ensuing hush.

His hold on authority was weakening.

And before long, even fear would be insufficient to maintain his rule.

\---

As Matias, Seraphina, and Alden hurried through the pitch-black forest, the air was heavy with the smell of pine and moist dirt. They weren’t alone—behind them, over a dozen others followed, wolves who had made their choice.

The eastern ridge wasn’t far now. If the others were faithful to their word, Thalia’s scouts would be waiting.

A distant howl, a low, melancholy sound that chilled Seraphina's spine, broke the air and caused her ears to quiver.

A caution.

"We must go more quickly," Matias whispered.

Below them, the ground was soft and still wet from the previous rain. They moved like shadows through the trees, their paws hardly making a sound as they did so. But as they got closer to the rendezvous, they noticed a distinct, strange smell.

Seraphina stopped abruptly, her heart racing. "There's someone here."

Matias tensed, twitching his nostrils. "Not the wolves of Thalia."

The foliage rustled, and individuals appeared out of the shadows, silently observing.

Killian's men.

The discovery came as a shock. They were anticipated.

Matias turned to the others abruptly. "Go. Right now.

Alden didn't think twice. The others trailed closely after him as he ran.

Seraphina was knocked to the ground by a shape that pounced at her before she could move. She spun, nearly escaping as a snarl rang in her ears. She heard a wounded shriek as she rushed back into the darkness, her claws raking across flesh.

Two wolves were already being repelled by Matias, who was snarling viciously and baring his teeth.

They needed to leave. They needed to make it to Thalia.

The night was filled with the sound of paws slapping the ground, and Seraphina took one last look back as she jumped over a fallen log.

There was anarchy in the forest. Wolves battled with fangs and fur. Despite the brutality of Killian's men's combat, the deserters were desperate.

Alden's voice came out in a shout of agony.

Seraphina gasped in surprise.

But there was no time.

She gave it one more quick look, then turned and bolted.

The others had already moved forward and vanished into the night.

They needed to make it to Thalia.

Because Killian would have known exactly what they were going to do next if he had known they were defecting.

And none of them had recognized how close the final battle was.