Chapter 28

Chapter 28
"Who are they?" Lena asked, clutching her dagger tightly.

Alena closed her eyes for a moment. She tried to sense the energy around her. There were dozens, perhaps hundreds, of wolves surrounding them. But their aura was different from Draven's pack. This wasn't the same aura of darkness and cruelty. It was more... neutral. Wary.

"It's not Draven's pack," Alena said, opening her eyes. "They're... they're different."

Before Alena could finish her sentence, the rustle of leaves and snapping twigs sounded from all directions. Dozens of wolves emerged from the forest's darkness, their eyes glowing in the moonlight, encircling them in a tight ring. They were tall, muscular wolves with dark grey fur, as if merging with the shadows.

At the forefront, among them, stood an Alpha. He was tall, with prominent silver-grey fur and cold, icy blue eyes. His aura exuded calm authority, but also deadly vigilance. This was Alpha Silas. Theta Silas.

Orion stood firm, shielding Ariel with his body. His eyes met Silas's. "Alpha," he said, his voice low and filled with wariness. "I am Orion of the Red Moon Pack. We are on a mission, and we seek no conflict."

Silas didn't answer immediately. His sharp eyes scrutinized each member of Orion's small group, pausing briefly on Alena, as if recognizing something strange. "A mission?" Silas replied, his voice calm, yet imbued with power. "You are trespassing on my territory, Alpha Orion, with the smell of blood and a chase behind you. That is not a mission; it is a transgression."

"We are being pursued by Alpha Draven," Alena interjected, stepping forward slightly, ignoring Orion's sharp glare. "He kidnapped Alpha Orion's sister for a dark ritual. He intends to bind ancient power, the primordial moon's power, to the same altar where Alpha Kael died."

Silas frowned. The names Kael and Draven seemed to trigger something within him. "Draven," he murmured, his tone shifting to something darker. "So, he's still with that ancient madness." He looked at Alena. "How do you know all this, girl?"

"I saw it," Alena replied, her voice calm, even though she could feel Orion's anger behind her for speaking without permission. "I am the destined Luna for Alpha Orion. My power gives me visions. I saw Draven manipulating Alpha Kael, saw him trying to use Ariel's blood to bind my own power. That power will destroy us all if he succeeds."

Orion growled, stepping forward. "You talk too much, Alena!"

"Stop, Orion!" Alena commanded, her voice as calm as ice, her dark eyes meeting Orion's. There was an authority emanating from her, an authority Orion had never seen before. He took a step back, surprised by her tone.

Silas observed their interaction with undisguised interest. "Destined Luna?" he said, redirecting his gaze back to Alena. "I heard you were rejected, girl. And now you speak of visions and primordial power."

"My rejection was his mistake," Alena said, pointing at Orion, fearless. "Not mine. And this power... it is a part of me. Draven wants to use it to conquer this world. He is an enemy to us all, Alpha Silas. Your pack, my pack, all we know."

Silas stepped forward, his gaze now filled with contemplation. "Draven has long been a thorn in my side. He tried to provoke war with my pack, claiming territory that isn't his. That ancient power... I've heard rumors of it too." He paused, his eyes returning to Alena. "Are you sure Draven intends to use Ariel for the ritual?"

"He has already begun," Alena replied, feeling a throbbing pain in her head. "The dagger was already raised. He intends to absorb the essence of the primordial moon through Ariel, through me, and the same ancient altar that killed Alpha Kael. We must stop him before the moon reaches its peak."

Silence hung between them, thick and pregnant with meaning. Orion looked from Alena to Silas, confusion and suspicion mixed on his face. He didn't understand why Silas suddenly seemed hesitant, or why Alena could speak so boldly to a strange Alpha.

Silas looked at his forces, then back at Alena. He saw honesty in her eyes, urgency in her voice, and a faint power pulsating around her. He was a pragmatic Alpha, and he saw an opportunity here.

"If what you say is true, Luna," Silas said, his voice now softer, more strategic. "Then this is not just your fight. This is our fight. Draven has crossed the line. He is too dangerous."

Alena nodded. "We need you, Alpha Silas. We cannot face him alone. Our pack is wounded, and our time is running out."

Silas turned to Orion, who still held the unconscious Ariel. "Alpha Orion, you lead your pack in chaos. I will help you, but with one condition. Your Luna, Alena, will be the decider of strategic decisions. Her visions and intuition are more valuable than the strength of any army right now."

Orion fell silent, the words like a slap. He, an Alpha, had to surrender his authority to the Luna he had once rejected, in front of another strange Alpha. This was an insult that burned his Alpha ego. However, he saw the pale Ariel in his arms, he felt the urgency in the air, and he remembered Alena's words about his father's death. His hatred for Draven and the desire to save his sister outweighed his pride.

"Very well," Orion said, his voice hoarse. "If that's what it takes to stop Draven, then I will accept it." He looked at Alena, his gaze now filled with a complicated blend of newfound respect and lingering suspicion. "We will accept your help, Alpha Silas."

Silas nodded, a thin smile on his lips. "Good. My pack has been observing Draven for weeks; we know the layout of the cave and his forces. But we couldn't act alone. We lacked personal motivation." He turned to one of his Betas. "Gather the fastest scout team. We will move. Alena, you will lead."

Alena felt a new strength surge within her, not just lunar energy, but also the strength from the trust just bestowed upon her. She had become a bridge between two Alphas who were once adversaries, forming an unexpected alliance in the darkest of nights.

"There's another entrance to the cave," Alena said, her eyes scanning the dark forest, her mind working rapidly. "A back way, well hidden, but it will bring us closer to the altar. More dangerous, but faster."

Silas nodded. "Lead us, Luna."

As they prepared to move, a sudden rumble shook the ground beneath their feet. Not the rumble of battle, but a deeper, more primal vibration, as if the earth itself was roaring in pain. From the direction of the cave, a dense red light radiated into the sky, illuminating the clouds above them with a horrible blood-red hue.

And then, from the darkness of the forest they had just passed through, the sound of rushing footsteps was heard, growing closer, more numerous. Angry shouts echoed.

"Alpha Draven!" shouted one of Silas's warriors. "He's chasing! And he's not alone! There's another force with him!"

Alena felt a cold, ancient, and deadly aura she hadn't sensed before. It wasn't the aura of an ordinary wolf. It was older, more malevolent. Draven had summoned something.

"We don't have much time!" Alena said, her dark eyes staring at the red light in the sky, then at the rushing forest. This new, sudden power, which Draven had unleashed—it must be part of the ritual that had begun. "Draven has accelerated..."