Their Long-simmering Disagreements

This predicament, the struggle between generations and the thirst for power, wasn't entirely foreign to Xander. 

He had been in a remarkably similar situation before, albeit from the opposite perspective. Back then, he was the young alpha, driven by youthful arrogance and audacity, challenging his own father, Theron Moonshadow, for the mantle of leadership.

It appeared that history had a way of repeating itself within the Moonshadow pack.

***

Time line: flashback

"Don't be impulsive, Xander. We can't hastily reach into the human realm," Theron's voice resonated with wisdom and caution as he addressed his son, Xander, who brimmed with youthful enthusiasm and ideas. 

They found themselves in the heart of a dimly lit chamber, the air heavy with the weight of their discussion. The ancient oak table at which they sat bore the scars of countless deliberations over the centuries.

"Listen, Xander," Theron's tone was measured, his eyes locked onto his son's. "We can't hastily reach into the human realm."

Xander's gaze was unwavering as he met his father's steady stare. His conviction burned brightly in his eyes as he passionately presented his perspective.

"But we have to, Father!" Xander's voice carried a sense of urgency. "How long will we keep circling within the confines of this ever-shrinking territory where humans encroach upon our ancestral lands? The other packs are becoming increasingly difficult to deal with, their territories pushing closer and closer. Shouldn't we shift our focus to humans, who now dominate the world outside our hidden realms?"

As Xander spoke, he gestured toward the intricately carved window frame that overlooked the human world beyond. 

It was a world that fascinated him, a world of towering skyscrapers, bustling cities, and technologies that were advancing at a rapid pace. 

He believed that by forming alliances with humans, Moonshadow could adapt and thrive in this new era.

"If that's the way it is, what can we do about it?" Theron responded with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Theron's indifference only fueled Xander's anger. "Some other werewolf packs have already collaborated with humans!"

"So what? Hitmen? Or their human watchdogs? Are you willing to degrade our kind, reducing us to nothing more than stray dogs begging for someone to be their master?" Theron's response was equally sharp, highlighting the stark clash of viewpoints between father and son as they grappled with the question of how to adapt to a rapidly changing world while preserving their werewolf heritage.

The tension in the room was palpable as the heated debate between father and son showed no signs of relenting. 

It seemed as if every word spoken was laden with the weight of their conflicting visions for Moonshadow's future. 

Arguments had become an almost daily occurrence, but this one was reaching an intensity they hadn't experienced before.

Xander was unable to tolerate the cautious and deliberate strategy that his father employed. Xander claims that moonshadow had to make use of humans in order to expand their sphere of influence as rapidly as possible. 

"As Moonshadow's power and influence rose, the extermination of rival packs became a simple task. There was no requirement for them to get our hands filthy. Make this situation work to our advantage!"

"Not right now. The competition amongst packs is already intense. We can't afford to make it mode complicated," Theron said, because he did not want his son to get the wrong idea.

"The moment is now to act. It is imperative that we increase in size and strength to compete with other packs. There are a great number of more humans. Why don't we make better use of such opportunities?" Xander engaged in debate.

The tension in the room was palpable, the air charged with an almost electric intensity as Theron's voice reverberated with authority.

The father-son clash had reached a point of no return, a climax of their long-simmering disagreements.

"Xander!" Theron's reprimand sliced through the charged atmosphere like a blade. He was no longer just a father but the dominant Alpha of Moonshadow, and his aura began to envelop Xander, a potent display of power that was meant to be a clear and direct threat, urging his son to submit.

However, Xander's response was far from submission. His resolve burned like a wildfire, igniting his every muscle. One by one, they expanded, causing his clothes to tear and rip apart in the process. 

It was a dramatic and powerful transformation, a physical manifestation of his unwavering determination to stand up for what he believed in.

"Father, Theron Moonshadow," Xander's voice reverberated with a low, threatening growl as he met his father's gaze head-on. His eyes blazed with a fiery determination. "I challenge you to a duel!"

The room seemed to hold its breath as the challenge hung in the air, a declaration that carried immense weight. 

The father and son were now poised on the precipice of a confrontation that could change the course of Moonshadow's destiny.

Fueled by anger at Xander's unyielding defiance, Theron's transformation was nothing short of breathtaking. 

In a matter of seconds, he morphed into a flawless and imposing wolf form. His fur was a lustrous blend of silver and charcoal, and his presence seemed to fill the room with raw power. 

In one swift and deliberate motion, he unleashed his might upon the long oak table, sending splinters scattering in all directions.

As Theron advanced, his massive paws thudded heavily against the chamber's marble floor, each step resonating with an undeniable air of menace. His amber eyes, now fierce and unrelenting, were locked onto Xander, narrowing with determination.

The meeting attendees, witnessing the transformation and sensing the imminent showdown, moved with haste. 

Their footsteps echoed through the grand chamber as they sought refuge. The spacious room provided them with enough maneuvering space, but there was an undeniable tension that hung in the air, and it was clear that the impending clash between father and son had the potential to reduce the elegant chamber to ruins.

"Xander," Theron growled, his voice a menacing rumble that sent a shiver through the room. "Do you truly believe you're mature and powerful enough to defeat me?"