CHAPTER 4

*EVELYN'S POV*

As I pulled into the garage, my whole thought was on how to lean on my mother and cry it all out.

I was visibly shaken from the near miss at the intersection but I did well to hold the tears all back in.

I walked into the living room to find my mother but met her absence.

"She just stepped out after your father left," Paul said. He is our butler.

"Did she tell you where she was going?" I mustered.

"No, Eve," he said, "But Don Ethan said something about a meeting coming up later today so he went to see the Alpha Moonblade."

I thought of calling her but that won't suffice. I didn't want to utter any other word so I won't cry so I walked straight to my room and bolted the latches after me.

Now I crawled into bed and it was time to cry and forget the day's incidents.

As I fell on the bed, I heard a feeble noise outside my door.

I was safe inside here. Whoever was outside could wait.

*ETHAN'S POV*

The moon wasn't out yet when we stepped into the dimly lit chamber. This was so because the chamber was located deep in the hollows of a Yew tree; far away from the prying eyes of humans.

"Welcome," I said to a group of werewolves from the Moonlit Pack. They waved back as they continued their conversation.

I made my way to the usual spots of the Shadow Pack where I hoped to see familiar faces.

"The moon's blessings to you, Ethan," a voice howled.

"The moon's not out yet," I howled back.

The room echoed with laughter. We greeted warmly and made little conversations as I looked out to ensure the necessary persons needed to form a quorum for this meeting were present.

This assembly was a rare one because of our daily engagements. But here in these hallowed chambers, was our sacred meeting place where we tapped into the tree's wisdom. I could sense the excitement through the blood of the young mooncubs like a primal drumbeat while the old guards looked ready to impart wisdom.

"How are the preparations for the charity event going?" a familiar voice asked. It was Oscar, a member of the Moonhunter Pack and a close friend.

"Going well," I said as I turned to look at him, "except that the young ones decided to handle this year's event."

"By the young ones, I presume you're talking about your lovely daughter. Evelyn," Oscar grinned.

"Not exactly," I said, "the committee of sponsors for this year handed it over to young entrepreneurs and my daughter happened to be one of them."

It was a brazen lie but it had to remain so. I was the head of the committee and it was just right to give my daughter a breathing space since she's just recovering from a heartbreak.

Oh yes, a heartbreak that I had caused because I introduced her to Thomas.

At that moment, I spotted Elena, at the entrance.

"It is nice seeing you, Oscar," I said, "I have to go attend to my wife before she howls for me."

We both chuckled and pathed away.

"I'm here, my love," I said as she sighted me. She smiled and walked towards me.

"You should've waited for me," Elena ranted.

I was oblivious to her as I looked around to complete my survey. To my right was the Darkclaw Pack and the Moonlit Pack. On the other side were the Moonhunter Pack and the Shadow Pack which I belong to. All their Alphas were present and that was enough to start this meeting. Except for the Nightshade Pack, everyone was represented.

As we took our seats, the howls began to abate and were replaced by an expectant silence.

The assembly was about to begin and all eyes were fixed on Moonblade, the Alpha of all Alphas. He stood tall like a towering figure with a commanding presence and the jawline of a wolf who had seen many battles. He surveyed the room with his piercing eyes as he moved like a lycan driven by the gods.

"I welcome you friends and allies to this Great Assembly," Moonblade howled as his voice resonated through the room.

"As it is in our custom, we have gathered here today to plan the next hunting season."

Everyone chorused their agreement and murmurs of assent.

Amidst the cheers and murmurs, an uproar erupted at the entrance of the chambers. Soon, a group of menace-looking werewolves stormed the podium and moved to the fore beside the Shadow Pack; close to the podium as their eyes scanned the chamber with an air of dominance.

Soon, a figure walked up to Moonblade. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as I recognized the face of this August visitor.

Allen is the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack. He was a feared name in the streets of Mooncrest. But since they retreated and stopped mingling with the other werewolves, peace had reigned.

The story was one of ancient rivalries between the Shadow Pack and the Nightshade Pack with the need to maintain authority over Mooncrest. Just a single incident was all it took to break the camel's back.

Moonblade's eyes narrowed as Allen approached him, "If it's not the prodigal son returning home," Moonblade snarled. He tried to maintain his composure.

"I wish I knew the context," Allen said as he walked up to the podium to face Moonblade squarely.

"Well, we thought we'd seen and heard the last of your lot."

"And here we are today, huh?" Allen sneered. His face was cold and so was his voice, "Or are we not welcome here anymore?"

Allen's eyes swept through the room as he watched each pack to see if there was any dissenting opinion. I felt a new fear and a feeling of unease even among the mooncubs. This was a terror no one ever wanted to see.

"Of course, you're always welcomed amongst your brethren," I said to ease the tension, "but we would want to know why it took so long for you to come back."

"You don't talk when the elders are talking", Allen snapped at me.

"And you would do well to reply because he is my Beta," Moonblade came to my rescue, "It's how long now? 20 solid years."

The atmosphere was tense. Allen was purely offended but he could do nothing.

"Well, let's say we were getting our priorities right," Allen said with some air of importance, "but then, we would like to know why the Alpha of Alphas would set an assembly on a rainy day with no moon?"

There were whispers from different corners of the chamber. The words were spiked with subtle threats and I knew the trouble loomed on the horizon.

"The assembly would love to welcome you back," Moonblade said as he ignored the question, "we would look for a way to incorporate your pack into the system of things here."

"You bet," Allen snarled, "you have no option than to treat us with… respect." He said as he took a hard look at Moonblade.

"We would like to welcome the Nightshade Pack back after a long leave of absence," Moonblade's voice trailed as Allen retreated to his seat. I couldn't help but notice the quiet wolf beside him.

Moonblade's voice reverberated throughout the chambers as he called out the leaders of each Pack to acknowledge the Nightshade pack.

I looked at my Alpha, he had to be wise to escape the consequences of this night. The Shadow Pack had an age-long rival that won't end tonight.

But tomorrow, I was sure that the return of the Nightshade Pack into the assembly wasn't without its consequences. What I didn't know was who would pay the price.