Chapter 3: Shadows at the Border

The sun had barely risen with the morning dew making visuals blurry, Aveline led a small scouting party along the edge of the pack's territory. Aveline and his pack of warriors tried to make their movement as stealthy as possible making only the sound of leaves rustling from their boots the only sound heard around the only sound heard. Aveline's senses were on high alert, her eyes straining to see through the dew to see the trees, her ears straining for any unusual sounds, and her nose keenly aware of every scent around her. The forest was still and calm, but something felt off. The reports of suspicious movement at the borders had unsettled her. It was the kind of threat that could be the spark for something much larger, something that could change everything.

"Stay sharp," Aveline muttered to her team of warriors, each of them keeping close, moving silently as they searched for any signs of danger.

She had been in this forest countless times, but today the trees seemed bigger, casting big shadows over the ground. Her mind was disturbed by the news of the council meeting with the rival pack. What had the Alpha said to Elder Thorne in private? What was the real purpose behind the upcoming meeting? There were so many unanswered questions, but she had to shift her focus to safety immediately now. The pack's safety was her priority.

As they moved deeper into the woods, Aveline caught a scent, a faint trace that caused her heart to skip a beat. She stopped immediately, causing the rest of the party to halt behind her. The scent was so familiar. It lingered in the air like a memory she had been trying to forget. It was the smell of a wolf which is strong, rich, and indisputable like Gabriel's. Aveline's breath seized for a while in her throat, her body froze momentarily as the possibility flooded her mind. Could it be him? Could Gabriel be alive?

She had spent so long mourning him and convinced he was gone, the thought of him still being out there seemed both impossible and deeply exhilarating. But if he was alive, why hadn't he come back? And why was his scent so faint, almost as though he were trying to remain hidden?

"Alpha Aveline?" one of the warriors spoke cautiously from behind her. "Did you find something?"

She glanced at him, her mind racing. "I'm not sure," she said, keeping her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Stay alert. We need to track it."

The scent was barely noticeable in the thick forest. But it was there, faintly enough for Aveline to recognize it. It led them deeper into the forest, far beyond the usual patrol routes, toward an area where the pack rarely ventured. As they followed the trail, Aveline's thoughts were mixed with fear and hope at the same time. Could Gabriel have been out here this whole time? Had he been watching them? Or worse, had he been in danger, unable to reach the pack? The questions pounded in her mind, each one more urgent than the last.

The trail grew stronger as they neared a clearing. Aveline slowed down for the warriors to stay quiet as they approached, her senses were alert for any sign of movement. She moved carefully with her heart pounding in her chest. Right there, just ahead of them, she saw something that made her dumbfounded and scared at the same time.

Claw marks.

The deep marks in the bark of the trees were recognizable. They were the marks of an Alpha, sharp, powerful slashes that could only have come from a wolf of incredible strength. Aveline's breath caught in her throat. These marks weren't from the rival pack; they were too fresh, too deliberate. Whoever had left them behind had been engaged in a fight, and the power behind those claws was something that only Gabriel could have matched.

Her mind raced with possibilities. Could Gabriel have been here, fighting with someone from the rival pack? Had he been in conflict, maybe even in a struggle to protect himself or someone else? Or was this a trap, another tactic from the rival pack, designed to confuse and mislead them?

Aveline sneaked beside the claw marks, inspecting them closely. The deeper marks in the bark were accompanied by fresh paw prints on the earth. The prints were large, with the deep, solid weight of an Alpha's stride. She ran her fingers through the dirt, tracing the lines of the tracks. It was clear that a fierce battle had taken place here.

"This was no accident," she murmured.

One of the warriors stepped closer. "What do you think, Alpha? Could this be from the rival pack?"

Aveline shook her head. "No. This doesn't feel like them. Whoever was here... they were strong. Stronger than anything we've seen from them." She stood up slowly, her eyes checking around the surrounding trees. "Stay alert. There's more to this."

The group moved cautiously, following the tracks as they led them further into the woods. The scent of Gabriel, faint but recognizable, lingered in the air. It was almost as if he had passed through just moments ago.

As they continued, Aveline's instincts told her something was wrong. The further they went, the more she felt the weight of her decision to keep the discovery to herself. She had not shared her suspicions with anyone. It was dangerous to show weakness, especially with so many things unknown. She was the Beta's daughter, and her position demanded that she remain strong, remain focused. She couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment.

But the scent, the claw marks, it was all too much to ignore. The possibility of Gabriel being alive was both a hope and a threat. She couldn't let anyone see her uncertainty.

"Alpha," the warrior spoke again, breaking her from her thoughts. "The trail's fading. We're getting too far from the border. Should we head back?"

Aveline's jaw tightened. She wanted to press on, to find the answers she so desperately needed. But she knew they were pushing their luck. The rival pack was out there, and there was no telling how close they were to crossing paths.

"Head back to the border," she ordered, her voice calm, though her mind wanted otherwise. "We've done enough for today. Let's report back to the Alpha."

The walk back felt like an eternity. Every step seemed heavier than the last, and her thoughts filled with the discovery. Gabriel's scent, the claw marks, the tracks, it all pointed to something she couldn't fully understand.

As she entered the packhouse upon their return, she met her father, the Beta, who was waiting for her. His face was tense, his eyebrow scattered in that way that only happened when something important was on the horizon.

"Aveline," he said, his voice low. "We need to talk. The Alpha has called for a meeting with the rival pack. Tomorrow."

Her heart skipped a beat. She had heard the rumors, but to hear it confirmed by her father was something else entirely.

"Aveline," he continued, "this is not just a diplomatic meeting. There's something bigger at play here. Both packs are facing a threat that could destroy us all. We need to stay united. We need diplomacy above all else."

"There's something I need to tell you, Aveline," her father said, his voice low. "Something I haven't told anyone else. We might not be facing just a rival pack, We might be facing something much worse."