In the land of Verdantia, five werewolf clans live in separation. These clans are the Moon Pack, Shadow Pack, Sun Pack, Wind Pack, and Earth Pack, each marked by their own symbol.

The Moon Pack bears a half-moon symbol.

The Shadow Pack bears scratch marks.

The Sun Pack has a paw print.T

he Wind Pack bears a cloud.

The Earth Pack is marked by a leaf.

The wolves of these clans are larger than ordinary wolves—around the size of a human, perhaps even a bit bigger. The clans were divided based on territory suited to their hunting and the fur they bear. Once a year, the packs meet in a large clearing in the middle of their territories to share news and maintain peace.

This gathering always occurs in mid-summer, on the night of the full moon.The packs follow a set of rules known as the Warrior's Code:

1. Do not hunt or trespass on another pack's territory.

2. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to the Light Pack for its life.

3. The deputy will become the pack leader when the leader dies or retires.

4. After the death or retirement of the deputy, a new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.

5. A gathering of all five packs is held during the full moon truce. No fighting is allowed during this time.

6. Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing wolves.

7. An honorable warrior does not need to kill another wolf to win battles.

8. Relationships between the packs are forbidden.

These rules cannot be broken without consequences.

In the Moon Pack's cave, Fang, the alpha male, stood on the rock where he normally calls the pack together. But not this evening. Instead, he sat, waiting for Leia to come out of the birthing cave. He couldn't endure sitting in his own cave any longer.

Around him, the sounds of deep breathing and soft movements echoed, coming from both the warriors' cave and the elder's den. Fang nervously ran his hand along the rock, his thoughts racing. He knew that Leia and Ash were both with Nia, ensuring she and their babies were safe. But childbirth was never without risk.

Finally, Leia's face emerged from the moonlit clearing. She looked at him and nodded. He jumped down, looking at the healer as she disappeared into her den.

he walked over and stopped in front of the cave. Ash's baby-blue eyes looked at him as her thin, wolf-like body emerged. She looked at him, then shifted into human form, giving him a nod as she entered the cave, which was covered by torn bushes.

"It's ugly," she said.

His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. She shrank slightly under his gaze."Go inside and see for yourself," she added, placing a hand on his shoulder before walking past him and disappearing into the warriors' cave.

Fang's strong, tall human body was tense. His mind raced with the possibilities of what Ash had meant. The wind moved his short, silver-white hair, and he took a deep breath before shifting into his wolf form—long, sleek, silver-white fur, with amber eyes shining.

He walked into the cave, his paws leaving tracks in the snow. His white tail disappeared into the darkness, where he could hear Lilly moving in her sleep and her two pups quietly resting.His gaze fell on Nia, his Luna and alpha female. She lay on the ground, her snow-white fur glowing in the dim light. Her fur kept the babies warm, as they couldn't shift yet.

She tried to look up at him with her warm green eyes, her head resting on the ground. Fang's tail wagged softly as he greeted her with a nuzzle against her cheek.

"How did it go? How many did we have?" he asked, his voice laced with nervousness."Four. Three boys and one girl," she replied, her voice warm and lovely.

He sighed in relief, his tail wagging cheerfully. He had always wanted a girl.

Nia moved her tail to reveal the four small, sleeping pups—three with soft white fur and one with black. Fang's eyes widened, and his fur bristled slightly. His tail stopped wagging, lowering to the ground.

"A black? What is this? A black pup in the Moon Pack?" he growled, his teeth showing."That's not our child," he added, his voice filled with fury.

Nia's eyes glowed with fury, and she bared her teeth. "That is my daughter, and I will take care of her," she growled back.

Fang's gaze hardened. "No. You are not. Go out and lay her in the forest. Let fate decide."Nia raised her fur in defiance. "I will not abandon her. NEVER."

Fang seemed taken aback by her growl. "When is... that thing done drinking milk?" he asked, still furious.

"About four months, but she still can't eat on her own at that age," Nia answered, confusion in her voice. She laid her tail protectively over her daughter.

"When she's off your milk, she'll be on her own. She can stay in the pack, but don't think I, or the pack, will accept that thing," Fang growled. "She can't even eat real food at that age."Fang paced the cave, clearly agitated. "What do you want, Nia?"

Nia stopped growling, though the anger still burned in her eyes. "Let me take care of her until she's three," she begged. "If she remembers warmth and love... I beg for it."

Fang sneered. "She won't remember. Children only start remembering at four years old."Fang looked at her with a cold expression. "It's your responsibility, Nia."With that, he turned and left.

Nia shifted from her wolf form into human form. Her long, soft white hair cascaded down her shoulders. Her thin body was covered by clothing.

Softly, she lifted the baby with black fur into her arms, kissing her gently on the forehead. "Why? Why black? My little angel... I'm sorry." A tear fell from Nia's eye and landed on the baby's nose.Nia laughed softly. "Lyra... yes, that's your name."

Nia's wolf, Star, howled in approval at the name. Inside Nia's mind, Outside the cave Fang's howl echoed as he called the pack together.