Matthew's Pov

　　My body is tired and my feet can no longer support my weight standing up. I walk to the armchair designated for me at the end of the table and sit down. My shoulders are tense and I feel my eyes getting heavier with fatigue.

　　The hours pass and the plans for the next confrontation also advance. It is only when the sun starts to rise through the window that all of us in the meeting room decide to finalize the plan for the next confrontation. We have the advantage of surprise on our side.

　　I go to my room with all the fatigue in the world hugging me tightly, my feet dragging with each step until I reach my bed and collapse onto the mattress. Sleep does not take long to come and I am soon taken by it.

　　"Lotte, I need you to pay attention to me now, okay?" I ask with the sweetest and gentlest voice in the direction of my younger sister. Charlotte is already lying in her bed, ready to sleep.

　　My sister adjusts herself better in bed and the excited and mischievous smile that was on her lips a few seconds ago disappears from her face, and she becomes serious.

　　"I'm listening, big brother," Lotte responds seriously. I take a deep breath and stroke my sister's hair.

　　I search for the sweetest and gentlest words I know to say the important things to her. "Look, Lotte. Tomorrow, when you wake up, I won't be here to have breakfast with you, okay? I need to take care of some very important things and I don't know when I'll be back."

　　Charlotte tilts her head slightly to the side, her beautiful green eyes blinking at me with a forming air of confusion.

　　"Where are you going? Are you going to see Emma?" she asks curiously, and I quickly smile upon hearing my mate's name.

　　"No, I'm not going to see Emma tomorrow. I just need to take care of some important things," I respond simply.

　　Charlotte's hand moves towards mine, her warm and soft fingers resting on the back of my hand.

　　"You're going to face one of the big wolves, aren't you?" she asks worriedly, and I am impressed with her wisdom and deduction.

　　"Yes, Lotte. I am going to face one of the big wolves tomorrow. That's why I won't be here, okay? But everything will be fine, I promise."

　　I lean forward and kiss my younger sister on the forehead, tucking her well under the covers before leaving her room.

　　The reality was that from now on, after putting Charlotte to sleep, the plan to face the Moonshadow Pack begins. After many days of debate, recovering our wounded from the second day of combat, we are ready to advance.

　　We have the numbers larger than the Moonshadow Pack, as well as the necessary element of surprise. I change clothes and put on my military uniform, fitting all the necessary weapons for the upcoming confrontation.

　　I descend the stairs of the main house and go to the packhouse, where my warriors are already in position for us to go.

　　The silence of the night is deafening, the moon is waning in the sky and is covered by some white clouds. The night wind brings not only the cold but also the tension of what we are about to do.

　　We all get into position inside the cars and head out of the Night Howlers Pack territory. The journey during the night is quiet, although it is possible to feel the tension over all of us.

　　The plan is elaborate, we rely on the element of surprise to attack the Moonshadow Pack. We know that if we go along the coast, intercepting their main lines, the attack will be quick and effective.

　　As soon as we arrive at the chosen location, which should be empty, something different

　　happens.

　　"What the hell is this?" I ask irritated, I smell the Moonshadow Pack werewolves before seeing the pack a few meters ahead.

　　There is a barricade formed on the road, and seconds later floodlights are turned on in our direction, blinding us for several seconds and leaving us disoriented.

　　We try to go back the way we came, but an enchanted barrier is raised, preventing us from leaving the place.

　　"How did they know we were coming?" I ask perplexed, and before any of my warriors and commanders can respond, a rain of bullets is fired in the direction of our car.

　　The car window cracks, obstructing our field of vision. Millions of fragments shatter inside the car due to the relentless gunfire perforating the sides. The roar of the engines mixes with the deafening sound of bullets, creating absolute chaos around me.

　　Liam, my beta, is at the wheel, trying to control the vehicle while evading the attacks from the Moonshadow Pack. Beside me, a warrior fires through the broken side window, attempting to retaliate. I grab my weapon and provide cover from the back seat.

　　"Be careful! They're everywhere!" I shout as Liam violently turns the steering wheel to avoid a fallen tree in the middle of the road.

　　The dark and dense forest is even more menacing with this ambush we've fallen into. Someone outside our car, as well as those in the other vehicles accompanying us, managed to break the magical barrier that was set, allowing us to escape the trap laid for us.

　　"Son of a bitch!" the warrior sitting next to Liam curses, and I notice the strong smell of blood. "I've been shot, damn it!" he yells, his voice laden with pain and desperation.