Daniel's Pov

　　The smell of blood permeates the air, the metallic and earthy taste clinging to the back of my throat, mingling with the salty taste of my own sweat. The night's atmosphere is suffocating, each breath seems to bring more of this nauseating odor mixed with the forest's humidity. The ground is covered with dead leaves, and soaked soil with dark stains of blood, creating almost a mud. A blood mud. A dirty nightmare I never wanted to be part of. I never wanted to participate in this war.

　　The hours blend within the trees and on the dirt floor. How long have we been fighting? I can't even try to decipher that. Minutes? Hours or even days? It's been so fierce, a massacre from all sides, and for what? My muscles are exhausted, screaming for a rest I know isn't possible yet. The forest around us is so dense it's hard to breathe. It feels like the forest itself is alive and suffering with the lives lost within it.

　　Some son of a bitch had betrayed Alpha Matthew's plans. The question of who the traitor might be runs through my mind; I can't imagine a single werewolf from my wolf pack doing this. Especially with the great rivalry between my Direwolf Pack and the Moonshadow Pack. The bitter taste of betrayal mixes with the metallic taste of blood, and the frustration that this shouldn't have happened this way grows even more in my chest.

　　But from the Night Howlers Pack? I don't know any of them, I don't trust any of them. They're werewolves who lack unity, especially their alpha, Matthew Anderson. His ego is too big, too pompous. I feel a burning rage every time I think of him; his arrogance is unbearable. Emma deserves someone so much better than him.

　　"Jealous, Dan?" Remus questions inside me with disdain, and I roll my eyes. His voice resonates in my mind to remind me that I can't let my emotions take over, not now at least.

　　I push any thoughts of Alpha Matthew Anderson out of my mind and turn my attention back to the battle that is finally coming to an end. Thanks to Emma and her Stonehaven Pack. Even with the waning moon, the battlefield in the forest is partially visible, and I can witness Emma's greatness.

　　I watch Emma's well-trained warriors in action; they advance in perfect synchrony while Emma is in her Lycan form. The sight I have, a few meters away from her, is magnificent even in the dim moonlight. Emma is fierce, fearlessly advancing towards the werewolves of the Moonshadow Pack. Every animalistic movement of hers is fatal and very precise, her presence dominates the battlefield, and I long to fight by her side.

　　I stay in my defensive position with my best friend Vini. My father would never allow me to go to the front line, to risk my life so recklessly. We were tasked with maintaining the magical defenses; Vini is a great sorcerer, even if my father won't admit it. He creates a protective barrier as Emma's team of warriors arrives. The magical barrier shimmers with a pale light, almost invisible, yet powerful, repelling the Moonshadow Pack's attacks and keeping us safe. As the new werewolves advance and gain territory, I finally breathe a little easier. The tension in my shoulders eases somewhat, and hope begins to appear on the still-dark horizon. Through the mindlink with my wolf pack, I order them to return to attack positions.

　　The words are clear and firm, "Don't let the Moonshadow Pack advance any further," I command. "We are the dire wolves, we are powerful wolves. We are the Direwolf Pack and we will never bow to any shadow that looms over us!"

　　I feel the determination of each werewolf from the Direwolf Pack echoing back to me through the mindlink.

　　The battlefield, now a bit calmer, still vibrates with the residual energy of the fight. The sounds of combat gradually diminish. The Moonshadow Pack has retreated, surrendering despite their initial advantage in this confrontation. What replaces the sharp sounds of weapons and howling werewolves are murmurs of victory and groans of the wounded.

　　The night is cold, but the adrenaline in my veins keeps my body warm. I look at my best friend, the sorcerer Vini, and notice his sweaty, dirt-streaked face, his eyes shining with the same sensation I feel inside me.

　　I pull Vini by the collar of his shirt and hug him tightly. Our lives faced death many times tonight.

　　"So, would you rather face a bear naked or repeat this clearly ambushed battle?" Vini jokes, and I give him a light punch on the shoulder.

　　"A bear any day. This was complete chaos!" I reply, exhausted. "We shouldn't have come, Vini."

　　My friend's feline black eyes seem to darken even more at my words. He places a firm hand on my shoulder.

　　"Man, your father won't like this talk at all. What do you plan to do?" Vini asks seriousness in his voice.

　　I look at the battlefield we're in, the souls of werewolves lost and the many more just injured. I take a deep breath, feeling my head throb with everything I see before me.

　　"Let's gather our dead and wounded and go home. I'll deal with my father when the time comes," I declare firmly.

　　I head towards Emma, wanting to thank her for the help and support in this battle. When I finally approach Emma, she's beside Matthew and a bloodied man kneeling before them.

　　Noticing my presence, Emma gives me a friendly smile and a nod.

　　"Dan, it's good to see you. I didn't think your father would allow you to come," Emma comments thoughtfully, and I shrug.

　　"And miss all the fun this could cause? No way," I respond humorously, eliciting a short laugh from Emma that makes my heart melt for a moment. "Who's the poor bastard?"

　　I point to the bruised man kneeling. Matthew gives me a cold look before turning his attention and anger back to the man.

　　"The traitorous son of a bitch. He was my head chef," Matthew responds with a voice bitter and filled with hate.

　　The revelation surprises me, and I blink a little in shock at the information.

　　"Yeah, we were right, Dan. It could never have been one of ours," Remus comments inside me, with a proud tone.

　　I watch the man named Steve kneeling before Alpha Matthew, fear evident on his face for being caught.

　　"And what do you plan to do with the traitor, Alpha Matthew?" I ask seriously and with great curiosity.

　　"Death is the only thing that suits this wretch," Matthew responds coldly.