5. As fate would have it.

I moved through the dense woods of the Silvercreek pack territory, an inexplicable sense of anticipation washed over me.

It was as though the very air crackled with energy, and my instincts told me that something extraordinary was about to happen. The forest seemed to hold its breath in silent expectation, leaves rustling softly as if they whispered secrets to one another.

In the heart of the wilderness, I heard a sound—a sweet, innocent laughter that seemed out of place amidst the solitude of the woods. My wolf stirred within me, recognizing something familiar yet distant in that sound. It was a laughter that resonated with a timeless, primal memory.

Driven by a strange curiosity, I followed the source of the laughter, my senses alert to every detail. Each step I took felt like a journey through a realm of wonder and enchantment, where the vibrant green of the leaves above seemed to shimmer with ethereal light.

The air was imbued with the fragrance of wildflowers and earth, enhancing the magical aura of this hidden world. I remember when my pack use to be this way until we were cursed.

As I entered a sunlit clearing, the scene unfolded before me. The laughter that had drawn me here belonged to a group of children, their faces lit up with joy as they danced.

There, before my eyes, was male. He was engaged in a tender moment with a child, their shared laughter echoing through the forest. From my concealed vantage point, I couldn't make out the child's features, but there was an undeniable connection that drew me to him.

A rush of emotions flooded over me as I watched the child in particular, a sense of longing and warmth I couldn't fully comprehend. I was inexplicably drawn to the sight of this child, even though I had no knowledge of his true identity.

This made me remember one of the main issues at hand here. My pack as of this year has not managed to conceive one child, this was a major issue considering that if things continued the way they are now my pack may be extinct within years even though werewolf lived longer lives than that of a human.

Our pack, which had once been blessed with nearly a hundred new pups each year, had spiraled into a disheartening decline, reaching an unsettling zero. This dramatic shift had sparked a torrent of frustration and discontent within our ranks, casting a cloud of turmoil over our community.

The moongoddess appeared to be meting out her punishment, her divine wrath fueled by my failure as a mate to Freya. My decision to heed my mother's counsel and partner with another, a mate of greater strength, in the belief it would fortify our pack, had backfired.

The consequences were glaringly evident in our dwindling numbers and the growing unrest within our pack. I bore the heavy weight of responsibility for this dire situation and was resolved to make amends.

In the midst of this upheaval, a soft, barely audible rustling behind me caught my attention. I turned to see Linda approaching. It was a puzzling sight, given her role as our Luna, as there was no hint of grace in her movements, and her reputation as a terrible person was well-earned.

"Dominic," she called, her voice laced with a familiarity I didn't appreciate.

I bristled at her casual tone. "Call me Alpha Dominic," I replied curtly, my voice sharp with irritation.

Linda's smile wavered, her eyes narrowing for a moment before she regained her composure. "You know," she began, her voice holding a hint of defiance, "you don't even call me 'Luna.' It's always just 'Linda.'"

My response was unapologetic. "I was not chosen for the title of Alpha. I was born with it," I stated, my tone unyielding. "You, on the other hand, were chosen as Luna by the pack. Continue to disregard my name and I'll be forced to snap your useless neck."

Linda's expression tightened, and she nodded tersely, a glimmer of frustration in her eyes. "Fine, Alpha Dominic," she conceded, her tone laced with a hint of annoyance as she emphasized the title.

"The meeting is about to begin, they have requested your presence." She spoke drawing my attention away from the laughing child.

I was immediately hugged by my best friend, Alpha Scott, who I knew I could trust with my secret. This secret couldn't be told to anyone.

The grand meeting hall of the Silvercreek pack, led by my best friend Alpha Scott, was a sight to behold. We shared a bond that transcended the boundaries of our respective packs, and today's meeting was one of the utmost secrecy.

Taking my seat beside Alpha Scott, I knew that this conversation had to remain hidden, a clandestine exchange between friends. The room was shrouded in an air of confidentiality.

"Thank you for accepting this meeting," I began, "Today's discussion holds a secret of utmost importance-one that must remain hidden from prying eyes."

He nodded solemnly, understanding the necessity of secrecy. The matter we were about to discuss was one that couldn't afford exposure.

"The issue, Alpha Scott," I explained, "is the declining number of pups born within Silvermoon. It threatens our pack's stability and reputation. Soon if other packs hear of this news and know that the moongoddess doesn't favor us then it could mean war."

Alpha Scott listened attentively, recognizing the gravity of my words.

"Should this problem become known," I continued, "it could have dire consequences for everyone in Northern Valley, not only for my pack. That's why we must handle it discreetly, known only to us."

Alpha Scott regarded me with a solemn nod, acknowledging the weight of my request. We both understood that this secret meeting was not only about solving a pressing problem but also about preserving the reputation and strength of Silvercreek, our friendship, and the future we held in our hands.

"Alpha Dominic," Alpha Scott responded with a voice that conveyed both empathy, "I comprehend the gravity of this situation. What do you propose we do to address this issue discreetly and protect Northern Valley's future?"

As I turned to Alpha Scott, the weight of my revelation hung heavy in the air, and I couldn't hide it. "Alpha Scott," I began, my voice tinged with a mix of guilt and desperation, "I've sought guidance from the highest witch, Thalia, and the only way to reverse our pack's predicament is to find my mate and redeem myself for rejecting her all those years ago. But finding Freya is like looking for one grain amongst billions."

"My actions have greatly angered the moongoddess, and I've implored Thalia, the white witch, to assist in locating Freya. However, she's hesitant to aid me, fearing that the moongoddess will strip her of her powers for helping me, given the moon goddess's anger towards me. I've prayed day and night to her, and it seems that nothing has come of it," I explained, my voice carrying the weight of the seemingly insurmountable challenge before us.

Alpha Scott regarded me with a mixture of understanding and concern. "I see the weight of this burden, Alpha Dominic. It's sad Freya is not here, it would've been an easy fix."

"The white which told me that the only one who could help me by pleading my cause to the moon-goddess is Sage herself. Thalia, told me you were able to get me to see the oracle, Sage." I explained watching as a deep sigh emitted from him.

"I need to see the Oracle."