The room erupted into chaos. Cedar’s jaw clenched as he turned to the warriors. “Everyone, move out! Defend the pack!”
His gaze fell on Lavender, and for a brief moment, their eyes locked. She could see it—the sudden realization, the unspoken apology. He knew now that she had been right. The warning she’d tried to give him, the threat she’d uncovered, was real. But there was no time for apologies or explanations. The pack was under siege.
As the warriors transformed into their wolf forms and charged out into the night, Lavender stood frozen. The panic of the pack members swirled around her. Mothers clutched their children, elders huddled together, and young wolves looked to one another, uncertain of what to do. Her heart ached for them, torn between the urge to run and the call to protect.
"Shit!" She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Gather in the safe rooms,” she called out. "Stay together and stay quiet.”
Lavender moved quickly, helping the vulnerable find safety. Her senses were sharp, every sound and movement standing out in the chaos. When she reached the edge of the packhouse grounds, she saw the battle unfold. The Bloodfang wolves were fierce, their massive bodies breaking through defenses with brutal strength. The air was filled with growls, the sound of claws and teeth clashing, and the sharp, metallic smell of blood.
Cedar was in the thick of it, his wolf form locked in a fierce battle with the Bloodfang Alpha. His strength was obvious, but Lavender could see the strain. For every enemy he brought down, it felt like two more took their place.
As the fight raged on, Lavender's eyes scanned the battlefield. She looked for Fern but couldn’t find her. A bitter anger rose inside her. Fern had planned this, and now she was nowhere to be found, leaving the pack to face the mess she’d created.
A sharp cry pulled Lavender’s attention. A young wolf, barely out of adolescence, was cornered by two Bloodfang warriors. Without thinking, Lavender sprang into action. She shifted into her wolf and charged towards the enemy.
“Go!” she shouted, and the young wolf didn’t hesitate, darting toward the safety of the packhouse.