Page 50 of Night with a Gamma
The laughter erupts from the crowd, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Fine, but you owe me for this later!” I stand, taking a deep breath, and let out a howl that reverberates through the clearing. The sound echoes into the night, and I can feel the pack’s energy respond.
Then I drop to the ground, rolling my shoulders and adopting a low stance. “Grrr! I’m the Waterton Alpha! Fear me!” I growl playfully, eliciting more laughter from the crowd. I can see Wren doubled over, her laughter brightening the night.
“Okay, okay! Enough!” she gasps, wiping away tears of laughter. “You’re terrifying, Harrison!”
As the game continues, I can see the tension in the air begin to dissipate. The pack finds solace in the laughter, and I know that these moments are what keep us together. But as I glance toward the tree line again, I can’t shake the feeling that danger is still lurking out there, waiting for the right moment to strike.
The game winds down, and as the last of the laughter fades, I notice a shift in the atmosphere. The bonfire crackles, the flames casting long shadows, and I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My instincts scream that something is wrong.
“Wyatt,” I say quietly, nudging him as he stands near the fire. “Can you sense anything?”
He looks out toward the woods, his expression serious. “I’ve got a bad feeling too. Everyone, stay alert. I want the patrols todouble-check the perimeter again. Elderly and children to the pack house for lockdown.”
As Wyatt’s command echoes through the crowd, the festive atmosphere shifts once more. I can feel the tension rising, and I reach for Wren’s hand, pulling her close.
“Stay by my side, Little Bird,” I murmur, my voice low and steady. She nods, her expression serious but resolute.
The warriors begin to form up, and I can see Dalton rallying the others. “Let’s move out, keep your eyes peeled,” he instructs, his tone firm.
As the patrols head toward the perimeter, I can feel the weight of anticipation settling over us. The laughter has faded, replaced by a sense of unease that hangs in the air like a thick fog. I can’t shake the feeling that tonight is different, that we’re standing on the precipice of something we can’t quite see.
Wren leans closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “What do we do if they come?”
I look down at her, my heart aching at the fear in her eyes. “We stand together, Wren. No matter what happens, we protect each other.”
As the minutes stretch on, I keep my gaze fixed on the tree line, my senses sharp. The night feels heavy, as if the world is holding its breath. I can sense the tension in the air, a palpable energy that thrums beneath the surface.
And then, in the distance, I hear it — a low growl that sends chills down my spine. My heart races as I turn to Wren, who looks up at me, her eyes wide with fear.
“Did you hear that?” she asks, her grip tightening around my hand.
“Yeah, baby,” I reply, my voice steady despite the surge of adrenaline coursing through me. “Stay close.”
I scan the perimeter again, watching as the patrols move in, their forms silhouetted against the trees. The growl echoesagain, closer this time, and I can feel my wolf rising to the surface, ready to defend what’s ours.
Suddenly, a howl pierces the night, sharp and haunting, and I feel a wave of dread wash over me. The Rogue King is here.
“Everyone, get ready!” Wyatt shouts, his voice cutting through the growing panic. “Stay together! Protect your pack”
The pack springs into action, warriors moving to form a protective barrier around the non-combatants. I can see the fear in their eyes, but I also see the determination. We’ve fought together before, and we’ll fight again.
“Wren, I need you to stay behind me,” I urge, my voice low but firm. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She nods, her expression resolute. “I can help. My magic?—”
“No,” I cut her off gently but firmly. “You’re too valuable to lose. I need you to stay safe.”
As the growls grow louder, I can feel the tension in the air thicken, the anticipation hanging like a taut string ready to snap. The patrols move into position, ready to defend our territory.
And then, from the shadows, they emerge — dark forms slinking between the trees, ruby eyes glinting with malice. The rogue wolves are here, and I can feel the darkness in their presence.
“Get ready!” I shout, my wolf roaring to life within me. “On my mark!”
The pack shifts, warriors taking defensive stances as the rogue wolves advance, their snarls echoing in the night. My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline surging through my veins. This is it — we’re about to face the darkness head-on.
“Together!” Wyatt roars, his voice echoing through the clearing. “For the pack!”
With a deafening howl, the rogue wolves charge, and I feel my wolf take over completely. The world narrows to a singular focus—protecting Wren, protecting our pack. The shift ripsthrough me and white fur sprouts all over me. My wolf's voice is even clearer in my head now,“Protect her. Fight for her. Defeat enemy for her.”
