MENE

CHAPTER 2

''What......what do you mean the pack is under attack?" Mene stammered, her voice trembling with both terror and confusion as she struggled to grasp the urgency of the situation.

Gracie's face was engraved with worry, her eyes scanning the room. ''We don't have much time they are already inside the hospital,'' she said, as she darts towards the door.

Mene glimpsed one last time at her nana and with a heavy heart placed a final gentle kiss on her nana's temple.

''Goodbye nana, I will always love you,'' Mene said, as she sprinted to the door. As soon as Mene stepped out of the door, she was met with pools of blood and earsplitting sounds of war. The once familiar pack was now chaotic battleground. The ground was littered with debris and the sky darkened with smoke. The clash of sharp claws and fangs filled the air, Mene stumbled back, stunned by the sudden shift from her own sorrow to the certainty of what was happening.

''There you are,'' Allie said to Mene, as she dragged her in the direction of the hideout. Mene did not utter a word and allowed herself to be led, her mind traumatized from the events of that night. As they reached the safety of the hideout, Allie hurriedly locked the door behind them.

Inside, the hideout was dimly lit, occupied with women and children, who were petrified for their lives. The stifled sounds of battle from outside could still be heard creating dread inside the hideout. Mene, sat down heavily slanting against the walls, that smelled of soggy dirt, her eyes gazing emptily ahead.

''Allie, have you seen Gracie?'' Mene, finally murmured after a long period of stillness. Allie, with concern on her face, glanced at Mene and bobbed her head no, and in that moment, there was a knock at the door.

The rhythmic knock resonated again in the dimly ignited room, and the women exchanged cautious looks. Anna, the Luna of the Lotus pack, a slim and alluring woman marched headfirst, gesturing for silence, and with a deep breath, she placed her hand on the door handle and anticipated for whoever awaited on the other side.

''Oh, thank God it's you,'' Anna said, pulling the door to reveal a familiar face. It was Caleb the packs beta, notifying them that it was safe to come out.

''A meeting is being held in the pack house, the alpha wants to brief everyone on the events of this night,'' Caleb said swallowing a lump in his throat, as he headed out.

Anna, led the women out of the hideout and towards the pack house, where alpha Owen was pacing back and forth with worry all over his face. When he saw them approaching, he composed himself to portray confidence and his ability to handle the coming threat.

The alpha cleared his throat and with his beta by his side began to speak, ''I understand you are all terrified by the events of this night, but I am afraid things are going to get worse before they can get better,'' he said, as he watches with a steely gaze.

The room reacts with concern as the alpha continues, '' We have lost some of our best warriors, gamma Erick being one of them, and some of our pack members who flee in the forest have not been accounted for. Therefore, we mourn tonight, as from tomorrow some of you will be leaving for the royal pack,'' he said, as room was filled with more questions than answers.

The words hung in the air, rousing a wave of confusion and apprehension among the pack members. Alpha Owen raised his hand, signaling for silence as he addresses the vagueness.

''This is a command from the king to every pack in the region, he demands that women, children and youths seek refuge at the Royal pack, as the men remain behind to protect their pack with the assistance of the royal warriors. This is in anticipation of the looming war that is upon us,'' he said as he dismisses them to mourn their loved ones.

The room slowly emptied, each person moving with a somber mood, their minds heavy with grief of their loss. Alpha Owen watched them leave, his own heart burdened by the shared sorrow. He took his Luna's hand wondering, if this will be the last time he is going to hold it.

The sun rose, casting a warm golden light, illuminating the offcuts of the prior night turmoil and everyone was preparing to say goodbye. Families embraced each other tightly, sharing last words. Mene stood aloof, as she watched as her pack members bid goodbye. Jealousy washed over, because unlike her, everyone had someone that cared for them, and all she had was the amulet that hung around her neck, a gift given to her by her nana. As the journey began, a sense of uncertainty filled the air, the group moved with purpose and hope that they will one day reunite with their loved ones.

As they crossed their pack boarders, it is when it dawned on Mene, that the world she knew had been torn apart.........