Tpotol book 14: Thunder's Nightmare

Chapter 13

A few months later

Thunder paced back and forth, his fur bristling with an invisible energy that mirrored the tension of the night. The war compound buzzed with activity, wolves of all colors and sizes preparing for the impending battle. But amidst the chaos, one figure was conspicuously absent — Kris. "Stupid agency," Thunder muttered to himself, his voice drowned out by the cacophony of war cries and clangs of weapons being readied. He couldn't shake off the weight of Kris's absence, a void that seemed to echo through the compound. As Thunder made his way to his designated spot, his keen senses caught sight of Chen, the pack leader, scanning the area with furrowed brows. The realization hit Thunder like a thunderbolt — he had to break the news about Kris to Chen. "He's not here," Blizzard blurted out, his voice barely audible over the din of activity around them. Chen's reaction was immediate, a mix of disbelief and frustration etched across his features. "What?!" Chen's voice sliced through the night air, drawing the attention of the other wolves. A sense of unease settled over the pack as Blizzard relayed the grim news. Blizzard stepped forward, his eyes betraying a mix of concern and resolve. "I don't know if he'll still show up for the battle," Blizzard confessed, his words hanging heavy in the tense atmosphere. Chen's reaction was visceral. He pounded the ground with a Paw, his usual air of confidence shaken by Kris's absence. "I can't do this without him," Chen confessed, his voice laced with vulnerability. "He's my shield, my right paw." As the battle raged on around them, Chen's fear was palpable. Without Kris by his side, he felt exposed, vulnerable to the enemy's onslaught. The wolves fought with fierce determination, but the absence of their comrade weighed heavily on their minds. Just as Chen voiced his insecurities, a red wolf lunged at him, jaws bared in a snarl of aggression. Thunder sprang into action, intercepting the attack with a primal ferocity that belied his usual calm demeanor. The red wolf recoiled, its eyes locking with Thunder's in a silent standoff. Thunder stood his ground, a silent sentinel protecting his pack leader in Kris's absence. And as the red moon cast an eerie glow over the battlefield, Thunder knew that the absence of one wolf could change the course of the battle. Kris's shadow loomed large over them, a reminder of the bond that held the pack together in times of strife.