Exposed

Split

"Joey, stop!" Jae commanded, stopping Joey in his tracks.

The entire pack was watching them. The tension in the air was almost tangible. Everyone could feel Joey struggling to defy the alpha. He wanted to leave. He needed to get out of their makeshift shelter. He needed to find Ki. He couldn't loose her again. Joey's head snapped up; eyes wide. Joey's realization was interrupted. 

"If you burst out of here, they'll find us. You'll kill your own pack. Is that what you want?" Jae reasoned. 

"I can't stay, Jae."

"I know."

"You don't know!" Joey growled. 

Everyone froze, but not because of Joey. The earth had been moving, the cave wasn't as safe as they had thought. But it wasn't the earth this time. They could hear rumbling in the distance. Running. Another pack was shaking the ground as they ran towards their hideout. 

"Mason, I need you to gather the elders and children. And any pregnant women. You'll be escorting them to safety," Jae spoke quickly, plans running through his head.

"Anyone capable of fighting, gather around."

Jae scanned the group in front of him. Most of these wolves could hold their own, but not all of them. He needed more people to help Mason get the children out of this place just in case something went down. If they're going to fight he can't send too many of his strongest away; he's already going to be without Mason. He singled out the weakest wolves, not explaining why he choose them, and directed them to Mason. 

"Alright, it's your time to shine, ladies."

The girls in the group glanced at each other, unsure of what they're alpha meant.

"Mason, head out. Get out of the forest. Run as fast and far as you can. Change into your human forms and get to the city."

"Jae, do you really think that's a good idea? The last time this happened and someone tried to leave-"

"You can do it. Now go," Jae dismissed them.

"What about me? I need to find Ki," Joey inserted himself.

Those yellow eyes Joey had before told Jae everything he needed to know. They were the same eyes as in their children's stories. They were the same eyes that their mother feared. The information buried in his head began to reveal itself and the puzzle pieces fit together. Jae knew what he needed to do. Joey and Ki needed to be reunited. She could end this.

"All the men, you'll be backing Joey up. Find Ki. Ladies, you'll be taking on the pack that decided to make an enemy of us."

Smirks spread over the women's faces. Jae knew he made the right decision. The women of the Silver River Pack have always been fierce. Even though they were 100% werewolves, they had the strengths of a fox. When he was first brought to the Silver River Pack he watched a wolf, Lila, fight nearly to the death. He snuck into her room while she was in recovery to see this mighty werewolf, but Jae wasn't sneaky enough. She noticed him almost immediately. He asked her why she was fighting so hard. Her answer was simple. It honestly didn't make all that much sense either, but Jae understood. You always defend your family. He'd never seen so much passion and ferocity before. He knew she could fend the enemy wolves off long enough for the rest of the pack to get to safety. 

Joey's team of wolves followed Jae's out of the cave. The rumbling had not stopped. The pack would be here soon. With a nod of approval, Jae sent Joey and his team off to find Ki. 

"Lila, take the lead. I've got my own mission to complete."

Jae watched them get into position, baring their teeth as enemy wolves got closer. He wished everyone strength to persevere as he sprinted through the forest in search of the crack in the earth. His paws tore through the earth as he heard the growls of his pack members in the background. He could feel the end was near. His time was almost up. He could finally rest with his family. Air filled his lungs, allowed him to run faster. He closed his eyes, feeling the wind push back at him. Then, the resistance stopped. He felt light as a feather. It was the strangest feeling. In the distance he saw a figure. She glowed in the sunlight, but it was almost like she wasn't really there. She beckoned Jae to come closer. As he approached, he realized it was a spirit. She smiled sadly at Jae before running off. Not missing a beat, Jae followed closely behind his mother. It was time to finish this.