Moonrise: A Close Escape (Book 1)

Chapter 4

Nightfall paused, looking at her in shock.

"What are you doing here?" Her father questioned.

Moon stepped back, her pelt shivering in fear.

"Tell me," He insisted.

Moon still stayed silent. She didn't want to tell him why. She knew that Nightfall was trying to sneak out. She predicted that Nightfall would plan his attack on BloodPack. But what was StonePack? Why had Star said that? She thought, still not answering the dark wolf's question.

"Speak!" He yowled, claws stretched.

"I-I came to er... watch Dark as well," Moon murmured. She knew that Nightfall didn't believe her, but she had to say something.

"I have to go," she said, making her way toward Dark. Nightfall's stern gaze followed her. She didn't want to bump into her father again. The thought scared her, knowing he had been meeting with the shadow wolf all along.

***

Dark was walking along a trail of small footsteps. Moon watched, quietly following the wolf from afar. She really didn't want to watch Dark. He wanted to see what Nightfall was doing. But she couldn't risk it. She couldn't go leave just yet. But if she stayed long, Dark would find her. He probably already knew she was there. Which path should she choose? Which path lead to the right direction?

"Moon," a soft voice rang in her ears.

Moon jumped pack in alarm, a startled yelp escaped her throat. She had already been seen. I should have went back to camp! She yowled her her head, but she realized she had said that aloud.

"No... don't leave!" Dark's hard gaze faded to anger and fear.

She had no idea what to say. Her heart was pounding faster than ever, faster than BloodPack's attack. She stared at the wolf for a very long time. She forced herself to talk, but it seemed her voice was lost in all the fear surrounding her.

"I-I'm sorry from earlier! I can hunt three elks and bring them back, but the moment I had said that to you, I regretted it. All of it. I just embarrassed myself to the whole pack. And you are a skilled huntress... very skilled. Please forgive me for what I did," Dark apologized. His paws scooted back toward his hind legs.

Moon was left speechless. The darkness pulled her down, her vision fading slowly. It was in endless tugging in her mind. Every moment of silence led her to this... world... a shadow. The darkness pulled her back from resisting. A terrible pain spread across every part of her body. Her eyes slammed shut and she fell to the ground. Was she sick? What was happening. She winced as the pain came back. She tried to keep her consciousness, straining herself to stay awake.

Dark pounced over her, colliding with something behind. Suddenly, everything turned to normal. All the pain, all the darkness disappeared like a fire being put out. Moon looked behind her. Nightfall... her own father was pinned down by Dark, snarling with his teeth bared. Dark's eyes were filled with fury.

"Why would you hurt her? Your only daughter! You monster!" Dark growled, scarlet red blood dripping down his muzzle. Nightfall's neck was ripped open, but still, he didn't look like Dark had hurt him in any way. His face was just full of rage and anger. What was happening? Moon couldn't move a paw. She had to watch.

Nightfall threw off the other wolf, rolling to the side, slamming his paw into Dark's face. Nightfall's opponent staggered back just in time. Dark looked beside him, brushing off snow from an icicle. The wolf grabbed it in his jaws. Nightfall's paws were ready. Ready to doge out of the way. Ready to attack at just the right moment.