higher your rank, the greater the danger you were in during battles and wars.

Even with so many strong reasons supporting Siria’s action, her fierce, almost unwavering loyalty towards Karani was so strong that the rational reasons could barely kept her paws going forward and not turning back. Thus, she wrestled with her minds all the while she walked the way into Shadowfang’s territory.

Not far away, walking around aimlessly but generally going eastward, was a trouble fraught Shadowfang.  Doom is getting closer to us for every second we waste, and there they are, squabbling like a bunch of pups. Pathetic He shook his head slowly again in disappointment.

He knew that eventually the others will come out with a plan, but they did not actually know when or where their enemies would strike, so that would be dangerous if they did not act fast and swift, either they wanted to flee or to fight.

To sit and talk isn’t an option anymore, I must act. He decided as he fixed his course towards the east where his enemies lurked. To sit and talk was never his option, but this time, he thought, it would have to apply to the others as well, even to Lyya.

 As he was traveling quickly and silently towards the east, his mind considered about two things which he would do once he located the Wolves of the Eastern War Pack. He would try to take down some of the rival wolves, especially whoever seemed to be in control, so that the pack would be left without a leader and anyone who was capable to lead, thus crippling their force and make them turn back. Another option was, to sneak in around them and collect whatever information he can get before speed back to his friends so that they can further improve their plans.

To Shadowfang, the latter option did not look so realistic altogether. First of all, sneaking into the midst of so many wolves hardened and honed in battles without being notice would still prove a challenge to all the skills he possessed. Next, it seemed unlikely for the enemies to discuss about their order once it is given, particularly when they knew the shadows around them are not to be trusted. Lastly, even with half the enemies’ pack on the move, Shadowfang and his friends will still be out numbered about three to one. There was no need for a plan or strategy, they can crush the survivors with sheer number, so sneak around eavesdropping would not get anything useful out of them.

Killing them in the dark might not be on the honorable path like what Rokal insisted to follow, but this is what I do. Shadowfang thought darkly, already the chilling sensation of ready to do his job rushed through his body like freezing water washing over him.

Shadowfang broke into a silent run, jumping from shadow to shadow to stay hidden. Above, moonlights shone onto the forest woods, piercing through the gaps in the leaves like phantom pillars of light. As Shadowfang occasionally dashed through them, ghostly blue lights danced on his shiny hide, making him appeared dark blue, but only for a split second as Shadowfang was moving his fastest.

To anyone who happened to be wandering in the forest, observing and enjoying it, an accidental glimpse on the rays of light Shadowfang was passing would definitely frighten them off their paws, as it looked like something with a ghostly colored hide was running around, suddenly disappeared without a trance, only to reappear a short distance away.

However, the one who happened to wander in the forest just happened to not looking out for anything in it, she did not even watch where exactly she was going. She was walking so ever calmly on the forest floor, passing through rays of moonlight and defying every law of staying hidden in darkness.

Even if Shadowfang was moving fast and focus on his destination, Siria’s presence was still striking enough to halt his run. In his mind, multiple arguments about why she was here clashed together. What is she doing here? Is she spying? Is she here to scout? Is she leading her pack for an ambush attack?

However, Shadowfang was an assassin, a cold blooded profession. He quickly pulled himself together and ready to do the only thing logical to anyone at the time. During this crucial time, any enemy that entered the territory should not be shown of any mercy.

However, hesitation took hold on Shadowfang as a thought brushed through his skeptical mind. He was not going to listen to it again like he previously did, as it almost cost his life. Still, the cold hard sense found its way into his mind, halting him. She helped me before, so what makes her an enemy this time?

Shadowfang leaped out from his hiding place, and landed in front of Siria just like the day they first met. He was not going to kill this she-wolf whose allegiance was shook and might even possible shifted, especially he thought he owed her one for not killing him after his hesitation during his attempt to struck her down. But no matter how much Shadowfang thought he owed Siria, he had to stop her in the path for the safety of his pack.

Siria yelped and stumbled back a few steps, she almost fell, but when she saw who was right in front of her and realized that it would have been her last breath, she somehow found the strength to stand up.

“I am not here to cause harm.” She said with her stern eyes stared into Shadowfang’s.

Shadowfang growled, and lowered his body, an obvious sign of ‘You are not welcomed.’ Shadowfang made it clear that if she took one more step closer to Shadowfang’s pack’s den, she would meet her end.

“I am here to help,” Siria continued, ignoring the threatening posture of the black wolf. She knew she was no match of this shadowy being, but she also knew that Shadowfang would have great need of her information… provided that he permits her to live a while longer.

Shadowfang made no move, he kept growling to show that he was still on alert, but he tilted his head a little to the right, his gesture of saying ‘What do you mean’. In his calculative mind, he considered the possibility of every possible scenarios in his mind.

“I am here to help,” Siria repeated, that was all she could say under the glance of Shadowfang, but she managed to push out her reasoning so she could, by any chance, convince the cruel assassin in front of her, “Please, I am not blind, I am not deaf, I know what my alpha is doing and I know it isn’t right. And I want to stop him.”

Shadowfang growled louder and pressed his body lower, the word ‘lies’ screamed in his mind and echoed in his head. What the tan-colored wolf said was far from convincing, and it might well be just a trick to get inside Shadowfang’s den and gather information. She thinks I am an idiot? Why would she try to deceive me with such lowly trickery? Her pack recognizes me as the avatar of shadow, and here she is, using the simplest trick one could think of! What guile is on her mind?

Siria cursed herself under her breath. Before she even started her journey west, she had a clear mind of who most likely would find her first. But her mind was so clogged by the memories and thoughts of her alpha and her betrayal, to the point she forgot to think about the future which was about to become the present.

“I am here to help…” Panicked, she repeated her words, but it did not sound so confident anymore. Shadowfang mistook this as a guilty conscience and started to walk forward slowly with his teeth bared and flipped back his ears, his eyes shore with a faint glow that look very offensive…

Siria knew she should dodge, or at least step back as Shadowfang lunged at her, but it would only make her more suspicious and guileful. She stood still and firm, and await the incoming impact… or possibly death. It may convince Shadowfang that she was willing to help with true heart, or it may be her last.

She closed her eyes as Shadowfang slammed into her. The impact knocked her over and she could feel Shadowfang standing upon her body, his claws touching her hide, his hot, humid breath onto her face and… nothing.

Siria opened her eyes slowly; Shadowfang was still pressing her against the ground, but he was no longer growling, nor did his eyes look unfriendly anymore. Siria raised her head up a little and looked into Shadowfang’s eyes, the black wolf’s eyes move a little as he noticed Siria looking into them, but Siria still saw something within those ember eyes, confusion and alertness.

Recognizing her chance, Siria spoke, “I am really here to help you all out,” She spoke in a small voice that was close to a whisper, but ensured that Shadowfang could hear her clear and well, “You will need my information, and you may need my help to escape my mad alpha and his loyal followers. Please, let me help you.”

Shadowfang let out a low growl, a sign of he had not put his trust in Siria yet. Siria felt that the black wolf’s over cautiousness was starting to annoy her, as there was clearly no point she would be here if she still clung onto her alpha’s side. It’s time to put some sense into your overly vigilant mind, Assassinator! She resolved.

“Come on, Assas- whatever you name is, do you actually think, with your oh-so-smart mind, that I would still be here if I am still working of my alpha? He knows your den site’s precise location, and he has eighteen wolves, all hunger for vengeance and ready to move out any moment the order is given. Why would he need me here? They can outnumber you easily, or surround you and pin you down. Lastly, all of them, especially my fellow scouts, can sniff the way to you even if you run now.” Siria explained with a hint of annoyance in her voice, although she did try to hide it.

Shadowfang appeared to be thoughtful