章 49: hope

Richard paced back and forth in the dimly lit room, his mind a chaotic swirl of emotions. He couldn't comprehend why Blaire, his closest companion in the Nightshade Pack, seemed adamant about staying behind. The bond they had forged through countless moonlit hunts and shared victories felt unbreakable, or so he had thought.

As the alpha of the Nightshade Pack, Richard had assumed that loyalty would naturally extend beyond the boundaries of the pack territory. Yet, here he was, grappling with the reality that Blaire didn't share his vision of a new beginning. The moonlight streaming through the pack's den cast shadows on his furrowed brow, mirroring the confusion that gripped his heart.

He approached Blaire with a mixture of frustration and concern, hoping for some clarity. "Blaire, we've faced everything together – triumphs and challenges. Why the hesitation now? Why won't you come with me?"