The silence in the packhouse was shattered when a scream pierced the air, sending shockwaves through the bustling workers and patrolling guards.
“Dead! They’re dead!”
The voice belonged to one of the younger maids, her face pale and stricken as she stumbled into the courtyard. The crowd gathered quickly, whispers spreading like wildfire.
“What’s going on?”
“Who’s dead?”
Within moments, the grim scene in the backyard was revealed. Two bodies lay lifeless on the cold ground, their forms twisted unnaturally. Blood had pooled beneath them, the stark crimson staining the otherwise pristine greenery.
The discovery threw the pack into chaos. Guards scrambled to secure the area, while others searched for clues to the perpetrator. The maids, many of them trembling and clutching one another, whispered theories and fears.
News reached the council swiftly, and within the hour, an urgent meeting was called in the grand hall. Alpha Veyron, despite his plans to retire, presided over the gathering with a stern and commanding presence. Beside him stood Kaelan, his expression grim as he scanned the room.
The pack’s leaders, elders, and key members crowded into the space. The murmur of voices filled the air, speculation and worry hanging heavy over the room.
Alpha Veyron raised a hand, silencing the crowd. “Enough,” he said, his voice cutting through the noise. “We are here to address the deaths of two of our own. This is a grave matter, and we will not rest until we uncover the truth.”
One of the elders stepped forward, her face lined with worry. “Alpha, we’ve searched the area. There are no signs of rogues or intruders. This… this was done from within.”
A murmur spread through the crowd, the implication chilling.
Kaelan’s brow furrowed. “You’re saying someone from the pack did this?”
The elder nodded solemnly. “It appears so.”
Another elder spoke up, his voice trembling. “The Moon Goddess has been silent lately. Perhaps this is a sign of her disapproval. Could it be that we’ve angered her?”
The room fell silent at his words, the weight of the suggestion sinking in.
Alpha Veyron’s expression darkened. “We will not jump to conclusions. The Moon Goddess’s silence may mean many things. But we cannot allow fear to cloud our judgment.”
A young guard stepped forward, his voice firm despite the tension. “But what if the Moon Goddess is angry? What if we’ve failed her in some way?”
The question hung in the air, unspoken fears finally given voice.
Kaelan exchanged a glance with his father, unease twisting in his gut. Something about the situation felt wrong, the deaths of the maids and the Goddess’s silence intertwining in a way he couldn’t yet understand.
Alpha Veyron spoke again, his tone decisive. “We will conduct a thorough investigation. Every member of this pack will be questioned, and no stone will be left unturned. The Moon Goddess’s silence is troubling, but we must rely on our own strength to uncover the truth.”