Chapter 68: Traitor in the Ranks

The pack house was a flurry of activity as wolves rushed to and fro, their faces grim with purpose. Jessica stood in the center of it all, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and disbelief. Beside her, Michael paced restlessly, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage.

"How could this happen?" he growled. "Right under our noses?"

James shook his head, his expression dark. "We don't know all the details yet. But one thing's certain - we have a traitor in our midst."

The news had come just hours ago. A patrol on the eastern border had been ambushed by Shadow Walkers. Three wolves were dead, two more critically injured. But the attack itself wasn't what had everyone on edge. It was the fact that the Shadow Walkers had known exactly where and when to strike.

"It had to be someone with inside knowledge," David said softly, his healing energy pulsing as he tended to the wounded. "The patrol routes are kept secret, known only to a select few."

Jessica felt sick to her stomach. The thought of someone betraying the pack, betraying her... it was almost too much to bear. And yet, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered, hadn't the seer warned of this very thing?

"We need to find out who it is," Andrew growled, his fists clenched at his sides. "And when we do..."

He didn't need to finish the thought. The punishment for treason was death, a fact every wolf in the pack knew well.

"We can't act rashly," James cautioned, though Jessica could see the strain in his eyes. "If we start accusing people without proof, we'll only create more division. That's exactly what our enemies want."

Michael nodded reluctantly. "You're right. We need to be smart about this. Gather evidence, watch for any suspicious behavior."

"I might be able to help with that," Matthew spoke up, his usual charm replaced by a look of grim determination. "I have... contacts. People who owe me favors. I can put out feelers, see if anyone's heard anything."

James considered this for a moment before nodding. "Do it. But be discreet. We can't risk tipping off the traitor."

As the alphas dispersed to begin their investigations, Jessica felt a hand on her arm. She turned to see Daniel, his quiet strength a balm to her frayed nerves.

"How are you holding up?" he asked softly.

Jessica sighed, leaning into his touch. "I feel... I don't know. Angry, scared, betrayed. How could anyone do this? After everything we've been through together?"

Daniel's eyes were sad but understanding. "Fear can make people do terrible things. And the Shadow Walkers... they have ways of corrupting even the strongest minds."

A chill ran down Jessica's spine at his words. "You don't think... it couldn't be one of us, could it? One of the alphas?"

The very thought was almost too painful to consider. But the seer's warning echoed in her mind: "One star will flicker and fade."

Daniel shook his head firmly. "No. Our bond is too strong for that. Whatever else happens, you can trust in us, Jessica. Always."

She wanted to believe him. Needed to believe him. But as the day wore on and suspicion spread through the pack like wildfire, Jessica couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get much, much worse.

That night, as the pack gathered for an emergency meeting, the tension in the air was palpable. Wolves clustered in small groups, whispering and casting suspicious glances at their neighbors. Jessica's heart ached to see the once-tight-knit community fracturing under the weight of betrayal.

James stood at the front of the room, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "I know you're all scared and angry," he began. "What happened today was a tragedy, and a betrayal of everything we stand for. But we cannot let fear divide us. That's exactly what our enemies want."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, some agreeing, others still skeptical. Jessica could feel the weight of their gazes upon her, a mix of hope and uncertainty.

"We will find the traitor," James continued, his eyes blazing with determination. "And they will face justice for their actions. But until then, we must stand united. Trust in each other, in the bonds that have seen us through countless challenges."

As he spoke, Jessica felt a surge of pride and love for her mate. Even in the darkest moments, James remained a beacon of strength for the pack.

But their troubles were far from over. As the meeting broke up, Jessica overheard snippets of conversation that made her blood run cold.

"How do we know it's not one of them?" a young wolf whispered, nodding towards the alphas. "They're the only ones who knew all the details..."

"The Luna's power is growing," another muttered. "Maybe it's gone to her head. Maybe she's the one who-"

Jessica recoiled as if struck, bumping into Christopher who had come up behind her. His eyes narrowed as he caught the tail end of the conversation.

"Don't listen to them," he growled softly. "They're scared and looking for someone to blame."

But the damage was done. As Jessica made her way back to her room, flanked protectively by her mates, she couldn't shake the feeling that things were spiraling out of control. The traitor was still out there, and until they were found, no one was above suspicion.

That night, as she tossed and turned in bed, unable to find rest, Jessica stared out the window at the waning moon. Its light, once a source of comfort, now seemed cold and distant.

"Please," she whispered into the darkness. "Give me the strength to face what's coming. To protect my pack, my family."

But as sleep finally claimed her, Jessica couldn't shake the feeling that her prayer might go unanswered. The shadows were growing longer, and the real battle was only just beginning.