Madre

The forest was cloaked in twilight, shadows stretching long and deep. I kept my pace steady, my paws crunching softly against the pine needles as I led Maleficent through the underbrush. The air was thick with the familiar scents of damp earth and wild game, but another scent was beginning to take hold—wolves. A pack's territory.

"Why are we even going this way, Madre?" Maleficent growled behind me, her tone sharp and biting. "We could've circled around the ridge and avoided this whole 'pack territory' nonsense."

I didn't look back at her. "Because, Maleficent, I've been watching you wear yourself out pretending to be fine on your own. It's time to stop running."

Her growl deepened, and I heard her quicken her pace to walk beside me. "I've been doing just fine. We don't need a pack."

I spared her a glance. Her crimson eyes burned with irritation, and her blonde coat, speckled with black, bristled as if the thought of relying on anyone else was beneath her. "You're stubborn," I said simply. "And reckless. If I left you alone, you'd burn yourself out before winter."

Maleficent glared at me, but before she could fire back, the air changed. The scent of wolves thickened. I stopped in my tracks, my ears pricking forward. Maleficent froze too, though her posture stiffened.

"Great," she muttered. "I told you this was a mistake."

"Quiet," I ordered, my voice low.

From the shadows ahead, wolves emerged one by one, their movements deliberate and watchful. At the front stood a massive red and white she-wolf, her olive-green eyes sharp and piercing. She was flanked by two others—a silver-coated male with a calm, humble air and a brown-and-gray wolf whose gaze carried quiet authority.

The alpha's gaze locked onto me. "You're on my territory," she said, her voice firm but measured. "State your business."

I stepped forward, keeping my posture neutral but unyielding. "We're not just passing through," I said evenly. "We're here because we need a place to stay."

Her eyes flicked over me, then shifted to Maleficent, who stood a pace behind, her hackles raised and her crimson gaze blazing with defiance.

"Looking for a place to stay?" the alpha said, her tone calm but cutting. "A bold request to make without any warning."

Maleficent snarled, stepping forward. "We don't owe you anything, Alpha."

"Maleficent," I snapped, turning sharply to glare at her. She bristled but fell silent.

The brown-and-gray wolf, the one with the sharp eyes, took a step closer. "Careful, young one," he said in a measured tone. "Words carry weight, especially here."

Maleficent glared at him but kept her teeth bared.

I turned back to the alpha. "We don't mean disrespect," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I've heard of your pack. I know you run a disciplined group, and we're willing to prove our worth if you'll have us."

The alpha tilted her head, studying me. "Prove your worth?" she repeated. "It's not an easy life here. Loyalty, respect, and strength aren't optional."

"We're strong enough," I replied, holding her gaze.

"Strength, maybe," she said, her olive eyes sliding to Maleficent. "But respect might be a bigger challenge."

Maleficent stiffened beside me. "I don't take orders from anyone who hasn't earned it," she snapped.

The silver wolf finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. "You'll find no shortage of earning here."

The alpha stepped forward, her towering form casting a shadow over both of us. "If you want to join, you'll prove yourselves—to me and to my pack. Madre, your confidence speaks for you. But the young one…" She nodded toward Maleficent. "She'll have to learn quickly, or not at all."

Maleficent bared her teeth. "I'll be fine."

The alpha didn't flinch. "We'll see." She turned to her wolves. "SilverFish, Eagle, take them to the den. They'll join the evening hunt."

The silver wolf dipped his head. "Of course."

The brown wolf, Eagle, smirked slightly. "Let's hope they can keep up."

As they began to lead us away, Maleficent muttered, "This is a mistake."

I nudged her sharply, forcing her to look at me. "It's only a mistake if you make it one."

The alpha's voice called after us, calm but firm. "Be ready, newcomers. This pack doesn't slow down for anyone."

I glanced back at Maleficent, who looked ready to spit fire. "You'll learn," I told her softly, my tone less harsh. "You don't have to like them, but you can't do this alone forever."

For once, she didn't argue. Instead, she walked beside me in silence as we followed the pack into the forest, the world feeling heavier with every step.