Night came faster than expected.
Dark clouds slowly covered the moon, and the forest felt heavier than usual.
Inside the pack territory, warriors moved quickly—some tending to the injured, others strengthening the patrol lines.
No one said it aloud, but everyone understood the truth.
War had already begun.
At the center of the camp, inside the Alpha house, Aria lay on a large bed near the window.
Her body felt weak.
Every muscle ached.
The events of the day replayed in her mind again and again.
The power.
The light.
The explosion.
And the terrifying feeling of losing control.
She slowly lifted her wrist.
The crescent mark was still there, glowing faintly under her skin.
But now it felt… different.
Stronger.
More alive.
A quiet knock came from the door.
Before she could answer, the door opened and Alpha Kael stepped inside.
His expression was calm, but his eyes carried exhaustion.
"You should be resting," he said.
Aria sighed.
"I've been resting for hours."
Kael walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Your body needed it."
She studied his face.
"You're hurt."
Kael shrugged.
"It's nothing."
But she could see the deep scratch across his shoulder.
She frowned.
"That's not nothing."
Kael gave a small smirk.
"I've had worse."
Aria looked down at her glowing wrist again.
"This is my fault."
Kael's expression hardened immediately.
"No."
"But those wolves—"
"They attacked us."
Aria shook her head.
"I almost destroyed the entire forest."
Kael leaned forward slightly.
"You didn't."
"But I could have."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The room was quiet except for the wind outside.
Then Aria whispered,
"When the power came… I couldn't stop it."
Kael watched her carefully.
"What did it feel like?"
Aria struggled to find the words.
"It was like the moon was inside my head."
Kael frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"I could feel everything."
She closed her eyes.
"The wolves… the trees… even the wind."
Her voice became softer.
"And Magnus."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"You felt him?"
"Yes."
Her eyes opened slowly.
"He was enjoying it."
Kael stood up and walked toward the window.
The night outside was dark and quiet.
"I know."
Aria looked at him.
"You knew?"
Kael nodded slowly.
"That man…"
His voice turned colder.
"…feeds on chaos."
She swallowed.
"He said I would belong to him."
Kael's hands clenched.
"That will never happen."
Aria watched him carefully.
"You sound very sure."
Kael turned back toward her.
"I am."
Their eyes locked for a moment.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Then—
The door creaked open again.
A familiar voice spoke calmly.
"If you two stare at each other any longer, the moon might become jealous."
Both of them looked toward the door.
Standing there, leaning on his wooden staff, was Ikechukwu.
Aria groaned softly.
"Do you ever knock?"
Ikechukwu shrugged.
"I did."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"You opened the door while knocking."
"Efficiency."
He stepped inside.
His sharp eyes immediately moved to Aria's wrist.
"Ah."
Kael crossed his arms.
"Is that your new favorite word?"
Ikechukwu ignored him.
He walked closer to the bed and examined the crescent mark.
"The power has grown."
Aria sighed.
"Yes, I noticed."
Ikechukwu tapped his staff once.
"The Moon Vessel is awakening faster than expected."
Kael frowned.
"That's not good."
Ikechukwu nodded.
"No. It is not."
Aria looked between them nervously.
"Can someone explain why?"
The old man leaned against the wall.
"In my homeland," he began slowly, "there is an old belief."
Kael muttered under his breath.
"Of course there is."
Ikechukwu continued anyway.
"When a spirit gives someone power too quickly…"
His eyes darkened.
"…it means danger is very close."
Aria felt a chill run down her spine.
"You mean Magnus."
Ikechukwu nodded.
"Yes."
Kael spoke firmly.
"He won't get near her again."
The old man looked at him carefully.
"Confidence is good."
He paused.
"But Magnus is not a normal enemy."
Aria looked worried.
"What do you mean?"
Ikechukwu tapped his staff again.
"That man is not just hunting the Moon Vessel."
Kael frowned.
"Then what is he hunting?"
Ikechukwu's voice became quieter.
"Control."
Aria's stomach tightened.
"Control of what?"
The old man looked directly at her glowing wrist.
"The moon itself."
Silence filled the room.
Then Kael scoffed.
"That's impossible."
Ikechukwu raised an eyebrow.
"Is it?"
He pointed his staff toward Aria.
"A girl who can break trees with moonlight is also impossible."
Kael didn't respond.
The old man continued.
"Magnus believes that if he controls the Moon Vessel…"
His voice lowered.
"…he controls the power of the moon."
Aria shook her head slowly.
"That's insane."
Ikechukwu smiled faintly.
"Yes."
His eyes turned serious again.
"But dangerous men often believe insane things."
Outside, thunder rumbled faintly in the distance.
The storm clouds were growing thicker.
Aria stared at the dark sky through the window.
"What if he's right?"
Kael stepped closer immediately.
"He's not."
"But what if I lose control again?"
Kael's voice softened slightly.
"Then we will help you control it."
She looked up at him.
"We?"
Kael nodded.
"The entire pack."
Ikechukwu added calmly,
"And the stubborn Nigerian man with the stick."
Aria laughed weakly.
"That's very reassuring."
Ikechukwu smiled.
"You should be reassured."
Then his expression slowly became serious again.
"Because tomorrow…"
He tapped his staff against the wooden floor.
"…your training begins."
Aria blinked.
"Training?"
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
She looked nervous.
"Training for what exactly?"
Ikechukwu's eyes gleamed with quiet wisdom.
"For the day when Magnus returns."
The thunder outside cracked loudly.
And deep in the dark forest…
Magnus stood on a hill overlooking the pack territory.
His red eyes glowed in the darkness.
He smiled slowly.
"Soon…"