The forest trembled with the sound of howls.
Not one.
Not two.
Dozens.
They rolled through the trees like thunder, echoing across the territory of the pack.
Every wolf inside the clearing lifted their heads at the same time.
The message was clear.
They were coming.
At the center of the clearing, Aria felt the crescent mark on her wrist burn brighter.
It wasn't painful.
But it felt… alive.
Almost like it recognized the approaching danger.
She rubbed her wrist nervously.
"Tell me that's not what I think it is."
Beside her, Alpha Kael stood completely still, his eyes fixed on the dark forest beyond the clearing.
His wolf was restless beneath his skin.
"That's Magnus," he said quietly.
Another howl tore through the night.
Closer now.
Stronger.
Aria swallowed.
"So the welcoming committee has arrived."
Nearby, warriors rushed through the clearing, preparing for battle.
Some shifted partially, claws extending from their fingers.
Others grabbed weapons made from iron and bone.
The entire pack was preparing for a fight.
Leaning on his staff, Ikechukwu watched the forest calmly.
Then he shook his head slowly.
"Ah… this man no even waste time."
Aria glanced at him.
"You don't look surprised."
The old man chuckled.
"Magnus no be person wey dey hide when e reach time to fight."
Kael's voice remained steady.
"He's not just coming to fight."
Aria looked at him.
"Then what?"
Kael finally turned his head slightly.
"To take you."
Aria blinked.
"Well… that's comforting."
The sound of paws running through leaves suddenly filled the air.
Then shapes began appearing between the trees.
Wolves.
Dark shapes moving through the forest like shadows.
One.
Five.
Ten.
Twenty.
More kept appearing.
The warriors of Kael's pack moved into formation immediately.
Low growls filled the clearing.
Aria felt her heartbeat quicken.
"That's a lot of wolves."
Kael stepped forward slightly.
His voice became colder.
"Yes."
The enemy wolves stopped just beyond the edge of the clearing.
They formed a loose circle around the pack territory.
Watching.
Waiting.
Aria noticed something strange.
"They're not attacking."
Kael noticed it too.
Because something else was happening.
The wolves slowly parted.
Making space.
For someone.
Footsteps approached through the leaves.
Slow.
Confident.
Then the man stepped into the moonlight.
Tall.
Dark coat flowing behind him.
Red eyes glowing faintly under the silver moon.
Magnus.
The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
The warriors stiffened immediately.
Kael's eyes hardened.
"Magnus."
Magnus stopped a few meters away from the clearing.
His gaze slowly scanned the territory.
The warriors.
The broken trees.
The remains of the strange wolves from earlier.
Then his red eyes finally landed on Aria.
His smile appeared instantly.
"Well…"
His deep voice carried easily across the clearing.
"It seems the Moon Vessel is progressing nicely."
Aria crossed her arms.
"You've been spying on my training?"
Magnus tilted his head slightly.
"Observing."
Kael stepped forward.
His voice dropped into Alpha command.
"You're standing inside my territory."
Magnus looked amused.
"Am I?"
He glanced around casually.
"No one seems to be stopping me."
Several warriors growled loudly.
Kael's wolf pressed harder against his control.
"You're pushing your luck."
Magnus's smile widened.
"Luck has nothing to do with it."
He took another slow step forward.
The enemy wolves behind him remained perfectly still.
Aria noticed something unsettling.
They were all watching her.
Magnus finally stopped walking.
His gaze stayed locked on her glowing wrist.
"Beautiful power."
Aria's voice hardened.
"Not yours."
Magnus chuckled softly.
"We'll see."
Kael stepped directly in front of her.
Blocking Magnus's view.
"You're not taking her anywhere."
Magnus looked at him for a long moment.
Then he sighed quietly.
"You know what disappoints me about you, Alpha?"
Kael didn't answer.
Magnus continued anyway.
"You're protecting something you don't understand."
Aria frowned behind Kael.
"What does that mean?"
Magnus ignored the question.
Instead he looked toward the old man leaning on his staff.
"Traveler."
His voice turned slightly amused.
"Still alive."
Ikechukwu chuckled.
"Ah… you sound surprised."
Magnus smirked.
"A little."
Ikechukwu shrugged.
"Some people hard to kill."
Magnus nodded slightly.
"Yes."
His red eyes returned to Aria.
"Especially her."
The crescent mark on Aria's wrist suddenly flared with silver light.
Magnus noticed immediately.
His smile deepened.
"See?"
He gestured toward her glowing wrist.
"She already feels it."
Kael's voice became dangerous.
"Feels what?"
Magnus's gaze remained fixed on Aria.
"The bond."
Aria froze.
"The what?"
Magnus's voice dropped lower.
"The connection between hunter…"
His eyes gleamed.
"…and the power he claims."
Kael stepped forward aggressively.
"You're done talking."
Magnus looked amused again.
"Yes."
He turned slightly.
Preparing to leave.
But before stepping back into the forest, he said one last thing.
"Enjoy your night, Alpha."
His voice echoed softly.
"Because next time…"
His red eyes glowed brighter.
"…I won't come alone."
Then he disappeared into the forest.
The wolves followed him silently.
Within seconds, the forest was quiet again.
But the tension remained.
Aria exhaled slowly.
"Well."
She looked at Kael.
"That was terrifying."
Kael didn't answer immediately.
His eyes were still fixed on the forest.
His wolf growled deep inside him.
Because Magnus hadn't come to attack.
He had come to measure them.
And that meant the real battle…
Was coming next.