The wind moved quietly through the northern border of the territory.
Leaves rustled above, but no one in the clearing paid attention to them.
All eyes were fixed on the man standing between the trees.
Magnus.
His red eyes glowed faintly in the shadow of the forest.
And this time, his face held no smile.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Alpha Kael stepped forward.
His voice was low and dangerous.
"You're getting comfortable walking into my territory."
Magnus tilted his head slightly.
"Am I?"
His gaze shifted past Kael and landed on Aria.
"The Moon Vessel looks stronger today."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Don't call me that like it's my name."
Magnus ignored the remark.
His eyes drifted to the red crescent carved into the tree.
"You found my message quickly."
Kael's patience was wearing thin.
"You carved threats into my territory."
Magnus raised an eyebrow.
"Threats?"
He glanced at the carving again.
"I simply stated a future."
Aria stepped forward slightly.
Her voice sharpened.
"You said something about a chain."
Magnus nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Aria pointed at the tree.
"What chain?"
Magnus studied her for a moment.
Then he spoke calmly.
"The chain that will control the Moon Vessel."
Kael growled softly.
"That's not happening."
Magnus finally looked at him.
His expression turned slightly amused again.
"You still believe this is something you can stop."
Kael's silver eyes hardened.
"I know it is."
Magnus chuckled quietly.
"Confidence is admirable."
He gestured toward Aria's wrist.
"But that power does not belong to you."
Aria rolled her eyes.
"And it definitely doesn't belong to you."
Magnus looked back at her.
For a brief second, something strange flickered in his expression.
Not anger.
Not amusement.
Something deeper.
"You still don't understand," he said quietly.
Aria frowned.
"Then explain it."
Magnus stepped closer.
Kael immediately moved in front of her again.
Magnus stopped.
He seemed entertained by the reaction.
"Relax, Alpha."
His voice remained calm.
"If I wanted to take her right now, you wouldn't be able to stop me."
Kael's wolf growled violently inside him.
But he didn't move.
Magnus continued speaking.
"The chain I mentioned…"
He pointed toward Aria's glowing wrist.
"…is not made of metal."
Aria blinked.
"Then what is it?"
Magnus answered simply.
"Blood."
The word hung in the air.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Aria felt a chill run through her body.
"What does that mean?"
Magnus's voice lowered.
"The Moon Vessel's power is not controlled through force."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"It's controlled through blood connection."
Kael frowned.
"That doesn't make any sense."
Magnus smirked slightly.
"It will."
Before he could say more, a wooden staff tapped the ground.
Tok.
Both men looked toward Ikechukwu.
The old man had been quiet this entire time.
Now his eyes were sharp.
"Magnus."
Magnus nodded politely.
"Traveler."
Ikechukwu leaned on his staff.
"You don talk too much today."
Magnus chuckled.
"Maybe."
Ikechukwu's voice became serious.
"But you never tell the full story."
Magnus's red eyes glinted.
"That depends on who's listening."
Aria stepped forward again.
"Can someone please stop speaking in mysterious riddles?"
Magnus finally gave a clear answer.
"The Moon Vessel can be bound to someone through a blood ritual."
The clearing went silent.
Aria stared at him.
"A ritual?"
Magnus nodded.
"Yes."
Kael's expression turned cold.
"You're insane."
Magnus shrugged.
"Ancient traditions often sound insane."
Aria felt her stomach twist.
"You're saying you want to bind me to you?"
Magnus didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Kael stepped forward again.
"That will never happen."
Magnus's gaze shifted between them.
His expression was thoughtful.
"You're wrong about one thing."
Kael didn't respond.
Magnus looked back at Aria.
"The ritual only works if the Moon Vessel is powerful enough."
Aria frowned.
"And?"
Magnus smiled slowly.
"And you're not there yet."
Kael's patience snapped.
"Then why are you here?"
Magnus answered calmly.
"To watch you grow stronger."
Aria stared at him in disbelief.
"You're helping me become powerful… so you can control me later?"
Magnus shrugged.
"Exactly."
Kael's wolf surged forward inside him.
His claws nearly extended.
But before he could move—
A sudden surge of silver light burst from Aria's wrist.
The crescent mark flared violently.
Aria gasped.
"What the—"
The energy exploded outward.
The ground beneath them shook slightly.
Even Magnus paused.
His eyes widened with interest.
"There it is."
Aria grabbed her wrist.
"I'm not doing that!"
The silver light grew brighter.
Wolves in the distance suddenly began howling again.
The forest trembled with the sound.
Magnus watched her carefully.
His smile slowly returned.
"Fascinating."
Aria glared at him.
"What did you do?"
Magnus shook his head calmly.
"Nothing."
He turned slightly toward the forest.
"But the moon…"
His red eyes gleamed.
"…is waking you up."
Then he stepped back into the shadows.
His voice echoed one last time.
"And when it does…"
The wind carried his final words.
"The chain will be ready."
And just like that—
He disappeared again.