The forest path grew darker as the group continued north.
Tall trees blocked most of the sunlight now, and the air felt cooler beneath their heavy branches. Even the birds had grown quieter.
Walking near the middle of the group, Aria stepped carefully over a fallen branch and sighed.
"I miss normal problems."
Ahead of her, Alpha Kael glanced back slightly.
"What kind of normal problems?"
Aria shrugged.
"Like forgetting my phone charger."
Kael almost smiled.
But the tension in the forest quickly erased the moment.
A few steps behind Aria, Ikechukwu tapped his staff softly against the ground as he walked.
Tok.
Tok.
Tok.
But this time, his expression was serious.
He was listening.
Watching.
The human hunter walked quietly beside them, his sharp eyes scanning the tree line.
Aria finally looked at him again.
"You still haven't told us your name."
The hunter glanced at her briefly.
"Daniel."
Aria nodded.
"Okay, Daniel."
She pointed ahead.
"You're the Magnus expert."
Daniel smirked faintly.
"I wouldn't go that far."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"But you've been hunting Magnus for three years."
Daniel nodded once.
"Yes."
Aria folded her arms.
"So tell me something useful."
Daniel looked at her glowing wrist.
"Magnus doesn't rush."
Aria frowned.
"That doesn't sound helpful."
Daniel continued calmly.
"He prepares."
Kael's voice came from ahead.
"That part we know."
Daniel nodded.
"Then you should also know this."
The forest wind shifted suddenly.
A faint scent drifted through the air.
Kael stopped walking instantly.
The pack warriors behind him froze.
Aria noticed immediately.
"Oh no."
Ikechukwu's eyes narrowed.
"They don reach."
Aria blinked.
"That means what exactly?"
Kael turned slowly toward the trees.
"Hunters."
The word hung heavily in the air.
Aria looked around the forest.
"But I don't see anyone."
Daniel quietly reached for the rifle on his back.
"That's the point."
The forest remained silent.
Too silent.
Aria swallowed.
"Okay, this is the part where someone jumps out and tries to kill us, right?"
Before anyone could answer—
A low growl echoed from the trees.
Then another.
Then several.
Dark shapes began appearing between the trunks.
Wolves.
Large ones.
Their eyes glowed faintly in the shadows.
Aria sighed.
"I knew it."
Kael stepped forward slightly, his presence instantly turning dangerous.
"How many?" he asked quietly.
Daniel studied the forest.
"At least twenty."
Aria's eyes widened.
"Twenty?!"
More wolves emerged from the shadows, slowly circling the group.
Their movements were cautious.
Careful.
They were studying them.
Ikechukwu tapped his staff once.
"Scouting pack."
Aria frowned.
"So they're not attacking?"
Kael shook his head slightly.
"Not yet."
One of the wolves stepped forward.
Larger than the others.
Its golden eyes locked directly onto Aria.
Aria pointed at herself.
"Why do they always stare at me first?"
The wolf growled softly.
Then suddenly—
A deep voice echoed from the forest.
"Because she's the reason we're here."
Everyone turned toward the sound.
A tall man stepped out from between the trees.
His posture carried the unmistakable presence of an Alpha.
Behind him, the wolves lowered their heads slightly in respect.
Aria stared.
"Oh great."
Another Alpha.
The man's eyes settled on Aria's glowing wrist.
"So the rumors are true."
Kael's voice turned cold.
"State your business."
The Alpha smiled faintly.
"I came to see the Moon Vessel."
Aria groaned.
"That title is spreading way too fast."
The Alpha ignored her comment.
His gaze remained calm but calculating.
"I am not here to fight."
Kael didn't move.
"Then why bring twenty wolves?"
The Alpha's smile widened slightly.
"Protection."
Aria crossed her arms.
"From who?"
The Alpha answered without hesitation.
"From Magnus."
The forest grew quiet again.
Kael frowned.
"You expect us to believe that?"
The Alpha shrugged.
"Believe what you want."
His eyes returned to Aria.
"But Magnus is not the only one searching for her."
Aria sighed deeply.
"I had a feeling you were going to say that."
The Alpha's expression grew more serious.
"The wolf world is already moving."
Aria looked at him carefully.
"And what does that mean for me?"
The Alpha answered calmly.
"It means the hunt is no longer just Magnus's game."
The wind passed through the forest again.
The wolves surrounding them watched silently.
And Aria slowly realized something.
The hunt was growing bigger.
Much bigger than they thought.