The forest slowly returned to silence.
Broken branches and deep claw marks covered the clearing, clear signs of the violent clash that had just happened. The air still carried the scent of wolves and blood.
Standing in the center, Aria stared at her wrist.
The silver glow of the crescent mark had faded, but the skin around it still felt warm.
She rubbed it carefully.
"I swear this thing is trying to ruin my life."
Nearby, Alpha Kael finished helping one of his warriors stand up.
His eyes quickly returned to Aria.
"You're not hurt?"
Aria shook her head.
"Just confused."
Kael walked closer.
"That blast you released…"
He paused slightly.
"…was powerful."
Aria sighed.
"I noticed."
Across the clearing, Alpha Lucien spoke quietly with several of his warriors.
They were checking the wounded wolves after the fight with Magnus and his pack.
Lucien eventually walked toward them.
"You forced him to retreat."
Aria shrugged.
"I didn't plan that."
Lucien nodded.
"Still impressive."
Aria gave him a suspicious look.
"You're not going to start calling me 'Moon Vessel' again, are you?"
Lucien smirked slightly.
"I'll try not to."
Behind them, Ikechukwu tapped his staff as he approached.
Tok.
Tok.
He examined the ground where the silver shockwave had exploded earlier.
"That power strong well-well."
Aria folded her arms.
"It scared me too."
Daniel, the human hunter, joined them as well.
His rifle rested on his shoulder now.
"Magnus didn't come to win tonight."
Kael looked at him sharply.
"What do you mean?"
Daniel gestured toward the forest where Magnus had vanished.
"He came to confirm something."
Aria frowned.
"Confirm what?"
Daniel looked at her wrist.
"That your power has awakened."
Lucien nodded slowly.
"That changes everything."
Aria groaned.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
Lucien's voice became more serious.
"Because it's true."
He gestured toward the dark horizon.
"Every Alpha in the region will hear about tonight."
Aria blinked.
"That fast?"
Lucien nodded.
"Wolves talk."
Ikechukwu chuckled.
"Gossip fast pass wind."
Aria sighed.
"So now the entire wolf world knows I exist."
Kael's expression hardened.
"And they'll come looking."
Aria pointed at the forest.
"Great."
Then she pointed at her wrist.
"Fantastic."
Then she pointed at the sky.
"And the moon apparently has some mysterious plan for me."
Daniel crossed his arms.
"There's something else."
Everyone looked at him.
His voice lowered.
"The bond Magnus mentioned…"
Aria immediately groaned.
"Please don't remind me."
Daniel continued anyway.
"If he's right, that connection between you two will grow stronger."
Aria stared at him.
"You're saying it gets worse?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"That won't happen."
Lucien looked thoughtful.
"Stopping it may not be easy."
Aria raised her hands.
"Okay, everyone pause."
They looked at her.
"I need a moment."
She walked a few steps away from the group and looked up at the bright moon above the forest.
The same moon that had marked her.
Chosen her.
Changed everything.
Her wrist pulsed faintly again.
Aria sighed.
"You picked the wrong person for this job."
Behind her, Ikechukwu spoke softly.
"My sister…"
Aria looked back at him.
"Yes?"
The old man smiled gently.
"Moon no dey make mistake."
Aria stared at him for a moment.
Then she looked back at the sky again.
Far away in the dark forest…
A distant howl echoed once more.
Not close.
But still there.
Still watching.
Aria muttered under her breath.
"I really need a vacation."