The council valley was louder than usual that night.
Torches burned across the camp, and wolves from different packs gathered in groups, whispering about only one thing.
The Moon Trial.
In the center of those whispers was Aria.
But far from the noise, she stood alone near the cliffs that overlooked the valley.
The moon hung high in the sky.
Bright.
Cold.
Watching.
Aria stared at the glowing crescent on her wrist.
"Why me?"
The mark pulsed gently.
As if the moon itself had heard her question.
Behind her, a familiar voice spoke.
"Talking to the sky again?"
Aria turned.
Alpha Kael stood a few steps away, arms folded across his chest.
She sighed.
"I was hoping the moon would answer."
Kael stepped closer.
"And?"
Aria shrugged.
"So far, it's just glowing dramatically."
Kael allowed a faint smile.
But it didn't last long.
His expression quickly turned serious again.
"You can still walk away."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Walk away?"
Kael nodded.
"Leave the council valley tonight."
Aria stared at him.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
She shook her head slowly.
"And run from twenty Alphas who now know I exist?"
Kael didn't answer.
Aria sighed.
"That's what I thought."
For a moment they stood in silence.
Then she asked quietly,
"Do you think I'll fail?"
Kael looked at her immediately.
"No."
Aria tilted her head.
"You answered that fast."
Kael's voice remained firm.
"Because I've seen your power."
Aria glanced at her glowing wrist.
"My power nearly blew up half a forest two days ago."
Kael shrugged.
"Progress."
Aria laughed softly.
Then the sound of a staff hitting the ground echoed nearby.
Tok.
Tok.
Ikechukwu walked toward them slowly.
He looked relaxed as usual.
But his eyes were sharp.
"My sister."
Aria looked at him.
"Yes?"
He stopped beside them.
"You dey think too much."
Aria sighed.
"I'm about to fight magical moon trials in front of twenty Alphas."
Ikechukwu nodded.
"Correct."
She waited.
"That's it?"
He shrugged.
"Fear no help."
Aria crossed her arms.
"You're surprisingly calm about all of this."
Ikechukwu smiled slightly.
"My sister."
He tapped his staff on the ground again.
Tok.
"If problem big…"
He looked up at the moon.
"…solution suppose big too."
Aria stared at him.
"You really believe I can do this."
Ikechukwu nodded.
"Yes."
Kael spoke quietly beside them.
"You can."
Aria looked between both of them.
Then she exhaled slowly.
"Okay."
She lifted her glowing wrist again.
"Then tomorrow…"
Her voice hardened.
"…we find out what this moon power can actually do."
The wind moved across the cliff suddenly.
Cold.
Strange.
And from somewhere in the darkness behind the trees…
A pair of red eyes watched silently.
Magnus stood hidden in the shadows.
Observing.
Waiting.
His voice was barely a whisper.
"Tomorrow night…"
His smile slowly appeared.
"…the moon will finally decide."
And far above them all…
The moon shone brighter than usual.
As if it were watching the valley very carefully.