The night refused to sleep.
After the hunter escaped, the pack grounds were thrown into a restless storm of preparation. Warriors moved through the territory carrying weapons, reinforcing borders, and placing night watchers along the forest edges.
Torches burned along the training field, their flames dancing wildly in the cold wind.
Something was coming.
Everyone could feel it.
Aria stood near the edge of the clearing, watching the warriors move with tense urgency. The energy of the entire pack felt different now—sharp and alert like a blade drawn from its sheath.
Her wrist still glowed faintly beneath the moonlight.
The mark had not cooled since the hunter left.
Footsteps approached behind her.
"You should not stand alone."
Aria turned.
Alpha Kael stood there, his tall figure casting a long shadow across the ground. His silver eyes looked darker tonight, hardened by the weight of responsibility.
"I'm not alone," Aria replied quietly.
Kael crossed his arms. "It only feels that way when fear is involved."
Aria looked back at the moon.
"I'm not afraid for myself."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Then what are you afraid of?"
She hesitated.
"I'm afraid I started something that will destroy your pack."
The words hung between them.
For a moment Kael said nothing.
Then he stepped closer.
"You did not start this war."
His voice was calm but firm.
"Magnus did."
Aria frowned. "But if I wasn't the Moon Vessel—"
Kael interrupted her.
"Magnus would still find a reason."
His eyes hardened.
"That man has spent his entire life chasing power."
Before Aria could respond, another voice joined them.
"Alpha Kael speaks truth."
Both of them turned.
Ikechukwu was approaching slowly from the shadows, his long coat moving softly in the wind.
He carried a wooden staff tonight.
Aria noticed it immediately.
"That's new," she said.
Ikechukwu smiled faintly.
"In my homeland of Nigeria, elders say when the forest begins to whisper of war, a wise man should walk with a staff."
Kael smirked slightly.
"Planning to fight with it?"
Ikechukwu chuckled.
"Oga Alpha, if I start fighting warriors with a stick, then we are already finished."
Even Kael gave a quiet laugh.
The moment eased some of the tension in the air.
But it did not last long.
A young warrior suddenly ran into the clearing, breathless.
"Alpha!"
Kael turned instantly.
"What is it?"
"The border scouts returned."
Kael's expression hardened.
"Report."
The warrior swallowed.
"We found tracks."
Aria's stomach tightened.
"What kind of tracks?"
The warrior looked uneasy.
"Not one hunter."
He paused.
"A group."
Kael's jaw clenched.
"How many?"
The warrior hesitated.
"At least ten."
The clearing fell silent.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Aria felt her heart race.
"Ten hunters?"
Ikechukwu shook his head slowly.
"No."
He looked toward the dark forest beyond the pack grounds.
"Not hunters."
Kael understood immediately.
"Soldiers."
The realization sent a ripple of tension through the warriors nearby.
Aria spoke quietly.
"So Magnus is sending an army."
Ikechukwu nodded.
"But not the full one."
He tapped his staff gently against the ground.
"This is only the beginning."
Kael turned to the warrior.
"Where were the tracks heading?"
The answer came quickly.
"Toward the eastern ridge."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"The old canyon."
Aria looked confused.
"What's there?"
Kael's voice became serious.
"A natural choke point."
Ikechukwu nodded approvingly.
"Smart warlord."
Aria frowned.
"You sound impressed."
Ikechukwu shrugged.
"In war, even your enemy deserves respect."
Kael turned toward his warriors again.
"Prepare a patrol."
Several warriors stepped forward instantly.
But before Kael could continue—
Aria's wrist suddenly flared with bright silver light.
Brighter than ever before.
She gasped, grabbing her arm.
The glow pulsed violently.
The moon above seemed to shine even stronger.
Then the whisper returned.
But this time—
It wasn't gentle.
It was urgent.
They are closer than you think…
Aria's breath caught.
Kael stepped closer immediately.
"What did the moon say?"
She looked at him, her eyes wide.
"It said they're closer than we think."
The moment the words left her mouth—
A deep howl echoed from the forest.
Not far.
Not distant.
Close.
Very close.
The warriors immediately shifted into defensive positions.
Kael's eyes burned with silver fire.
"That wasn't a scout."
Ikechukwu tightened his grip on the staff.
"No."
His voice became serious again.
"That was a challenge."
Another howl followed.
Then another.
Then another.
Aria's heart pounded.
There were too many voices.
Too many wolves.
Kael slowly stepped in front of her again.
His voice dropped into a low command.
"Stay behind me."
Aria's glowing wrist pulsed again.
And deep in the forest darkness—
Red eyes began to appear between the trees.
Watching.
Waiting.
The soldiers of Magnus had arrived.