Morning arrived slowly.
The forest looked peaceful again, but everyone in the pack knew the truth.
War was coming.
Aria stood near the edge of the territory, staring at the rising sun filtering through the tall trees. The light felt warm on her face, yet the mark on her wrist still pulsed faintly.
As if reminding her that peace would not last.
Behind her, footsteps approached.
"Thinking again?"
Aria turned.
Alpha Kael stood a few steps away, arms folded across his chest. His silver eyes were calmer than they had been during the night, but there was still something heavy in his gaze.
"I couldn't sleep," Aria admitted.
Kael nodded.
"None of the warriors did either."
The memory of the attack returned to her mind.
"I threw a wolf across the forest," she said quietly.
Kael smirked slightly.
"Yes. You did."
Aria looked down at her glowing wrist.
"I didn't even know I could do that."
Kael walked closer.
"That's because the moon is still teaching you."
Before she could respond, another voice interrupted.
"Oga Alpha, if the moon is the teacher, then this student is learning very fast."
Aria smiled slightly.
Ikechukwu had arrived.
He leaned on his wooden staff, looking completely relaxed despite everything that had happened the night before.
Kael glanced at him.
"You slept well?"
Ikechukwu shrugged.
"In Nigeria we say something."
Kael groaned quietly.
"Of course you do."
Ikechukwu grinned.
"When trouble comes, a wise man sleeps well because tomorrow will require strength."
Kael sighed.
"Translate."
"I just did."
Aria laughed softly.
But the laughter faded when one of the scouts ran toward them from the forest.
"Alpha!"
Kael's attention sharpened immediately.
"What is it?"
The scout stopped, breathing heavily.
"We found something near the eastern ridge."
Kael frowned.
"What kind of something?"
The scout hesitated.
"A body."
The air around them suddenly felt colder.
Aria's stomach tightened.
Kael spoke calmly.
"Take us there."
The eastern ridge was about a mile from the pack territory.
When they arrived, several warriors were already gathered around something lying in the grass.
Aria slowed her steps when she saw it.
It was one of Magnus's wolves.
Dead.
But something about the scene was strange.
Very strange.
The wolf's body was completely untouched.
No wounds.
No blood.
Just lifeless.
Kael knelt beside the corpse, studying it carefully.
"This doesn't make sense."
Aria stood beside him.
"What do you mean?"
Kael touched the wolf's neck.
"Nothing killed him."
Ikechukwu crouched on the other side, his eyes sharp.
"Hmm."
Kael gave him a look.
"What?"
Ikechukwu pointed to the wolf's chest.
"Look closer."
Kael pushed aside the fur slightly.
Then he froze.
Carved into the wolf's skin was the same symbol they had seen on the tree.
The red crescent.
But this time…
There were words beneath it.
Aria stepped closer to read it.
Her heart dropped.
The moon cannot hide her forever.
The message was written in dark red letters.
Kael's jaw tightened.
"He left this as a message."
Aria felt a chill run through her body.
"But Magnus's wolves were the ones who came here."
Ikechukwu nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"So why would he kill his own wolf?"
Ikechukwu stood up.
"Because fear is a powerful tool."
Kael looked at him.
"You think Magnus did this himself?"
Ikechukwu's expression turned serious.
"In my homeland, elders warn us about men like Magnus."
Aria looked at him.
"What do they say?"
He tapped his staff once against the ground.
"They say the most dangerous predator is not the one who kills enemies…"
His eyes darkened.
"…but the one who kills his own soldiers to prove a point."
A cold wind passed through the ridge.
Kael stood slowly.
"Magnus is closer than we thought."
Aria looked around the quiet forest.
"But if he's nearby… why hasn't he attacked?"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Because he's waiting."
"For what?"
Before Kael could answer, Ikechukwu spoke softly.
"For the moment she becomes powerful enough."
Aria blinked.
"What?"
Ikechukwu looked directly at her glowing wrist.
"Magnus doesn't want the Moon Vessel weak."
The wind rustled the trees again.
"He wants her fully awakened."
Aria's chest tightened.
"Why?"
Ikechukwu's voice became quiet.
"Because controlling a small flame is useless…"
His gaze hardened.
"…but controlling a wildfire changes the world."
Kael turned sharply toward the forest.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
The birds had suddenly stopped singing.
The wind had gone silent.
Then—
A slow clap echoed from the trees.
Everyone turned.
A tall figure stepped out of the shadows.
Dark coat.
Red eyes.
A powerful presence that made even the warriors stiffen.
The man smiled slowly.
"Well…"
His voice was deep and calm.
"It seems my hunters were not exaggerating."
Aria's breath caught in her throat.
Kael's expression turned deadly.
"Magnus."
The man bowed slightly.
"In person."
The air suddenly felt ten times heavier.
Magnus looked directly at Aria's glowing wrist.
His smile widened.
"Finally…"
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"I get to meet the Moon Vessel.