The forest held its breath.
No bird moved.
No leaf rustled.
Every wolf in the clearing felt it—the crushing weight of Magnus's presence.
Aria's heart pounded violently in her chest.
This was the man who had been hunting her.
The man who had killed his own wolves just to send a message.
And now… he was standing only a few steps away.
Beside her, Alpha Kael moved slightly forward, placing himself between Magnus and Aria.
His voice was cold.
"You should not have come here."
Magnus chuckled softly.
"Oh, Alpha Kael. I had to."
His red eyes slowly swept across the warriors surrounding them.
"I was curious."
His gaze finally landed on Aria.
Very slowly, he began walking toward her.
Several warriors growled immediately.
Kael's voice snapped like thunder.
"Stop."
Magnus stopped exactly three steps away.
His smile never faded.
"My apologies," he said calmly. "I forget how protective wolves become when they believe something belongs to them."
Kael's eyes flashed dangerously.
"She is under my protection."
Magnus tilted his head.
"Protection?"
He laughed quietly.
"Oh, Kael… you misunderstand the situation."
Aria felt her wrist burn.
The crescent mark pulsed with heat.
Magnus noticed immediately.
His eyes lit up with fascination.
"There it is…"
His voice softened.
"The mark of the Moon Vessel."
Aria clenched her fist.
"Stay away from me."
Magnus smiled wider.
"Such spirit."
Behind them, Ikechukwu tapped his wooden staff slowly against the ground.
"Hmm."
Magnus glanced at him.
"Ah… the wise one."
Ikechukwu nodded politely.
"In my country we say something about men who smile too much."
Magnus raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Ikechukwu's eyes darkened slightly.
"They usually have blood on their hands."
A few warriors snorted quietly.
Magnus only chuckled.
"Sharp tongue. I like him."
Then his gaze returned to Aria.
The playful expression disappeared.
"You are stronger than I expected."
Aria frowned.
"You attacked my pack."
Magnus shrugged.
"A small test."
Kael stepped forward again.
"You killed your own wolf."
Magnus's expression didn't change.
"Yes."
The warriors murmured angrily.
Magnus spread his hands casually.
"A soldier who fails me becomes useless."
His red eyes turned colder.
"And useless things must be removed."
Aria felt a wave of disgust.
"You're a monster."
Magnus studied her face for a moment.
Then he smiled again.
"Yes."
His answer was calm.
Completely unapologetic.
The honesty of it made the air feel even colder.
Magnus slowly walked around the clearing, examining the warriors like a king inspecting soldiers.
"I expected fear," he said thoughtfully.
"But instead I find resistance."
His eyes returned to Kael.
"That makes this much more entertaining."
Kael's patience was fading.
"Say what you came to say."
Magnus stopped walking.
"Very well."
He pointed toward Aria's wrist.
"I want her."
Every wolf in the clearing growled.
Kael's voice dropped into a deadly whisper.
"You will never have her."
Magnus sighed as if disappointed.
"Such dramatic words."
His gaze shifted between Kael and Aria.
"You see, Alpha… this girl does not belong to you."
Aria snapped.
"I don't belong to anyone!"
Magnus laughed softly.
"Oh, little moon. You truly don't understand your own destiny."
The crescent mark suddenly flared with silver light.
Aria gasped.
Magnus watched with fascination.
"Yes…"
His voice was almost reverent.
"The moon has chosen you."
He stepped closer again.
"And I intend to own what the moon chooses."
Kael's wolf surged beneath his skin.
"Take another step and I will kill you."
For a moment, the air between the two alphas felt like it might explode.
Magnus studied Kael carefully.
Then… he smiled again.
"You could try."
Suddenly—
A powerful wave of dark energy exploded from Magnus's body.
BOOM.
The warriors were forced backward.
Several wolves crashed into the trees.
Aria stumbled but stayed standing.
Only Kael remained unmoved.
The two alphas stared at each other.
Magnus seemed impressed.
"Good."
He nodded slowly.
"Very good."
Then he looked at Aria one last time.
"This was only a greeting."
His voice turned darker.
"The real hunt begins soon."
Aria's stomach twisted.
Magnus began stepping backward into the shadows.
"But before I leave…"
He raised one finger.
"One piece of advice."
The forest seemed to lean in to listen.
Magnus's red eyes locked onto Aria.
"When the moon finally awakens your power…"
His smile turned terrifying.
"Pray that Alpha Kael is strong enough to survive it."
Before anyone could react—
Magnus vanished into the forest.
Silence returned to the clearing.
No one moved for several seconds.
Finally, Kael exhaled slowly.
"That…"
One of the warriors muttered.
"Was terrifying."
Ikechukwu tapped his staff again.
"Yes."
Aria rubbed her burning wrist.
"But he's right about one thing."
Kael looked at her immediately.
"What?"
Aria stared at the glowing crescent.
"My power is getting stronger."
The forest wind rose again.
Ikechukwu's voice became thoughtful.
"And power always attracts war."
Kael turned toward the trees where Magnus had disappeared.
His eyes burned with determination.
"Then we prepare for war."
Because deep in the forest…
Magnus was already smiling.