The shadow slowly moved closer.
Every warrior in the clearing tensed.
Claws extended.
Muscles ready.
Even the wind seemed to stop moving.
At the center of the clearing, Aria felt the crescent mark on her wrist burn slightly.
Her heart pounded.
"That voice…"
She swallowed.
"…it's not Magnus."
Beside her, Alpha Kael stepped forward.
His posture was calm but dangerous.
"Stay behind me."
Aria opened her mouth to argue.
But then the shadow stepped into the moonlight.
And everyone went silent.
The man looked tall.
Thin.
His coat was old and dark, almost blending with the night itself.
His skin looked pale… unnaturally pale.
And his eyes—
His eyes were completely black.
Kael's voice hardened.
"You're trespassing."
The man tilted his head slightly, studying them like they were animals in a cage.
Then he smiled.
Slow.
Cold.
"So many wolves."
His voice sounded dry… like leaves rubbing together.
Near the back, Ikechukwu leaned slightly on his staff.
He stared at the man carefully.
Then he sighed.
"Ah…"
Aria glanced at him.
"You know him."
Ikechukwu nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Kael didn't take his eyes off the stranger.
"Say the name."
The old man spoke quietly.
"Malakar."
The warriors around them immediately began whispering.
"Malakar?"
"I thought he died."
"That's impossible."
Malakar chuckled softly.
"Ah… I see my reputation still lives."
Aria stared at him.
"You're supposed to be dead."
Malakar's black eyes turned toward her.
For the first time, his expression changed.
Interest.
"Ah…"
He stepped closer.
"So you must be the Moon Vessel."
Aria felt her wrist burn again.
She instinctively stepped back.
Kael moved in front of her instantly.
"You're not touching her."
Malakar laughed quietly.
"Relax, Alpha."
He lifted his hands slightly.
"I didn't come here to fight."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"That's hard to believe."
Malakar glanced at the dead wolves lying around the clearing.
"Oh… those?"
He waved his hand casually.
"Just a small test."
Aria's anger flared.
"You turned dead wolves into monsters!"
Malakar shrugged.
"Science requires experimentation."
Ikechukwu clicked his tongue.
"Chai… you still dey talk like mad person."
Malakar looked at him.
His smile widened slightly.
"Well… if it isn't the old traveler."
Ikechukwu raised an eyebrow.
"You still remember me?"
Malakar chuckled.
"Of course."
His voice lowered.
"You were the one who helped the packs burn my home."
The clearing suddenly became tense again.
Several warriors stepped forward.
Kael spoke sharply.
"What do you want?"
Malakar's eyes slowly returned to Aria.
"The Moon Vessel."
Kael's voice turned deadly.
"Not happening."
Malakar tilted his head.
"You misunderstand."
His black eyes gleamed.
"I'm not here to take her."
Aria frowned.
"Then why are you here?"
Malakar smiled slowly.
"To warn you."
The warriors looked confused.
"Warn us?" Kael repeated.
Malakar nodded.
"Yes."
He turned his gaze toward the deeper forest.
Toward the direction where Magnus often watched from the shadows.
"That man…"
Malakar's smile faded slightly.
"…is about to make a very big mistake."
Aria crossed her arms.
"And why should we believe anything you say?"
Malakar looked back at her.
"Because unlike Magnus…"
His voice became colder.
"…I actually understand what the Moon Vessel really is."
The crescent mark on Aria's wrist suddenly glowed brighter.
Malakar's eyes widened slightly.
"Ah…"
His smile slowly returned.
"Interesting."
Kael stepped forward again.
"You've said enough."
Malakar didn't argue.
Instead he slowly stepped backward toward the forest.
But before disappearing into the darkness, he said one last thing.
"You should train her faster."
Kael frowned.
"Why?"
Malakar's black eyes gleamed in the moonlight.
"Because Magnus is running out of patience."
His voice dropped into a whisper.
"And when he loses patience…"
He smiled coldly.
"…he stops playing games."
Then he disappeared into the forest.
Silence fell over the clearing once again.
Aria looked at Kael.
"That man is worse than Magnus."
Ikechukwu sighed.
"No be small."
Kael stared into the dark trees.
But something Malakar said kept echoing in his mind.
When Magnus loses patience…
Kael's wolf stirred uneasily.
Because deep down…
He knew that moment was coming soon.