The forest stayed silent long after Malakar disappeared into the darkness.
No one moved.
Even the warriors looked uneasy.
At the center of the clearing, Aria rubbed the crescent mark on her wrist.
It was still glowing faintly.
"That man gives me bad energy."
Beside her, Alpha Kael didn't disagree.
"He should be dead."
A few steps away, Ikechukwu leaned on his wooden staff.
He watched the forest carefully.
Then he muttered,
"Hmm… this night don too busy."
Aria sighed.
"We now have Magnus…"
She counted on her fingers.
"…and a creepy dark-magic scientist who refuses to die."
Kael crossed his arms.
"Not exactly the peaceful life I promised you."
Aria looked at him.
"You didn't promise peace."
She paused.
"You promised answers."
Kael didn't respond immediately.
Instead he glanced toward the broken trees around the clearing.
Her training had already caused more damage than he expected.
And she was still learning.
That made Magnus even more dangerous.
Finally Kael spoke.
"We need to prepare."
Aria frowned.
"For what?"
Before Kael answered, Ikechukwu spoke first.
"For war."
The word hung in the air.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Aria crossed her arms.
"I thought we were already at war."
Ikechukwu chuckled softly.
"Abeg… what we see tonight na small trailer."
Kael nodded slightly.
"He's right."
Aria looked confused.
"Trailer?"
Kael gestured toward the forest.
"Magnus hasn't attacked with his full strength yet."
Aria felt her stomach tighten.
"Why not?"
Kael's eyes darkened.
"Because he's studying us."
The realization made Aria uneasy.
"He's been watching every move."
Ikechukwu tapped his staff lightly.
"That man patient well well."
Aria groaned.
"Fantastic."
Suddenly—
One of the scouts ran into the clearing again.
"Alpha!"
Kael turned instantly.
"What is it?"
The scout stopped, breathing heavily.
"Movement near the western ridge."
Kael frowned.
"How many?"
The scout swallowed.
"At least twenty wolves."
The warriors around the clearing immediately stiffened.
Aria's eyes widened.
"Twenty?"
Kael's voice dropped.
"Are they ours?"
The scout shook his head.
"No."
Silence fell.
Everyone knew what that meant.
Magnus.
Aria felt the mark on her wrist pulse again.
Her voice became quiet.
"So the game is over."
Kael nodded once.
"Yes."
He turned to the warriors.
"Prepare the pack."
Several wolves immediately rushed off to alert the rest of the territory.
Aria looked toward the forest.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"This is happening already?"
Ikechukwu chuckled quietly.
"You think say Magnus go wait forever?"
Aria exhaled slowly.
"No."
Kael stepped closer to her.
His voice became firm.
"Stay close to me."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"You're starting to sound very bossy."
Kael smirked slightly.
"I'm the Alpha."
"Fair point."
But before anyone could say anything else—
A deep howl echoed across the forest.
Powerful.
Dominant.
It rolled through the trees like thunder.
Every wolf in the clearing froze instantly.
They all recognized that howl.
Kael's eyes turned cold.
"Magnus."
Far beyond the trees, another howl answered.
Then another.
And another.
Aria felt a chill crawl down her spine.
The forest was filling with wolves.
Kael looked toward the dark horizon.
His wolf was ready now.
The storm had finally arrived.