Morning came slowly to the pack territory.
A thin layer of mist drifted between the trees, and the early sunlight filtered through the branches like soft gold.
But the calm morning did nothing to ease the tension in the air.
The events of the night before still lingered in everyone's mind.
At the edge of the training field, Aria sat on a large rock, staring down at her wrist.
The crescent mark had finally stopped glowing.
But she could still feel the power inside it.
Like a quiet storm waiting to explode.
She sighed.
"Why couldn't the moon pick someone normal?"
From across the field, a voice answered.
"Because normal people don't survive what's coming."
She looked up to see Alpha Kael walking toward her.
He had already been training with several warriors earlier that morning.
Sweat still clung to his dark hair.
Aria smirked slightly.
"Good morning to you too, Mr. Positive."
Kael stopped a few steps away.
"You're up early."
Aria shrugged.
"Hard to sleep when your wrist decides to become a flashlight."
Kael sat on a nearby log.
His silver eyes moved to the crescent mark.
"Does it still hurt?"
Aria shook her head.
"No."
She paused.
"It just feels… stronger."
Kael nodded slowly.
"That's what Ikechukwu predicted."
Right on cue, a familiar voice called out from behind them.
"Person wey dem mention don show."
Both of them turned as Ikechukwu walked into the clearing, leaning on his wooden staff.
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"You always appear exactly when people talk about you."
Ikechukwu grinned.
"Na special skill."
He walked closer and studied her wrist carefully.
"Hmmm."
Aria looked nervous.
"That 'hmmm' doesn't sound encouraging."
Ikechukwu scratched his beard.
"The power dey grow."
Kael crossed his arms.
"How fast?"
Ikechukwu looked toward the sky.
"Faster than expected."
Aria groaned.
"That's not good, is it?"
Ikechukwu shrugged.
"Depends."
"Depends on what?"
"Who control am."
Aria leaned back on the rock.
"Let me guess."
She pointed toward the forest.
"If Magnus controls it, we're doomed."
Kael answered calmly.
"Yes."
Aria sighed.
"No pressure then."
The three of them sat quietly for a moment.
Then Kael spoke again.
"I've increased the patrols."
Aria nodded.
"I noticed."
"Magnus won't stay quiet for long."
Ikechukwu chuckled softly.
"That man no get patience."
Aria looked at him.
"You keep saying that, but he seemed very patient last night."
Ikechukwu shook his head.
"No."
He tapped his staff lightly on the ground.
"That one na hunter patience."
Kael frowned slightly.
"What's the difference?"
Ikechukwu's eyes darkened.
"Hunter no rush prey."
He looked toward the forest.
"He go wait until the prey weak."
Aria's stomach tightened.
"That's comforting."
Kael stood up.
"He won't get that chance."
Aria smirked.
"You sound confident."
Kael's voice was calm.
"I have to be."
Suddenly—
A wolf howled in the distance.
Not an alarm.
But a signal.
Kael turned instantly toward the forest.
"What is it?"
Moments later, one of the scouts ran into the clearing.
He looked out of breath.
"Alpha!"
Kael stepped forward.
"Report."
The scout swallowed.
"We found something near the northern border."
Kael frowned.
"What kind of something?"
The scout hesitated.
"A message."
Aria stood up from the rock.
"Let me guess."
She crossed her arms.
"Magnus again."
The scout nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Kael's expression hardened.
"Show me."
The group moved quickly through the forest.
The northern border wasn't far.
But the moment they arrived, Aria felt a chill crawl down her spine.
A large tree stood in the center of the clearing.
And carved into its bark was the same symbol they had seen before.
A red crescent.
But this time…
There were more markings beneath it.
Words.
Aria stepped closer to read them.
Her heart dropped.
The moon grows stronger.
So does the chain that will bind it.
Kael clenched his jaw.
"He's taunting us."
Ikechukwu studied the carving carefully.
"That man like drama."
Aria pointed at the message.
"What does 'chain' mean?"
Before anyone could answer—
A low voice spoke from the forest behind them.
"It means control."
Everyone spun around instantly.
Standing calmly between the trees was Magnus.
His red eyes gleamed in the shadows.
And this time…
He wasn't smiling.