The massive creature burst forward like a living avalanche.
Leaves exploded into the air as the ground shook beneath its weight.
For a moment, Aria froze.
The beast was enormous.
Its black fur shimmered under the moonlight, and the strange red markings across its body pulsed like burning veins. Its glowing eyes were locked on her, full of unnatural hunger.
"Okay…" Aria whispered under her breath.
"That thing is definitely not normal."
Beside her, Alpha Kael stepped forward instantly.
His wolf surged to the surface.
Bones cracked as his body shifted, muscles expanding, fur spreading across his skin. Within seconds, the Alpha wolf stood between Aria and the charging monster.
The beast roared.
The sound tore through the forest like thunder.
It leaped.
Kael moved just as fast.
The two wolves collided in the center of the clearing with a violent crash.
The impact shook the ground.
Claws scraped against each other, teeth snapped, and both wolves rolled across the dirt before separating again.
Aria's eyes widened.
"Okay… that's terrifying."
The beast rose first.
It was bigger.
Stronger.
And its red eyes burned with something unnatural.
Kael circled it slowly, his silver eyes glowing with controlled fury.
The creature lunged again.
Kael dodged and slashed across its shoulder with his claws.
The attack should have drawn blood.
But the beast barely reacted.
Aria stared in disbelief.
"Did it just ignore that?"
Behind her, Ikechukwu leaned slightly on his wooden staff.
"That one no be ordinary wolf."
Aria glanced back.
"You think?"
The beast slammed its massive paw into Kael's side, sending him sliding several meters across the clearing.
Aria gasped.
"Kael!"
Kael quickly regained his footing, but even he looked surprised by the creature's strength.
The beast growled again, its glowing eyes still fixed on Aria.
Then Ikechukwu spoke quietly.
"That thing no come here for Alpha."
Aria slowly turned back toward the monster.
"Don't tell me…"
The beast lowered its head again.
Its focus was completely clear.
It wanted her.
Aria sighed.
"Of course it does."
The creature suddenly charged again.
This time it moved faster.
Too fast.
Kael jumped in front of Aria again, blocking the attack.
But the impact forced him backward.
The beast was overpowering him.
Aria felt her heart race.
Her wrist began burning again.
The crescent mark flared with silver light.
She looked down.
"Oh no…"
The energy surged through her arm again like lightning.
She could feel it now.
The moon's power.
Wild.
Uncontrolled.
The beast noticed the glow immediately.
Its red eyes widened slightly.
Then it growled even louder.
Aria stepped forward.
"Okay… you want the Moon Vessel?"
The silver light spread across her arm again.
Her voice hardened.
"Come and get it."
The beast leaped.
But this time—
Aria raised her hand.
A burst of silver energy exploded outward.
Moonlight crashed into the monster like a wave.
The beast was thrown backward several meters, smashing into the trunk of a large tree.
The impact split the bark.
Aria blinked.
"…Did I just do that?"
The beast struggled to stand again.
Its red markings flickered violently now.
But something had changed.
For the first time, the creature hesitated.
It looked at Aria with something almost like confusion.
Behind her, Ikechukwu chuckled quietly.
"The power dey wake properly now."
Aria looked at him.
"I wish it would wake with instructions."
The beast growled again and prepared to attack once more.
But suddenly—
A deep voice echoed from the darkness beyond the trees.
"Enough."
The beast froze instantly.
Every wolf in the clearing felt the command.
From the shadows stepped Magnus.
His red eyes studied the battlefield calmly.
His gaze moved from the injured trees…
To the massive war beast…
Then finally to Aria.
His expression showed clear satisfaction.
"Well done."
Aria glared at him.
"You sent that monster after me."
Magnus shrugged slightly.
"Consider it another test."
Kael shifted back into human form, anger burning in his silver eyes.
"You're pushing your luck."
Magnus ignored him.
His attention stayed on Aria's glowing wrist.
"The power grows faster than I expected."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Stop saying things like that like you're proud of me."
Magnus's smile returned.
"I am."
That answer made Aria even more uncomfortable.
She pointed at the war beast.
"That thing almost killed us."
Magnus glanced at the creature.
"No."
He looked back at her.
"It was never meant to kill you."
Aria frowned.
"Then what was the point?"
Magnus's voice became calm again.
"To wake your instincts."
He turned slightly, preparing to leave.
But before disappearing back into the forest, he said one more thing.
"The moon will be full tomorrow night."
His red eyes gleamed.
"And when that happens…"
His gaze returned to Aria one last time.
"…your real power will finally awaken."
The wind moved through the trees again.
Magnus vanished into the darkness.
The war beast followed him without another sound.
Silence returned to the clearing.
Aria slowly exhaled.
"Well…"
She looked at Kael and Ikechukwu.
"That man seriously needs a hobby."