The night finally arrived.
Above the forest, the full moon hung in the sky like a glowing silver crown. Its light poured across the trees, the mountains, and the pack territory, turning everything pale and unreal.
Standing in the center of the clearing, Aria stared up at it.
Her chest rose and fell slowly.
The crescent mark on her wrist was no longer faint.
It was glowing.
Bright silver light pulsed beneath her skin, spreading warmth through her arm like a living heartbeat.
She swallowed.
"Okay… that definitely feels different."
Around her, the warriors of the pack stood ready.
Some in wolf form.
Some in human form.
Every eye was focused on the dark forest surrounding them.
Because they all knew someone was coming.
A few steps away, Alpha Kael stood beside her, his arms crossed, his sharp silver eyes scanning the shadows between the trees.
His wolf was restless tonight.
Aria glanced at him.
"You've been quiet for ten minutes."
Kael didn't look away from the forest.
"I'm listening."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
Before he could answer, a wooden tok echoed behind them.
Ikechukwu slowly stepped forward, leaning on his familiar wooden staff.
"The forest no dey quiet tonight."
Aria nodded.
"That's the understatement of the year."
From far away, a long howl rolled across the hills.
Then another answered it.
Then several more.
Aria rubbed her arm.
"The wolves again."
Ikechukwu tilted his head slightly as if listening.
"They dey gather."
Kael finally spoke.
"Not just wolves."
Aria looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
Kael pointed toward the tree line.
"Alphas."
Aria blinked.
"Plural?"
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
A cold feeling settled in her stomach.
"So… a bunch of powerful wolf leaders are just casually visiting tonight."
Ikechukwu chuckled softly.
"Moon gathering."
Aria sighed.
"Fantastic."
Suddenly—
Her wrist flared.
A sharp pulse of silver light shot through her arm.
"Ah—!"
She grabbed her wrist instinctively.
The crescent mark was blazing now.
Brighter than ever before.
The ground beneath her feet trembled slightly.
Kael grabbed her shoulders.
"Aria!"
Her breathing quickened.
"I can feel them."
Kael frowned.
"Who?"
Aria looked toward the forest, her eyes wide.
"The wolves."
Her voice sounded distant.
"Every single one of them."
The howls grew louder.
Closer.
Shapes began appearing between the trees.
Wolves.
Dozens of them.
Then more.
Their glowing eyes reflected the moonlight as they slowly surrounded the clearing.
The pack warriors stiffened.
Kael stepped forward protectively.
But the wolves didn't attack.
They simply watched.
Aria whispered.
"They're not here to fight."
Ikechukwu nodded slowly.
"They answer the moon."
The silver light from Aria's wrist spread further up her arm now, forming faint glowing patterns along her skin.
The power was waking.
And the entire forest could feel it.
Then suddenly—
A slow clap echoed through the clearing.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Every wolf went silent instantly.
From the darkness between the trees, a tall figure stepped into the moonlight.
Dark coat.
Sharp smile.
Eyes glowing deep red.
Magnus had arrived.
His gaze immediately locked onto Aria's glowing wrist.
For a moment, he simply admired it.
Then he smiled.
"Magnificent."
Kael stepped forward, blocking Aria slightly.
"You shouldn't have come here."
Magnus barely looked at him.
His eyes never left Aria.
"The moon chose well."
Aria crossed her arms, trying to hide the way her wrist still burned.
"You say that like you were involved in the decision."
Magnus finally laughed softly.
"Oh, little Moon Vessel…"
He gestured toward the wolves surrounding the clearing.
"Do you see what you've done tonight?"
Aria looked around.
Hundreds of wolves were watching her.
Waiting.
Listening.
Magnus stepped closer.
"The forest itself answers to your power now."
Aria frowned.
"That sounds like a lot of responsibility."
Magnus's smile darkened.
"It also makes you the most valuable creature alive."
Kael's voice dropped dangerously.
"Take another step and you'll regret it."
Magnus stopped.
Then he slowly raised his eyes to the full moon above them.
"It's time."
The moment he said that—
Aria's crescent mark exploded with silver light.
Energy surged through her entire body.
Her eyes widened.
The wolves around the clearing suddenly howled together.
A deafening chorus under the glowing moon.
Aria gasped as power flooded through her veins.
Something ancient.
Something powerful.
Something she couldn't control.
Magnus watched her with quiet satisfaction.
And in a soft whisper only she could hear, he said:
"The moon chose you…"
His red eyes burned with dark certainty.
"…but tonight, you finally understand why you belong to me."