The forest grew quieter the farther they moved from the territory.
Tall trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their branches weaving together above the path like a natural roof. The sunlight barely reached the ground, leaving the forest floor covered in long shadows.
At the front of the group, Alpha Kael walked with steady confidence, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.
Behind him, several pack warriors moved silently in wolf form, spreading out to guard the path.
And somewhere in the middle of the group, Aria tried her best not to trip over tree roots.
"This path is trying to kill me," she muttered.
Walking beside her, Ikechukwu chuckled softly, leaning on his wooden staff as he moved.
"Forest no like careless walker."
Aria glanced at him.
"I'm not careless. I just didn't grow up hiking through wolf territory."
Ikechukwu smiled faintly.
"Today you learn."
Aria sighed.
"Great. Survival lessons."
Ahead of them, Kael suddenly raised his hand.
The entire group stopped immediately.
Aria frowned.
"Why did we stop?"
Ikechukwu's eyes narrowed as he listened to the forest.
"Something dey move."
Aria's stomach tightened.
"Please tell me it's not hunters."
Kael crouched slightly, studying the ground.
Fresh footprints marked the dirt path.
Not wolf tracks.
Boot prints.
His voice dropped.
"Humans."
Aria blinked.
"Wait… humans?"
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
Aria looked confused.
"I thought this forest belonged to wolves."
Ikechukwu tapped his staff lightly.
"Some humans hunt wolves too."
Aria groaned.
"So now we have wolf hunters and human hunters?"
Kael stood slowly.
"These tracks are recent."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Fantastic."
Before anyone could speak again—
A loud snap echoed through the trees.
A branch breaking.
Everyone froze.
The wolves of the pack growled low in warning.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"Someone's watching us."
Aria slowly turned toward the trees.
"Of course they are."
The forest remained still for a moment.
Then a figure stepped out from behind a large oak tree.
A man.
Tall.
Wearing dark clothing and carrying a long hunting rifle across his back.
Aria blinked.
"Well… that's new."
The stranger raised his hands slightly to show he wasn't attacking.
"I'm not here to fight."
Kael's voice remained cold.
"Then why are you here?"
The man studied the group carefully.
Then his eyes stopped on Aria.
Recognition flashed across his face.
"So the rumors were true."
Aria sighed.
"Oh no."
The man pointed slightly toward her glowing wrist.
"The Moon Vessel."
Kael stepped forward instantly, blocking the view.
"You shouldn't say that name out loud."
The stranger smirked faintly.
"Relax."
He lowered his hands.
"I'm not working for Magnus."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"That was going to be my next question."
The man crossed his arms.
"In fact…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…I'm hunting him."
The forest fell silent again.
Aria looked between Kael and Ikechukwu.
"Well."
She shrugged.
"That's unexpected."
Kael's gaze remained suspicious.
"Why would a human hunt Magnus?"
The stranger's expression hardened.
"Because he destroyed my family."
The wind rustled through the trees.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Aria slowly pointed at the rifle on his back.
"So you're telling me…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"…you plan to hunt the most dangerous Alpha wolf in the forest with that?"
The man smirked.
"It's worked before."
Aria folded her arms.
"Okay."
She glanced at Kael.
"Either this guy is incredibly brave…"
Then she looked back at the stranger.
"…or incredibly stupid."
The hunter smiled calmly.
"Maybe both."