The clearing fell into stunned silence.
Silver light still radiated from Aria, spreading across the ground like liquid moonlight.
The wolves that had been fighting only seconds earlier now stood frozen.
Even the wind had stopped.
Aria stared at her glowing arm, breathing hard.
"What… did I just do?"
Across the clearing, Magnus slowly brushed dust from his coat.
Instead of anger, his expression held fascination.
"Exactly what I expected."
Near her feet, Alpha Kael pushed himself up from the ground.
His silver wolf form shifted back into human form as he stood, his chest rising heavily.
"Aria…"
His voice carried both shock and concern.
"You need to calm down."
Aria looked at him.
"I didn't mean to do that!"
Behind them, Alpha Lucien stepped forward cautiously.
His warriors slowly regrouped behind him.
Lucien studied the glowing light around Aria.
"So the legends are true."
Aria frowned.
"I really wish people would stop saying that."
Magnus laughed quietly.
"Oh no."
He took another slow step forward.
"This is just the beginning."
Aria's wrist pulsed again.
The light dimmed slightly but the power still hummed beneath her skin.
Behind her, Ikechukwu tapped his staff once.
Tok.
He looked impressed.
"My sister…"
Aria turned to him.
"Yes?"
He grinned.
"That one na serious power."
Aria groaned.
"I feel like a battery that's about to explode."
Daniel, the human hunter, stepped closer with his rifle still raised.
He kept his eyes on Magnus.
"He's not here just to fight."
Kael's gaze hardened.
"We know."
Magnus stopped a few meters away from Aria.
The moonlight reflected in his red eyes.
"You're stronger than I thought."
Aria crossed her arms.
"That's not a compliment coming from you."
Magnus tilted his head slightly.
"You misunderstand me."
His voice dropped to something quieter.
"I've been waiting for this moment."
Lucien's voice cut in sharply.
"You're not taking her."
Magnus glanced at him briefly.
"You still think this is about possession."
Aria pointed at him immediately.
"You literally said you wanted to own my power."
Magnus chuckled softly.
"Because that's the only way the bond works."
The word echoed uncomfortably again.
Bond.
Kael stepped closer to Aria protectively.
"There will be no bond."
Magnus smiled again.
"That's not your decision."
Aria rolled her eyes.
"Everyone keeps talking about this mysterious bond."
She held up her glowing wrist.
"Does anyone actually know what it does?"
For a moment, no one answered.
Then Ikechukwu spoke quietly.
"Old story talk say…"
He paused slightly.
"…Moon Vessel and the one chosen by darkness fit share power."
Aria blinked.
"That sounds bad."
Magnus continued the explanation calmly.
"When the bond forms…"
His gaze locked onto her glowing mark.
"…our powers merge."
Aria stared at him.
"No."
Magnus smiled.
"Yes."
Kael growled.
"That will never happen."
Magnus's eyes flickered toward him briefly.
"You may not get a choice."
The crescent mark on Aria's wrist suddenly pulsed again.
But this time—
Magnus's red eyes glowed brighter too.
Aria felt something strange.
A faint pull.
Like invisible threads connecting them.
Her breath caught.
"What… is that?"
Magnus noticed her reaction immediately.
His smile widened.
"You feel it now."
Aria's voice dropped to a whisper.
"That's not possible."
Magnus stepped one step closer.
The invisible pull grew stronger.
"It's already starting."
Kael moved instantly, stepping between them again.
But Magnus didn't try to attack.
Instead, he looked almost pleased.
"The moon has begun the process."
Aria shook her head.
"No."
Magnus's voice became softer.
"You can deny it."
His red eyes burned in the moonlight.
"But fate rarely asks permission."
The forest suddenly trembled with distant howls.
More wolves.
Far away.
But many.
Lucien looked toward the dark forest.
"We don't have time for this."
Daniel nodded.
"More packs are coming."
Aria looked around at everyone.
Her glowing wrist pulsed again.
Magnus spoke calmly.
"The world is waking up."
Aria sighed deeply.
"Of course it is."
Magnus took a final step backward toward the shadows.
"We'll meet again soon."
Kael's voice turned deadly.
"Next time you won't leave."
Magnus smiled one last time.
"Oh…"
His red eyes flashed toward Aria again.
"I'm counting on it."
Then he disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
The clearing fell silent again.
Aria stared at her glowing wrist.
Then she muttered quietly.
"I really hate that guy."