Morning arrived slowly over the forest.
Soft golden light filtered through the tall trees, revealing the damage left behind from the battle. Broken branches, deep claw marks, and disturbed earth reminded everyone that the fight with Magnus had been very real.
Near a small stream, Aria sat on a smooth rock, staring at her wrist.
The crescent mark was quiet now.
But she could still feel the strange energy beneath her skin.
She sighed.
"I miss my normal life."
Behind her, footsteps approached.
Alpha Kael stopped beside her.
"You're thinking again."
Aria looked up at him.
"I have a magical mark that explodes, an evil Alpha who thinks he owns me, and apparently the entire wolf world is coming to meet me."
She shrugged.
"So yes… I'm thinking."
Kael almost smiled.
"You handled Magnus well."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"I blasted half the forest."
Kael folded his arms.
"Exactly."
Before Aria could reply, a familiar tok echoed behind them.
Ikechukwu approached slowly, leaning on his wooden staff.
Tok.
Tok.
He looked at Aria's wrist thoughtfully.
"That mark go grow stronger."
Aria groaned.
"Why does everyone keep saying that like it's good news?"
Ikechukwu chuckled.
"Power sweet… but e get wahala."
Aria sighed.
"I'm starting to notice."
Across the camp, Alpha Lucien was speaking with Daniel and several wolves.
After a moment, Lucien walked toward them.
His expression was serious.
"We have a problem."
Aria looked at him.
"Another one?"
Lucien nodded.
"Yes."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"What is it?"
Lucien gestured toward the mountains far in the distance.
"Word has already spread."
Aria blinked.
"That fast?"
Lucien nodded again.
"The wolf world moves quickly when power is involved."
Aria rubbed her forehead.
"Let me guess."
She pointed at herself.
"Everyone wants the Moon Vessel."
Lucien didn't deny it.
"In a way."
Aria sighed.
"What does that mean?"
Lucien's voice became calmer but heavier.
"The Alphas will gather."
Kael frowned.
"For what?"
Lucien answered quietly.
"A council."
Aria blinked.
"A council?"
Lucien nodded.
"Yes."
He looked directly at her glowing wrist.
"When something powerful appears in the wolf world…"
He paused.
"…the leaders decide what happens next."
Aria slowly stood up.
"That sounds very bad for me."
Kael's expression darkened.
"They won't decide her fate."
Lucien looked at him carefully.
"They may try."
Aria pointed at Lucien.
"Let me guess."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"You're going to say Magnus will be there too."
Lucien didn't answer immediately.
Which was already an answer.
Aria groaned loudly.
"Fantastic."
Ikechukwu laughed softly.
"My sister…"
Aria looked at him.
"Yes?"
The old man smiled.
"Your story don big pass village now."
Aria sighed.
"That's exactly what I was afraid of."
Daniel crossed his arms.
"The council could turn into a war."
Kael nodded.
"It probably will."
Lucien looked at Aria again.
"That's why we need to prepare."
Aria stared at all of them.
Then she pointed at the sky.
"So the moon picks me…"
Then she pointed at the forest.
"…Magnus hunts me…"
Then she pointed at Lucien.
"…and now the entire Alpha council wants a meeting."
She shook her head slowly.
"My life officially turned into a disaster movie."
Kael smirked slightly.
"Not a disaster."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Oh really?"
Kael's voice became calm but confident.
"A revolution."
Aria stared at him.
Then she sighed.
"You're enjoying this way too much."