The howl echoed through the forest again.
Low.
Deep.
Powerful enough to make the air vibrate.
The clearing went silent immediately.
Standing in the middle of the training ground, Aria gripped her wrist tightly as the crescent mark burned like fire.
Silver light flickered under her skin.
"It's him…"
Across from her, Alpha Kael had already turned toward the forest.
Every muscle in his body was tense.
"I know."
The trees surrounding the clearing swayed slowly, though there was barely any wind.
Something was watching.
Something powerful.
Behind them, the slow tok of wood touched the ground.
Tok.
Tok.
Ikechukwu stepped forward carefully.
His usual relaxed expression had disappeared.
"This one no be normal presence."
Aria swallowed.
Her chest felt tight.
The moon mark on her wrist was reacting more violently now.
Like it was warning her.
Or answering something.
"I can feel him…"
Kael glanced at her.
"Where?"
Aria slowly turned her head toward the darker part of the forest.
"There."
Kael's silver eyes followed her gaze.
The shadows between the trees looked deeper than usual.
Too still.
Too quiet.
Even the birds had stopped making noise.
Then—
A voice drifted from the darkness.
Calm.
Cold.
"You've improved."
Aria's breath caught instantly.
That voice.
She had heard it before.
Stepping slowly out of the shadows came a tall figure in a long dark coat.
Red eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
Magnus.
He walked into the clearing like he owned the forest itself.
His gaze went straight to Aria's glowing wrist.
His smile widened.
"The moon power is waking up beautifully."
Kael stepped in front of Aria immediately.
"You shouldn't be here."
Magnus tilted his head slightly.
"And miss the progress of my future weapon?"
Kael's eyes turned deadly.
"She's not your weapon."
Magnus chuckled softly.
"You still don't understand, Alpha."
His red eyes shifted back to Aria.
"The moon chose her."
His voice lowered.
"But power like that…"
He slowly stepped closer.
"…always belongs to someone."
Aria felt anger rise in her chest.
"Let me guess."
She crossed her arms.
"You?"
Magnus stopped walking.
Then he laughed quietly.
"I like her spirit."
Behind her, Ikechukwu tapped his staff once.
Tok.
"Guy."
Magnus glanced at him.
"Yes?"
Ikechukwu smiled calmly.
"You dey talk too much."
Aria almost laughed.
Magnus studied the old man carefully.
"Interesting."
His red eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're not a wolf."
Ikechukwu shrugged.
"Correct."
Magnus tilted his head.
"Then what are you?"
Ikechukwu rested both hands on his staff.
"Person wey no dey fear you."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Magnus stared at him for several seconds.
Then he smiled again.
"I see."
But his attention returned to Aria.
The moon mark on her wrist glowed brighter under his gaze.
"You feel it, don't you?"
Aria frowned.
"Feel what?"
Magnus' voice dropped into a whisper.
"The bond forming."
Her stomach tightened.
"What bond?"
Magnus' smile became darker.
"The one the moon is creating between us."
Kael growled.
"That's impossible."
Magnus looked at him calmly.
"Is it?"
Then he looked at Aria again.
"You should ask your mark."
The crescent symbol suddenly pulsed painfully.
Aria gasped.
Kael grabbed her arm.
"Aria!"
She clenched her teeth.
"It's burning again…"
Magnus watched calmly.
"Because it recognizes me."
Kael's eyes flashed with fury.
"You're lying."
Magnus simply smiled.
"Am I?"
Then slowly…
He stepped back toward the shadows of the forest again.
"This was only a visit."
Aria forced herself to speak.
"Why show yourself?"
Magnus paused.
His red eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"Because soon…"
His voice echoed quietly through the trees.
"…all the Alphas will gather."
The Alpha council.
Kael's expression hardened.
Magnus' gaze remained on Aria.
"And when that happens…"
His smile returned.
"…the moon will finally choose who truly owns its power."
Then he vanished into the shadows.
The forest became silent again.
Aria stood frozen.
Her wrist still glowing faintly.
Kael spoke quietly beside her.
"This just got worse."
Ikechukwu nodded slowly.
"My sister…"
Aria looked at him.
"Yes?"
The old man sighed.
"That man no come for play."
Aria stared into the dark forest where Magnus had disappeared.
Her chest felt heavy.
Because deep down…
She had a terrible feeling.
Magnus might not be lying.