The journey to the council took two days.
Two long days of silence, tension, and restless thoughts.
By the time the sun began to set on the third evening, Aria finally saw it.
The Council Grounds.
A massive valley hidden between towering cliffs and ancient trees.
Torches burned around a giant circular stone arena carved directly into the earth. Wolves moved everywhere — warriors, scouts, and pack members from territories across the region.
The air smelled of power.
Of dominance.
Of wolves who ruled entire lands.
Standing beside her, Alpha Kael scanned the area carefully.
"Stay close."
Aria nodded slowly, though her eyes kept wandering across the valley.
"So these are the famous Alphas."
Several powerful figures stood around the stone circle, each surrounded by their pack warriors.
Some watched Kael with respect.
Others with suspicion.
And some…
With clear hostility.
Behind them came the steady sound of wood tapping against the ground.
Tok.
Tok.
Ikechukwu walked calmly beside them.
His eyes studied everything.
"Hmmm."
Aria glanced at him.
"What?"
He shook his head.
"Too many big egos for one place."
Aria almost laughed.
"Fair."
As they walked deeper into the valley, whispers began spreading among the wolves.
"That's her…"
"The Moon Vessel…"
"Look at her wrist…"
Aria instinctively covered the glowing crescent mark with her sleeve.
"This is uncomfortable."
Kael's voice remained calm.
"Ignore them."
But suddenly the crowd shifted.
The murmuring stopped.
Every wolf in the valley turned toward the northern entrance.
Aria felt it immediately.
A cold wave passed through the air.
The same presence she had felt in the forest.
Kael's jaw tightened.
"He's here."
Aria slowly turned.
Walking into the council grounds was Magnus.
Behind him marched dozens of warriors.
His presence alone seemed to silence the entire valley.
Power rolled off him like a storm.
His red eyes scanned the arena.
Then they landed on Aria.
His smile appeared instantly.
"There she is."
Aria felt the crescent mark on her wrist burn again.
Kael stepped slightly in front of her.
"Don't react."
But it was too late.
Magnus had already noticed.
His smile widened.
"Ah."
He walked slowly into the center of the stone arena.
Then he spoke loudly enough for every Alpha to hear.
"So this is the famous council."
Several Alphas frowned.
One older Alpha stepped forward.
"This meeting was called to discuss territory conflicts."
Magnus shrugged casually.
"Of course."
Then he pointed toward Aria.
"But we all know that's not the real reason we're here."
The valley grew tense.
Whispers spread again.
The Moon Vessel.
Magnus' voice echoed through the arena.
"The moon has chosen its vessel."
His red eyes locked onto Aria.
"But power like that changes the balance of every pack in existence."
Several Alphas began murmuring angrily.
One shouted.
"She belongs to no pack!"
Another growled.
"Power like that is dangerous!"
Aria clenched her fists.
"This is turning into a trial."
Beside her, Ikechukwu muttered quietly.
"Council meeting wey go turn fight."
Then Magnus spoke again.
"Exactly."
The entire arena went silent.
Magnus slowly raised one hand.
"Which is why we should settle this now."
Kael's voice became deadly calm.
"Settle what?"
Magnus smiled.
"The right to control the Moon Vessel."
The valley erupted into chaos.
Alphas shouting.
Warriors growling.
Aria felt her chest tighten.
"You've got to be kidding me."
But Magnus' red eyes never left her.
His voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"Let the strongest Alpha claim her."
Kael stepped forward immediately.
"Over my dead body."
Magnus smirked.
"That can be arranged."
The crescent mark on Aria's wrist suddenly flared with blinding silver light.
Everyone froze.
Even the arguing Alphas stopped.
Because the moon power had never reacted this strongly before.
Aria gasped.
The energy pulsed like a heartbeat.
Stronger.
Brighter.
Alive.
Ikechukwu whispered quietly beside her.
"My sister…"
Aria looked at him.
"Yes?"
The old man's eyes were serious.
"The moon no just wake up."
Aria swallowed.
"What do you mean?"
Ikechukwu looked at Magnus.
Then back at her glowing wrist.
"Something big dey happen tonight."