The moon rose slowly.
Full.
Bright.
Unforgiving.
By the time its light fully covered the valley, the council arena was already filled.
Torches burned in a perfect circle around the massive stone ground, their flames dancing wildly as if they could feel the tension in the air.
Every Alpha was present.
Every warrior stood alert.
No one wanted to miss what was about to happen.
At the edge of the arena, Aria stepped forward slowly.
Her heart was steady.
But her mind…
Not so much.
"This is it."
Beside her, Alpha Kael walked with her, his presence calm but powerful.
"Remember what I told you."
Aria glanced at him.
"Control first."
Kael nodded.
"No fear. No rushing."
Behind them, the steady rhythm followed.
Tok.
Tok.
Ikechukwu stopped just before the arena.
"My sister."
Aria turned.
"Yes?"
He pointed at her wrist.
"No let am control you."
Aria gave a small smile.
"I won't."
Ikechukwu nodded.
"Good."
Then he stepped back.
"You go win."
Aria took a deep breath.
Then she walked into the center of the arena alone.
The moment her foot touched the stone—
Silence fell.
Complete.
Heavy.
One of the elder Alphas stepped forward, raising his hand.
"The Moon Trial begins now."
His voice echoed across the valley.
"The first challenge…"
He paused.
"…is Control."
A low rumble spread across the arena.
The ground beneath Aria's feet glowed faintly.
Silver lines began forming across the stone, spreading outward like veins.
Aria looked down.
"Okay… that's new."
The crescent mark on her wrist suddenly flared.
Bright.
Hot.
Alive.
Kael's voice came from the edge of the arena.
"Focus!"
Aria closed her eyes briefly.
"Right."
The glowing lines on the ground rose into the air like threads of light.
They circled her slowly.
Faster.
Faster.
Until—
They rushed toward her all at once.
Aria gasped.
The energy slammed into her body.
Power exploded inside her veins.
Her eyes snapped open.
Silver light burst from her skin.
The crowd stepped back instinctively.
The energy tried to push outward.
To destroy.
To take control.
Aria clenched her fists.
"No."
Her voice was low.
Steady.
"This time… you listen to me."
The silver light trembled violently around her.
For a moment—
It looked like it would explode.
Then suddenly—
It stopped.
The energy calmed.
The glowing light slowly wrapped around her body like a controlled aura.
The arena went silent again.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"She did it."
Ikechukwu nodded proudly.
"My sister no dey play."
The elder Alpha raised his voice again.
"The first challenge is complete."
Murmurs spread across the crowd.
Impressed.
Surprised.
Uneasy.
But from the other side of the arena…
A slow clap echoed.
Aria didn't need to turn to know who it was.
Still—
She did.
Standing there with that same calm smile was Magnus.
His red eyes burned with interest.
"Impressive."
Aria crossed her arms slightly.
"Thanks."
Magnus tilted his head.
"But that was the easy part."
The air shifted instantly.
The elder Alpha spoke again.
"The second challenge…"
His voice grew heavier.
"…is Strength."
The ground shook slightly.
From the far side of the arena, a large iron gate slowly opened.
A deep growl echoed from within.
Aria frowned.
"Why do I feel like I'm not going to like this?"
The growl grew louder.
Heavier.
More dangerous.
Then—
Something stepped out.
A massive wolf.
Twice the size of any normal werewolf.
Its eyes glowed an unnatural red.
Its body covered in dark, jagged scars.
The entire arena stiffened.
Kael's expression darkened instantly.
"That's not normal."
Ikechukwu narrowed his eyes.
"Something wrong with that one."
The creature stared directly at Aria.
And growled.
Low.
Hungry.
Aria took a slow step back.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
From the edge of the arena, Magnus' voice came calmly.
"Show me your strength, Moon Vessel."
The creature lunged.
Fast.
Too fast.
Aria's eyes widened.
"Okay—!"
The second challenge had begun.