The fire in the center of the clearing burned brighter as the night grew deeper.
Most of Kael's warriors had returned from the forest, and the captured wolves were now locked inside a reinforced holding room beneath the compound.
But no one was celebrating.
The news about the Silver Ridge Pack still hung heavily in the air.
Ava stood near the stone wall surrounding the Blackwood compound, staring out into the forest.
Somewhere out there, more wolves were suffering because of her.
Because of the power she carried.
Footsteps approached quietly behind her.
"You're thinking too much again."
Ava didn't need to turn around to know it was Kael.
"That's becoming a bad habit tonight."
Kael leaned beside her against the wall.
The moonlight reflected softly across the courtyard.
"You're blaming yourself," he said.
"I should."
"You shouldn't."
Ava sighed.
"If I wasn't the Moon Queen, none of this would be happening."
Kael looked at her carefully.
"If you weren't the Moon Queen, the council would still be controlling everyone."
She frowned slightly.
"That's not much comfort."
Kael shrugged.
"I'm not very good at comforting people."
"That might be the most honest thing you've said today."
He smirked slightly.
For a moment, the tension between them softened.
But the moment didn't last long.
Ronan suddenly walked into the courtyard with two scouts behind him.
His expression was serious.
"Alpha."
Kael straightened.
"What is it?"
"We just received more reports."
Ava's stomach tightened.
"More attacks?"
Ronan nodded.
"Three more packs."
Kael cursed quietly.
"Which ones?"
"The Red Valley Pack… the Mooncrest Pack… and the Iron Fang Pack."
Ava felt her chest grow heavy.
"That's four packs in one night."
"They're moving fast," Damon's voice said from the shadows.
Everyone turned.
Damon stepped into the courtyard slowly.
His expression looked darker than usual.
"They want panic to spread."
Ronan crossed his arms.
"Congratulations. It's working."
Ava shook her head.
"No."
Everyone looked at her.
"No?"
"They want fear," she said.
"But fear goes both ways."
Kael studied her carefully.
"You're still thinking about uniting the packs."
"Yes."
Damon frowned.
"That's dangerous."
"So is sitting here while they destroy everyone."
Kael turned to Ronan.
"How many messengers can we send tonight?"
Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"You're serious?"
"Very."
Ronan looked at Ava again.
"You're starting a war."
Ava met his gaze.
"No."
She paused.
"I'm ending one."
Silence fell across the courtyard.
Finally Ronan sighed.
"Alright."
He turned toward the scouts.
"Wake up the riders."
Within minutes, warriors began rushing across the compound.
Horses were prepared.
Messages were written quickly.
Each letter carried the same message.
The Moon Queen had awakened.
And she was calling the packs to unite.
Ava watched the riders preparing to leave.
Her heart pounded with nervous energy.
"What if they don't come?" she asked quietly.
Kael stepped beside her again.
"They will."
"How can you be sure?"
Kael looked out toward the dark forest.
"Because the council has ruled through fear for too long."
"And you think the packs are ready to fight back?"
Kael nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Damon remained silent for a moment.
Then he said quietly,
"Not all of them."
Ava looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Some packs support the council."
Ronan laughed dryly.
"Of course they do."
Damon continued.
"They'll come after you too."
Ava shrugged slightly.
"I figured that part out already."
Kael looked toward the riders as they began leaving the compound.
One by one, they disappeared into the forest.
Carrying the Moon Queen's message.
Ava exhaled slowly.
"Well…"
"It's official now."
Ronan nodded.
"No turning back."
Damon looked at her carefully.
"You realize what you've done tonight."
Ava raised an eyebrow.
"I stopped twenty wolves and started a rebellion."
Damon shook his head.
"You did more than that."
"What?"
"You changed the balance of power."
Ava looked toward the sky.
The moon had fully emerged from behind the clouds now.
Bright.
Powerful.
Watching everything.
Her wolf stirred again inside her mind.
They will come.
Ava whispered softly,
"I hope you're right."
Far away, deep within the mountains, the first messenger reached another pack territory.
The guards read the message carefully.
Then their Alpha stepped forward.
His eyes widened when he saw the seal at the bottom of the letter.
The symbol of the Moon Queen.
He looked up at the night sky.
"The Queen has returned," he murmured.
Back in the Blackwood compound, Kael stood beside Ava quietly.
Neither of them noticed the shadow watching from the forest beyond the walls.
A figure hidden in darkness.
Watching the compound carefully.
The figure smiled slightly.
Then disappeared into the trees.
Because the council had already begun preparing their next move.
And this time…
They weren't sending hunters.
They were sending an army. 🌙