The mountain fortress trembled once more as dust descended from the ceiling, accompanied by another explosion outside the Council walls.
Wolves hurried through the corridors, armed, while alarm horns sounded continuously across the territory. War had commenced.
Kaiden stood beside me in a defensive stance." We do not have time," he stated sharply. "We must relocate Selene immediately."
An Elder immediately stepped forward. "If you depart the Council territory during an Alpha siege, it could trigger an open territorial conflict."
Kaiden's grey eyes became icy. "It has already occurred." No one contested that assertion.
Outside, another overwhelming wave of dominance swept across the mountain, pushing weaker wolves to stumble.
Then, a voice echoed again. "Send out the Luna." Every window in the arena rattled from the force behind these words, and even the creature beneath the arena fell silent.
Lucien muttered a curse. "Magnus is exerting dominance throughout the entire territory." Orion frowned slightly. "Stronger than before."
I looked anxiously toward the damaged entrance. "Who exactly is this individual?" Ragnar responded first. "An Alpha who has never been defeated."That statement provided little comfort.
Suddenly, the Council guards parted near the entrance as heavy footsteps echoed through the ruined hall—deliberate, controlled, confident. Then he appeared: Alpha Magnus.
The room seemed to contract immediately.
He stood taller than all other Alphas present, broad-shouldered and imposing, with dark silver eyes betraying a terrifying calm rather than rage. Scars adorned one side of his face, enhancing his formidable appearance.
Power emanated from him in overwhelming waves, calm, controlled, and absolute. Behind him stood dozens of elite warriors clad in black armour marked with symbols of the northern territories. No one moved, no one breathed.
Magnus surveyed the shattered arena slowly, his gaze settling on me—and remaining there. "So," he remarked softly, "the rumours were accurate."
My mark responded instantly, heat prickling my neck as his eyes narrowed with interest. Kaiden stepped directly between us. Magnus finally directed his attention to him.
"Kaiden."
"Magnus," Kaiden replied.
There was no greeting, no show of respect—only a warning. Magnus casually examined the debris. "You caused quite a scene."
Kaiden's tone hardened. "State your purpose and depart."
A faint smile played on Magnus's lips. "You know why I am here."
His eyes shifted back to me.
"The awakened Luna alters the balance of every territory on this continent."
The way he emphasised the word "Luna" conveyed a different tone—strategic, rather than reverent or fearful.
Lucien subtly edged closer to me. "Be cautious," he warned quietly. "Magnus does not use words lightly unless he seeks something."
Magnus continued calmly: "The Council is weak. The prison beneath this mountain is deteriorating. Every Alpha beyond these walls will seek to claim her, tearing this territory apart in the process."
"Claim," he repeated, a pointed word. I clenched my fists. "I am right here," I retorted. To my surprise, Magnus appeared amused. "Good. Weak wolves do not survive long."
Kaiden's aura darkened immediately. "She does not answer to you," he stated flatly.
Magnus fixed his full attention on Kaiden. "And yet you speak for her constantly."
The tension between them became palpable.
Even Orion straightened slightly. These two represented danger in fundamentally different ways: Kaiden was fire, Magnus was controlled destruction.
One of the Elders nervously stepped forward. "Alpha Magnus, the Council requests diplomacy during this crisis."
Magnus ignored him altogether. Instead, he looked directly at me and said, "If you come with me willingly, I will prevent the other Alpha factions from pursuing you."
A heavy silence fell over the arena. Kaiden's voice grew lethal. "No." Magnus did not acknowledge him. "I can protect you better than any Alpha here," he continued calmly. "Including him."
This statement struck Kaiden precisely as intended. Instantly, the air pressure intensified.
Kaiden's dominance slammed through the arena with enough force to crack nearby stone.
Magnus smiled subtly. "There he is."
Before anyone could react, the creature beneath the arena roared violently. The mountain shook. And deep beneath the fortress, something responded to the roar.