The forest had never felt this restless before.
After discovering the red crescent mark, Alpha Kael ordered the warriors to return to the pack grounds immediately. No one argued. Even the strongest wolves understood what the symbol meant.
Danger had crossed their borders.
Aria walked quietly beside Kael as they returned. The moon above them seemed brighter than usual, its pale light spilling through the trees like silver water.
But instead of comfort, the light made her uneasy.
Her wrist still burned.
The crescent mark glowed faintly beneath her skin.
Behind them, Ikechukwu walked calmly, though his eyes were alert. Every few steps he paused slightly, listening to the wind.
Finally he spoke.
"Oga Alpha."
Kael glanced at him.
"What is it?"
Ikechukwu inhaled slowly, his dark eyes scanning the forest.
"The air has changed."
Kael stopped walking.
The warriors stopped with him.
Aria looked confused. "Changed how?"
Ikechukwu pointed toward the northern trees.
"In my village back home, elders say when a hunter enters the forest, even the wind becomes careful."
He lowered his voice.
"And right now… the wind is afraid."
A cold chill moved through the group.
Kael turned to his warriors.
"Spread out. Quietly."
The wolves moved like shadows, disappearing between the trees.
Aria's heart began beating faster.
"You think Magnus is already here?" she asked.
Kael shook his head.
"No."
His silver eyes hardened.
"But his hunters are."
The moment the words left his mouth—
A scream echoed through the forest.
One of the warriors.
Kael moved instantly.
"Stay behind me."
But Aria was already running after him.
Branches snapped under their feet as they rushed toward the sound. Within seconds they reached a small clearing.
And what they saw made Aria freeze.
One of the pack warriors was on the ground.
Unconscious.
His shoulder was bleeding heavily.
Standing across the clearing was a man.
Tall.
Broad.
Completely still.
He wore dark armor made of wolf hide, and a red crescent symbol was carved into the metal across his chest.
Aria immediately recognized it.
The same mark.
The hunter slowly lifted his head.
His eyes glowed a dull red.
"Well…" he said calmly.
"So the rumors are true."
Kael stepped forward, his voice like steel.
"You've crossed into my territory."
The hunter smiled.
"I know."
His gaze shifted slowly toward Aria.
The moment his eyes landed on her glowing wrist—
His smile widened.
"Magnus was right."
Aria felt her stomach twist.
Kael moved slightly in front of her.
"Your business is with me."
The hunter laughed quietly.
"Oh, Alpha Kael…"
His voice was almost amused.
"You misunderstand."
His red eyes locked onto Aria again.
"I didn't come for you."
The forest wind suddenly grew stronger.
Leaves swirled around the clearing.
Aria's wrist burned again.
Hotter than before.
The hunter tilted his head.
"So that's the Moon Vessel."
Aria took a step back instinctively.
Kael's voice dropped dangerously low.
"You will not say those words again."
The hunter simply shrugged.
"I have no interest in fighting you tonight."
Then he pointed at Aria.
"I only came to confirm something."
Aria felt her breath catch.
"Confirm what?"
The hunter smiled coldly.
"That the moon truly chose you."
The mark on Aria's wrist suddenly flared with bright silver light.
The hunter's expression changed instantly.
Excitement.
"Ah… there it is."
Before anyone could react—
He pulled a curved blade from his belt and slashed his own palm.
Blood dripped onto the ground.
Then he spoke loudly into the wind.
"Alpha Magnus!"
His voice echoed through the forest.
"The vessel is real!"
Kael's eyes widened.
"Stop him!"
Kael lunged forward like lightning.
But the hunter moved faster than any normal human.
He jumped backward into the trees, landing easily on a high branch.
Then another.
Then another.
Within seconds he was already disappearing into the forest.
But his voice echoed back one final time.
"The hunt has begun!"
Silence fell over the clearing again.
Kael stood frozen, fury burning in his silver eyes.
Aria felt her heart pounding.
"He wasn't even trying to fight…" she whispered.
Ikechukwu stepped beside her.
"No."
His voice was calm, but serious.
"He was only scouting."
Aria swallowed.
"Scouting for what?"
Ikechukwu looked up at the moon again.
"For war."
Kael turned toward his warriors.
His voice was cold and commanding.
"Prepare the pack."
The wind howled through the forest again.
Because somewhere in the darkness—
The hunters were already coming.