The clearing was filled with the scent of blood and torn earth.
Broken branches littered the ground, and several wolves from both sides lay injured. The battle had ended as quickly as it started, but the tension remained thick in the air.
At the center of the battlefield stood Aria.
Silver energy still flickered faintly around her hand.
Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady her breathing.
Across the clearing, Magnus watched her with clear interest.
Not anger.
Not frustration.
Interest.
That made the situation even more disturbing.
Several steps ahead of Aria, Alpha Kael stood between them like a wall.
His shoulders were tense, and his silver eyes burned with restrained fury.
"You've seen enough," Kael said coldly.
Magnus folded his hands behind his back.
"I disagree."
His gaze never left Aria.
"I've waited years for this moment."
Aria frowned.
"You talk like I'm some kind of project."
Magnus smiled slightly.
"You're far more important than a project."
Kael's patience snapped.
"You're done talking."
His wolf surged forward inside him, ready to attack.
But Magnus raised one hand calmly.
The wolves behind him instantly tensed.
Ready.
Waiting.
The message was clear.
If Kael attacked, the fight would start again.
And this time it would be worse.
The silence stretched for several seconds.
Finally, Magnus lowered his hand.
"No need for another fight tonight."
Kael didn't relax.
"Then leave."
Magnus tilted his head slightly, studying him.
"You're brave, Alpha."
His red eyes glinted.
"Protecting something you barely understand."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
Her voice carried frustration.
"Why don't you explain it then?"
Magnus looked amused.
"You truly don't know?"
Aria glared.
"If I did, I wouldn't ask."
Magnus took a slow step forward.
Kael immediately moved to block him again.
Magnus stopped, clearly entertained.
"Relax."
He gestured toward Aria's glowing wrist.
"That mark is not just power."
Aria looked down at the crescent symbol.
It pulsed faintly with silver light.
"It's a responsibility," Magnus continued.
"A connection to something far older than this pack."
Aria lifted her head.
"The moon?"
Magnus chuckled softly.
"The moon is only the beginning."
Before he could say more, a wooden staff tapped the ground nearby.
All eyes turned toward Ikechukwu.
The old man stepped forward slowly.
His expression had lost its usual humor.
"Magnus."
Magnus greeted him with a slight nod.
"Traveler."
Ikechukwu leaned lightly on his staff.
"You don talk too much tonight."
Magnus's smile returned.
"Not nearly enough."
Ikechukwu looked toward Aria's glowing wrist.
Then he sighed softly.
"The girl never ready hear all that yet."
Aria blinked.
"Wait… you know what he's talking about?"
Ikechukwu scratched his beard.
"Small small."
Kael looked irritated.
"Everyone seems to know something except us."
Magnus laughed quietly.
"That's because knowledge is dangerous."
His red eyes returned to Aria.
"But you'll learn soon enough."
Suddenly the wind shifted through the clearing.
The clouds above moved slightly, revealing more moonlight.
The crescent mark on Aria's wrist flared brighter.
Magnus noticed immediately.
His expression sharpened.
"There it is."
Aria's stomach tightened.
"What?"
Magnus pointed slightly toward her wrist.
"The reaction."
Aria looked confused.
"Reaction to what?"
Magnus's voice dropped to a whisper.
"To me."
The realization hit her instantly.
"You're saying my power reacts to you?"
Magnus nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Kael stepped forward aggressively.
"You're lying."
Magnus didn't even look at him.
"No."
His voice remained calm.
"I'm the reason that power will reach its full potential."
Aria felt a chill run down her spine.
"That doesn't make any sense."
Magnus smiled again.
"Not yet."
He slowly stepped backward toward the forest.
His wolves began moving with him.
Preparing to leave.
But before disappearing into the shadows, he looked at Aria one last time.
"Enjoy your time with the Alpha."
His voice echoed softly.
"Because eventually…"
His red eyes glowed in the darkness.
"…you will come to me."
Aria's jaw tightened.
"Not happening."
Magnus's smile widened.
"We'll see."
Then he vanished into the forest again.
The remaining wolves followed him silently.
Within moments, the forest returned to its quiet state.
Only the sound of the wind remained.
Aria exhaled slowly.
"Okay."
She looked around the damaged clearing.
"Someone please explain why that psycho thinks I belong to him."
No one answered immediately.
Finally, Ikechukwu tapped his staff once.
His voice became unusually serious.
"Because the prophecy no finish."
Aria turned toward him.
"What prophecy?"
The old man sighed.
"The one wey say…"
He looked directly at her glowing wrist.
"…the Moon Vessel go change the balance of the world."
Kael frowned.
"And Magnus thinks he can control that?"
Ikechukwu shook his head slowly.
"No."
His eyes darkened.
"He no think."
He spoke quietly.
"He sure."