The forest did not sleep that night.
After Magnus disappeared into the shadows, the clearing remained tense. The wolves that had gathered earlier slowly faded back into the trees, but their presence could still be felt.
Watching.
Waiting.
Listening.
Standing near the center of the clearing, Aria exhaled slowly and rubbed the crescent mark on her wrist.
The glow had faded, but the warmth remained.
"That man really knows how to ruin a peaceful night."
Beside her, Alpha Kael remained silent, staring toward the dark forest where Magnus had vanished.
His jaw was tight.
Aria glanced at him.
"You've been doing that for ten minutes."
Kael finally looked at her.
"He's serious."
Aria sighed.
"I noticed."
She gestured vaguely toward the trees.
"So now every wolf in the forest is hunting me."
Kael's voice was calm but firm.
"They won't get close."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"You sound very confident."
Before Kael could answer, the familiar sound of wood striking the ground echoed softly.
Tok.
Tok.
Tok.
Ikechukwu stepped closer, his staff resting lightly in his hand.
"Confidence good."
Aria looked at him.
"That didn't sound reassuring."
Ikechukwu smiled faintly.
"But preparation better."
Kael crossed his arms.
"What do you suggest?"
The old man's eyes shifted toward Aria's wrist.
"The Moon Vessel no fit stay one place again."
Aria blinked.
"Wait."
She pointed at herself.
"You're saying I need to leave?"
Ikechukwu nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Kael frowned immediately.
"No."
Aria looked between them.
"Can someone explain before I panic?"
Ikechukwu tapped his staff gently.
"Magnus start something dangerous."
Aria sighed.
"The hunt."
"Yes."
Kael's voice was sharp.
"She's safer here."
Ikechukwu shook his head.
"Not if the whole wolf world come find her."
The clearing fell quiet.
Aria's stomach tightened.
"How many wolves are we talking about?"
Ikechukwu scratched his beard thoughtfully.
"Hundreds."
Aria stared at him.
"Fantastic."
Kael looked irritated.
"We can defend the territory."
Ikechukwu met his gaze calmly.
"Against one army maybe."
He tapped the ground once.
"But not many Alphas."
Aria slowly processed the information.
"So… multiple Alpha wolves might show up here."
Kael didn't answer.
That silence told her everything.
She sighed again.
"My life was so much simpler before the moon decided to choose me."
The crescent mark on her wrist flickered faintly.
Aria groaned.
"See? Even it knows I'm complaining."
Suddenly—
A howl echoed from the western forest.
Not far away.
Kael's head snapped toward the sound.
"That's close."
Another howl answered it.
Then another.
Aria swallowed.
"That doesn't sound friendly."
Ikechukwu's eyes narrowed.
"Scouts."
Kael's expression hardened.
"They're already searching."
Aria rubbed her temples.
"So the hunt started faster than expected."
Kael looked at her seriously.
"You're not leaving tonight."
Aria frowned.
"Why not?"
Kael gestured toward the forest.
"Too dangerous."
Aria crossed her arms.
"So the plan is to stay here and wait for more wolves?"
Kael didn't like the way that sounded.
Before he could respond, Ikechukwu spoke quietly.
"Morning go give us time."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
The old man looked at the dark horizon beyond the trees.
"To move before the hunters close the trap."
The forest wind rustled through the leaves again.
Somewhere out there, wolves were moving.
Tracking.
Searching.
And in the darkness far beyond the territory…
Magnus was smiling.
Because the hunt had only just begun.