Dawn arrived slowly, but the tension from the night before never truly faded.
The forest looked calm again, almost peaceful. Birds sang softly between the trees, and the morning mist drifted over the hills like a quiet blanket.
But inside the pack territory, everyone knew the truth.
Peace was over.
Standing near the wooden fence that marked the edge of the territory, Aria watched the forest carefully.
Her wrist still felt warm.
The crescent mark had stopped glowing, but she could feel the power beneath her skin like a quiet heartbeat.
She sighed.
"So today we start running."
Behind her, Alpha Kael walked toward her slowly.
"You're not running."
Aria glanced over her shoulder.
"Really?"
Kael stopped beside her.
"You're relocating."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds like running with better branding."
Kael ignored the comment.
"The hunters are already searching the outer forests."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Let me guess. Magnus started the rumors."
Kael nodded slightly.
"Most likely."
Aria looked back at the quiet trees.
"That man is unbelievably dramatic."
A familiar tapping sound approached from behind them.
Tok.
Tok.
Tok.
Ikechukwu stepped into the clearing, leaning on his wooden staff like always.
But today his expression was serious.
"Time don reach."
Aria sighed.
"I was afraid you'd say that."
Kael turned toward him.
"The scouts?"
Ikechukwu nodded.
"Two different packs already enter the valley."
Aria blinked.
"That was fast."
Ikechukwu shrugged slightly.
"Magnus talk, wolves listen."
Aria rubbed her forehead.
"So basically he told everyone there's a magical moon girl in the forest."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"And now they want her."
Aria pointed at herself.
"Again with the popularity."
Ikechukwu chuckled quietly.
"Fame no always good."
Aria smirked.
"Tell that to celebrities."
Kael stepped closer.
"We leave in ten minutes."
Aria stared at him.
"That fast?"
Kael nodded.
"The longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes."
Aria looked around the territory one more time.
The pack house.
The training grounds.
The tall trees surrounding the clearing.
She had only been here for a short time.
But somehow it already felt familiar.
"Where exactly are we going?" she asked.
Ikechukwu tapped his staff once.
"Somewhere hunters no expect."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds suspicious."
Kael answered calmly.
"A hidden valley north of the mountains."
Aria blinked.
"You have a secret valley?"
Kael shrugged.
"Every Alpha has secrets."
Aria nodded slowly.
"Fair point."
Suddenly—
A distant howl echoed through the forest.
Closer than before.
Kael's expression darkened instantly.
"They found the outer border."
Aria's stomach tightened.
"That's our cue, right?"
Ikechukwu nodded.
"Time to move."
Kael turned toward the pack warriors waiting near the forest path.
"Prepare to leave."
The warriors shifted into motion immediately.
Some grabbed supplies.
Others transformed into wolves.
Within seconds, the clearing was full of movement.
Aria watched the chaos for a moment.
Then she turned back to Kael.
"You know Magnus planned this."
Kael's eyes hardened.
"Yes."
Aria looked toward the dark forest.
"He wanted to force us out."
Kael didn't deny it.
"That's exactly what he wanted."
Aria sighed deeply.
"Great."
She rubbed the crescent mark on her wrist again.
"So now we're playing his game."
Kael looked at her seriously.
"No."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Then what are we doing?"
Kael's voice became colder.
"We're surviving it."
Another howl echoed across the valley.
Closer now.
Much closer.
Aria took a deep breath.
"Okay."
She stepped toward the forest path.
"Let's go before the welcoming committee arrives."
Behind them, the pack warriors began moving into the trees.
Ahead of them lay unknown territory.
Hunters.
Rival Alphas.
And somewhere in the shadows…
Magnus was already waiting for the next move.