For several seconds, no one spoke.
The forest wind moved slowly through the tall trees, carrying the distant cries of birds and the quiet rustling of leaves. But the tension among the group was heavy.
Standing near the center of the path, Aria stared at the human hunter.
"You're telling me," she said slowly, "that Magnus has been planning this for years."
The hunter nodded calmly.
"Yes."
Aria rubbed her forehead.
"That's… extremely disturbing."
Beside her, Alpha Kael crossed his arms, his expression dark.
"If what you're saying is true," Kael said, "then Magnus knows far more about the Moon Vessel than we do."
The hunter met his gaze.
"He does."
The statement hung heavily in the air.
Aria frowned.
"How is that even possible?"
Before the hunter could answer, a familiar tok echoed softly.
Ikechukwu tapped his staff against the ground as he stepped closer.
His eyes were thoughtful.
"Magnus no be ordinary Alpha."
Aria sighed.
"Yes, we've established that."
Ikechukwu looked at her wrist.
"The moon mark on your hand…"
He paused slightly.
"…that one get history."
Aria stared at him.
"History?"
Kael looked at the old man sharply.
"What do you mean?"
Ikechukwu slowly walked toward a large stone beside the path and rested his hand on it.
"Long before today's wolves…"
He glanced at the sky above the trees.
"…there was a story."
Aria groaned quietly.
"Of course there was."
The old man ignored her sarcasm.
"Story talk about a power chosen by the moon."
He pointed at her wrist.
"A vessel."
The hunter nodded slightly.
"I've heard that legend."
Aria looked between them.
"So I'm basically a walking legend now."
Ikechukwu continued calmly.
"But the story no end there."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"What else does it say?"
Ikechukwu's voice lowered slightly.
"That power never meant to stand alone."
Aria blinked.
"What does that mean?"
The hunter answered quietly.
"It means the Moon Vessel was meant to be bound."
A cold silence filled the forest.
Aria stared at him.
"Bound to what?"
The hunter looked directly at her.
"To another power."
Aria slowly turned toward Kael.
"This sounds suspicious already."
Kael didn't speak.
The hunter continued.
"The legends say that when the Moon Vessel awakens…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…another force will rise to claim it."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Claim it how?"
Ikechukwu tapped his staff once.
"Through bond."
Aria shook her head.
"Nope."
She pointed at both of them.
"Let's stop right there."
Kael finally spoke.
"What kind of bond?"
The hunter answered carefully.
"A supernatural one."
Aria's eyes widened slightly.
"You're saying someone could… control me?"
The hunter shook his head.
"Not exactly."
Aria narrowed her eyes.
"That didn't sound reassuring."
Ikechukwu looked at her seriously.
"The bond no be control."
Aria frowned.
"Then what is it?"
The hunter's voice became quieter.
"Ownership."
The word echoed uncomfortably in the air.
Aria blinked.
"Excuse me?"
Kael's expression hardened instantly.
"That won't happen."
The hunter shrugged slightly.
"Magnus clearly believes it will."
Aria groaned loudly.
"Great."
She rubbed her glowing wrist again.
"So now there's a magical ownership clause in my life?"
Ikechukwu chuckled faintly.
"Something like that."
Aria looked toward the dark forest again.
"You know what bothers me the most?"
Kael glanced at her.
"What?"
Aria sighed.
"Magnus talks like he already knows something we don't."
The hunter nodded slowly.
"That's because he probably does."
Aria looked back at him.
"And that means…?"
The hunter's voice dropped.
"It means this hunt isn't just about finding you."
The wind rustled the trees again.
Aria felt her stomach tighten.
"Then what is it about?"
The hunter's eyes darkened slightly.
"Finding the moment when the bond can happen."
Silence fell over the group.
Aria stared at him for several seconds.
Then she sighed deeply.
"Okay."
She pointed toward the forest.
"So we're running from an army of wolves…"
Then she pointed at her wrist.
"…a magical moon curse…"
Then toward the hunter.
"…and a supernatural marriage contract I never agreed to."
She shook her head slowly.
"My life officially makes zero sense now."