Silence stretched across the forest clearing.
Every wolf waited.
Even the wind seemed to pause among the tall trees.
Standing in the center, Aria looked from one side to the other.
On her left stood Alpha Kael, his posture tense and protective.
On her right stood Alpha Lucien, calm and patient with twenty wolves behind him.
And somewhere out there in the darkness…
Magnus was hunting.
Aria sighed.
"This is a terrible day to be popular."
Behind her, Ikechukwu chuckled softly.
"Fame no always sweet."
Aria rubbed the glowing crescent mark on her wrist.
The symbol pulsed faintly again.
She was starting to notice something.
The more tense the situation became…
The stronger the mark reacted.
Kael stepped closer to her.
"You don't have to listen to him."
Lucien remained calm.
"I didn't expect you to trust me immediately."
Aria looked at him.
"That's an understatement."
Lucien smiled slightly.
"I expected resistance."
Aria gestured toward the wolves around them.
"You surrounded us with twenty wolves."
Lucien shrugged.
"Precaution."
Kael's wolf growled softly.
Lucien ignored it.
"I came because time is running out."
Aria frowned.
"You keep saying that."
Lucien's voice lowered.
"Because it's true."
Daniel, the human hunter, spoke from behind them.
"He's not lying."
Everyone looked at him.
Daniel's eyes were serious.
"Magnus's scouts move fast."
Aria folded her arms.
"And how fast are we talking?"
Daniel answered calmly.
"If they know your location…"
He paused slightly.
"…maybe a few hours."
A chill passed through the clearing.
Kael's expression hardened immediately.
Lucien continued quietly.
"That's why I made my offer."
Aria looked at him again.
"You're offering protection."
Lucien nodded.
"Yes."
Aria tilted her head slightly.
"But you still haven't convinced me you're not just another Alpha trying to control the Moon Vessel."
Lucien studied her carefully.
"You're smarter than most wolves I've met."
Aria smirked slightly.
"Thank you."
Lucien's voice became more serious.
"I don't want to control you."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Then what do you want?"
Lucien answered calmly.
"A partnership."
Kael scoffed.
"That's just a nicer word."
Lucien didn't react.
Aria watched him carefully.
Then she sighed.
"Okay."
She pointed at him.
"You get one minute to convince me."
Lucien smiled slightly.
"That's fair."
He took a slow breath before speaking again.
"Magnus believes power should be owned."
His gaze shifted briefly toward the forest.
"He believes the Moon Vessel is a weapon."
Aria muttered quietly.
"That sounds exactly like him."
Lucien continued.
"I believe something different."
Aria crossed her arms again.
"I'm listening."
Lucien's eyes returned to her glowing wrist.
"The Moon chose you for a reason."
Aria blinked.
"That part still confuses me."
Lucien spoke calmly.
"You're not just power."
His voice grew stronger.
"You're balance."
The wolves behind him shifted slightly.
Even Ikechukwu watched him more closely now.
Lucien continued.
"And if Magnus gains control of that power…"
He paused slightly.
"…the wolf world will fall into chaos."
Aria looked around the clearing slowly.
"So your solution is to hide me in your pack."
Lucien shook his head.
"No."
Aria frowned.
"Then what?"
Lucien's eyes hardened slightly.
"We build an alliance."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"With who?"
Lucien's voice was calm but firm.
"With every Alpha who refuses to kneel to Magnus."
The forest grew quiet again.
Aria slowly processed that idea.
Then she sighed.
"You're talking about a war."
Lucien nodded once.
"Yes."
Aria rubbed her forehead again.
"This is escalating very quickly."
Ikechukwu tapped his staff.
Tok.
"My sister…"
Aria looked at him.
"Yes?"
The old man smiled slightly.
"Big destiny no dey small road."
Aria groaned.
"I was afraid you were going to say something like that."
Lucien watched her carefully.
"So…"
He gestured slightly.
"What will it be?"
Aria looked around the clearing again.
Kael.
Lucien.
The wolves.
The dark forest.
And somewhere out there…
Magnus.
She took a slow breath.
Then she spoke.
"I'll consider the alliance."
Lucien's eyes sharpened slightly.
"But," Aria continued, raising a finger, "I have one condition."
Lucien nodded.
"Name it."
Aria looked directly at him.
"You follow my rules."
The clearing went silent.
Lucien blinked once.
Then he laughed quietly.
"I was hoping you'd say something like that."