The moon hung high above the forest.
Its pale silver light spilled through the trees, illuminating the tense clearing where two armies of wolves stood ready.
In the center, Aria felt the power in her wrist burning hotter than ever.
The crescent mark glowed like living moonlight.
Across from them, Magnus watched her calmly, his red eyes filled with dark fascination.
"You feel it," he said softly.
Aria glared at him.
"Stop saying that like you know me."
Beside her, Alpha Kael stepped forward, placing himself between her and Magnus.
"You've said enough."
Magnus didn't move.
Instead, his gaze shifted briefly toward the wolves behind Kael.
Then toward Alpha Lucien and his warriors.
"Interesting."
Lucien tightened his grip on his blade.
"You're outnumbered."
Magnus chuckled.
"You're all still thinking too small."
Behind Aria, Ikechukwu tapped his staff against the ground.
Tok.
His sharp eyes studied Magnus carefully.
"That man get too much confidence."
Aria muttered under her breath.
"Yeah… I noticed."
Magnus suddenly lifted one hand.
Every wolf behind him instantly lowered their heads.
The movement was perfectly synchronized.
Like soldiers obeying a command.
Aria frowned.
"That's creepy."
Magnus smiled faintly.
"Let me show you something."
Kael growled.
"You're not showing anyone anything."
But Magnus had already made his decision.
His red eyes flashed.
And he snapped his fingers.
Immediately—
The wolves behind him charged.
The clearing exploded into chaos.
Growls and snarls filled the air as dozens of wolves lunged forward.
Lucien's warriors rushed to meet them.
The two packs collided with violent force.
Aria jumped back as two wolves crashed past her, rolling across the ground in a vicious fight.
"Okay!"
She shouted.
"This is officially the worst day ever!"
Kael shifted instantly.
His body twisted and expanded, bones reshaping as his massive silver wolf form burst forward into battle.
Lucien transformed as well.
His dark wolf slammed into one of Magnus's warriors with crushing strength.
Daniel fired his rifle.
The sharp crack echoed through the forest as a wolf dropped.
But more kept coming.
Aria backed toward a tree, her glowing wrist burning hotter by the second.
"This is insane!"
Then—
A shadow moved suddenly in front of her.
Magnus.
He hadn't even joined the fight.
He had simply walked through it.
Aria's eyes widened.
"How did you—"
Magnus tilted his head slightly, studying her glowing arm.
The moonlight reflected in his red eyes.
"You see?"
He gestured calmly toward the battle happening around them.
"They're fighting for you."
Aria frowned.
"No, they're fighting because you started it."
Magnus chuckled softly.
"Same difference."
The crescent mark flared brighter.
Aria felt power surge through her body again.
Magnus noticed immediately.
His smile deepened.
"There it is."
Aria stepped back.
"Stop looking at my arm like that."
Magnus moved closer.
"You don't understand yet."
Kael's massive silver wolf suddenly crashed between them, snarling fiercely.
He bared his fangs at Magnus.
Magnus sighed.
"You're very protective."
The silver wolf growled louder.
Magnus looked almost bored.
Then he moved.
Faster than Aria could follow.
He grabbed Kael's wolf by the neck and slammed him into the ground with terrifying strength.
The impact shook the earth.
Aria gasped.
"Kael!"
The silver wolf struggled but Magnus held him down easily.
His red eyes lifted to Aria again.
"You see the problem?"
His voice was calm.
"Power."
Aria's wrist flared brighter.
Magnus continued.
"The Moon chose you."
He leaned slightly closer.
"But power like that…"
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"…needs someone strong enough to own it."
Aria's anger finally snapped.
"I am not something to own!"
The crescent mark exploded with silver light.
A powerful shockwave burst outward.
Magnus released Kael instantly as the force threw everyone back.
Wolves were knocked off their feet.
Even Magnus slid several steps across the ground.
The forest fell silent again.
Aria stood in the center of the clearing, her entire arm glowing with moonlight.
Her breathing was heavy.
Magnus slowly straightened.
And then—
He smiled.
A dark, satisfied smile.
"Beautiful."
Aria stared at him.
Magnus's red eyes gleamed.
"Now…"
He spread his arms slightly.
"…the real game begins."