Night slowly settled over the council valley.
Torches burned around the stone arena, casting long shadows across the ground. Wolves moved quietly through the camp, preparing for the trial that everyone was now talking about.
At the edge of the valley, Aria sat on a large rock, staring at the faint glow on her wrist.
The crescent mark pulsed softly.
Not painfully like before.
Just… alive.
She sighed.
"Tomorrow is going to be a disaster."
Behind her, footsteps approached.
Alpha Kael stopped beside her.
"You shouldn't have agreed to that trial."
Aria didn't look up.
"Yeah."
Kael crossed his arms.
"I'm serious."
"I know."
She finally looked at him.
"But if I didn't accept it, the council would vote on who controls me."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"That would never happen."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"There were twenty Alphas in that arena."
She pointed at him.
"You're only one."
Kael stayed silent.
Aria sighed again.
"That's what I thought."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The night wind moved gently through the trees.
Finally Kael said quietly,
"You don't know the rules of the Moon Trial."
Aria blinked.
"Oh."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Then now would be a great time to explain."
Kael hesitated.
"That's the problem."
Aria frowned.
"What problem?"
Before Kael could answer, the familiar sound echoed behind them.
Tok.
Tok.
Ikechukwu walked toward them with his staff.
"My sister."
Aria turned.
"Yes?"
He pointed at Kael.
"That man dey hide something."
Aria looked back at Kael.
"You're hiding something?"
Kael exhaled slowly.
"The Moon Trial isn't just a fight."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Okay…"
Kael continued.
"It's a test of the Moon Vessel's power."
"So?"
"So…"
His voice became heavier.
"The vessel must face three challenges."
Aria blinked.
"Three?"
Kael nodded.
"The first challenge tests control."
"The second tests strength."
"And the third…"
He stopped talking.
Aria waited.
"Well?"
Kael looked at her seriously.
"The third challenge chooses who the moon binds to."
Aria stared at him.
"…I'm sorry, what?"
Ikechukwu shook his head slowly.
"Ah."
Aria pointed at Kael.
"You're telling me this trial might magically attach me to some Alpha?"
Kael didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Aria stood up instantly.
"Absolutely not."
She started pacing.
"No."
"Nope."
"Not happening."
Behind them, a slow clap echoed from the darkness.
All three turned.
Standing a few steps away, leaning casually against a tree, was Magnus.
He smiled slowly.
"I was wondering when someone would explain that part."
Kael's eyes flashed.
"You shouldn't be here."
Magnus shrugged.
"The council grounds are neutral territory."
His red eyes moved to Aria.
"And I thought you deserved the full truth."
Aria glared at him.
"You planned this."
Magnus nodded calmly.
"Of course."
Aria threw her hands up.
"So the trial is basically a trap to claim me."
Magnus tilted his head.
"Only if you lose control."
Aria frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Magnus pushed himself off the tree and stepped closer.
"If the Moon Vessel cannot control her power…"
His red eyes gleamed faintly.
"…the moon will bind that power to the strongest Alpha present."
The realization hit Aria slowly.
"So if I fail…"
Magnus finished the sentence for her.
"You become someone's possession."
Silence followed.
Aria looked between Magnus and Kael.
Then she groaned loudly.
"I really hate ancient traditions."
Ikechukwu chuckled quietly.
"My sister."
Aria looked at him.
"Yes?"
He tapped his staff on the ground.
Tok.
"Then no fail."
Aria blinked.
"That's your advice?"
Ikechukwu nodded seriously.
"Yes."
Magnus laughed softly.
"I like him."
Kael growled.
"This isn't funny."
Magnus' smile faded slightly.
"No."
He looked at Aria again.
"It isn't."
Then his voice became quieter.
"Because tomorrow night…"
His red eyes burned with interest.
"…we find out who the moon truly belongs to."
And for the first time since arriving at the council…
Aria felt real fear crawl up her spine.