Fog crept through the valley like liquid shadows, curling around the fortress walls. I hugged my arms around myself, heart pounding, every nerve on edge.
Lucien and Kaiden were tense, standing at opposite ends of the cliff path, silent but alert. The morning had barely broken, but the air was heavy—charged. My mark pulsed violently, thrumming against my neck like it knew something I didn't.
Then it came.
A roar, low and guttural, echoing through the trees. Not Darius. Not any pack I recognized. Something older. Something powerful.
Kaiden's gray eyes narrowed, scanning the distant treeline. "That's… not him."
Lucien's jaw clenched. "Impossible. That level of energy…" His eyes flicked to me. "…it's reacting to her."
My chest tightened. My mark burned hotter, pulsing like a living heartbeat. Every instinct screamed danger. Something massive was coming, something that made even Kaiden shift his stance.
I swallowed hard. "What… what is it?"
Kaiden didn't answer. He only moved closer to me, a protective shield without touching. "Something old. Dangerous. And it knows you exist."
Lucien's eyes darkened. "And it's coming fast."
The trees at the valley edge shuddered. Shadows twisted unnaturally, moving with purpose, hunting. I could feel the ground vibrate beneath their approach. My mark screamed in response, white-hot energy flaring for a fraction of a second.
A cold fear crawled up my spine. "We're not ready," I whispered.
Kaiden's voice was low, deadly calm. "We never are. But hiding is no longer an option."
Lucien's gaze flicked between Kaiden and me. "Then we fight. Together. Or we die divided."
I felt my chest constrict. The unspoken tension between them—Kaiden's commanding presence, Lucien's protective intensity—made the moment impossible to ignore. And yet, I had no time for hesitation. My mark pulsed in warning, screaming at me to act.
The shadows surged. Movement exploded from the treeline—dozens of massive, unknown wolves, eyes glowing like embers, their howls a chorus of menace.
"Selene!" Lucien barked. "Channel it!"
I closed my eyes, forcing my energy outward. My mark flared violently, shooting tendrils of light across the valley, repelling the first wave. Rocks shattered, wind screamed, fog tore apart. But I could feel the second wave pressing, relentless.
Kaiden stepped forward, extending his hand subtly, guiding the energy, grounding it. My power responded to him, controlled, precise. I'd never felt this combination before—fear, exhilaration, and strange comfort all at once.
The forest trembled. The unknown wolves slowed, their eyes narrowing.
"Impossible…" one growled. "The First Luna…"
My breath caught. My mark pulsed faster. They knew. They recognized me.
Lucien's eyes widened. "They know who you are…"
Kaiden's gray eyes locked on mine. "And they will stop at nothing."
I swallowed, trembling. My hands glowed faintly, heart hammering.
The forest roared around us. Shadows surged forward, a tide of danger, power, and ancient intent.
I realized the truth in that moment: this was no ordinary battle. This was war. And I was the spark.
I stepped forward, mark blazing, chest tight.
And I understood—the real fight had just begun.