The slow clap echoed through the clearing.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Every wolf in the yard turned toward the forest.
Kael's eyes flashed gold instantly.
"Show yourself."
The clapping stopped.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then a voice drifted out of the darkness.
"Well… this has been incredibly informative."
The voice was smooth.
Calm.
Amused.
Aria felt her stomach tighten.
Someone stepped out from between the trees.
A man.
Tall.
Lean.
Dressed in dark clothes that blended almost perfectly with the night.
Unlike the others, he didn't look like he had just arrived.
He looked like he had been there for a long time.
Watching.
Marcus groaned.
"Oh come on."
Rowan rubbed his face.
"Seriously? Another one?"
The man smiled faintly as he walked into the moonlight.
His hair was dark brown, almost black.
But his eyes—
They were a deep crimson.
Not glowing like an Alpha's.
Just… red.
Alder stiffened slightly.
Kael noticed.
"You know him."
Alder's voice was quiet.
"Yes."
The stranger stopped at the edge of the clearing.
"Well," he said lightly, "that hurts."
He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"I was hoping for a warmer welcome."
Marcus folded his arms.
"You got ten seconds before we make you leave."
The stranger chuckled.
"I'm afraid I'm not leaving just yet."
His gaze drifted across the clearing.
He studied Kael.
Rowan.
Marcus.
Lena.
Then his eyes landed on Aria.
And stayed there.
His smile widened slightly.
"Well… there she is."
Aria felt a cold chill crawl down her spine.
Something about the way he looked at her made her skin crawl.
Kael stepped in front of her instantly.
"You've seen enough."
The stranger tilted his head slightly.
"Have I?"
Alder moved forward slowly now.
His silver eyes were sharp.
"You shouldn't be here, Cassian."
The stranger laughed softly.
"Ah. There it is."
He pointed playfully.
"Recognition."
Aria frowned.
"Cassian?"
Marcus muttered,
"Please tell me that's not another Alpha."
Alder answered quietly.
"No."
Cassian gave a mock bow.
"Correct."
Then he looked back at Aria again.
"I'm something much worse."
Rowan groaned.
"Fantastic."
Kael's patience was gone.
"State your business or leave."
Cassian ignored him.
Instead, he looked at Alder.
"You've been busy."
Alder's expression stayed cold.
"You've been spying."
Cassian shrugged casually.
"Observing."
"Spying."
"Details."
Marcus leaned toward Rowan again.
"I vote we throw him back in the forest."
Rowan nodded.
"Seconded."
Cassian continued as if they weren't speaking.
"I heard the whole story."
His red eyes flicked to Aria.
"Moonveil."
Aria felt her chest tighten again.
Cassian smiled slightly.
"A True Luna."
He chuckled softly.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to see one."
Kael growled.
"You're pushing your luck."
Cassian's gaze finally moved to Kael.
"Relax, Alpha."
He looked amused.
"If I wanted to hurt her… I wouldn't be standing this far away."
That did not make anyone feel better.
Lena crossed her arms.
"Then why are you here?"
Cassian's smile faded slightly.
"Because things just became… interesting."
Marcus frowned.
"More interesting than a pack war?"
Cassian shrugged.
"Oh this is bigger than that."
Alder stepped forward again.
"Leave."
Cassian's eyes flicked back to him.
"You still don't understand, do you?"
Alder's voice sharpened.
"Understand what?"
Cassian gestured toward Aria.
"She's not just a Luna."
Alder didn't react.
"Neither are you," he replied calmly.
Cassian smirked.
"Ah."
He looked impressed.
"So you do know."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Know what?"
Cassian sighed dramatically.
"This is why secrets are exhausting."
He rubbed his temple like he was bored.
Then he looked directly at Aria again.
"You should really ask him."
Aria frowned.
"Ask who?"
Cassian pointed lazily at Alder.
"Him."
The clearing went quiet again.
Aria slowly turned toward Alder.
"What is he talking about?"
Alder didn't answer immediately.
Cassian chuckled.
"Oh this is going to be fun."
Kael's voice dropped.
"Alder."
Alder's silver eyes flicked briefly toward Cassian.
Then back to Aria.
"There are… other kinds of wolves."
Marcus blinked.
"…what?"
Cassian clapped again once.
"Progress."
Alder ignored him.
"The wolf world isn't as simple as most packs believe."
Aria frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Alder hesitated.
Cassian stepped forward a little.
"I'll help."
Kael instantly stepped between him and the group.
"You'll stay right there."
Cassian raised his hands.
"Fine."
Then he looked at Aria again.
"You've heard of Alphas."
She nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"And Lunas."
"Yes."
Cassian's smile returned.
"But there are older wolves than those."
Aria felt her heartbeat quicken.
"Older?"
Alder spoke quietly.
"Ancient bloodlines."
Rowan frowned.
"I've never heard of that."
Cassian grinned.
"Most wolves haven't."
He pointed toward Alder again.
"Which is why your silver-haired friend here is so interesting."
Aria looked at Alder again.
Her chest tightened.
"Alder…"
Alder met her gaze.
And for the first time since arriving—
He looked slightly uncomfortable.
Cassian's voice came softly through the silence.
"Go on," he said with a grin.
"Tell her what you are."
Alder exhaled slowly.
Then he looked directly at Aria.
And said the words that made everyone freeze.
"I'm not part of a pack."
Marcus frowned.
"Then what are you?"
Alder's silver eyes glowed faintly in the moonlight.
"I'm one of the First Wolves."
Silence slammed into the clearing.
Even the wind seemed to stop again.
Aria's voice barely came out.
"The… what?"
Cassian smiled widely.
"Oh this night just keeps getting better." 🐺