The howls shook the night.
Two hundred wolves lifting their voices into the darkness.
The sound rolled across the mountains like thunder.
Aria stood frozen for a moment.
Fight him.
Her mind struggled to process what Varkos had just said.
Marcus was the first to react.
"Oh absolutely not."
He stepped forward instantly.
"This is insane."
Rowan grabbed his arm.
"Marcus—"
"No!" Marcus snapped. "He's asking her to fight a monster!"
Kael's voice came out low and dangerous.
"There will be no fight."
Varkos didn't even look at him.
His eyes stayed locked on Aria.
"You asked to lead."
Aria swallowed.
"I did."
"Leadership requires strength."
Marcus scoffed loudly.
"She's not a gladiator!"
Cassian chuckled from the tree.
"Oh please, let the girl answer."
Marcus shot him a glare.
"No one asked you."
Varkos took one slow step closer.
"You want two hundred wolves to follow you."
Another step.
"Then you must prove you are stronger than the wolf they already follow."
Aria's heart hammered in her chest.
Stronger than him?
The thought was ridiculous.
Even standing next to him, she could feel the raw power radiating from his body.
Kael stepped beside her.
"You're not doing this."
His voice was firm.
Final.
Aria looked at him.
"And if I don't?"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"Then we find another way."
Marcus nodded quickly.
"Yes. Literally any other way."
But Varkos shook his head slowly.
"There is no other way."
The wolves behind him growled softly in agreement.
Rowan looked around the clearing.
"They're not going to back down."
Lena spoke quietly.
"This is how rogue packs operate."
Marcus groaned.
"Fantastic."
Alder stepped forward.
"This is a dominance trial."
Kael looked at him sharply.
"She'll die."
Alder didn't answer immediately.
His silver eyes studied Aria carefully.
Then he said calmly,
"Not necessarily."
Marcus turned toward him.
"Are you serious right now?"
Cassian clapped once softly.
"I told you this would be entertaining."
Aria ignored them all.
Her mind was racing.
If she refused—
Varkos would attack the pack.
Two hundred wolves against fifty.
People would die.
Maybe everyone.
Her wolf stirred again.
Fight.
Aria frowned.
"Easy for you to say."
Power.
She took a slow breath.
"What if I lose?"
You won't.
That confidence surprised her.
Aria lifted her head.
"Alright."
Kael's head snapped toward her.
"No."
She looked at him.
"If I refuse, he attacks."
"We'll defend the pack."
"With what army?"
Kael didn't answer.
Marcus stepped closer.
"Aria, listen to me."
She turned toward him.
"He'll kill you."
"Maybe."
Rowan rubbed his face.
"This is spiraling out of control."
Varkos crossed his arms.
"Well?"
Aria turned back to him.
Her voice was steady.
"If I win…"
The giant Alpha's eyes gleamed.
"Yes?"
"Your pack follows me."
The wolves behind him shifted.
Some growled softly.
Others watched with curiosity.
Varkos nodded slowly.
"Agreed."
Marcus whispered,
"She's actually negotiating."
Aria continued.
"And you leave Blackridge alone."
Varkos tilted his head.
"You're confident."
"I'm hopeful."
That made him laugh.
"Fair enough."
Kael stepped directly in front of her.
"No."
His voice was absolute.
"I won't allow it."
Aria met his gaze.
"You don't have to allow it."
"I'm your Alpha."
"And I'm Luna."
The words hung in the air.
Kael stared at her.
For a moment neither of them moved.
Then Marcus whispered to Rowan,
"…this is new."
Rowan nodded slowly.
"Very new."
Aria's voice softened slightly.
"Kael."
His golden eyes burned with frustration.
"You could die."
"Yes."
"I won't watch that happen."
"You might not have a choice."
The words hurt him.
She could see it.
But he stepped aside slowly.
Not agreeing.
Just… trusting her.
Marcus dragged a hand down his face.
"I can't believe this."
Lena squeezed his arm.
"She's doing this for us."
Marcus muttered,
"I know. That's why it's terrifying."
Varkos looked pleased.
"Good."
He stepped backward, moving toward the center of the clearing.
"Then we fight."
The wolves behind him spread out, forming a massive circle.
A natural arena.
The ground between them cleared.
Marcus whispered,
"…this is really happening."
Rowan nodded.
"Apparently."
Alder stepped beside Aria.
"Remember something."
She looked at him.
"You are not an ordinary wolf."
Aria gave him a weak smile.
"I'm starting to notice."
Cassian added cheerfully,
"And he won't hold back."
"Thanks for the encouragement."
Kael grabbed her wrist gently.
"Aria."
She turned.
His voice dropped.
"Shift immediately if things go wrong."
She nodded.
"Deal."
He hesitated.
Then said quietly,
"Be careful."
She gave him a small smile.
"I'll try."
Then she walked toward the center of the clearing.
Two hundred wolves watched.
Silent.
Waiting.
Varkos cracked his neck slightly.
"You can shift first."
Aria nodded.
Her wolf surged forward eagerly.
Bones cracked.
Heat spread through her body.
In seconds—
She stood on four paws.
Her silver-white wolf shimmered faintly under the moonlight.
The crowd reacted instantly.
Whispers.
Growls.
Surprise.
Marcus blinked.
"…she looks bigger."
Rowan squinted.
"She definitely does."
Even Varkos looked slightly intrigued.
"Interesting."
Aria lowered her body slightly, ready.
Her wolf's eyes glowed softly.
The air grew heavy again.
The challenge had begun.
Varkos smiled slowly.
Then his body twisted.
Bones snapping violently.
His enormous wolf burst into existence again.
The ground shook when he landed.
The difference in size between them was obvious.
Marcus whispered,
"…that's not fair."
Rowan nodded.
"Not even a little."
The two wolves circled slowly.
Silver and gray under the moon.
Varkos spoke through the mind link all wolves shared.
Last chance to surrender.
Aria's wolf growled.
No.
The giant Alpha lunged.
And the fight began. 🐺