The inside of the pack house was suddenly chaotic.
Lena pushed the door open wider as Kael carried Aria into the living room.
"Lay her on the couch," she ordered quickly.
Marcus and Rowan rushed ahead, clearing the table and moving blankets aside.
Kael gently placed Aria down.
The moment her body left his arms, she groaned softly.
Pain finally caught up with her.
Her shoulder throbbed where Varkos had bitten her.
Her leg burned from the deep claw marks.
Lena knelt beside her immediately.
"Don't move."
Aria gave a weak smile.
"That seems to be the theme tonight."
Rowan disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a bowl of water and clean cloths.
Marcus stood nearby with his arms crossed, still trying to process everything.
"I still can't believe you did that."
Aria blinked tiredly.
"Which part?"
Marcus gestured toward the window.
"The part where you fought a giant Alpha and stole his entire army."
Rowan shrugged.
"Yeah that part was wild."
Kael sat on the edge of the couch beside her, his eyes carefully scanning her injuries.
His jaw tightened when he saw the deep bite mark on her shoulder.
"Varkos bit you harder than I thought."
Lena carefully cleaned the wound.
Aria hissed slightly from the sting.
"Hey— gentle."
Lena didn't look up.
"You fought a war. You can handle disinfectant."
Marcus leaned against the wall.
"So what happens now?"
Rowan answered first.
"Well, apparently we have two hundred new wolves camping in our yard."
Marcus rubbed his face.
"Right."
Kael's voice was calm but serious.
"They won't stay here forever."
Rowan frowned.
"Where will they go?"
Before Kael could answer, a knock came from the front door.
Everyone turned.
Marcus sighed.
"That didn't take long."
Rowan opened the door.
Varkos stepped inside.
Behind him stood a few of his strongest warriors.
But they stopped at the doorway.
Only Varkos entered.
The massive Alpha looked even more intimidating in human form.
His body was covered in fresh bandages and drying blood.
But his posture remained strong.
The room grew quiet.
Marcus muttered under his breath,
"Well… this is awkward."
Varkos ignored him.
His gaze went straight to Aria.
"My Luna."
Aria pushed herself slightly upright.
"Please stop calling me that like it's a royal title."
Marcus whispered,
"It kind of is now."
Rowan elbowed him.
Varkos stepped closer.
"You should rest."
Aria blinked.
"That's the plan."
He studied her injuries carefully.
"You fought well."
Kael's voice cut in quietly.
"She's injured."
Varkos looked at him calmly.
"Because she fought me."
The tension between the two Alphas filled the room instantly.
Marcus whispered,
"…here we go."
But Aria raised her hand weakly.
"Not tonight."
Both men looked at her.
She sighed.
"I just fought for an hour. I don't have the energy to watch you two argue."
Rowan nodded.
"Fair point."
Varkos crossed his arms.
"My wolves are waiting for orders."
Aria blinked slowly.
"…orders?"
"Yes."
Marcus chuckled.
"Congratulations. You're a boss now."
Aria groaned softly.
"This is a terrible time for a promotion."
Kael looked thoughtful.
"They need territory."
Varkos nodded.
"They cannot stay rogues."
Aria frowned slightly.
"Why not?"
Alder's voice came from the doorway.
"Because rogue packs don't survive long."
Everyone turned.
Alder stepped inside quietly.
His silver eyes studied the room calmly.
"You must claim them."
Aria looked overwhelmed.
"I just woke up as a Luna two days ago."
Marcus pointed at Alder.
"Tell her that."
Alder's expression remained calm.
"You already did the hardest part."
Aria sighed.
"And the easy part is managing two hundred wolves?"
Rowan shrugged.
"Leadership comes with paperwork."
Marcus nodded.
"And probably meetings."
Aria groaned louder.
"This is worse than the fight."
Lena finished wrapping the wound on her shoulder.
"There."
Aria looked down at the bandages.
"Am I going to survive?"
"Barely."
Marcus snorted.
Varkos stepped closer again.
His expression serious now.
"There is another problem."
The room grew quiet again.
Kael looked at him.
"What?"
Varkos's voice lowered slightly.
"The wolves you took tonight…"
He glanced at Aria.
"…were once part of a much larger army."
Marcus frowned.
"How much larger?"
Varkos's golden eyes darkened.
"Thousands."
The word hung heavily in the room.
Rowan blinked.
"…thousands?"
Varkos nodded slowly.
"And the Alpha who originally built that army…"
His voice grew colder.
"…will want them back."
Aria slowly sat up straighter.
Despite the pain.
"Who?"
Varkos looked directly at her.
"The man who created me."
The room went silent.
Marcus whispered,
"…that doesn't sound good."
Varkos's voice dropped even lower.
"It isn't."
Then he said the name that made even Alder's expression darken.
"Alpha Darius."
And somewhere far beyond the mountains—
A distant wolf howl echoed through the night. 🐺