The room fell completely silent.
"Alpha… Darius?" Marcus repeated slowly.
The name felt heavy in the air.
Even saying it seemed dangerous.
Varkos nodded once.
"Yes."
Rowan looked confused.
"Who exactly is that?"
No one answered immediately.
But the expressions in the room had changed.
Kael's face had hardened.
Alder's calm silver eyes had darkened slightly.
Even Lena looked uneasy.
Marcus looked between them.
"…okay that reaction tells me he's bad."
Varkos let out a slow breath.
"Bad is not the right word."
Aria leaned back slightly against the couch cushions, wincing from the movement.
"Then what is?"
Varkos's voice was quiet.
"Ruthless."
The word echoed through the room.
Marcus rubbed the back of his neck.
"I feel like ruthless Alphas are becoming a theme."
Rowan nodded.
"Yeah we're meeting a lot of those lately."
Kael crossed his arms.
"Darius controls the largest wolf territory in the northern mountains."
Aria frowned.
"How large?"
Alder answered this time.
"Several packs."
Marcus blinked.
"…like two or three?"
Alder shook his head.
"More."
Rowan stared.
"Okay now that's concerning."
Varkos continued.
"I was once one of his commanders."
Everyone looked back at him.
Aria studied his face.
"You worked for him?"
Varkos nodded slowly.
"For many years."
Marcus leaned forward.
"And then you just… left?"
Varkos's golden eye flickered.
"No."
The room grew quiet again.
Kael spoke calmly.
"He didn't leave."
Varkos looked at him.
"You know the story."
Kael nodded once.
"You were exiled."
Marcus raised his eyebrows.
"…that sounds dramatic."
Rowan agreed.
"Very dramatic."
Aria looked between them.
"Why?"
Varkos didn't answer immediately.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Alder finally spoke.
"Because Varkos challenged him."
Marcus blinked.
"…oh."
Rowan whistled softly.
"That explains the exile."
Varkos's voice was calm but cold.
"I lost."
The simple statement carried weight.
Aria tilted her head slightly.
"And he let you live?"
Varkos laughed quietly.
"There are worse punishments than death."
Marcus muttered,
"Of course there are."
Rowan elbowed him again.
Varkos looked at Aria seriously now.
"When you defeated me tonight…"
He gestured toward the window.
"…you didn't just take my wolves."
Aria sighed.
"Let me guess."
Varkos nodded.
"You took soldiers that once belonged to Darius."
Marcus groaned loudly.
"Fantastic."
Rowan rubbed his forehead.
"So we accidentally robbed the wrong Alpha."
Lena crossed her arms.
"How soon will he notice?"
Varkos answered immediately.
"He already has."
Everyone turned toward him.
"What?" Marcus asked.
Varkos's voice was steady.
"My wolves send reports every week."
Aria blinked.
"…they do what?"
Marcus laughed nervously.
"You had spies?"
Varkos didn't seem ashamed.
"Information keeps wolves alive."
Kael frowned slightly.
"When was the last report?"
Varkos thought for a moment.
"Four days ago."
Rowan counted quickly.
"…so when they don't report back…"
Marcus finished the sentence.
"…he'll come looking."
Alder nodded quietly.
"Yes."
The room felt heavier now.
Aria leaned forward slightly.
"So this Darius guy…"
She looked at Varkos.
"What kind of Alpha is he?"
Varkos didn't hesitate.
"The kind who conquers."
Marcus groaned again.
"Oh good."
Rowan muttered,
"I hate conquering Alphas."
Kael's voice remained calm.
"He won't attack immediately."
Everyone looked at him.
"Why not?" Lena asked.
Kael explained.
"Darius is careful."
Alder nodded.
"He studies his enemies first."
Marcus raised his hand slightly.
"…are we his enemies now?"
Everyone looked at Aria.
She blinked.
"Why are you all staring at me?"
Marcus pointed.
"Because you beat his general and stole his wolves."
Rowan added,
"And now they're calling you Luna."
Aria sighed.
"Right."
Varkos spoke again.
"He will want to see you."
Aria frowned.
"Why?"
Varkos's golden eye gleamed slightly.
"To decide if you're worth killing."
Marcus immediately stood up.
"Nope."
Rowan looked at him.
"Where are you going?"
Marcus grabbed his jacket.
"To pack a bag."
Lena rolled her eyes.
"You're not leaving."
Marcus sighed.
"I hate dangerous Alphas."
Aria leaned back again.
Her body still weak from the fight.
But her eyes were sharp.
"So he's powerful."
Varkos nodded.
"Yes."
She folded her arms carefully.
"He commands thousands."
"Yes."
Marcus pointed toward her.
"And he might come here."
"Yes."
Aria thought about it for a moment.
Then she shrugged.
"Well."
Everyone waited.
"What?"
Aria gave a tired smile.
"Then he can get in line."
Marcus blinked.
"…for what?"
Aria closed her eyes.
"For the next fight."
Rowan burst out laughing.
"You just fought an army!"
Aria yawned.
"Yeah."
Then she muttered softly,
"But next time…"
Her voice drifted off slightly.
"…I might not fight alone."
The room grew quiet again.
Because everyone slowly realized something.
Aria wasn't just talking about strength anymore.
She was talking about allies.
And across the room—
Kael was already looking at her like he had made a decision.
One that might change everything. 🐺