The clearing remained quiet after Darius disappeared.
No one moved for several seconds.
The wolves slowly began whispering again, the tension loosening just a little.
Marcus finally broke the silence.
"…well that was terrifying."
Rowan nodded.
"Very terrifying."
Lena crossed her arms.
"At least he didn't attack."
Marcus shrugged.
"He said he'll come back."
Rowan groaned.
"Yeah that part ruined the relief."
But Aria wasn't listening.
Her attention was locked on Alder.
The old wolf stood near the porch, his silver eyes calm but serious.
"You said he knows."
Alder nodded slightly.
Aria stepped closer.
"Knows what?"
Marcus leaned toward Rowan.
"Oh good. Secret time."
Rowan whispered back,
"I love secret time."
Alder looked around the clearing.
Many wolves were still nearby.
Listening.
Watching.
He sighed quietly.
"This is not a conversation for an audience."
Kael nodded immediately.
"Inside."
Within minutes the small group gathered in the living room again.
Aria.
Kael.
Marcus.
Rowan.
Lena.
Varkos.
And Alder.
The door closed behind them.
The outside noise faded.
Marcus sat down on the arm of a chair.
"Okay mysterious old wolf guy…"
He gestured dramatically.
"…start talking."
Rowan nodded.
"Yes please."
Aria crossed her arms.
"I agree."
Alder looked at her carefully.
"You felt it last night."
Aria frowned slightly.
"Felt what?"
"The power."
Her expression shifted slightly.
She remembered.
The strange energy.
The way the wolves had instinctively bowed.
The silver glow.
"…yes."
Alder nodded.
"That power is not normal."
Marcus whispered,
"I knew it."
Rowan pointed at Aria.
"She's special."
Aria rolled her eyes.
"Great."
But Alder continued.
"Most Luna wolves gain authority through their Alpha mate."
Aria looked confused.
"…through their mate?"
Kael shifted slightly but said nothing.
Alder continued calmly.
"The Luna's power normally strengthens the Alpha."
Marcus nodded slowly.
"Okay."
Rowan added,
"So the Alpha is still the main boss."
"Correct."
Alder looked back at Aria.
"But your power didn't come from an Alpha."
The room grew quiet.
Aria frowned.
"Then where did it come from?"
Alder's voice lowered slightly.
"Your bloodline."
Marcus blinked.
"…bloodline?"
Rowan sat forward.
"Oh this is getting good."
Varkos spoke quietly.
"I suspected."
Everyone looked at him.
"You suspected what?"
Varkos gestured toward Aria.
"That she was not a normal wolf."
Aria pointed at him.
"You fought me."
"Yes."
"And you didn't think to mention this?"
Varkos shrugged slightly.
"I wanted to be sure."
Marcus muttered,
"Convenient."
Alder spoke again.
"Centuries ago…"
Everyone looked back at him.
"…there existed a rare type of wolf."
Aria frowned.
"What kind?"
Alder's silver eyes met hers.
"The True Luna."
The words hung in the air.
Marcus blinked.
"…that sounds important."
Rowan nodded.
"Very important."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Okay."
"And what does that mean?"
Alder explained slowly.
"A True Luna does not gain authority through an Alpha."
Aria listened carefully.
"A True Luna leads beside the Alpha."
Marcus whispered,
"Equal power."
Rowan nodded.
"That's rare."
Alder continued.
"Their presence alone can unite wolves."
Aria remembered the clearing.
The way the wolves had bowed.
Without being ordered.
Without fear.
Her stomach tightened slightly.
"…that happened."
Alder nodded.
"Yes."
Lena spoke for the first time.
"But True Lunas disappeared."
Alder's eyes darkened slightly.
"They were hunted."
Marcus blinked.
"…hunted?"
Rowan frowned.
"By who?"
Alder answered quietly.
"Powerful Alphas."
Aria stiffened.
"Why?"
Varkos answered this time.
"Because a True Luna could unite wolves against them."
The room fell silent again.
Marcus slowly looked at Aria.
"…so basically…"
He gestured dramatically.
"…you're a legendary wolf queen."
Aria groaned.
"Please never say that again."
Rowan laughed.
"Too late."
But Kael was still watching her.
His expression serious.
"You didn't know."
Aria shook her head slowly.
"No."
Alder nodded.
"That is why your power awakened suddenly."
Marcus rubbed his chin.
"So Darius recognized it."
Alder nodded.
"Yes."
Rowan frowned.
"But he didn't attack."
Alder's voice lowered.
"He's curious."
Marcus muttered,
"That's not comforting."
Aria leaned back against the couch.
Trying to process everything.
True Luna.
Ancient bloodline.
Hunted wolves.
She looked up again.
"So what happens now?"
Alder didn't answer immediately.
Then he said quietly,
"Now…"
His silver eyes glowed faintly.
"…others will start to notice you too."
Marcus blinked.
"…others?"
Rowan groaned.
"Please tell me there aren't more dangerous Alphas."
Alder's voice was calm.
"Oh there are."
Everyone stared at him.
Then he added one final sentence.
"And some of them will want you dead."
The room went completely silent.
Because suddenly—
Darius wasn't the only threat anymore. 🐺