The clearing fell into stunned silence.
"I want to challenge her."
The silver wolf Alpha's words still hung in the air.
Marcus looked like he had just been personally offended.
"Absolutely not."
Rowan nodded aggressively.
"Nope. Not happening."
The wolves around them began murmuring.
Another challenge.
Another Alpha.
Aria slowly stepped forward.
Her injured leg still ached, but she ignored it.
The silver-furred Alpha studied her carefully.
His blue eyes were sharp and calculating.
"You're smaller than the stories said."
Marcus shouted from behind her.
"Can everyone stop saying that?!"
Rowan muttered,
"It's becoming a trend."
Varkos stepped forward.
His voice was cold.
"She fought yesterday."
The silver Alpha shrugged.
"That was yesterday."
Kael moved next to Aria.
His presence alone made several wolves step back.
"She's injured."
The challenger's blue eyes flickered briefly to Kael.
"I'm not challenging you."
His gaze returned to Aria.
"I'm challenging the Luna."
Aria crossed her arms.
"And who are you?"
The wolf straightened slightly.
"Alpha Rylan."
Marcus whispered to Rowan,
"…these Alpha names are getting worse."
Rowan whispered back,
"Just wait until Alpha Thunder shows up."
Aria studied the newcomer.
Rylan stood tall.
Strong.
Confident.
But not arrogant like Darius.
His expression was more… curious.
"Why?"
Rylan tilted his head.
"Why what?"
"Why challenge me?"
Rylan answered honestly.
"Because if the rumors are true…"
His blue eyes gleamed slightly.
"…you're the most powerful wolf in this region."
Marcus muttered,
"No pressure."
Rylan continued calmly.
"And if that's true…"
His voice grew firmer.
"…then you should lead us."
The wolves around the clearing exchanged surprised looks.
Rowan frowned.
"Wait."
"He wants her to win?"
Marcus shrugged.
"Maybe?"
Rylan looked directly at Aria.
"I don't follow rumors."
He stepped forward.
"I follow strength."
The challenge suddenly felt different.
Not hostile.
But serious.
Aria studied him carefully.
"You're not trying to kill me."
Rylan smirked slightly.
"If I wanted to kill you…"
He gestured toward the forest.
"I would've brought my pack."
Marcus whispered,
"That's oddly reassuring."
But Kael wasn't relaxed.
His eyes remained sharp.
"You won't fight her today."
Rylan glanced at him.
"Why not?"
Kael's voice was firm.
"She's injured."
Rylan looked back at Aria.
"You are."
Aria sighed.
"Yes."
The silver Alpha thought for a moment.
Then he nodded once.
"Fine."
Marcus blinked.
"…that was easy."
Rylan crossed his arms.
"I'm not here to take advantage of weakness."
He looked back at Aria again.
"I'll wait."
Rowan frowned.
"Wait for what?"
Rylan's answer was simple.
"For her to be ready."
The wolves murmured again.
Respect spread quietly through the clearing.
Even Varkos looked slightly impressed.
Aria tilted her head.
"You're patient."
Rylan smiled faintly.
"I'm curious."
Marcus whispered,
"About what?"
Rylan answered without looking away from Aria.
"To see if the True Luna is real."
Aria smirked slightly.
"And if I win?"
Rylan shrugged.
"Then I follow you."
Marcus's jaw dropped.
"…we're recruiting Alphas now?!"
Rowan looked excited.
"That's huge."
But Rylan continued.
"And if I win…"
The clearing went quiet again.
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
His blue eyes gleamed.
"Then you follow me."
Marcus groaned loudly.
"There's always a catch."
Kael stepped forward again.
His voice low.
"That won't happen."
Rylan looked amused.
"You sound very confident."
Kael didn't smile.
"I am."
For a moment the two Alphas stared at each other.
The air between them heavy with tension.
But Rylan eventually stepped back.
He raised both hands casually.
"Relax."
He looked at Aria again.
"I'll return in three days."
Marcus whispered,
"…we're scheduling fights now."
Rowan nodded.
"Apparently."
Rylan turned toward the forest.
But just before leaving—
He looked over his shoulder at Aria.
His expression serious now.
"You should prepare."
Aria crossed her arms.
"For what?"
Rylan smiled slightly.
"For the others."
Marcus froze.
"…others?"
Rylan nodded.
"Yes."
His voice carried calmly across the clearing.
"I wasn't the only Alpha who heard those howls."
Rowan groaned.
"Of course you weren't."
Rylan took another step toward the forest.
"More will come."
Then he added one final sentence.
"And not all of them will be as patient as me."
With that—
His body shifted into the massive silver wolf again.
In seconds he disappeared into the trees.
Leaving the clearing silent once more.
Marcus slowly turned toward Aria.
"…so."
Aria sighed.
"Yes?"
Marcus pointed toward the forest.
"You're going to fight an Alpha in three days."
Rowan added,
"And possibly several more."
Lena crossed her arms.
"You're still injured."
Varkos nodded.
"And untrained."
Alder looked thoughtful.
"Not for long."
Everyone looked at him.
Aria frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Alder's silver eyes glowed faintly.
"It means…"
He gestured toward the clearing.
"…your training starts now."
Marcus blinked.
"…training for what exactly?"
Alder answered calmly.
"For war."
And somewhere far away—
Another Alpha had already started moving toward them. 🐺