The clearing went completely silent.
"The northern territory… has fallen."
The messenger's words hung in the air like a storm cloud.
Marcus blinked slowly.
"…that sounds bad."
Rowan rubbed the back of his neck.
"Very bad."
Aria stepped forward.
Her silver wolf shifted back into human form.
Her expression was serious now.
"Explain."
The messenger was still breathing hard.
"They attacked at dawn."
"Who?"
The messenger swallowed.
"Darius and his army."
Several wolves in the clearing growled quietly.
Varkos's golden eye darkened.
"How many?"
The messenger shook his head.
"Hundreds."
Marcus whispered,
"…that escalated fast."
Rowan nodded.
"Conquering already."
Aria folded her arms.
"Which territory?"
"The Frostclaw Pack."
Alder frowned slightly.
"They were strong."
The messenger nodded nervously.
"They fought."
"But they lost."
The wolves around the clearing began whispering again.
Fear spread quickly through the crowd.
Aria noticed.
She raised her voice slightly.
"Quiet."
The murmurs stopped instantly.
Her presence alone was starting to carry authority.
Marcus leaned toward Rowan.
"See?"
"Luna power."
Rowan nodded.
Aria looked back at the messenger.
"Why come here?"
The messenger answered quickly.
"Our Alpha sent me."
"Your Alpha?"
The messenger nodded.
"Before the battle started."
He hesitated slightly.
"He said… if they lost…"
Aria waited.
"…I should find the True Luna."
The clearing went quiet again.
Marcus blinked.
"…word spreads fast."
Rowan nodded.
"Very fast."
Aria looked toward Alder.
"You expected this."
Alder's voice was calm.
"Yes."
Marcus groaned.
"You always expect everything."
Alder ignored him.
"When the True Luna appears…"
He gestured toward the forest.
"…wolves begin choosing sides."
Varkos nodded slowly.
"Some will follow."
"And others will attack."
Aria sighed.
"Of course they will."
Kael stepped beside her again.
His voice was steady.
"How close is Darius?"
The messenger answered quickly.
"Three territories away."
Marcus blinked.
"…that's close."
Rowan counted in his head.
"If he keeps conquering like that…"
His eyes widened.
"…he'll be here soon."
Varkos looked at Aria.
"He is building an army."
Marcus pointed toward the forest.
"We already have one!"
Rowan nodded.
"Two hundred wolves."
Varkos shook his head slightly.
"Darius commands thousands."
Marcus's excitement vanished.
"…never mind."
Lena stepped forward.
"Then we need allies."
Aria frowned.
"Which ones?"
Alder answered.
"The Alphas who heard the howls."
Marcus blinked.
"…the same ones who might try to kill her?"
"Yes."
Rowan sighed.
"That's complicated."
Aria rubbed her temples.
"So let me understand this."
She looked around the group.
"One Alpha wants to conquer everything."
They nodded.
"And several other Alphas are coming here."
"Yes.
Marcus added quietly,
"To challenge you."
Aria exhaled slowly.
"Perfect."
Kael's voice cut through the tension.
"We don't wait."
Everyone looked at him.
Aria frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Kael's eyes were sharp.
"We prepare."
Marcus raised his hand.
"For war?"
Kael nodded once.
"Yes."
The word spread through the clearing like fire.
War.
Rowan looked toward the wolves gathering around them.
"They're already nervous."
Marcus added,
"And we have a challenge fight in three days."
Aria sighed.
"Right."
Varkos crossed his arms.
"If you defeat Alpha Rylan…"
His golden eye gleamed slightly.
"…others may follow you instead of Darius."
Marcus looked impressed.
"That's good strategy."
Rowan nodded.
"Win the Alpha, gain the pack."
Aria looked at Kael.
"You're very calm about this."
Kael met her gaze.
"I've fought wars before."
She studied him for a moment.
Then she said quietly,
"I haven't."
For a moment—
The tension softened slightly.
Kael stepped a little closer.
"You won't fight alone."
Marcus whispered,
"…that was smooth."
Rowan nodded.
"Very smooth."
But the moment didn't last.
Because suddenly—
A deep horn echoed from the forest.
Every wolf in the clearing froze.
Varkos's head snapped toward the sound.
"That's not a wolf signal."
Marcus frowned.
"…then what is it?"
The messenger's face turned pale.
"It's them."
Aria looked at him.
"Who?"
The messenger pointed toward the tree line.
"They're already here."
Everyone turned.
Several figures stepped out of the forest.
Tall.
Armored.
Wolves.
But not ordinary ones.
Their armor carried the same symbol.
A black claw.
Marcus whispered,
"…that can't be good."
Varkos's voice turned cold.
"Darius's scouts."
The armored wolves stopped at the edge of the clearing.
One of them stepped forward.
His voice carried loudly.
"Message from Alpha Darius."
The clearing fell silent.
Aria stepped forward slowly.
"What message?"
The scout looked directly at her.
"Prepare."
Aria frowned.
"For what?"
The scout smiled slightly.
"For invasion."
Marcus whispered,
"…well."
Rowan sighed.
"There it is."
The war had officially begun. 🐺