The clearing was silent.
The armored scout stood calmly at the edge of the field, surrounded by dozens of tense wolves.
His black armor gleamed faintly in the afternoon light.
Marcus leaned toward Rowan and whispered,
"Please tell me this is just a dramatic bluff."
Rowan didn't look away from the scout.
"I don't think it is."
Aria stepped forward.
Her posture straight.
Her voice steady.
"You came all this way just to warn us?"
The scout's lips curled slightly.
"I came to deliver a message."
Varkos growled quietly behind her.
"Speak."
The scout didn't seem intimidated.
His eyes scanned the clearing slowly.
Taking in the wolves.
The warriors.
Kael.
And finally stopping on Aria.
"So you're the one."
Aria crossed her arms.
"I asked for the message."
The scout nodded slowly.
"Alpha Darius sends his regards."
Marcus whispered,
"Very polite."
Rowan elbowed him.
"Shh."
The scout continued.
"He says the rumors were… interesting."
Aria's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What rumors?"
The scout smiled faintly.
"That a True Luna has appeared."
The wolves around the clearing tensed.
Some shifted their feet.
Others watched Aria more closely.
The scout took a step forward.
"Alpha Darius does not believe in rumors."
Aria tilted her head.
"So he sent scouts?"
"No."
The scout's smile widened.
"He sent a warning."
Marcus muttered,
"That sounds worse."
The scout's voice echoed across the clearing.
"Submit."
The word landed like a stone.
Silence followed.
Then Marcus burst out laughing.
"Oh that's funny."
Rowan nodded.
"Very funny."
Varkos stepped forward slowly.
His massive frame towering over most wolves.
His golden eye burned with anger.
"You come to our territory and demand submission?"
The scout didn't back down.
"I deliver the message."
Aria stepped beside Varkos.
Her voice calm.
"And if we refuse?"
The scout looked directly at her.
"Then Darius will come personally."
Marcus whispered,
"…I don't like that option."
Rowan nodded.
"Not at all."
Aria studied the scout.
"You're very confident."
The scout shrugged.
"My Alpha commands the largest army in the region."
Marcus crossed his arms.
"That's not a flex."
The scout ignored him.
He kept looking at Aria.
"You have three days."
Aria's eyes narrowed.
"Three days for what?"
The scout answered calmly.
"To decide."
Marcus blinked.
"Decide what?"
The scout's voice was cold now.
"Submit… or be destroyed."
The words echoed through the clearing.
Several wolves growled openly now.
Rowan cracked his knuckles.
"I vote we destroy them instead."
Marcus nodded.
"Seconded."
But Aria remained calm.
She took one slow step closer to the scout.
"So let me understand this."
The scout waited.
"Darius conquers territories."
"Yes."
"He builds armies."
"Yes."
"And now he wants this pack."
The scout nodded.
"Correct."
Aria tilted her head slightly.
"And he thinks sending a few scouts will scare us?"
The scout's smile faded slightly.
"It's not fear he expects."
Marcus whispered,
"Then what?"
The scout answered simply.
"Reality."
Aria was quiet for a moment.
Then she smiled.
Not a polite smile.
A dangerous one.
"Tell Darius something for me."
The scout raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Aria leaned slightly closer.
Her silver eyes glowing faintly.
"Come and take it."
Marcus grinned.
"Oh that was good."
Rowan nodded proudly.
"Very Luna-like."
The scout stared at her for several seconds.
Then he slowly nodded.
"I'll deliver the message."
He turned toward the forest.
But before leaving—
He looked over his shoulder one last time.
"And Luna…"
Aria frowned.
"What?"
The scout's voice was calm.
"You should hurry."
Marcus frowned.
"Hurry for what?"
The scout pointed toward the distant mountains.
"Because the first part of Darius's army…"
His eyes gleamed slightly.
"…is already marching."
The wolves in the clearing froze.
Rowan whispered,
"…how big?"
The scout answered casually.
"Five hundred."
Marcus nearly choked.
"FIVE HUNDRED?!"
But the scout was already shifting.
His wolf form appeared instantly.
Large.
Dark.
He ran into the forest without another word.
Leaving the clearing stunned.
Marcus slowly turned to Aria.
"…so."
Aria rubbed her forehead.
"Yes?"
Marcus pointed toward the forest.
"We're about to fight five hundred wolves."
Rowan sighed.
"And we only have two hundred."
Varkos crossed his arms.
"Two hundred strong wolves."
Marcus shook his head.
"That's still math I don't like."
Kael stepped forward.
His voice calm.
"They're not here yet."
Aria looked at him.
"How long?"
Kael studied the horizon.
"Two days."
Marcus groaned.
"Of course it's two days."
Rowan frowned.
"Why?"
Marcus pointed at Aria.
"Because she fights Alpha Rylan in three."
The realization spread through the group.
Two days until an invading army.
Three days until another Alpha challenge.
Aria sighed.
"Perfect timing."
Alder stepped forward.
His silver eyes glowing faintly.
"It is not coincidence."
Marcus blinked.
"…what does that mean?"
Alder looked toward the forest.
"It means the war has already begun."
And somewhere far beyond the mountains—
An army of wolves was already moving toward them. 🐺