The clearing remained tense long after the scout disappeared.
Five hundred wolves.
Two days.
Marcus paced back and forth like a man trying to solve an impossible math problem.
"Two hundred versus five hundred…"
He counted on his fingers.
"…those odds are illegal."
Rowan sat on a nearby rock.
"I've seen worse."
Marcus stopped.
"Where?!"
Rowan shrugged.
"History books."
Marcus pointed dramatically.
"That's not comforting."
Aria stood quietly in the center of the clearing.
Her mind was racing.
Darius's army.
Alpha Rylan's challenge.
The pack watching her.
Waiting for her.
She exhaled slowly.
"Alright."
Everyone looked at her.
"We don't panic."
Marcus raised his hand.
"I already did."
Rowan nodded.
"Same."
Aria ignored them.
"We prepare."
Varkos crossed his arms.
"Finally."
Kael stepped forward beside her.
"What's the plan?"
Aria looked around the clearing.
At the wolves watching her.
Some were strong.
Others looked nervous.
But all of them were waiting.
Waiting for leadership.
She swallowed slightly.
"I need to get stronger."
Marcus blinked.
"…that's the plan?"
Aria pointed at the forest.
"Five hundred wolves are coming."
Then she gestured to herself.
"And I'm still learning how to control my wolf."
Rowan nodded slowly.
"Fair point."
Alder stepped forward.
"That is where training begins."
Marcus groaned.
"More training."
Alder ignored him.
He pointed toward the wide field behind the clearing.
"Every warrior in this pack will train."
Varkos nodded approvingly.
"Good."
Marcus looked around nervously.
"…does that include me?"
Rowan patted his shoulder.
"Yes."
Marcus sighed.
"I miss my peaceful life."
Aria turned to Kael.
"You're training me."
Kael nodded once.
"Hard."
Marcus whispered to Rowan,
"That sounded threatening."
Rowan grinned.
"Good."
The wolves began gathering in the training field.
More than a hundred warriors formed a large circle.
Some shifted into wolves.
Others remained human.
The atmosphere was serious now.
War was coming.
Aria stepped into the center.
Kael followed.
Marcus leaned toward Rowan.
"This is the part where she gets dramatically stronger."
Rowan nodded.
"Hopefully."
Kael looked at Aria.
"Shift."
She didn't hesitate.
Her silver wolf appeared instantly.
The massive wolf landed softly on the dirt.
Several wolves nearby watched in awe.
Her fur shimmered slightly in the sunlight.
Kael shifted next.
His dark wolf was just as large.
More experienced.
More controlled.
Alder raised a hand.
"Begin."
Kael attacked first.
Fast.
Aria dodged.
But barely.
His claws scraped her shoulder.
She jumped back.
Marcus winced.
"That looked painful."
Rowan nodded.
"Training."
Kael circled her slowly.
Aria's wolf mirrored his movements.
Watching.
Learning.
Kael lunged again.
This time—
Aria reacted faster.
She ducked and slammed into his side.
The impact pushed him back.
Several wolves murmured.
Marcus grinned.
"Oh!"
Rowan nodded proudly.
"She's improving."
Kael attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Aria blocked.
Then countered.
The two wolves moved across the field in a blur of silver and black.
Claws.
Growls.
Dust flying everywhere.
Varkos watched carefully.
"She adapts quickly."
Alder nodded.
"Very quickly."
Suddenly—
Kael's wolf slammed into her again.
Hard.
Aria tumbled across the ground.
Marcus jumped.
"Okay that was less impressive."
But Aria didn't stay down.
Her wolf stood instantly.
Her silver eyes glowing brighter.
Something inside her was changing.
Growing.
Kael noticed it too.
He paused.
Watching her carefully.
Aria's wolf growled.
A deeper sound this time.
Powerful.
The ground beneath her paws seemed to tremble slightly.
Marcus frowned.
"…do you feel that?"
Rowan nodded slowly.
"Yes."
The air felt heavier.
Charged.
Alder stepped forward slightly.
"The Luna power is awakening."
Kael attacked again.
But this time—
Aria moved faster than before.
She dodged his attack.
Spun.
And slammed her paw into his shoulder.
Kael slid across the dirt several feet.
The wolves gasped.
Even Varkos looked impressed.
Marcus pointed excitedly.
"Did you see that?!"
Rowan grinned.
"She just knocked him down."
Kael stood again.
His dark wolf shook the dust from his fur.
Then something surprising happened.
He bowed his head slightly.
A sign of respect.
Aria's wolf blinked.
Confused.
Marcus whispered,
"…did he just bow?"
Rowan nodded.
"Yes."
But the moment was interrupted.
A loud horn suddenly echoed from the forest.
Every wolf froze.
Varkos turned toward the sound instantly.
"That's the outer patrol."
Marcus frowned.
"…is that good or bad?"
A second horn sounded.
Louder.
Longer.
A warning signal.
Rowan stood quickly.
"That's bad."
A wolf sprinted into the clearing from the trees.
He shifted into human form while running.
His voice filled with panic.
"They're here!"
Aria shifted back into human form.
"Who?"
The warrior pointed toward the forest edge.
"The first wave of Darius's army!"
Marcus blinked.
"…already?"
The warrior nodded.
"At least a hundred wolves!"
The clearing exploded into movement.
Warriors began shifting.
Orders were shouted.
Varkos growled loudly.
"Positions!"
Kael looked at Aria.
His voice calm.
"Your first battle."
Marcus whispered,
"Oh no."
But before anyone could move—
A deep, powerful howl echoed through the forest.
Not a normal wolf howl.
An Alpha's command.
Alder's expression darkened.
"That is not a scout."
Aria frowned.
"Then who?"
A massive wolf slowly stepped out of the trees.
Black fur.
Golden eyes.
And armor marked with the black claw symbol.
The wolf shifted into human form.
Tall.
Terrifying.
He smiled slowly.
"I thought I would introduce myself."
Marcus whispered,
"…please don't say it's him."
The man looked directly at Aria.
"My name…"
His smile widened.
"…is Darius." 🐺