The moment his name left his lips—
The entire clearing froze.
Darius.
Not a scout.
Not a messenger.
Not part of the army.
The Alpha himself.
Marcus swallowed hard.
"…we are in trouble."
Rowan didn't respond.
His eyes were locked on the man standing at the edge of the forest.
Darius stepped forward slowly.
Calm.
Confident.
Like he already owned everything he could see.
His presence alone pressed down on the air.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
Several wolves instinctively stepped back.
Others lowered their heads.
Varkos didn't move.
But his muscles tensed.
Kael stepped slightly in front of Aria.
A silent shield.
Darius noticed.
His lips curved faintly.
"Protective."
Kael's voice was cold.
"Careful."
Darius chuckled softly.
"I like him."
Marcus whispered,
"He's joking at a time like this?"
Rowan shook his head.
"He's not joking."
Aria stepped forward.
Past Kael.
Her voice steady.
"You shouldn't be here."
Darius's golden eyes shifted to her.
And for a brief moment—
Something changed.
Curiosity.
Interest.
Then something darker.
"So it's true."
Aria crossed her arms.
"What is?"
Darius tilted his head slightly.
"The rumors."
Marcus whispered,
"Everyone keeps saying that."
Rowan nudged him.
"Shh."
Darius studied her carefully.
From head to toe.
Like he was trying to understand what made her different.
"You don't look like a Luna."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"And you don't look like a king."
Marcus whispered,
"…that was bold."
Rowan grinned.
"Very bold."
Darius's smile widened slightly.
"I like you already."
Kael stepped forward again.
His voice low.
"Say what you came to say."
Darius didn't look at him.
His gaze remained on Aria.
"I came to see for myself."
Aria frowned.
"And?"
Darius took another step closer.
The wolves around them tensed.
"You're weaker than I expected."
Marcus muttered,
"…rude."
Rowan nodded.
"Very rude."
Aria didn't react.
She simply said,
"Then leave."
Darius chuckled again.
"You're not in a position to give orders."
Varkos growled loudly.
"She is."
Darius finally glanced at him.
His expression didn't change.
"I know you."
Varkos's golden eye narrowed.
"And I know you."
The tension between them crackled instantly.
Marcus whispered,
"Alpha versus Alpha."
Rowan added,
"This is bad."
Darius looked back at Aria.
"You have something I want."
Aria frowned.
"What?"
Darius's voice dropped slightly.
"Power."
The word lingered.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Aria tilted her head.
"You already have an army."
Darius shook his head slowly.
"That's not enough."
Marcus whispered,
"…greedy."
Rowan nodded.
"Very."
Darius took another step forward.
Now he was close.
Too close.
"You don't understand what you are."
Aria's eyes narrowed.
"Then explain."
For the first time—
Darius's expression turned serious.
"The last True Luna…"
Alder stiffened slightly behind them.
"…could control entire packs with a single command."
Marcus blinked.
"…what?"
Rowan frowned.
"That's… a lot."
Darius's gaze never left Aria.
"She didn't need armies."
"She became the army."
Silence filled the clearing.
Aria felt something stir inside her.
A faint pulse.
Like her power reacting to his words.
Darius noticed.
His smile returned.
"There it is."
Kael stepped closer to Aria again.
"Stay away from her."
Darius finally looked at him fully.
His expression cold now.
"You're strong."
Kael didn't respond.
"But not enough."
The air shifted again.
Danger rising.
Fast.
Aria stepped forward.
"Enough talking."
Darius raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"You said I'm weak."
She looked him directly in the eyes.
"Prove it."
Marcus's eyes widened.
"…she did not just say that."
Rowan groaned.
"She did."
Varkos stepped forward instantly.
"No."
Alder's voice followed.
"Not yet."
But it was too late.
Darius smiled.
A real smile this time.
Sharp.
Excited.
"Good."
His body shifted instantly.
Bones snapping.
Muscles expanding.
In seconds—
A massive black wolf stood in front of them.
Larger than any wolf in the clearing.
Larger than Kael.
Larger than Varkos.
His golden eyes burned.
Marcus whispered,
"…that's not normal."
Rowan nodded slowly.
"That's Alpha dominance."
The ground trembled slightly under his paws.
Aria didn't move.
She shifted.
Her silver wolf appeared.
Standing firm.
Facing him.
For a moment—
The entire world seemed to pause.
Silver against black.
Light against darkness.
Darius lunged.
Fast.
Too fast.
Aria barely had time to react.
His claws slammed into her side—
Sending her flying across the clearing.
She hit the ground hard.
Dust exploded around her.
Marcus shouted,
"ARIA!"
Rowan stepped forward.
"Get up!"
Kael's wolf growled violently.
But Darius didn't chase her.
He simply stood there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Aria's wolf slowly stood.
Her breathing heavy.
Her side burned.
Darius tilted his head.
"That's it?"
His voice echoed in her mind.
Aria growled.
Her silver eyes began to glow brighter.
Stronger.
Something inside her snapped.
The air around her shifted.
Power surged.
The ground beneath her paws cracked slightly.
Marcus froze.
"…what is happening?"
Alder's voice was low.
"She's awakening."
Darius's eyes gleamed.
"Yes."
Aria's wolf lifted her head slowly.
Her entire body glowing faintly now.
Silver light wrapping around her like fire.
When she spoke—
Her voice wasn't just hers.
It echoed.
Ancient.
Powerful.
"Try again."
The clearing trembled.
And for the first time—
Darius looked surprised.