The howl echoed through the trees again.
Long.
Low.
And answered by several more.
Aria felt the sound deep in her chest, like it vibrated through her bones instead of just reaching her ears.
Her heart started racing again.
"That… doesn't sound good," she whispered.
Kael's gaze stayed locked on the dark forest at the edge of town. His entire posture had changed. His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight, and his golden eyes scanned the shadows between the trees like a predator expecting an attack at any second.
"It's not," he said.
Another howl joined the others.
Closer this time.
Aria swallowed hard.
"How many are there?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. He inhaled slowly, letting the wind carry the scents of the forest to him.
His expression darkened.
"Too many."
Aria's stomach dropped.
"What do you mean 'too many'?"
Kael turned back toward her.
"We need to move."
"Move where?"
"My pack house."
Aria stared at him.
"Your what?"
"There's no time to explain everything right now," he said quickly. "You're not safe out here."
Aria glanced toward the forest again.
The shadows between the trees seemed darker now.
More alive.
She didn't understand any of this, but one thing was clear—those wolves earlier had not been normal.
And Kael had turned into one too.
Which meant the howls coming from the forest were probably…
More of them.
"Okay," she said quickly. "Let's move."
Kael nodded once.
"Stay close to me."
They started down the street at a fast pace. Kael walked slightly ahead of her, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.
Aria tried to keep up, her mind racing.
"So… let me get this straight," she said breathlessly. "Those guys were wolves. You're a wolf. And apparently I might have a wolf too?"
Kael didn't look at her.
"Yes."
"That's insane."
"Yes."
"And you're just saying it like it's normal!"
"It is normal," he replied calmly.
"For you maybe!"
Another howl echoed through the forest.
Closer again.
Aria shivered.
"How far is this pack house?" she asked.
"About ten minutes if we keep moving."
"Ten minutes?"
Kael suddenly stopped.
Aria almost ran into him.
"What?" she asked.
Kael tilted his head slightly, listening.
His eyes narrowed.
"They're moving fast."
Aria's stomach twisted.
"How fast?"
Kael looked at her.
"Faster than we can walk."
Aria's pulse jumped.
"Then why are we walking?"
Kael exhaled slowly.
"Because if we run, they'll chase."
"Isn't that already happening?"
Before Kael could answer—
A low growl came from the end of the street.
Both of them froze.
Aria slowly turned her head.
A wolf stepped out from behind a parked truck.
Its fur was dark brown, its eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
Another wolf appeared behind it.
Then a third.
Aria's heart nearly stopped.
"They're already here," she whispered.
Kael stepped slightly in front of her again.
The wolves stared at them silently.
Waiting.
Watching.
Aria felt that burning sensation in her chest return.
Stronger this time.
It spread through her ribs like fire.
"What's happening to me?" she whispered, clutching her shirt.
Kael glanced at her quickly.
"Your wolf is reacting."
"My wolf is trying to kill me!"
"No," he said firmly. "Your wolf is trying to wake up."
Another growl came from behind them.
Aria turned quickly.
More wolves had appeared at the other end of the street.
They were surrounded.
Her breathing quickened.
"Kael…"
"I know."
The wolves slowly began circling.
Their movements were cautious but confident.
Predators closing in.
Aria felt panic rise in her chest.
"What do we do?"
Kael's golden eyes darkened.
"We fight if we have to."
"We?"
"You're staying behind me."
"But I can't fight wolves!"
"You won't have to."
The wolves crept closer.
One of them stepped forward slightly larger than the others, its gray fur streaked with black.
Its yellow eyes locked onto Aria.
It inhaled deeply.
Then it let out a pleased growl.
"Found her," a rough voice said.
Aria blinked.
The wolf stepped forward again.
Then its body twisted suddenly.
Bones cracked.
Fur receded.
Within seconds, a tall man stood in the wolf's place.
Aria stared in disbelief.
He had long dark hair and cold yellow eyes.
A cruel smile spread across his face.
"Well this was easier than expected," he said.
Kael's growl was low and dangerous.
"Leave, Victor."
The man chuckled.
"Alpha Kael. Always so territorial."
Aria looked between them.
"You know this guy?"
"Unfortunately," Kael muttered.
Victor glanced at her.
His eyes gleamed with interest.
"So this is the mysterious girl."
Aria stepped back slightly.
Victor tilted his head, studying her.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Kael's voice turned icy.
"You're not taking her."
Victor laughed.
"Oh, I'm not here to take her."
Kael frowned.
Victor's smile widened.
"I'm here to deliver a message."
"A message?"
Victor pointed toward the forest.
"My Alpha sends his greetings."
Kael's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"I don't care."
Victor shrugged.
"You should."
Aria's chest burned hotter now.
The voice inside her mind stirred again.
Stronger.
Louder.
Danger.
Victor continued speaking.
"My Alpha heard rumors about a very special girl arriving in Blackridge."
Kael's fists clenched.
"There's no special girl here."
Victor smirked.
"Really?"
His glowing eyes slid toward Aria again.
"Because she smells like something incredibly rare."
Aria's heart pounded.
Kael stepped forward slightly.
"That's enough."
Victor held up his hands mockingly.
"Relax, Alpha. I'm not here to fight."
The wolves behind him growled softly.
"But my Alpha will be very interested in meeting her."
Aria shook her head.
"I'm not meeting anyone."
Victor chuckled.
"You don't really have a say in that."
Kael's growl deepened.
Victor turned his attention back to him.
"Tell me something, Kael."
"What?"
"Does she know what she is yet?"
Kael didn't answer.
Victor's smile faded slightly.
"Oh."
He looked back at Aria with sudden excitement.
"She doesn't know."
Aria frowned.
"Know what?"
Victor's eyes gleamed.
"This is even better than we thought."
Kael stepped forward threateningly.
"Victor—"
But Victor ignored him.
He stared straight at Aria.
"You should ask him," Victor said calmly.
"Ask him what?"
Victor's grin returned.
"Ask him why every rogue pack in the region is suddenly searching for you."
Aria felt her stomach drop.
"What?"
Victor chuckled.
"Because someone finally discovered the truth."
Kael's voice turned deadly.
"Leave."
Victor backed away slowly.
"We will," he said.
"But we'll be seeing you again soon."
He glanced at Aria one last time.
"Very soon."
Then his body twisted again.
Fur exploded across his skin.
Within seconds, the wolf stood there again.
Victor let out a sharp howl.
The wolves surrounding them immediately turned and ran back toward the forest.
Within moments, they disappeared into the trees.
Silence fell over the street again.
Aria slowly turned toward Kael.
Her heart was pounding harder than ever.
"What truth?"
Kael didn't answer.
He was staring at the forest with a dark expression.
"Kael."
Still nothing.
"Kael."
Finally he looked at her.
His golden eyes were full of worry now.
Real worry.
"What didn't he want me to know?" she asked.
Kael hesitated.
Which was all the answer she needed.
Her chest burned again.
The wolf's voice whispered urgently.
Ask him.
Aria crossed her arms.
"I'm not moving another step until you explain what's going on."
Kael sighed heavily.
"This isn't the place."
"Then where?"
He looked toward the mountains beyond the town.
"Somewhere safe."
Aria shook her head.
"No more secrets."
Kael rubbed the back of his neck.
"You're not ready to hear it."
"Try me."
Kael studied her for a long moment.
Then he spoke quietly.
"If what Victor said is true…"
Aria waited.
Kael's voice dropped into a low, serious tone.
"…then you're not just a werewolf, Aria."
Her heart skipped.
"Then what am I?"
Kael's expression hardened.
"You're the most powerful Luna born in centuries."
Aria stared at him.
"That's ridiculous."
Kael didn't laugh.
Didn't argue.
He just looked toward the forest again.
Because deep in the trees—
Dozens of glowing eyes had just appeared in the darkness.