THE FUTURE ALPHA
The rest of the afternoon passed slowly for Aria.
After Lila left the laundry room with the strange black cloak, Aria returned to her work, but her mind refused to stay focused. The image of the silver crown embroidered on the cloak kept appearing in her thoughts.
She had never seen a symbol like that before.
It didn't belong to anyone in the Silver Moon Pack.
Most wolves here wore simple markings that represented the pack-usually a crescent moon with claw marks beneath it.
But the symbol on that cloak had looked... different.
Important.
Almost royal.
Aria rinsed the last piece of clothing and hung it outside to dry. The sunlight had started to soften as the afternoon slowly drifted toward evening.
The pack territory had grown busier.
Several wolves were moving around the clearing, carrying supplies and decorations for the Moon Ceremony. Lanterns were being hung from tree branches while long tables were arranged near the pack house.
Laughter and excited voices filled the air.
Aria stepped outside with the empty basket and paused for a moment.
From where she stood, she could see the main training ground clearly.
A group of warriors had gathered there, speaking in low voices. Some looked tense.
Curious whispers drifted through the air.
"He's arriving soon."
"I heard he's already near the border."
"They say he's stronger than the Alpha now."
Aria frowned slightly.
There was only one person they could be talking about.
Kael Blackwood.
The future Alpha.
Aria had never spoken to him before.
In fact, she had only seen him from a distance a few times when he visited the pack years ago. Even then, everyone kept their distance from him.
Kael wasn't just the Alpha's son.
He was the strongest wolf in their generation.
Many believed he would become an even more powerful Alpha than his father.
Aria adjusted her grip on the basket and began walking toward the storage shed where she usually kept the cleaning supplies.
But she didn't get far.
Suddenly-
A loud howl echoed from the forest.
Deep.
Powerful.
Dominant.
Every wolf in the clearing froze instantly.
Aria stopped walking.
Her heart skipped a beat.
The warriors near the training ground immediately straightened.
"That's him," one of them said quietly.
A second later, the wind shifted.
A strong scent spread through the air.
Wild.
Dangerous.
Commanding.
Even Aria could feel the power behind it, though she didn't have a wolf.
The pack members began moving toward the entrance of the territory.
Excitement spread quickly.
"Kael is back."
"Move! I want to see him."
Aria hesitated.
She knew she shouldn't go.
Someone like her had no place among the pack members welcoming the future Alpha.
Still...
Her feet moved anyway.
Slowly, she followed the crowd toward the wide path that led into the forest.
When she arrived, many wolves had already gathered.
Some stood proudly.
Others bowed their heads in respect.
Aria stayed near the back, keeping herself hidden behind taller wolves.
Moments passed.
Then-
Footsteps approached from the forest.
Heavy.
Confident.
A tall figure finally emerged from between the trees.
Kael Blackwood.
The clearing fell silent.
He was taller than Aria remembered.
Broad shoulders.
Dark hair slightly messy from travel.
A black jacket hung loosely over his strong frame, and his sharp grey eyes scanned the pack with calm authority.
There was something intimidating about him.
Not just his strength.
But the quiet dominance that followed him everywhere.
Several wolves lowered their heads respectfully as he walked past.
The pack warriors greeted him first.
"Welcome back, Kael."
He nodded briefly but didn't stop walking.
His gaze moved slowly across the crowd.
Observing.
Judging.
Aria kept her head lowered, hoping he wouldn't notice her.
But suddenly-
His steps slowed.
Something in the air changed.
Kael frowned slightly.
His wolf stirred beneath the surface.
He turned his head slowly toward the back of the crowd.
Toward her.
Aria felt it immediately.
A strange tension pulled tight inside her chest.
Her breath caught.
Why was he looking this way?
For a brief second, their eyes met.
Cold grey eyes locked with her startled ones.
Kael's expression shifted slightly.
Confusion flickered across his face.
Almost like he had sensed something strange.
But just as quickly, the feeling disappeared.
He looked away and continued walking toward the pack house.
The crowd slowly began to move again, whispering excitedly.
Aria remained frozen where she stood.
Her heart was beating faster than before.
She didn't understand why.
It had only been a single glance.
Nothing more.
Yet something about the moment had felt... strange.
Like the air between them had briefly tightened.
Aria shook her head and forced herself to leave before anyone noticed her standing there.
As she walked back toward the storage shed, the evening sky slowly darkened above the forest.
High above the pack territory, the moon had already begun to rise.
Tomorrow night, the Moon Ceremony would finally begin.
And somewhere deep within the forest-
Far beyond the borders of the Silver Moon Pack-
A powerful wolf lifted his head toward the rising moon.
His golden eyes glowed in the darkness as he murmured quietly to himself.
"Soon."