THE ALPHA WHO CAME RUNNING
The massive wolf burst out of the forest like a storm.
Branches snapped under its weight as it landed heavily on the path ahead of them.
Aria instinctively stepped back.
The wolf was enormous—easily the size of the Alpha King’s wolf.
Its thick fur was dark brown, and its glowing amber eyes burned with power.
A deep growl rumbled from its chest as it stared straight at them.
Aria’s heart raced.
“Is he… attacking us?”
The Alpha King didn’t answer immediately.
His golden eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the wolf.
Then the massive wolf suddenly shifted.
Bones cracked and twisted as the creature rose onto two legs.
Within seconds, a tall man stood in its place.
He looked slightly younger than the Alpha King, though still powerful.
His shoulders were broad, his body muscular, and his amber eyes still glowed faintly with wolf energy.
The man glanced between them quickly.
Then his gaze stopped on Aria.
Shock crossed his face.
“So it’s true,” he breathed.
Aria frowned.
“What is?”
But the man suddenly dropped to one knee in front of the Alpha King.
“My King.”
Aria blinked.
Oh.
He wasn’t here to fight.
The Alpha King’s expression softened slightly.
“Rise, Rowan.”
The man stood again quickly.
“Forgive me for approaching without warning,” Rowan said. “But the council sent me the moment we heard.”
Aria’s stomach tightened.
“Heard what?”
Rowan’s eyes moved toward her again.
“That the Shadow Bloodline has returned.”
Aria sighed quietly.
“Great. So everyone knows now.”
Rowan didn’t smile.
Instead, he looked concerned.
“Not everyone.”
The Alpha King folded his arms.
“But enough.”
Rowan nodded grimly.
“Yes.”
Aria crossed her arms slightly.
“Okay… I clearly missed something.”
Rowan hesitated before answering.
“Only the most powerful packs have heard the rumors so far.”
Aria’s chest tightened.
“And they believe them?”
Rowan glanced at the unconscious hunters and injured rogues scattered nearby.
“I’d say they have good reason.”
The Alpha King stepped forward.
“Why did the council send you?”
Rowan’s expression turned serious.
“They’re worried.”
Aria snorted softly.
“That’s an understatement.”
Rowan ignored the comment.
“More Alphas are already moving,” he said.
“Toward us?”
“Yes.”
The Alpha King’s jaw tightened slightly.
“How many?”
Rowan hesitated.
“Three confirmed.”
Aria’s eyes widened.
“Three Alphas?!”
Rowan nodded slowly.
“And possibly more once the rumors spread.”
Aria rubbed her forehead.
“This is getting worse.”
Rowan looked at her again with curiosity.
“You’re calmer than I expected.”
Aria blinked.
“Should I be screaming?”
“Most people would be.”
She shrugged.
“I’m too tired for that.”
The Alpha King almost smiled.
Then Rowan spoke again.
“There’s another problem.”
The Alpha King’s eyes sharpened.
“What?”
Rowan’s expression darkened.
“We believe someone is helping the hunters.”
Aria frowned.
“Helping them?”
Rowan nodded.
“Hunters usually don’t know about werewolf politics.”
“But these ones knew about the Shadow Bloodline.”
The Alpha King looked toward the unconscious hunters again.
“Yes.”
Aria’s wolf growled quietly inside her mind.
That’s bad.
Aria agreed.
“Do we know who’s helping them?”
Rowan shook his head.
“Not yet.”
The Alpha King turned toward the distant fortress walls of his territory.
They were much closer now.
“We need to move.”
Rowan nodded.
“Yes.”
Aria glanced between them.
“Move faster?”
“Exactly.”
The Alpha King looked at her.
“Can you keep up?”
Aria raised an eyebrow.
“Are you asking me to run with two Alpha wolves?”
“Yes.”
She sighed.
“Of course you are.”
Rowan chuckled slightly.
But before they could start moving—
Aria’s wolf suddenly growled again.
Louder this time.
Wait.
Aria froze.
“What now?”
Her wolf sounded tense.
There’s another scent.
The Alpha King immediately noticed her reaction.
“What is it?”
Aria sniffed the air instinctively.
At first, she smelled only the forest.
Trees.
Blood from the earlier fight.
Then suddenly—
She caught something else.
A familiar scent.
Her eyes widened.
“That can’t be right…”
Rowan frowned.
“What?”
Aria looked toward the forest behind them.
Confusion filled her face.
“I know that scent.”
The Alpha King’s voice lowered.
“Who is it?”
Aria swallowed slowly.
“Kael.” ??