THE SECOND WAVE
“A lot.”
The words hung in the air like a warning bell.
Rowan turned sharply toward the dark forest beyond the fortress walls.
“You’re sure?”
Aria nodded slowly, her hand still pressed against her chest.
The burning sensation had become a steady pulse now.
Her wolf’s instincts were screaming.
They’re getting closer.
The Alpha King’s expression hardened instantly.
He turned toward the warriors guarding the walls.
“Positions!”
His voice echoed across the courtyard like thunder.
Immediately the fortress sprang into motion.
Warriors rushed toward the walls.
Weapons were raised.
Archers climbed the towers.
Torches were lit along the stone battlements.
The fortress was preparing for another attack.
Lucian glanced toward the forest calmly.
Then he sighed.
“That didn’t take long.”
Rowan shot him an annoyed look.
“You don’t seem very concerned.”
Lucian shrugged.
“I already told you the first creature was a test.”
Aria frowned.
“So this is the real attack?”
Lucian’s eyes flicked toward her.
“Most likely.”
Kael cracked his knuckles.
“Good.”
Everyone looked at him.
He smirked slightly.
“I didn’t get a proper fight earlier.”
Darius shook his head.
“You might regret that wish.”
The Alpha King shifted into his wolf form again.
His massive black wolf landed heavily on the stone ground.
Golden eyes blazing.
A low growl rolled through the courtyard.
Lucian watched him for a moment.
Then he smirked slightly.
“Show off.”
Without another word, Lucian shifted too.
His silver wolf burst forward in a flash of fur and muscle.
He landed beside the Alpha King.
Two enormous wolves now stood side by side.
Black and silver.
Both radiating Alpha dominance.
Rowan whistled softly.
“Well… that’s intimidating.”
Aria barely noticed.
Her attention was fixed on the forest.
The trees were moving again.
Branches snapping.
Leaves shaking.
Something was coming.
Then—
The first creature appeared.
It stepped out of the forest slowly.
Aria’s stomach dropped.
It looked like the monster from earlier.
But slightly smaller.
Still twisted.
Still unnatural.
Still terrifying.
Then another one stepped out behind it.
Then another.
And another.
Rowan’s eyes widened.
“Oh… that’s bad.”
Soon the tree line was filled with movement.
Dozens of glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness.
The warriors on the walls began whispering nervously.
“That’s too many…”
“What are those things?”
Aria counted quickly.
Her chest tightened.
“There’s at least thirty.”
Rowan cursed under his breath.
“Thirty rogue mutations?”
Darius looked grim.
“This fortress wasn’t designed for that.”
Lucian’s silver wolf stood very still beside the Alpha King.
But his blue eyes were sharp.
Calculating.
The Alpha King’s growl deepened.
The creatures slowly began walking toward the fortress.
Their movements were unnatural.
Jerky.
Like puppets being pulled by invisible strings.
Aria’s wolf shivered.
Someone is controlling them.
“I know,” Aria whispered.
The creatures stopped about twenty meters from the gate.
For a moment, everything went still.
Then—
One of them suddenly lifted its head.
And spoke.
But the voice that came out wasn’t monstrous.
It was calm.
Cold.
Human.
“Well…”
The creature’s red eyes locked onto Aria.
“I see you received my message.”
A chill shot down Aria’s spine.
The voice continued.
“I must admit…”
The creature smiled slowly.
“You’re even more interesting than I expected.”
Rowan looked horrified.
“Please tell me that’s not—”
The voice answered him.
“Yes.”
The creature’s eyes glowed brighter.
“You are speaking to the Blood Emperor.”
The courtyard fell silent.
Even the wind stopped.
Aria’s heart pounded violently.
The creature tilted its head slightly.
“And Aria…”
Its smile widened.
“I’ve come to bring you home.”