A POWER THAT COULD DESTROY THE WORLD
No one spoke.
The words Elias had just said still hung heavily in the air.
Nothing in this world will survive it.
Aria stared at him.
“You’re exaggerating.”
But even as she said it, her voice lacked confidence.
Elias shook his head slowly.
“I wish I was.”
Rowan ran a hand through his hair.
“Okay, let me get this straight.”
He pointed at Aria.
“She might be carrying the spirit of the first wolf ever created.”
Lucian nodded calmly.
“Correct.”
Rowan pointed toward the forest.
“And the Blood Emperor just stole a magic rock that can break the seal holding that power back.”
Elias nodded again.
“Yes.”
Rowan looked at the sky.
“I miss the days when my biggest problem was pack meetings.”
Aria crossed her arms.
“This is insane.”
Lucian studied her carefully.
“Is it?”
She glared at him.
“Yes.”
Lucian tilted his head slightly.
“Then explain what happened in the courtyard earlier.”
Aria hesitated.
The blast of power.
The storm clouds.
The energy she couldn’t control.
Rowan sighed.
“Yeah… about that.”
Aria rubbed her forehead.
“So what are we supposed to do?”
The Alpha King finally spoke.
His voice was calm, but firm.
“We stop the Blood Emperor.”
Lucian smirked slightly.
“Straight to the point.”
The Alpha King ignored the comment.
“He has the Bloodstone.”
His golden eyes darkened.
“If he reaches Aria with it, the seal will break.”
Aria looked at Elias.
“Can the seal be strengthened?”
Elias shook his head.
“No.”
Her stomach dropped.
“Why not?”
“Because it was never meant to last forever.”
Silence returned.
Lucian crossed his arms.
“So eventually the power awakens anyway.”
“Yes,” Elias said.
“But slowly.”
The Alpha King understood immediately.
“But the Bloodstone could force it instantly.”
Elias nodded.
“Exactly.”
Rowan groaned.
“That’s really bad.”
Aria looked at him.
“You think?”
Lucian stepped closer to her.
His blue eyes were sharp now.
“Which means the Blood Emperor will come for you personally.”
Aria’s chest tightened.
“I figured that.”
Lucian gave a small shrug.
“Just making sure everyone understands the situation.”
Kael suddenly spoke from behind them.
“So we hunt him first.”
Everyone turned toward him.
The former rejected mate looked serious.
“For once, I agree with the King.”
Rowan blinked.
“Wow.”
Lucian chuckled softly.
“Miracles happen.”
The Alpha King turned toward Elias.
“You said you helped create him.”
Elias didn’t deny it.
“Yes.”
“Then you know where he is.”
Elias hesitated.
Lucian noticed immediately.
“You do.”
Elias sighed.
“Yes… but it’s not simple.”
Rowan folded his arms.
“It’s never simple.”
Elias looked toward the mountains beyond the fortress walls.
“He hides in the Black Hollow.”
Lucian’s expression changed instantly.
“That place still exists?”
Rowan frowned.
“What’s Black Hollow?”
The Alpha King answered quietly.
“An abandoned territory.”
Lucian added,
“Where wolves once performed forbidden experiments.”
Aria felt a chill run through her.
“Perfect hiding place for a monster creator.”
Elias nodded.
“That’s why he chose it.”
The Alpha King’s voice hardened.
“Then we go there.”
Rowan blinked.
“Just like that?”
Lucian smiled faintly.
“I like this King.”
Aria looked at them like they were crazy.
“You’re talking about walking into the Blood Emperor’s base.”
Rowan raised a finger.
“To be fair, that does sound like a terrible idea.”
The Alpha King looked at her.
“It’s the only option.”
Lucian nodded.
“If we wait, he’ll grow stronger.”
Aria sighed.
“Of course.”
Rowan stretched his shoulders.
“Well.”
“When do we leave?”
The Alpha King’s answer came immediately.
“At dawn.”
Aria felt the weight of those words settle in her chest.
They were going to hunt the most dangerous enemy in the werewolf world.
Her wolf stirred quietly.
This is only the beginning.
But far away in the dark mountains—
Inside a hidden fortress of black stone—
A pair of glowing red eyes opened slowly.
The Blood Emperor smiled.
“Good,” he whispered.
“They’re coming to me.”