THE BLOOD EMPEROR
The forest went silent.
Even the monsters stopped moving.
Every creature slowly stepped aside, clearing a path through the trees.
Heavy footsteps echoed from the shadows.
Aria’s heart began pounding harder.
Then he appeared.
A tall figure stepped out of the forest.
He wore a long dark coat that moved slightly with the wind. His black hair fell loosely around his face, and his pale skin almost seemed to glow in the dim forest light.
But his eyes—
They burned bright red.
The Blood Emperor smiled slowly as he looked around the clearing.
“Well,” he said calmly.
“This is quite the gathering.”
No one moved.
Rowan muttered under his breath.
“That’s him.”
Lucian’s eyes narrowed as he studied the man.
“So the legend is real.”
The Alpha King stepped forward slightly.
His golden eyes were cold.
“You’ve killed my warriors.”
The Blood Emperor shrugged lightly.
“They were in the way.”
His gaze shifted past the King.
And landed directly on Aria.
His smile widened.
“Ah.”
“There you are.”
Aria felt a strange chill crawl up her spine.
Her wolf growled deep inside her chest.
The Blood Emperor looked pleased.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment.”
Rowan stepped between them protectively.
“Yeah, that’s not happening.”
The Blood Emperor glanced at him.
His expression didn’t change.
But Rowan suddenly flew backward.
A violent force slammed him into a tree.
He hit the ground hard.
Aria’s eyes widened.
“Rowan!”
Lucian’s blade flashed out instantly.
“You’ll regret that.”
The Blood Emperor chuckled.
“I doubt it.”
The Alpha King moved forward.
Power rolled off him like a storm.
“You came for her.”
“Yes.”
The Blood Emperor didn’t deny it.
“Obviously.”
Lucian’s voice was calm but deadly.
“You’re not leaving with her.”
The Blood Emperor tilted his head slightly.
“You misunderstand.”
His red eyes returned to Aria.
“I didn’t come to take her.”
Aria frowned.
“…Then why are you here?”
His smile slowly grew wider.
“To wake her.”
The words sent a chill through the clearing.
Lucian’s grip tightened on his sword.
“You won’t get close enough.”
The Blood Emperor laughed softly.
“You still think this is a fight?”
He lifted his hand slowly.
The monsters surrounding the clearing suddenly dropped to their knees.
Every single one.
Like obedient soldiers.
The ground began to tremble faintly.
Lucian’s eyes sharpened.
“What are you doing?”
The Blood Emperor looked at him with amusement.
“Something long overdue.”
Aria suddenly felt the power inside her surge violently.
Her breath caught.
The energy she had been struggling to control burst forward again.
Wind exploded through the clearing.
The trees shook.
The warriors staggered back.
The Alpha King grabbed her arm.
“Aria!”
Her silver eyes flashed again.
“I… can’t stop it!”
The Blood Emperor watched calmly.
“That’s because it’s not meant to be stopped.”
Lucian shouted,
“Don’t listen to him!”
But the Blood Emperor continued speaking to her.
“You’ve been suppressed your entire life.”
His voice was smooth.
Hypnotic.
“They sealed your true nature.”
Aria shook her head.
“No.”
“Yes.”
He took one slow step closer.
The Alpha King immediately moved in front of her.
“You’re not touching her.”
The Blood Emperor stopped.
But he didn’t look worried.
“Alpha King Kael.”
The King’s eyes narrowed.
“You know me.”
“Of course.”
The Blood Emperor smiled slightly.
“You’re famous.”
Lucian stepped beside the King.
“Flattery won’t help you.”
The Blood Emperor’s gaze shifted to Lucian.
“The Silver Alpha.”
Lucian’s jaw tightened.
“You talk too much.”
The Blood Emperor chuckled again.
“Perhaps.”
Then his red eyes returned to Aria.
“But tonight isn’t about you two.”
His hand slowly lifted.
And a deep red crystal appeared in his palm.
The Bloodstone.
The moment it appeared—
Aria screamed.
Power erupted from her body like a violent storm.
The ground cracked beneath her feet.
Lucian’s eyes widened.
“No!”
The Alpha King held her tightly.
“Aria!”
Her silver eyes burned brighter than ever.
The Blood Emperor’s voice was calm.
“Finally.”
The Bloodstone began glowing.
Aria’s power responded immediately.
The seal inside her cracked.
Once.
Lucian felt it instantly.
“…The seal.”
Rowan, still on the ground, lifted his head weakly.
“What about it?”
Lucian’s voice turned grim.
“It’s breaking.”