The warning horn echoed again.
Longer this time.
More urgent.
Every wolf in the training grounds froze as the sound rolled across the territory like thunder. The air shifted instantly — tension replacing the earlier calm. Warriors abandoned their drills, shifting into defensive positions with trained precision.
Nyra felt it before she even understood it.
Her chest tightened sharply, like invisible claws were reaching toward her from miles away.
"They're close…" she whispered, clutching her shirt.
Kael turned toward her instantly. "You can feel them?"
Nyra nodded slowly, fear pooling in her stomach. "It feels like… something is looking for me."
Kael's jaw clenched.
"Stay behind me," he ordered.
She didn't argue.
They moved quickly toward the border cliffs where the pack had already gathered. Dozens of wolves lined the ridge, some in human form, others half-shifted with claws extended and fangs bared.
The forest below them was too quiet.
No wind.
No birds.
No life.
Nyra's pulse pounded as she stepped beside Kael, her fingers brushing his arm instinctively. He didn't pull away.
Then—
The trees parted.
Three figures emerged from the shadows below.
They wore long black coats lined with silver markings that shimmered faintly in the moonlight. Each of them carried curved weapons strapped across their backs, glowing with strange runes that made Nyra's skin crawl.
The moment she saw them, something inside her screamed recognition.
Kael growled low in his throat.
"Blood Hunters," he said.
Nyra swallowed. "They're the ones who attacked me at the hospital…"
"Yes," Kael replied grimly. "And they never travel alone."
As if summoned by his words, more figures stepped from the forest — dozens this time — forming a silent army at the base of the cliff.
A tall man moved forward from the center of them.
He was older, his silver hair tied neatly behind his head, his sharp features calm and calculated. A long scar ran from his temple down to his jaw, and his pale grey eyes locked onto Nyra immediately.
Her breath stopped.
It felt like ice sliding through her veins.
"That one…" he said, his voice carrying effortlessly up the cliff.
He pointed directly at her.
"Belongs to us."
Kael stepped in front of Nyra instantly, his Alpha aura exploding outward like a storm. The ground beneath him cracked slightly as his wolf pushed closer to the surface.
"You stand on Shadowfang land," Kael growled. "Leave. Now."
The silver-haired man smiled faintly.
"Alpha Kael Draven," he said smoothly. "You've grown stronger since we last crossed paths."
Nyra glanced up at Kael. "You know him?"
Kael's voice dropped dangerously low.
"His name is Lucien Varkos."
Recognition flickered across the watching wolves, followed by fear.
"The leader of the Blood Hunters," one warrior whispered.
Lucien bowed slightly, mocking politeness. "Flattered that my reputation survives."
Nyra's heart hammered violently. "Why are they hunting me?"
Lucien's gaze sharpened as he studied her like she was a rare artifact.
"Because your blood is older than war itself," he said calmly.
A chill ran down her spine.
Kael stepped forward, placing himself fully between them.
"You will not touch her."
Lucien chuckled softly. "You misunderstand. She does not belong to you."
"She is under my protection," Kael snapped.
Lucien's expression darkened slightly.
"She belongs to history," he said. "And history demands balance."
Nyra felt the power beneath her skin stir violently at his words, reacting like it recognized his voice… his presence… his threat.
Lucien noticed immediately.
His smile widened.
"There it is," he murmured. "The Blood Moon Heir awakens exactly as prophecy foretold."
Murmurs spread through the pack behind her.
Nyra grabbed Kael's sleeve instinctively. "What prophecy?"
Lucien answered before Kael could speak.
"The heir whose blood commands beasts… whose existence unites or destroys every supernatural clan."
Nyra shook her head. "I'm not part of your prophecy."
Lucien tilted his head slightly. "Your parents said the same thing."
The world seemed to tilt beneath her feet.
"You knew my parents?" she whispered.
"I hunted them," he corrected calmly.
Rage exploded inside Nyra's chest, triggering a violent pulse of energy that rippled outward. Several wolves staggered again as the ground trembled beneath her feet.
Kael grabbed her wrist quickly. "Nyra, don't give him control over your emotions."
Lucien's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Yes," he said softly. "Show me how powerful you've become."
Kael's patience snapped.
His bones cracked violently as he shifted partially, claws extending from his fingers, golden eyes blazing with fury.
"Take one step closer," Kael growled, "and I will rip your army apart."
Lucien raised a single hand.
Behind him, the hunters drew their rune weapons simultaneously. The symbols ignited, glowing bright silver, filling the air with a painful humming sound that made Nyra gasp as her power recoiled inside her chest.
"They carry weapons forged to kill supernatural bloodlines," Kael said quietly to her. "Including yours."
Fear tightened around her throat.
Lucien's voice carried upward again.
"Alpha Draven," he said, almost pleasantly. "Hand her over, and your pack survives tonight."
A deadly silence followed.
Nyra felt every wolf behind her tense, waiting for Kael's decision.
Her chest ached as guilt stabbed through her heart.
"I'm not worth all of them dying," she whispered.
Kael turned sharply toward her, fury flashing in his eyes.
"Do not ever say that again."
"It's true," she said, voice trembling. "They're here because of me."
"They are here because they fear what you represent," he corrected. "And I will not sacrifice you to cowards hiding behind prophecy."
Lucien sighed, disappointed.
"Then you choose extinction."
He lowered his hand.
The hunters moved instantly.
They surged forward like shadows breaking loose from the forest, weapons glowing as they charged toward the cliff.
Chaos exploded across the territory as Shadowfang wolves shifted fully, leaping down to meet them in a violent collision of claws, steel, and magic.
Nyra's heart pounded as the battle erupted below them.
Kael grabbed her shoulders firmly.
"Listen to me," he said urgently. "Stay behind the defensive barrier. Do not engage unless you have no choice."
"You're going down there alone?!" she cried.
"I am Alpha," he said simply.
Before she could argue, he leaned closer, pressing his forehead briefly against hers. The contact sent warmth flooding through her veins again, steadying her panic.
"You survive," he whispered.
Then he turned and leaped from the cliff, shifting fully midair into his massive black wolf form before crashing into the battlefield below like living thunder.
Nyra stumbled toward the edge, watching in horror as war unfolded beneath her.
Claws tore through armor. Silver weapons flashed through moonlight. Blood stained the forest floor.
And standing calmly behind the chaos…
Lucien watched her.
His grey eyes locked onto hers like he could see straight through distance, battle, and fear.
Nyra's power flared violently in response.
Lucien smiled slowly.
"We will meet soon, child of the Blood Moon," he whispered, though she somehow heard him clearly above the war.
Nyra's chest tightened with dread.
Because deep inside her bones…
She knew he was right.