The forest had finally become quiet after the battle.
The hunters had retreated, but the tension in the air remained.
Ariana still couldn't understand everything the elder had said.
"Moon Bloodline… Alpha's mate… what does that even mean?" she asked nervously.
Jayden looked at her but didn't answer immediately.
His wolf inside him was restless.
It kept repeating the same word.
Mate.
Kayden leaned against a tree, watching them with amusement.
"Well, this is interesting," he said.
Jayden frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Kayden smirked.
"You felt it too, didn't you?"
Jayden stayed silent.
The elder stepped forward again.
"The Moon Goddess chooses the mate of an Alpha," he explained calmly.
"And when that bond appears, the Alpha's wolf recognizes it instantly."
Ariana looked confused.
"So you're saying… I'm supposed to be someone's mate?"
The elder nodded slowly.
Kayden laughed softly.
"Looks like destiny has a sense of humor."
Jayden shot him an annoyed look.
"This isn't a joke."
Kayden stepped closer to Ariana.
"But here's the interesting part," he said.
"Just because fate chooses something… doesn't mean things stay simple."
Ariana frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Kayden's golden eyes glinted.
"I felt the bond too."
The entire group froze.
Jayden's expression darkened immediately.
"That's impossible."
Kayden shrugged casually.
"Maybe… or maybe not."
The elder looked surprised as well.
"A rare situation," he said slowly.
"Sometimes the Moon Goddess tests the pack."
Jayden clenched his fists.
"By creating conflict between brothers?"
The elder sighed.
"It has happened before."
Ariana looked between the two brothers, completely confused.
"Wait… are you saying both of you…?"
Kayden smiled.
"Welcome to the most complicated love story you'll ever experience."
Jayden turned away, clearly frustrated.
Because now he understood something dangerous.
If Ariana truly was their fated mate…
Then the rivalry between him and Kayden was about to become far worse.
And this time…
It wouldn't just be about power.
It would be about her.