The atmosphere inside the Sawyer pack territory had completely changed.
Everyone knew the Blood Moon was coming.
And with it… war.
Early the next morning, Ariana stood in the training clearing again.
But this time it wasn't just Kayden with her.
Jayden was there too.
Several pack warriors stood nearby, watching carefully.
Ariana looked nervous.
"So… both of you are training me now?"
Kayden grinned.
"Lucky you."
Jayden ignored the joke.
"This isn't a game anymore."
He stepped closer to her.
"Your power will grow rapidly before the Blood Moon."
"If you can't control it… it could hurt the entire pack."
Ariana nodded seriously.
"Okay. Tell me what to do."
Jayden pointed toward a large stone in the clearing.
"Focus on it."
"Imagine the moonlight flowing through your body."
Ariana closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She tried to remember the feeling from the battlefield.
Slowly…
The faint silver glow appeared around her hands again.
Kayden raised an eyebrow.
"Not bad."
Jayden remained focused.
"Now direct the energy."
Ariana raised her hand toward the stone.
For a moment nothing happened.
Then suddenly—
A thin beam of silver light shot forward.
The stone cracked down the middle.
Several warriors gasped.
"That's powerful…"
Ariana opened her eyes in surprise.
"I did that?"
Kayden laughed.
"Well, you just broke a rock with moonlight."
But Jayden wasn't smiling.
He looked toward the sky thoughtfully.
"Your power is growing faster than expected."
Meanwhile…
Deep inside the mountains, Alpha Darius stood before a group of dark wolves.
Behind him, dozens of warriors waited.
But they weren't ordinary wolves.
Their eyes glowed red with dark energy.
One of the wolves spoke quietly.
"The dark ritual is complete, Alpha."
Darius smiled slowly.
"Good."
He looked toward the distant moon.
"Let Jayden prepare his little Moon Heir."
"Because when the Blood Moon rises…"
"My army will be ready."
Back at the Sawyer territory, Ariana continued training.
Unaware that the war coming for her…
Was going to be far bigger than anyone expected.