ns' eyes flashed back and forth, looking for any sign of danger. Aria's mind raced with fear of the unkn

he stillness. It wasn't the Shadow Council's call but the strange,

aid, "That's the

er told us to shelter in the cave

ous. "I don't know, but we can't i

afety. But she couldn't resist the pull of her pack or her need to help them.

as full and low in the sky, casting a bright light on the wolf pack when they arrived. Aria's throat tightened at the si

icantly, showing relief or terror, as soon as he spotted Aria. "Aria," he called

he weight of everyone's curious yet suspicious eyes. Zander moved in close, his voice low and urgent. "I know t

uickened. "Me?

rupted. His eyes shone fiercely. "The future o

, his face a mask of barely held fear. "This is m

and on her husband's arm. "Mar

breeze. Glancing out at the sea of faces, Aria saw her family, her pack, and the only world

re confused or even scared. Strange events are changing the world we know. But tonight,

small green tendrils grow and twist around her feet. "For generations, we have lived by strict rules and traditions, believing that our s

she felt a gentle breeze carrying the scent of spring. "Clinging to the old ways won't help us face t

r droplets rose from the dew-soaked grass, catching the moonlight like tiny stars. The pack began to express wonder

Aria said boldly, with conviction, "not as some

lent and urgent than the eerie calls of the Shadow Council. Panic erupted in the clearing. Wolves shifted forms, raising their

pack, she was shocked. The large gray wolf moved with confidence and predatory grace. As he neared the center of the clearing, he tran

ria. "Hello, little one," he said with a low

ed. How did he know her?

t tell me you've forgotten our little... arrangement. Your fath

ntrolling his anger. "She's not yours," he growled. "She

om what I've heard, you rejected her as Alpha. Or have you

remember any agreement or this wolf. Had her father really promised her wit

ouncil. The rival Beta lost his composure for a moment, showing a flicker of panic. "Seems we're not the only ones

ainty. All her life, she had been told she was weak and needed protection. But as she looked around at her parents, Zander, Liam, and Ethan, she kne

ready to spring; the shadows at the edge of the clearing seemed to grow darker

, her voice clear across the

m, and the night erupted into chaos. The Moonstone Pack's struggle