The forest seemed darker after the stranger disappeared.
Even the wind had grown quiet, as if the night itself had heard the warning and was waiting to see what would happen next.
No one moved for several seconds.
Then the murmurs began.
“A war…?”
“What did he mean?”
“The Moonborn…”
Lena felt every whisper pressing against her like invisible weight.
Her heart was still racing, the stranger’s words echoing loudly in her mind.
Soon… she’ll have to choose.
Choose what?
Choose between who?
Slowly, she turned toward Kael.
But Kael wasn’t looking at her.
He was staring into the forest, his expression darker than she had ever seen it.
Rowan stepped beside him.
“You knew,” the Beta said quietly.
Kael didn’t deny it.
“I suspected.”
Rowan ran a hand through his hair in frustration
