Chapter 17
256 Words
The wolves arrived before sunset.
Dozens of them emerged from the forest edge, their silver eyes reflecting the fading light as they stepped into Blackwood territory. The tension in the valley rose immediately.
Blackwood wolves gathered defensively near the entrance of the clearing, forming a loose barrier between the strangers and the heart of the pack.
Kael stood at the front of his wolves, shoulders tense and expression unreadable.
Lena remained beside Eira near the fire pit, watching the approaching pack carefully.
“Who are they?” she whispered.
“The Ironclaw Pack,” Eira replied quietly.
Their leader stepped forward and shifted smoothly into human form.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair and piercing amber eyes that scanned the valley with confident calm.
“Kael,” the man said.
“Ronan,” Kael replied coldly.
The two Alphas stared at each other for several long seconds.
Then Ronan’s gaze shifted toward Lena.
“So it’s true,” he said thoughtfully.
“The Moonborn has awakened.”
Whispers spread through the gathered wolves.
Kael stepped forward protectively.
“You’re trespassing.”
Ronan’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“Not trespassing.”
He nodded slightly toward Lena.
“Claiming.”
Kael’s eyes flashed dangerously.
“You’ll leave.”
Ronan ignored the warning.
“The Moonborn belongs to no single pack,” he said calmly.
“Her power affects every wolf territory.”
The tension thickened instantly.
And Lena suddenly realized something.
Selene didn’t just want the Moonborn’s power.
She wanted war between the wolves.
- Writer
