The castle gates opened before dawn.
A cold mist rolled across the stone bridge as twelve elite Lycan warriors assembled in perfect silence.
Each wore black armor etched with silver runes.
Each carried enough weapons for war.
Kael mounted his midnight-black stallion at the head of the group.
His golden eyes swept over his warriors.
“We ride hard.” “We stop only if someone falls.” “Understood?” “Yes, Your Majesty!” Their voices thundered through the courtyard.
Just as Kael reached for the reins— “I believe you’re forgetting someone.” He turned.
Aria walked toward him dressed in fitted black leather traveling clothes beneath a dark cloak.
The Moonblade rested across her back, its silver hilt gleaming in the morning light.
The warriors stared.
Only yesterday she had looked like an ordinary orphan.
Now…
She carried herself with quiet confidence.
Kael couldn’t hide his smile.
“I was hoping you’d change your mind.” “You hoped wrong.” A few warriors exchanged amused glances.
Rowan leaned toward another captain and whispered, “Our king has finally met someone who doesn’t obey him.” The captain chuckled.
Kael shot them a warning look.
Neither looked remotely sorry.
Hours later…
The rescue party entered the Shadowlands.
The forest changed immediately.
Sunlight struggled to pierce the twisted branches overhead.
Ancient trees loomed like silent giants.
No birds sang.
No animals stirred.
Only silence.
Aria shivered.
“This place feels…” “Wrong,” Kael finished.
“The Shadowlands were abandoned centuries ago.” “Why?” He looked ahead.
“Because something here never truly died.” As they continued, Aria’s pendant began to pulse against her chest.
Once.
Twice.
Then faster.
She pulled it from beneath her cloak.
“It’s glowing again.” Kael immediately raised his hand.
“Halt!” The entire company stopped.
Rowan drew his sword.
“What is it?” Before anyone answered— The ground shook.
A deafening roar echoed through the trees.
From the darkness emerged a creature unlike anything Aria had ever seen.
It was the size of a house.
Its body resembled a wolf, but black scales covered its shoulders, and crimson cracks glowed beneath its skin like molten lava.
Its eyes burned bright red.
One of the younger warriors gasped.
“By the Moon Goddess…” “A Dread Wolf.” Kael’s expression darkened.
“Those creatures were supposed to be extinct.” The beast sniffed the air.
Then its gaze locked onto Aria.
It lowered its head…
Not to attack.
To bow.
The forest fell silent.
Even Kael looked stunned.
The Dread Wolf released a low rumble before stepping aside, clearing a narrow path deeper into the forest.
Rowan frowned.
“It…
moved out of our way.” Aria stepped forward cautiously.
“I think…” She looked at the creature.
“It’s showing us where to go.” Kael studied the beast for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
“We follow.” Deep inside the ruined fortress…
The crimson-eyed stranger stood before a stone basin filled with dark water.
The surface rippled.
It showed Kael and Aria entering the Shadowlands.
He smiled.
“Exactly as I planned.” A hooded servant approached and knelt.
“My Lord…” “The gate is almost ready.” “And the prisoners?” “They still refuse to speak.” The stranger’s smile faded.
“Then perhaps…” He reached toward the dark water, and black flames danced around his fingertips.
“…their daughter will persuade them.” He closed his hand into a fist.
Far away in the Shadowlands, Aria cried out as the Moonblade suddenly burned with silver fire.
The pendant around her neck blazed just as brightly.
Then, from somewhere ahead, a familiar voice echoed through the trees.
“Aria…” Her heart stopped.
Tears filled her eyes.
She knew that voice.
It was the voice she had dreamed of hearing her entire life.
“Mom?”