The monstrous claw gripped the edge of the Shadow Gate.
Stone cracked beneath its enormous weight.
A low growl rolled across the forest, so deep it shook the leaves from the trees.
Every Lycan warrior instinctively stepped back.
Even the bravest among them felt fear.
Malakar smiled with satisfaction.
“After a thousand years…” “Our first warrior returns.” The claw was followed by another.
Then a massive horned head slowly emerged from the swirling darkness.
Its body resembled a wolf, yet black scales covered its neck and shoulders.
Two enormous crimson horns curved backward from its skull.
Its eyes burned like molten lava.
The beast inhaled deeply.
“Freedom…” Its voice was ancient.
Hoarse.
“I had almost forgotten the scent of this world.” Kael’s wolf snarled inside him.
Destroy it.
Aria stared at the creature in horror.
“What…
is it?” The oldest Lycan warrior dropped to one knee.
His voice trembled.
“The first Shadow Beast.” “The Guardian of the Gate.” Malakar stroked the creature’s massive neck.
“Meet Varkor.” “The strongest warrior ever created.” Varkor’s burning gaze settled on Aria.
“So…” “The Moonborn Queen lives.” He smiled, revealing rows of razor-sharp fangs.
“I’ve waited centuries to taste your blood.” Kael stepped forward.
“You’ll have to get through me first.” Golden energy erupted around him.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
His eyes blazed brighter than the rising sun.
His warriors immediately recognized the aura.
Rowan’s eyes widened.
“My King…” “You’re using your full power.” Kael never looked away from Varkor.
“If I don’t…” “There won’t be a kingdom left to protect.” He raised his sword.
“Stand back.” The command echoed through the clearing.
Every warrior obeyed without hesitation.
Even Aria retreated, though every instinct told her to stay beside him.
Kael attacked first.
He crossed the battlefield faster than the eye could follow.
His glowing blade crashed against one of Varkor’s claws.
The impact exploded like thunder.
A shockwave flattened nearby trees.
Varkor laughed.
“Excellent.” He swung his massive tail.
Kael leaped over it, twisting through the air before driving his sword toward the beast’s throat.
Varkor caught the blade between two claws.
“You’ve improved.” “So have you,” Kael replied.
With a burst of strength, he forced the beast backward.
The ground split beneath Varkor’s feet.
For the first time…
The monster looked impressed.
Watching from the edge of the battlefield, Aria clutched the Moonblade.
Her heart raced.
Kael was holding his own…
But every strike seemed to cost him more strength.
Malakar noticed her concern.
“You love him already.” Aria glared at him.
“I’ll never become what you want.” He chuckled.
“I don’t need you to.” “I only need your power.” He suddenly lifted both hands.
Dark chains burst from the ground.
They shot toward Aria like living snakes.
“Aria!” Rowan shouted.
She spun, slicing one chain apart with the Moonblade.
Another wrapped around her ankle.
A third caught her wrist.
The chains glowed with black runes, draining the silver light from her crescent mark.
She cried out in pain.
Kael heard her scream.
His heart stopped.
He turned instinctively.
It was the opening Varkor needed.
The beast’s enormous claw slammed into Kael’s chest.
The Lycan King was hurled through the forest.
He crashed through ancient trees before striking a cliffside with bone-rattling force.
The mountain itself cracked.
“KAEL!” Aria screamed.
Blood trickled from the corner of Kael’s mouth as he struggled to stand.
His golden aura flickered.
For the first time since Aria had met him…
He looked vulnerable.
Malakar smiled.
“Love.” “It makes even the strongest king predictable.” He walked toward the trapped Aria.
“You see?” “His greatest weakness…” “…is you.” Aria looked at Kael, who was forcing himself back to his feet despite his injuries.
Then she looked at the black chains binding her.
A fierce determination replaced the fear in her eyes.
“No.” She tightened her grip on the Moonblade.
“I won’t let anyone fall because of me.” The Queen’s Heart pendant blazed with brilliant silver light.
Deep beneath the earth…
Something answered.
A heartbeat.
Ancient.
Powerful.
Waiting.
The entire forest trembled as a majestic howl echoed from somewhere beneath the mountains.
Every wolf—Lycan, Shadowborn, even Varkor—froze.
Kael slowly lifted his head.
He knew that howl.
It belonged to a creature thought lost to legend.
The First Alpha had awakened.