The howls outside the grand hall grew louder, reverberating through Crescent Vale. The rogue pack had arrived, their presence a thunderstorm waiting to unleash its wrath. Warriors scrambled into position, with matching features. Their weapons drawn and their wolves itching to shift.

But inside the hall, all eyes remained on Kaia, her bloodied form standing defiantly in the center. Her chest heaved, but her green eyes blazed with untamed determination. Beside her, Michael shifted subtly, his sharp gaze locked on the exits. The tension was suffocating, the room teetering on the edge of chaos.

Alpha Lucas turned his attention to the growing threat outside, his lip curling in disdain. “They dare challenge me here? In my territory?” His roar sent a shiver through the crowd, his dominance palpable.

The Priestess, calm amidst the brewing storm, tapped her staff against the floor. “This is no coincidence, Lucas. The prophecy is unfolding. The rogues you sought to destroy have returned to reclaim what was taken.”

Lucas ignored her, barking orders to his guards. “Lock down the hall. Protect the Luna and Alpha Jackson. No one gets in or out.”

Selina, still standing near the dais, watched helplessly as the scene unfolded. Her heart ached for Kaia, but a deeper fear gnawed at her. The rogue king’s arrival wasn’t just an attack; it was retribution, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that Kaia’s presence was the spark that had ignited the fire.

Kaia stepped closer to Lucas, her voice low and taunting. “This is your doing, Lucas. You made enemies of us all. And now your past is here to tear you apart. I'm not here for revenge. I just want a life.”

Lucas snarled, his wolf close to the surface. “You will die before this night is over, rogue.”

Kaia tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. “We’ll see.”

They were about to take the siblings away into the dungeons when the atmosphere thickened. The grand hall erupted in chaos as the first rogue broke through the doors. Morrigan recited some incantation and vanished amidst the smoke. She used to be a friend to Anika, but she aged due to the power derived from her.

A monstrous gray wolf barreled into the room, its growl echoing as it lunged at the nearest warrior. Screams filled the air as more rogues flooded in, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust.

Kaia and Michael moved as one, their training as lone wolves kicking in. Michael shifted instantly, his massive black wolf cutting through the crowd like a shadow. The Alpha priestess, was in her room, with shut eyes and a satisfactory smirk, but she envisioned all that was happening in the main hall. Kaia remained in human form, her movements precise and deadly as she took down warriors with nothing but her claws and raw strength.

Selina clutched the edge of a table, her breath hitching as the scene devolved into a bloodbath. She wanted to help, to do something, but Jackson grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the back exit.

“We have to go,” he said, his voice urgent.

“No!” Selina protested, her eyes darting to Kaia. “I can’t leave her.”

Jackson growled, his wolf flashing in his eyes. “She’s not your responsibility, Selina. You’re the Luna. Your duty is to  this pack to to protect it as your own.”

Selina hesitated, torn between loyalty and friendship. But before she could respond, a deafening roar shook the room.

The rogue king had entered.

He was massive, his silver-gray fur glinting under the moonlight streaming through the shattered windows. His presence was commanding, his yellow eyes locking onto Lucas with a hatred that burned brighter than the sun.

The two Alphas faced each other, the room falling silent as the tension mounted.

Lucas shifted, his transformation swift and brutal. His black wolf stood tall, a beast of pure power and rage. He lunged at the rogue king, their collision sending shockwaves through the hall.

Kaia stopped fighting, her eyes fixed on the battle. She could feel it in her bones—the prophecy was in motion. This was the reckoning Lucas had feared, the moment that would change everything.

Michael growled, nudging her toward the exit. “Kaia, we need to go!”

But Kaia shook her head, her voice firm. “Not yet.”

Selina, still in Jackson’s grasp, shouted, “Kaia! Don’t be a fool. You’ll die here! Go with your brother.”

Kaia glanced at her friend, a sad smile crossing her face. “You don’t understand, Selina. This is where I’m meant to be.”

The Priestess’ voice rang out, clear and commanding amidst the chaos, but in her dark silent room. “The Alpha king’s reign ends tonight. And from the ashes, a new order will rise. The moon has chosen.”

Lucas, locked in combat with the rogue king, faltered at her words. The distraction cost him. The rogue king’s massive jaws clamped onto his throat, dragging him to the ground. The black wolf thrashed, but the silver wolf was relentless.

Before anyone could react, his form shimmered, disintegrating into a shadowy mist. The mist moved with purpose, slithering across the hall like a snake until it shot into Michael.

Michael’s body jerked violently, his back arching as he let out a guttural scream. His eyes snapped open, glowing a crimson so vivid it seemed to bleed into the air. When he stood, his posture was different—his movements fluid, predatory.

Kaia froze. She knew, even before he spoke, that it wasn’t Michael anymore.

“Ah,” the rogue king’s voice purred, now coming from Michael’s lips. “This feels… fitting.”

Kaia stepped forward, her heart pounding. “What have you done, monster? Mic... Michael,” she called softly, desperately. “Fight it. I know you’re in there.”

But the rogue king, now in Michael’s body, only grinned. “Michael isn’t here right now,” he said mockingly, his voice layered with an otherworldly echo.

Without warning, he lunged at Alpha Lucas, moving with terrifying speed. The black wolf barely had time to shift before Michael’s claws raked across his chest. Lucas howled in pain, his blood spraying across the floor.

Kaia screamed. “No! Stop!”

She ran forward, trying to pull Michael back, but he flung her aside effortlessly. She hit the ground hard, gasping for air.

Selina, still near the dais, watched in horror. “Kaia, what’s happening?”

“It’s him,” Kaia said, her voice trembling. “The rogue king. He’s… inside Michael.”

Michael, possessed, fought like a wolf possessed by rage and power—because he was. His strikes were brutal, unrelenting. Lucas, for all his strength, was no match.

Kaia scrambled to her feet, her heart tearing in two. She couldn’t fight her brother. Not like this.

Michael’s claws finally found their mark, ripping through Lucas’ throat. The Alpha king crumpled to the ground, lifeless, as the hall erupted in chaos.

The mist reappeared, swirling out of Michael’s body as he collapsed, unconscious. The rogue king reformed, his laughter filling the room.

“Well, that was fun,” he said, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulders. His golden eyes flicked to Jackson and Selina. “I’ll be seeing you soon, newlyweds. Don’t get too comfortable.”

Rage boiled inside Kaia, eclipsing her fear. She lunged at the rogue king, her claws slashing. For a moment, he seemed amused, effortlessly dodging her attacks.

But then her blade found its mark—a deep gash across his side. The rogue king stumbled, his hand flying to the wound as blood seeped through his fingers.

The hall fell silent. The rogue king looked at the blood in disbelief, then at Kaia. “You…” he growled, his voice shaking with rage.

Kaia’s chest heaved, but she didn’t back down. “You’re not untouchable,” she said, her voice steady. “And I’ll prove it.”

The rogue king snarled, but before he could retaliate, Selina stepped forward, her eyes glowing with an ethereal light.

Selina’s voice rang out, clear and commanding, but not entirely her own. “Enough!”

A wave of energy pulsed through the room, emanating from Selina. The rogues froze, their movements sluggish, their strength draining away.

The warriors seized the opportunity, cutting down the weakened rogues as they scrambled for the exits. Michael, despite his unconscious state, shifted instinctively, his wolf tearing through the remaining rogues with brutal efficiency.

Kaia, however, barely fought. Her eyes stayed locked on the rogue king, who staggered back, his form flickering as if struggling to hold its shape.

“Interesting,” he muttered, his golden eyes narrowing at Selina. “You’re more powerful than you look, Luna. I’ll enjoy testing your limits.”

He dissolved into mist once more, retreating into the night.

The hall was in ruins. Blood stained the floor, and bodies littered the space. The surviving warriors stood panting, their weapons dripping with blood.

Kaia knelt beside Michael, her hands trembling as she checked his pulse. He was alive, but barely. His face was pale, his body, weak.

Selina approached cautiously, her glow fading. “Is he…?”

“He’ll live,” Kaia said, though her voice was shaky. “But he needs rest.”

The warriors surrounded them, their weapons still drawn. Kaia and Michael were rogues again in their eyes—threats, despite what had just happened.

Alpha Jackson’s voice rang out. “Take them to the dungeons.”

Kaia looked up sharply. “What?”

“You fought well,” Jackson said, his tone unreadable. “But you’re still rogues. And until we know what role you played in this attack, you’ll remain in chains.”

Selina opened her mouth to protest, but Kaia silenced her with a look. “It’s fine,” her reply came quietly. “Just… take care of Michael.”

As the guards dragged them away, Kaia glanced back at the Priestess. Morrigan’s eyes had been closed throughout the battle, but now they opened and back to the position she was before she disappeared.

Her expression was grave, her gaze locking onto Kaia.

“The moon’s will isn’t finished with you,” Morrigan said softly. “Be ready.”

Kaia’s heart sank as the cell doors slammed shut behind her. The fight was far from over.

And deep in the forest, the rogue king was already planning his next move.