Kael Draven moved like a falling mountain.
The ground shattered beneath every step as he charged straight toward Aurelia, crimson aura blazing around him like wildfire.
The battlefield froze for a heartbeat.
Then everything exploded again.
"STOP HIM!" Darius roared.
The massive Lycan launched himself forward.
Lucien moved at the same time, blade flashing like lightning.
Cassian vanished into the shadows of the battlefield, already circling for a strike from behind.
Alaric rushed in from the side, his sword drawn in a wide arc meant to intercept Kael's charge.
But Kael didn't slow.
He smashed through Alaric first.
Their weapons collided with a thunderous crack.
Alaric staggered back two steps as Kael's raw strength forced his blade downward.
Before Kael could finish the blow.
Lucien struck.
Steel sang through the air.
Lucien's sword aimed straight for Kael's throat.
Kael twisted.
The blade cut across his shoulder instead.
For the first time in the battle.
Blood spilled from Kael Draven.
Dark red against his black armor.
He stepped back.
Touched the wound.
Looked at the blood on his fingers.
Then laughed.
A deep, booming laugh that rolled across the battlefield.
"GOOD!"
His crimson aura surged even higher.
"FINALLY!"
Darius slammed into him from the side.
The impact sent both of them crashing through broken stone.
Darius clawed forward like a beast unleashed, jaws snapping inches from Kael's neck.
Kael caught his throat mid-lunge.
One hand.
Darius's eyes widened.
Kael lifted him off the ground like he weighed nothing.
"Strong."
He hurled Darius across the battlefield.
The massive Lycan crashed through two Frostfang warriors before skidding to a stop.
Cassian chose that moment.
He appeared behind Kael in absolute silence.
His dagger aimed for the gap in Kael's armor at the spine.
The blade struck.
Kael moved half an inch.
The dagger sank into armor but not deep enough.
Cassian cursed.
Kael's elbow slammed backward like a battering ram.
Cassian flew across the ground, tumbling hard before rolling to his feet again.
Lucien returned instantly.
This time he didn't attack alone.
Alaric joined him.
Two Alpha-level warriors striking together.
Their blades crossed toward Kael's chest.
Kael stepped forward into the attack instead of away.
The shockwave of the clash rippled through the battlefield.
Claws.
Steel.
Aura.
The air itself seemed to tear.
Aurelia watched.
Her heart was hammering.
But the land beneath her feet was beating stronger now.
The golden veins in the earth spread further across the valley.
Wolves on every side felt it.
Not just power.
Belonging.
Protection.
Strength.
Even those fighting felt a strange calm beneath the chaos.
Rhydan noticed it first.
He crushed a Black Hollow soldier under his claws and glanced toward Aurelia.
"Ha."
His grin widened.
"She's doing it again."
Kael forced Lucien and Alaric backward with a violent burst of strength.
He rolled his shoulders.
Cracked his neck.
Then looked directly at Aurelia again.
"You see?" he called out across the battlefield.
"Even now you hide behind them."
Aurelia stepped forward.
"I'm not hiding."
Golden light flickered across her skin again.
Kael tilted his head slightly.
"Then come."
Lucien moved instantly to block her path.
"No."
Aurelia touched his arm.
The contact was gentle.
But firm.
"This is why he came."
Lucien's eyes searched hers.
"You're exhausted."
"I'm aware."
"You almost collapsed earlier."
"And yet I'm still standing."
Lucien's jaw tightened.
Behind him, Darius was already rising again.
Blood ran down his forehead.
But he was smiling.
"Let her try."
Lucien shot him an annoyed look.
"You're encouraging this?"
Darius shrugged.
"Kael wants the Luna."
He looked toward Aurelia.
"So give him the Luna."
Cassian limped back toward them.
"Terrible strategy."
Then he smirked.
"But I like it."
Alaric sighed softly.
"None of you are helping."
Aurelia stepped past them.
Slowly.
The battlefield quieted again.
Kael watched her approach with open curiosity.
When she stopped ten meters away.
He spoke again.
"So."
"The throne walks."
Aurelia's eyes glowed softly gold.
"I never asked for a throne."
Kael shrugged.
"Neither did the last Luna."
His gaze sharpened.
"And yet she died on one."
Aurelia felt something cold move through her chest.
The land beneath them pulsed harder.
"You killed her."
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
"No regret?"
He considered the question honestly.
"None."
The golden light around Aurelia brightened.
Kael noticed.
"Good."
His claws flexed slowly.
"Anger will help you fight."
Aurelia shook her head.
"It's not anger."
Her voice was calm.
"It's resolve."
Kael laughed again.
"Words."
Then he moved.
Faster than anyone expected.
Even Lucien's eyes widened.
Kael closed the distance in a single explosive step.
His claw slashed toward Aurelia's throat.
But Aurelia didn't move.
The land did.
The golden veins beneath her feet erupted upward like roots.
Stone and energy collided with Kael's strike.
The impact blasted dust across the valley.
Kael landed a few steps back.
His red eyes burned brighter.
"Territory control."
Aurelia lifted her hand slightly.
The golden energy spread further across the battlefield.
"Protection."
Kael smiled.
"Good."
He charged again.
This time Aurelia moved.
Not like an Alpha.
Not like a fighter.
But like the moon pulling the tide.
Kael's second strike twisted past her.
The golden energy redirected his momentum.
He stumbled half a step.
That was all Lucien needed.
His sword flashed.
A deep cut opened across Kael's side.
Darius hit him from the opposite direction.
Alaric followed with a brutal downward strike.
Cassian's dagger aimed for the throat again.
For the first time.
Kael Draven was forced fully on the defensive.
Steel rang.
Claws tore.
Energy collided.
The battlefield roared around them.
But in the center.
The throne had awakened.
Aurelia stood at its heart.
Golden light flowing through the land like living roots.
Wolves across the valley felt it.
Not control.
Unity.
Strength shared between them.
Even some Frostfang warriors hesitated.
Kael noticed that.
His expression changed.
Not fear.
But realization.
"So that's your power."
He shoved the four Alphas backward with a violent surge of aura.
Breathing hard now.
Wounded.
But still standing.
"You don't rule wolves."
He pointed at Aurelia.
"You make them stronger."
Aurelia said nothing.
Because that was exactly what was happening.
Kael wiped blood from his mouth.
Then grinned wider than ever.
"Perfect."
Lucien's voice dropped.
"He's enjoying this."
Cassian muttered.
"That's not a good sign."
Kael lifted his claws again.
Aura exploding around him like a second storm.
"If this throne spreads…"
He looked at the battlefield.
"…every Alpha in the world loses control."
His eyes locked onto Aurelia.
"So I'll end it here."
The crimson aura around him ignited.
Stronger than before.
Stronger than anything they had seen.
Darius cursed.
"Oh hell."
Lucien's grip tightened on his sword.
"Everyone together."
Kael bent his knees.
Preparing to strike again.
And the next attack would decide everything.
Because for the first time.
Even the land beneath Aurelia trembled.