The howl didn't fade.
It echoed across the mountains like a signal fire, passing from territory to territory. One call becoming many. A network of power announcing something had changed.
Me.
I could still feel the burn in my mark. Not pain now… awareness. Like my body had become a beacon I couldn't turn off.
Lucien looked troubled. "That wasn't just a howl. That was an announcement."
"Announcement of what?" I asked.
Kaiden answered bluntly.
"Of you."
My stomach dropped.
"That bond reaction… powerful Alphas can sense shifts like that," he continued. "Right now, every major pack within range knows something awakened tonight."
I swallowed. "You make it sound like I just declared war."
Kaiden's expression didn't soften.
"You might have."
Lucien exhaled slowly. "At best, they'll be curious. At worst…"
"They'll try to claim her," Kaiden finished coldly.
The word claim made my chest tighten.
"I'm not territory," I snapped.
Kaiden's eyes flashed slightly. "To the wrong Alpha, power always looks like territory."
Before I could respond, Lucien suddenly froze.
"Too late," he said quietly.
Kaiden immediately shifted into combat awareness. "What is it?"
Lucien pointed toward the treeline.
A wolf approached slowly. Alone. Calm. No aggression. No fear. That alone made it dangerous.
A messenger.
The wolf stopped several meters away and shifted into human form, dressed in dark formal pack colors. His posture was respectful—but his eyes were calculating.
"I bring a formal summons," he said.
Kaiden didn't move. "From who?"
The messenger's answer came with weight.
"From the High Alpha Council."
Even Lucien looked surprised.
"That's impossible," Lucien said. "They don't interfere unless—"
"Unless something threatens the balance," Kaiden finished.
The messenger's gaze moved to me.
"And she does."
I stiffened.
"What do they want?"
The messenger pulled out a sealed letter marked with multiple Alpha crests.
"The girl known as Selene is requested to appear before the Council for evaluation."
Requested.
We all knew what that really meant.
Kaiden's voice turned dangerous.
"That sounds like an order."
The messenger didn't deny it.
"It is an opportunity," he corrected. "Refusal would… create political complications."
Lucien muttered, "That means enemies."
Kaiden stepped slightly closer to me again. Not touching. But close enough that I could feel the heat of his power.
"She doesn't go alone," he said.
The messenger nodded. "Expected."
Then he added something that made the tension spike.
"Other Alphas have also shown interest."
I felt my heartbeat quicken.
"What kind of interest?"
The messenger looked directly at Kaiden before answering.
"Alliance proposals."
Lucien laughed softly. "That's a polite way of saying marriage negotiations."
Silence.
My brain stalled.
"Marriage?"
Kaiden's jaw tightened visibly.
"No one is negotiating anything," he said.
The messenger only shrugged slightly.
"With respect… that may no longer be your decision alone."
My mark pulsed again.
I suddenly understood something terrifying.
This wasn't just about power anymore.
This was politics.
Control.
And possibly being forced into a future I didn't choose.
The messenger turned to leave but gave one final warning:
"The Council meeting happens soon."
Then he looked at me.
"And everyone will be watching you."
He disappeared into the forest.
Silence returned.
I looked at Kaiden. "Tell me honestly."
His eyes met mine.
"Is this about power… or about who controls me?"
His answer came without hesitation.
"Both."
And for the first time…
I realized becoming strong might cost me my freedom.