The Army Beyond the Gates

The howls continued.

One after another, they rose from every corner of the Moon Kingdom until the entire city seemed to breathe as one living creature.

Kael stood at the library entrance, staring at the black banners covering the distant walls.

Hundreds of soldiers were entering the city.

Their armor carried the symbol of the Alpha Council.

But something about them was wrong.

They moved too quietly.

Too mechanically.

Kael's wolf stirred.

Not ordinary wolves.

Kael narrowed his eyes.

“Those aren't normal soldiers.”

Lucien looked toward the city.

“How can you tell?”

“Their scents.”

He inhaled carefully.

There were hundreds of them, but their scents were almost identical.

“Real wolves don't smell like that.”

Aeron's expression darkened.

“They've been altered.”

Lucien turned toward him.

“By whom?”

Aeron looked at the Hollow King.

“By the same people who created the Hollow Wolves.”

The creature's golden eyes narrowed.

“Someone has been experimenting with forced bonds again.”

Kael's stomach tightened.

“What does that mean?”

Aeron answered carefully.

“When an Alpha and Omega form a natural mate bond, both wolves accept it. Their instincts recognize each other.”

Kael nodded.

He had already learned that.

“But a forced bond is different,” Aeron continued. “Someone uses magic, drugs, or ancient Moon techniques to override the wolf's natural will.”

Kael's expression hardened.

“So they turn people into soldiers.”

“Exactly.”

Lucien's jaw tightened.

“That is why they want the Moon Throne.”

Aeron nodded.

“The throne amplifies the power of the Moon Bond. Whoever controls it could potentially force thousands of wolves into obedience.”

Kael stared at the army.

“So this was never just about me.”

“No,” Lucien said quietly.

“They want what you can unlock.”

Kael looked at him.

“And they want you because you're the Guardian.”

Lucien nodded.

“If they control my seal, they may be able to control the throne.”

The Hollow King gave a low growl.

“Then they must never reach it.”

Kael looked at him.

“Can we stop them?”

The Hollow King smiled.

“You have an entire kingdom beneath your feet.”

Kael looked around.

“But these people have been hiding for centuries.”

“They have been waiting.”

“For me?”

“For someone who would choose freedom over power.”

Kael didn't answer.

He wasn't sure he was worthy of what they were asking him to become.

But then he felt Lucien's hand beside his.

Not grabbing.

Not pulling.

Just there.

Kael took it.

Outside the library, the first enemy soldiers appeared.

They entered the street in perfect formation.

No one spoke.

No one shouted.

They simply marched.

Kael noticed something else.

Every soldier had a silver mark around their neck.

A collar.

His stomach turned.

“Omegas?”

Aeron nodded.

“Some.”

“Betas?”

“Yes.”

“Alphas?”

“Yes.”

Kael stared.

“They've forced all three designations into the same bond?”

Aeron's face was grim.

“That is impossible naturally.”

The Hollow King growled.

“Which means someone is using forbidden Moon magic.”

Lucien raised his sword.

“Then we stop them.”

Kael looked at the army.

“Not just by fighting.”

Lucien looked at him.

Kael pointed toward the soldiers.

“If they're controlled, killing them won't solve anything.”

The Hollow King smiled.

“Now you are thinking like a Moon King.”

Kael shook his head.

“I'm thinking like someone who doesn't want innocent people dying.”

Lucien smiled faintly.

“That's exactly why they might follow you.”

Kael glanced at him.

“Who?”

“The people.”

Before Kael could respond, the first soldier attacked.

Lucien blocked the blow.

Kael moved beside him.

Their movements were becoming natural.

Lucien struck.

Kael followed.

Kael ducked.

Lucien covered him.

Neither had to give instructions.

The Moon Bond seemed to anticipate every movement.

But Kael noticed something disturbing.

The soldiers weren't fighting for themselves.

Their eyes were empty.

Their wolves were screaming.

He could feel it.

Pain.

Fear.

Confusion.

Kael stopped.

“Wait!”

Lucien immediately stopped fighting.

“What?”

Kael looked at one of the soldiers.

“His wolf is trapped.”

The soldier raised his sword.

Kael reached toward him.

“Listen to me.”

The soldier froze.

“You don't have to fight.”

His eyes trembled.

A strange sound escaped his throat.

“Help…”

Kael's heart broke.

He placed his palm against the silver collar.

The Moon Seal on his chest glowed.

The collar cracked.

The soldier collapsed.

Lucien caught him.

The man's eyes cleared.

“I…”

He looked around.

“Where am I?”

Kael crouched beside him.

“You're safe.”

The soldier began crying.

“They took us.”

“Who?”

“The Council.”

His hands shook.

“They said we'd become stronger.”

Kael looked at the collar.

“What did they do?”

The man swallowed.

“They forced our wolves to submit.”

Kael's blood ran cold.

“Why?”

The soldier looked at him.

“Because they said the Moon-born would eventually control everyone.”

Kael stood.

“So they created an army to fight a future they were afraid of.”

Aeron nodded.

“Fear has always been the easiest weapon.”

Kael looked across the battlefield.

Hundreds of controlled wolves were advancing.

He didn't raise his sword.

Instead, he raised his voice.

“STOP!”

His voice carried through the city.

The army halted.

Everyone turned.

Kael's Moon Seal glowed brightly.

“You don't have to fight me.”

Nothing happened.

Then one soldier lowered his sword.

Another followed.

Then another.

Lucien stared.

Kael continued.

“I won't force your wolves to obey me either.”

The words echoed through the streets.

“I won't become another king who controls you.”

One by one, soldiers began dropping their weapons.

But then—

A horn sounded from the palace.

The controlled soldiers suddenly screamed.

Their eyes turned black.

Kael staggered.

“They're being forced again.”

Aeron shouted,

“Someone has activated the collars!”

The soldiers raised their weapons.

Kael's face hardened.

“Then we remove every collar.”

Lucien stepped beside him.

“Together.”

Kael looked at him.

“Together.”

The Moon Bond pulsed.

Silver light spread across the city.

Every collar began to crack.

The soldiers screamed.

Then

BOOM!

A massive explosion erupted from the palace.

Kael turned.

A black beam shot into the sky.

The Eclipse Moon above them turned completely red.

Aeron's face went pale.

“No.”

Kael looked at him.

“What?”

Aeron whispered:

“They've reached the Moon Throne.”

Lucien's expression hardened.

“Who?”

Aeron looked toward the palace.

“The Alpha Council.”

Then another figure appeared on the palace balcony.

Silver-black hair.

Golden eyes.

Elyon.

He looked down at Kael.

And smiled.

“Come home, nephew.”

Kael's blood ran cold.

Elyon raised his hand.

Behind him, the Moon Throne began to glow.

“Your kingdom is waiting.”

Kael stepped forward.

“This isn't my kingdom.”

Elyon's smile disappeared.

“Then I suppose we'll have to make you its king.”

The palace doors slammed shut.

And the battle for the Moon Throne truly began.