Chapter 9: The Call of the Night

Night had fallen, and beneath the hazy moonlight, the forest appeared deep and mysterious. A gentle breeze whispered through the treetops, carrying faint murmurs as if some unknown presence lurked deep within the earth. The campfire flickered softly, casting a glow on Karr’s contemplative face.

Allen had fallen into a deep sleep, his breathing steady, and the traces of pain on his face had vanished. Yet, Karr felt a stirring unease, as if a heavy stone pressed upon his chest. As the night deepened, this restless sensation grew stronger.

The woman sat quietly nearby, silently observing the changes in Karr. Since the contract was sealed, his wolf-like nature had become increasingly pronounced. Occasionally, she caught a glimpse of the eerie blue light flickering in his eyes within the firelight.

“What are you thinking about?” she broke the silence, her voice soft yet tinged with curiosity.

Karr lowered his gaze; the firelight danced in his pupils, revealing a complex emotion. “I’m wondering… if one day I completely become a monster, how will Allen see me?”

The woman paused briefly, then chuckled lightly. “He will be afraid, but more than that, he will feel heartache.”

Karr slowly raised his head to meet her eyes. “Why are you so sure?”

Her gaze softened as she looked at the sleeping Allen. “Because you are his only family. He will never abandon you out of fear. On the contrary, he might do something even crazier than you to save you.”

Karr’s heart trembled slightly. He lowered his eyes to Allen’s youthful face, a warm feeling spreading through his chest.

“Perhaps,” Karr whispered, a faint smile touching his lips.

But the tranquility of the night did not last long.

Suddenly, Karr’s eyes snapped open. Alert, he scanned the surroundings. The fire dwindled into embers, and a thin mist veiled the forest, carrying a subtle scent of blood in the air.

The woman sensed the change too. Quickly rising, she drew the short dagger at her waist, her eyes sharp as an eagle’s, sweeping through every shadow.

“Something is approaching,” she said softly, her voice trembling with tension.

Karr stood swiftly, positioning himself protectively in front of Allen, his hand resting on the dagger’s hilt, his heart pounding faster.

From the mist emerged several pairs of eerie blue eyes, silently advancing from the darkness among the trees.

“A wolf pack…” the woman frowned, tightening her grip on the dagger. “But this isn’t their usual territory.”

Karr’s gaze fixed on those eyes, a faint ache deep within his chest. He could sense the aura emanating from these wolves — it was strikingly similar to the wolf spirit stirring inside him.

They were calling to him.

“Step aside,” Karr said lowly, his voice unwavering and resolute.

The woman blinked in surprise. “What are you going to do?”

“They’re coming for me,” Karr replied, slowly drawing his dagger, its blade shimmering with a cold gleam. “Allen cannot be harmed.”

The woman frowned deeply, wanting to intervene, but when she saw the unwavering determination in Karr’s eyes, she sighed and stepped back, positioning herself before Allen.

Karr took measured steps toward the glowing eyes. The wolves materialized, massive and imposing, their fur as dark as the night. Each step they took radiated steady, oppressive force.

He halted five paces from them, dagger hanging loosely at his side, his gaze locking with the leader—a colossal wolf.

“You’re summoning me, aren’t you?” Karr asked softly, his voice echoing through the night.

The giant wolf narrowed its eyes, lowered its massive head, and let out a low, rumbling growl as if answering him.

Karr’s heart pounded wildly; his blood seemed to boil, an unfamiliar power surging fiercely within. He knew this was the contract’s effect—the bloodline of the Wolf King awakening, and these wolves were the messengers guiding him toward his full awakening.

“If I come with you, will they be safe?” Karr’s eyes darkened as he stared into the giant wolf’s.

The wolf was silent for a moment, then slowly shook its head, as if promising protection.

Karr drew a deep breath, sheathing his dagger, and began to walk toward the pack.

The woman watched his retreating figure, her brow furrowed, fingers trembling slightly, but she did not stop him.

“You must come back,” she whispered into the night, her voice barely audible yet laced with undeniable worry.

Karr did not look back. He simply raised his hand and gave a soft wave. “Don’t worry.”

Deep within the forest, Karr followed the wolves as they weaved through the dense trees. Night wind brushed his face, while howls and rustling leaves echoed in his ears.

He could feel the resonance of his bloodline with each step, as if crossing into another realm.

The giant wolf led him to an ancient ruin — broken stone pillars standing tall amidst the forest’s depths, faint carvings of wolf totems etched upon them.

Karr stood at the center of the ruins, lifting his gaze to the blood moon hanging in the sky. His heart throbbed violently, and power within him seemed to awaken with the moonlight.

The giant wolf approached slowly, lowering its head to look into his eyes, which shimmered with wise light.

“Is this a trial?” Karr asked softly.

The wolf did not reply but raised its paw and gently touched his chest. A scorching light surged into Karr’s body.

He groaned, dropping to his knees as cold sweat slid down his forehead. The wolf power inside him erupted fully; dark markings appeared faintly beneath his skin, his nails sharpened, and his pupils turned entirely a spectral blue.

He howled toward the heavens, his voice reverberating through the forest. The wolves bowed their heads in unison, pledging their allegiance.

Beneath the blood moon, Karr’s shadow stretched long, merging as one with the wolf pack.

At dawn, as sunlight spilled over the forest, Karr emerged slowly, returning to the campfire.

The woman jumped to her feet, eyes wide with surprise and complex emotion. “You’ve come back?”

Karr nodded, his face bearing faint exhaustion, yet also newfound calm and steadiness.

Allen rubbed his eyes awake and, upon seeing Karr, immediately leapt forward, embracing him tightly. “Brother, where did you go?”

Karr smiled, patting his back gently. “Just went for a walk.”

The woman stared into Karr’s eyes and finally caught the lingering glimmer of that ghostly blue light within his pupils. She sighed softly but said nothing more.

“We should continue on our journey,” Karr said, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

His journey had only just begun, and the summons of the blood moon had already quietly taken root within his soul.