Chapter 21

The forest was cloaked in darkness, the canopy above blocking out the light of the moon. Ariston stood alone, his red eyes piercing through the night. The soft rustling of leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures were the only sounds, until a series of footsteps approached. Ariston’s senses sharpened, and his lips curled into a vicious smirk.

A group of men emerged from the shadows, their uniforms unmistakable in the faint light. The Vesper Pack, just as Ariston had guessed earlier. Their leader, a tall man with a stern face and cold eyes, halted abruptly. His expression shifted from confidence to disbelief as he took in the sight of Ariston standing before him, emanating a murderous aura.

The leader’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke. “Who are you?”

Ariston’s smirk widened. “That’s a question I could ask you. What business do you have here?”

The leader straightened, trying to regain his composure. “We don’t have time for your games. If you value your life, step aside now.”