INICIAR SESIÓNStephanie's POV:I let out a sigh of relief as the announcement ended, the words "physical duel" echoing in my mind. Of all the challenges they could have thrown at us, this was the one I felt confident about. Simple. Uncomplicated. Something I could handle. My heart, which had been hammering in anticipation, finally slowed to a steady rhythm. If the Rank Duel Challenge (RDC) had started with something like a mental test or a strategic game, I would have been far more anxious. But this? This was in my wheelhouse.“Classes won’t be holding until the Rank Duel Challenge is over,” the school head’s voice boomed over the murmurs of the crowd, and the students erupted into cheers. The announcement was like music to their ears. No classes meant more focus on the challenge and, for some, more time to show off. “The location and time of the RDC will be announced soon,” the school head continued, his tone formal but laced with enough excitement to match the students' energy. “Have a nice da
Stephanie's POV:“Stephanie,” I heard my name, which made me look up from my phone to see Lucy running toward me. My smile widened as soon as I saw her. I opened my arms, and she hugged me tightly.After a while, we finally broke the hug.“I missed you so much, girl,” she said.“I missed you too,” I replied.“You look good,” she said, sizing me up. “Too good.”“Thanks,” I said. “You look good too.”“I’m sorry for what happened to you,” she said, and I gave her a curious look.“If I hadn’t taken you to the witches' village, the rebels wouldn’t have gotten to you,” she added, and I realized what she was referring to.“It’s not your fault,” I said. “I should be thanking you instead for taking me there. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have learned so much about myself. So, thank you.”“My aunt said you were a Gemini witch,” she said, and I nodded.“But it’s a secret,” I replied. “Don’t say it’s your fault again. The rebels coming after me? It was bound to happen. What matters now is that they’r
Stephanie’s POV:“Drrngg.” My eyes snapped open to the piercing sound of the alarm. I groaned softly, reaching over to silence it. My hand instinctively found my phone on the side table, and I turned that off too. Blinking against the brightness of the screen, I read the notification that had popped up.It was a reminder I’d set weeks ago: Today is the last Tuesday of the month—the day of the Rank Duel Challenge (RDC) game selection. I had planned everything to ensure I wouldn’t forget.This was the day everything would begin. It also marked my first day back at school for in-person classes after weeks of taking time off to focus entirely on training. The thought twisted my stomach with a mix of excitement and nerves.I tossed the covers aside and headed straight to the bathroom. The hot water from the shower felt heavenly, washing away the morning grogginess. Once done, I wrapped myself in a towel and returned to my room.After rummaging through my closet, I settled on a simple yet
Stephanie’s POV:Everything. Everything felt so surreal. I had made my mark in the pack, and there was nothing anyone could say to take that away from me. Seeing the way everyone chanted my name with so much joy left me speechless. For the first time in my life, I felt like I truly belonged. Not as an outsider, not as someone trailing on the fringes, but as an integral part of something greater. I felt useful. I belonged in this realm.“Everyone, head back to the Alpha’s house so we can celebrate today,” Tyler announced, his voice commanding yet filled with excitement. His declaration was met with cheers and applause. Slowly, the chants of my name faded as people began to disperse, their excitement shifting toward the promise of a celebration.Alex walked up to me and patted my shoulder. He didn’t say much, but his eyes spoke volumes. He was proud of me, and that silent acknowledgment warmed my heart. Aiden, however, remained unreadable. His expression was distant, a mystery I couldn’
Tyler’s POV:The hunt was going better than expected. The forest, shrouded in twilight, was eerily silent except for the occasional crackle of leaves beneath our boots and the distant rustle of branches overhead. We had already taken down several animals, their lifeless forms marking a trail deeper into the woods. Yet, there was an unsettling weight in the air, an offbeat silence that I couldn’t ignore. My brothers and I moved in sync, our senses sharp, scanning for our next target.Then we saw it, a sinister plume of smoke curling into the dusky sky. Against the deepening orange of the evening, it looked stark, ominous, like an unspoken warning. Smoke in the forest wasn’t normal. The acrid scent carried on the breeze hinted at something worse: destruction. I exchanged a tense glance with my brothers, their eyes reflecting my own unease. Whatever was burning wasn’t just the forest.“Let’s move,” I said firmly, my voice cutting through the quiet. There was no room for hesitation.We ab
Stephanie’s POV:Tyler mounted his own horse effortlessly, and soon we were moving as a group, heading toward the forest. Around us, other pack members formed their own groups, their voices a low hum of excitement.“Greetings, Alphas,” a deep voice called out.I turned to see Beta James Williams approaching us on horseback. Beside him was Akira, her gaze sharp and calculating. I’d almost forgotten they were siblings. James smiled at me, his expression warm and friendly.“Good morning, Stephanie,” he said, inclining his head slightly.“Good morning,” I replied, though I kept my focus ahead.“Thought you said you wouldn’t make it,” Tyler said, his tone neutral. “That you had somewhere else to be.”“I canceled it,” James replied smoothly, his smile remaining intact.Akira, meanwhile, positioned herself beside Aiden. “Hi, Alpha Aiden,” she said, her voice soft and sweet, her smile as bright as the sun.I felt frustration bubbling in my chest. I didn’t know why Akira’s presence near Aiden







