LOGINTrialNyra Virellion[FEW MOMENTS BEFORE NYRA’S DEPARTURE]I’d just freshened up in my room, buzzing with excitement for the selection trial. I had no idea what was coming, but for some reason I felt strangely warm all over. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why, but something in my gut told me I might not even need a jacket out on those icy glaciers.Still, I wasn’t about to get cocky. I pulled on my high-rise boots and chose the most comfortable clothes I could find for a one-day survival challenge. Comfort was going to be key. I shrugged on a jacket anyway, then wiped the beads of sweat forming on my forehead. It was the middle of January the coldest month and here I was sweating like it was midsummer.I headed down to the palace entrance, which was busier than I’d ever seen it, all for one candidate’s brutal trial. My transport was already being prepped, and I was glad to hear that Captain Kaelrith Mavros would be going with me.“There she is. I’ll go over the rules with her,” Zep
Nyra VirellionMaybe it’s just me, or maybe it’s the people around me, but I don’t feel stressed or threatened by this selection trial at all. Keeping everything to myself has actually felt easier than usual. My younger self would’ve thrown a tantrum over something like this, but now things seem to be going smoothly. I’m just focusing on training hard for the trial tomorrow.I was walking down the corridor, head down and lost in thought, heading back to my room. The place was completely empty except for me.Then I suddenly bumped into the last person I wanted to deal with right now.“I’m sorry… oh…”My words died in my throat the moment I looked up and saw his face. It was Oryndor Blackveil.“Hey,” he said first.“Hey… hi. Um, I’m guessing you’ve heard the news, right? It spread like wildfire,” I replied with a small chuckle.“A selection process? Really?” He shook his head. “I get that Zephyros and Kaelith Noctyra don’t like you much, and neither do the elders of your pack. But this…
NyraThat smile…I knew exactly what it meant.But right then, I was too desperate to defend myself. Too determined to lean back and risk breaking my own back just to get away from it. That’s what his smile felt like in that moment.Oh, Zephyros.If you try any dirty tricks on me right now, I’ll have no choice but to prove your infidelity and your greed all over again. This time, I’ve got people who will actually listen. Unlike before. I’ll expose everything you’ve done, with evidence. Don’t cross the line and try to paint me as the villain, Zephyros…All those thoughts were swirling in my head, and I accidentally zoned out for a few seconds. When I snapped back to the courtroom and focused on Zephyros again, I started dreading the pause he was holding. I dreaded the gentle way he cleared his throat, too. I was bracing for the worst…“We have reached a conclusion that Nyra Virellion, daughter of Vaelor Virellion, must prove her strength once more. This time, she and Lycan Alpha Vaerit
Nyra Virellion~World leaders, adjudicators, my pack’s elders, and Zephyros all sat in a semicircle at the top of the court. Below them were us—the accused. Right beside my foot sat Kaelith Noctyra, looking way too pleased to be here. She was such an attention seeker. That scarlet dress she wore said everything about her personality without needing any explanation.“It’s going to be alright. I’ve got powerful people on my side too.” On the throne beside me, Vaerith took my hand gently and reassured me. I noticed Kaelith staring right at our joined hands. She was probably filing it away as more “evidence” that we were together.“I’m a naturally affectionate person. You’ve had it wrong from the start, Noctyra.” Vaerith spoke to her without even glancing her way. I quietly pulled my hand back. Kaelith, on the other hand, twisted around in her seat like an excited kid. I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes at her.“We’ll see about that, Alpha Vaerith. I’ve got a strong case too,” she sh
Nyra VirellionThe third Elder had always been against me, no matter what. My heart started hammering in my chest. One ring had already gone, and I was still frozen there against the bed like a damn statue.“Hey,” Vaerith said softly, resting his hand on my shoulder as he stood right behind me.“You should take that call,” he suggested.After a couple of seconds, I nodded. I hit redial on the missed number.“Elder…” I said slowly into the phone.“Nyra Virellion. We’re heading to the pack to talk things through. There’s a lot to clear up, and a lot at stake for both our pack and theirs. Be ready.”His voice was stern, and just like that, he ended the call before I could even reply.Part of me felt a sting of sadness that he hadn’t congratulated me on my win. I’d won for our pack, but they still showed me zero respect. It hurt, deep down. I’d gone through all of that… for them. Hadn’t I?Vaerith pulled me into a tight hug against his chest, and that brought me back to myself. I knew he’
Nyra VirellionMy hands were clenched into tight fists. If I’d been anywhere near her right then, I would’ve punched her square in the jaw. I wanted to scream at her, but the restrictions wouldn’t let me. So I was stuck there, forced to stay quiet and take it. Being trapped in that damn closet made it even worse I felt like I couldn’t breathe.[I see. Kaelith Noctyra, we’ve heard you lost to Nyra Virellion and then drugged her until she lost consciousness. It looked pretty damning in our report. How can we not see this as revenge? She had you thrown out of the pack once and for all. How do we know you’re not just getting even…?]The journalist asked the perfect question. But I wasn’t ready to hear Kaelith’s poisonous answer.[This isn’t about revenge anymore, Miss Cassandra. She’s always been a terrible influence. Just think about the people she’s going to rule. Think about the man she’s trapped with her charms. Lycan Alpha Vaerith has such high status, yet he’s fallen for someone lik
~Nyra~The night after the second trial, once everyone had gone off for supper, I sat in the middle of my room, lost in thought. That clue I’d received the ancient script was all about our pack’s artifact. Why the hell was that my final reward?I couldn’t shake the curiosity. What exactly *was* the
~Nyra~ [THE EVE OF THE 2ND TRIAL]DARK WOODS“Thank you,” I said, nodding at the guards as they let me through. I took a deep breath and stepped into the vast dark woods that stretched all around the lycan pack.The second trial of intellect was tomorrow, and I was feeling nervous. If it had been
~Nyra Virellion~I’d made it through to the second trial, but damn, the price I was paying for it felt way too high.I didn’t want to slip back into that old pessimistic headspace, the one that used to drag me down before all of this started. Still, I couldn’t help feeling a sharp sting of jealousy
~Nyra Virellion~The day we’d all been waiting for had finally arrived. A few of the wolves had asked Alpha Vaerith to keep any media attention away, so there was a full ban on mechanical recordings and gadgets inside the pack for the entire duration of the Trials. Honestly, I didn’t expect him to







