LOGINThe Guard looked uncomfortable. He shifted his weight and cleared his throat. "No. It’s... it’s a human. A girl named Lisa." The entire kitchen went silent. You could have heard a pin drop on the stone floor. "A human, are you sure?" Silas asked, dropping his heavy spoon. "A human at the Silverblade? Are they crazy? Do they want to be eaten?" "Lisa?" My heart stopped. Then it started again, hammering against my ribs so hard I thought they might actually break all over again. "Did you say Lisa? Blonde, curly hair? "That sounds like the one," the guard muttered. "She’s currently being held in the intake room. The Alpha is... not happy." Noella and Noel exchanged a look of pure shock. "Elvira," Noella whispered, leaning in close. "How on earth do you know a human? And why is she here? Humans don't just wander into werewolf territory unless they have a death wish." I couldn't answer. My mind was spinning back to the world before I came to silverblade. The humans who
~Elvira~For three long days, the Alpha’s guest suite felt more like a stuffing cell than a bedroom. Every time I tried to put my feet on the cold floor, a healer with a face like a grumpy bulldog would appear out of nowhere and bark at me to lie back down. "Alpha’s orders, rogue," she’d grumble, tucking the silk sheets so tight around my legs I felt like a human burrito. "You move when the bruising turns pale , and not a second before." Gabriel never came back into the room while I was awake. At least, I didn't see him. But sometimes, in the middle of the night, the air would grow heavy and smell like a pine forest after a rainstorm. I’d feel a weight on the edge of the bed and hear a long, ragged sigh that made my chest ache more than my cracked ribs. I’d keep my eyes shut tight, pretending to be a statue. My heart would hammer against my side, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me awake. If he wanted to be the big, brooding Alpha who felt bad for me in the
~Elvira~ (EAVESDROPPING )Noella stood perfectly still, her back as straight as a ruler. She was staring at a spot on the wall right above Gabriel’s head, looking like a soldier waiting for a judge to hand down a sentence. She didn’t look like my fun, secret-keeping friend anymore. Gabriel was sitting behind the desk. His shirt, stretched tight across his shoulders. He looked like he hadn't slept in a week, but his eyes were hard and sharp, Meanwhile, Cole was standing by the window with his arms crossed, his appearance was like he really, really wanted to be somewhere else. "Lead Scout Noella," Gabriel’s voice sounded serious, clip and professional. "Do you understand the gravity of your actions?" "I did what was right by training a friend to be strong, Alpha." "Don't play games with me!" Gabriel barked, slamming his hand down on the desk."You trained her. You knew she was going to challenge for the Guard, and you didn't say a single word to me." "I saw potential, Al
~Elvira~ Pain is a crazy feeling, for me it's this dull throb in my jaw that beats like an annoying drum and the sharp twisting ache in my ribs every time i try to take a breath. When I finally opened my eyes, the world was blurry and too bright. I wasn't on the sandy floor of the pit anymore. I wasn't in my room either. I was lying on something so soft it felt like a cloud, wrapped around me, dark sheets that smelled like expensive soap... where am i?my heart did a nervous flip... I looked around carefully noticing i was in the Alpha’s own room. Not the servant area, nor my room but the private, forbidden part of Alpha Gabriel where not everyone get to be in. I tried to sit up, but a bolt of white-hot pain shot through my side, pinning me back down. I let out a tiny, pathetic whimper. My jaw felt like it was made of iron. "I don't care about her heart, Cole! She’s a liability!" That was Gabriel's voice. His voice was scary like he was on the edge now. I squinted, wat
~Elvira~ The sand of the arena felt hot between my toes, and for a second, I felt like a total superhero. I could feel the silver spark dancing in my fingertips, and Noella’s training was buzzing in my brain. I looked up at the Alpha’s box, seeing Gabriel’s face pale and terrified, and I felt a surge of triumph. Watch me, I thought. Watch the mistake become a legend. Garak, the massive warrior across from me, laughed. It was a mean, gravelly sound. "I’ve had tougher snacks than you, little rogue," he grunted, cracking his knuckles. The drum gave one final, massive thwack, and the three-minute timer started. "Go!" Haddon shouted. I moved first. I was fast, faster than I’d ever been. I dodged his first swing, feeling the wind of his fist whistle past my ear. I landed a kick to his knee, and for a glorious second, Garak actually stumbled. The crowd let out a huge Oooooh! I saw Silas and Aria clutching each other, their faces full of hope. I’m doing it! I thought, my heart
~Elvira~If you ever want to know what a hurricane feels like before it actually hits, you should visit the Silverblade kitchen on the morning of a Selection. By five in the morning, the air was already thick with the smell of roasting boar, rosemary, and the sweet, sticky scent of a honey-glazed hams. My feet were throbbing in pain before the sun even cleared the trees. Every surface was covered in silver and golden platters, crystal glasses, and enough baked bread to feed a whole city. "Move it, Elvira! Those spiced apples won't garnish themselves!" Silas barked, though he looked just as exhausted as I was. His apron was covered in flour, and he was juggling three different timers at once. I didn't complain. I just kept my head down and my fingers moving. The kitchen was a chaotic dance of servants running in and out. Outside, the entire pack grounds had been transformed. From the kitchen window, I could see huge long-tables being set up under white silk te







