7

Three days passed peacefully. Too peacefully. Serafina had begun to suspect that Darius was deliberately giving her space. No interrogations, no threats, and no attempts to force information out of her. It was infuriating. She preferred enemies she could understand. Not a man who treated her like a puzzle.

The morning sun had barely risen when a loud horn echoed across Black Fang. One blast. Then another. Warriors hurried toward the central training grounds. Servants paused their work. Even children ran to watch from a safe distance.

Serafina looked out the window. “What’s happening?”

Martha smiles as she folded freshly washed blankets. “It’s the monthly Warrior’s Trial.”

“Trial?”

“The younger warriors compete to earn promotions.”

Serafina turned back toward the courtyard. More than a hundred wolves had gathered. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Serafina felt curious.

“You may watch it if you want.”

Serafina blinked. “What?”

Martha laughed softly. “Alpha Darius gave permission.”

“I didn’t ask him.”

“He assumed you’d want to.”

Serafina frowned. He assumed correctly. That instantly annoyed her.

***

The training grounds were enormous. Stone arenas surrounded a wide field covered in packed earth. Everywhere she looked, warriors sparred with wooden swords, practiced hand to hand combat, of shifted into their wolves to race across obstacle courses.

Unlike Shadow Fang, no one fought to humiliate the weaker opponent. Each duel ended with respect. Each victory was acknowledged. Each defeat became another lesson to others. And Serafina just couldn’t stop watching them.

“Ladies and gentlemen!”

A booming voice echoed across the arena. Beta Kael stepped into the center.

“Welcome to this month’s Warriors’s Trial!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Kael raised one hand for silence them all.

“The rules remain the same! No killing! No silver weapon! No attacks after surrender! And the strongest warrior today will earn a place among Black Fang’s Elite Guard!”

More cheers followed. Serafina quietly stood near the back of the crowd, hoping that no one would notice her. But she should have known better than that.

“Look, it’s the assassin.”

“What is she doing here?”

“Probably planning another attack to all of us.”

Whispers spread quickly. She ignored them. Years of training had taught her how. Then the first matches began. Serafina watched carefully. Every movement, every mistakes, and every opening steps. Old instincts took her over. All of it was too slow for Serafina.

His left side is exposed. His footing is uneven. He’ll lose in three second. Then the larger warrior swept his opponent’s legs. The younger man hit the ground hard. The crowd applauded. Serafina blinked.

She’d predicted the outcome perfectly. Again and again. Every match unfolded exactly as she expected. She couldn’t help herself. Years of surviving through observation had sharpened her instincts beyong normal.

“You don’t miss much.” The familiar voice came from beside her.

She didn’t need to turn around. “Darius.”

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching the arena.

“What do you think?”

She shrugged. “They’re good.”

“But?”

She sighed. “They rely too much on strength.”

Darius raised an eyebrow. “You noticed that?”

“It’s obvious.”

He looked amused. “Show me.”

She frowned. “What?”

“If you’re going to criticize my warriors, then prove your point.” He nodded toward the arena.

The surrounding conversations abruptly stopped. Several warriors turned to look. Kael looked horrified.

“Absolutely not, Alpha. She’s dangerous.”

Darius remained calm. “I know.”

Kael lowered his voice. “This is a terrible idea.”

“Probably. But I’m still doing it.”

Serafina folded her arms. “I’m not interested.”

Darius looked at her. “Oh, are you afraid now?”

Her eyes narrowed immediately. “I’m not afraid of anyone.”

“Then prove me wrong.” He smiled faintly.

She hated that smile. It felt like a challenge, and challenges were difficult to ignore.

***

A wooden practice sword was tossed toward her. She caught it effortlessly. The movement drew murmurs from the crowd.

“Did you see that? She’s so fast!”

Darius gestured toward one of his younger warriors. “Finn!”

A blond haired warrior stepped forward. He couldn’t have been older than twenty. He bowed respectfully.

“Alpha.”

“Spar with her.”

Finn looked uncertain. “Are you sure, Alpha?”

“Use only training weapons.”

“Yes, Alpha.” He turned toward Serafina. “I won’t underestimate you.”

She twirled the wooden sword once. “I hope not.”

The arena fell silent. Kael signaled the start. “Begin!”

Finn attacked first, fast and controlled. His sword sliced towards Serafina’s shoulder. She sidestepped effortlessly. The blade missed by inches. The crowd murmured. Too predictable. Finn attacked again, then again. Each strike flowed smoothly. Each one missed.

Serafina barely moved. She wasn’t faster. She simply knew where the attacks would land before they happened. Finn’s breathing gradually becamse heavier. Frustration crept into his expression. One reckless swing. There. The opening she’d been waiting for.

Serafina stepped inside Finn’s guard. Then she twisted his wrist. The wooden sword flew from his hand. Before anyone realized what had happened, her practice sword rested lightly against Finn’s throat. Then silence.

Finn stared at her in disbelief. “I lost...”

Serafina lowered the sword immediately. “I know...”

The arena exploded with shocked voices. “That was incredible!”

“She disarmed him in seconds!”

“How did she do that?!”

Kael looked genuinely stunned. Finn was one of Black Fang’s most promising young warriors. Yet Serafina had defeated him without landing a single unnecessary blow. Darius wasn’t surprised. He had expected exactly this. Finn rubbed the back of his neck sheeplishly.

“Would you teach me?”

The question caught everyone off guard. Including Serafina.

“What?”

“You saw every mistake I made.” He smiled awkwardly. “I’d like to improve.”

She stared at him. Was he asking for help from someone like her? Not challenging her. Not insulting her like the others. Just simply asking.

“I...”

She didn’t know how to answer. Before she could speak, a loud voice interrupted.

“Enough!”

An older warrior stepped into the arena. His scarred face twisted with anger.

“This is ridiculous!” He pointed directly at Serafina. “She’s our enemy! She murdered Black Fang’s warriors! And now we’re applauding her?”

The cheering stopped. Silence returned.

The older warrior glared at Darius. “Alpha, with respect... your claim protects her life.”

His gaze shifted back to Serafina. “But it does not earn her out trust.”

Several warriors nodded. Others remained uncertain. The tension returned instantly. Serafina lowered her eyes. Of course. This was the reaction she expected. She had almost forgotten. No matter what she did, she would always be the assassin.

Darius slowly descended into the arena. Every step echoed through the silent training grounds. He stopped beside Serafina.

“Trust isn’t demanded. It is earned.” He began addressed the entire pack calmly. His crimson eyes swept across the crowd.

“She hasn’t earned yours.” He glanced briefly toward Serafina. “And you haven’t earned hers.”

Everyone fell silent. “So from today forward, she will train with Black Fang.”

Gasps spread across the arena. Kael blinked. “Alpha..”

Darius didn’t take his eyes off the crowd. “If she’s under my claim...” His voice carried effortlessly across the training grounds. 

“Then Black Fang will determine whether she remains our enemy or becomes something else.”

Serafina stared at him in disbelief. Train with them all? Like a future she had never imagined cracked open before her. She just didn’t know about anything yet. Whether it would become her salvation or her greatest mistake.