LOGINThe first morning as Head Warrior came faster than I expected. Alpha Kade walked beside me, silent as always, his presence grounding. I could feel the tension in him. Not the usual calm, measured Kade. This was something different. A storm held back by a thin barrier.“They’ll be here soon,” I said softly, more to myself than him.“Who will?” he asked, his tone careful, alert.“Midnight Bloom,” I replied. I kept my voice even, though my heart skipped slightly. “Alpha Axel. His visit was scheduled for today. The treaty.”Kade’s jaw tightened. He had been waiting for this news as much as I had, yet I could tell he didn’t like it. He never liked deals that involved other packs, especially not packs as dangerous as Midnight Bloom.“Axel is a dangerous man,” he said quietly. His eyes scanned the horizon, as if the danger was already visible. My stomach twisted slightly at the thought of him seeing me in any light other than capable. I was Head Warrior now, but that did not mean I felt in
The sound of their cheers reached me even before the door was pushed open. It was annoyingly loud. I sat still, my fingers resting lightly on the arm of the chair. My face remained calm but my jaw tightened.“She won.” The words came from the guard at the door. He bowed his head slightly, like he was afraid of what my reaction would be.For a moment, I said nothing. Then, I smiled. “Of course she did,” I said quietly.The guard hesitated. “My Luna…”“Leave,” I cut in, my tone still soft.He did not need to be told twice. The door shut behind him and the room fell silent again.The silence did not last long. My hand slammed against the arm of the chair and the wood cracked slightly.“She won,” I repeated, this time my voice lowered. My chest rose and fell slowly. I forced myself to breathe. Losing control now would solve nothing.Lyra.Even her name annoyed me now.“She thinks this is over,” I muttered.A small laugh left my lips. “She thinks winning makes her untouchable.”I stood up
Everything felt heavier now.It was hard to focus fully. Not after what had just happened. Not after Selene had openly admitted to sending a rogue after me. I wondered what else she might have planned. Was Torren working together with her? My grip tightened around my weapon.Across from me, Torren rolled his shoulders like nothing had happened. Like he had not just stood there and watched me almost get killed.“You still want to do this?” he asked, his tone almost amused. “You should give up already. That fight with that wolf must have drained your energy. I’m already the head warrior. Don’t try to embarrass yourself.”I let out a slow breath. “You’re the one about to get embarrassed.”He smirked. “Let’s see about that.”I could feel Alpha Kade’s eyes on me.“Lyra,” he said quietly. I could hear the worry in his voice. I did not look at him. If I did, I might stop. And I could not afford that.“I’m fine,” I said.“You’re injured,” he replied.I finally turned to him and our eyes met.
The impact knocked the air out of my lungs.I rolled on the ground, my grip tightening on my weapon as I forced myself back up. My arm throbbed from the hit, but I pushed the pain aside. This was not the time to feel anything.The wolf in front of me was not from our pack. I could see it clearly now. His stance was different and his scent was wrong. “What is this?” I repeated, louder this time, my voice echoing across the grounds.No one answered.I glanced toward Fenrir but he just stood still. His jaw was tight. The elders were whispering among themselves, but none of them stepped forward to stop this.My heart started to pound harder. Something was very wrong.“Focus,” Torren said calmly.I snapped my gaze back to him. He had not moved. He just stood there, watching me like I was part of some show he had carefully arranged.“You wanted to be head warrior,” he continued. “This is what it looks like.”“This was not part of the trial,” I said, my voice low.“Plans change,” he replied
The day of the final trial came faster than I expected.I woke up before sunrise. I barely slept too. Today was finally here. Few hours from now, everyone would know the new Head of Warriors. Torren would either be answering to me or it would be the other way round. I hoped it was the former. I sat up on my bed and exhaled slowly. My wolf stirred. This was it. ‘You’re ready,’ my wolf said.“I have to be,” I replied softly.I got dressed quickly and stepped outside. The pack grounds were already buzzing with activity. Word had spread. Everyone wanted to witness the final decision.As I walked toward the training grounds, I could feel everyone’s eyes on me again. Most of which held expectations. That very moment, it dawned on me. It was just not me versus Torren. A lot of hope was on me. The hope of those who Torren has oppressed and might in the future.Their fate depended on me now.The hunger to win surged. I had to win. Some even nodded at me as I passed.When I got to the trainin
I stepped back the moment Tim appeared, my body stiffening instantly. The heat of being near Lyra vanished like it had never existed. I could feel the weight of Tim’s gaze on me. “Good morning, Alpha,” Tim said slowly. He looked at me like he was expecting an answer to the question he had asked. “Morning,” I replied shortly, keeping my distance from Lyra. Every instinct in me screamed to reach for her, to close the space between us, but Tim was here. And I knew better than to challenge him.Tim raised an eyebrow, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. “Training together so early, huh?”I swallowed, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yes. We were… practicing.”Tim’s eyes flicked to Lyra, then back at me. “You look like you were getting a little too close for comfort.”I clenched my fists without realizing it. “We weren’t doing anything wrong,” I said quickly.“Why are you quick to defend yourself? I did not mention anything about anybody doing something wrong.” I looked away without s







