Chapter Twenty-two:The last trial

The next full moon was only days away, and with it came the final trial—a rite of passage for those stepping into leadership. In most packs, only Alphas were expected to face it.

But this time, both Brian and Alex would walk into the forest.

Together.

The Council had never approved of an Omega taking the trial, but Rachel stood firmly behind them. “If Jerik comes again, it won’t just be brute strength that stops him,” she said. “It’ll be unity. And this bond is more powerful than any sword.”

Alex stood before the council in the ceremonial cloak again—white with gold, but this time, with a new symbol stitched into the collar: the mark of the Moonblooded.

“You don’t have to do this,” Brian whispered to him. “This trial is brutal. It’s not made for Omegas.”

Alex met his gaze, steady and sure. “I’m not just an Omega anymore.”

That night, the forest swallowed them whole.

The trial was simple: survive until dawn. No weapons. No help. No shifting unless absolutely necessary. It wasn’t just about strength—it was about resilience, instinct, and the ability to protect each other under pressure.

For hours, they moved through the forest, shadows flickering around them. Alex’s senses were heightened more than ever before. He heard every rustle, every whisper of wind. Brian walked ahead, guarding, but Alex found himself alert to threats Brian didn’t even notice.

“Stop,” Alex whispered, grabbing Brian’s arm. “Something’s ahead.”

A low growl rumbled from the trees.

From the shadows stepped a beast—twice the size of a regular wolf, its eyes glowing gold. A creature of the Goddess’s ancient trials. A Spectral Wolf. Rare. Unpredictable. Deadly.

Brian instinctively moved in front of Alex, but the creature didn’t charge.

It studied them.

Then it growled—a deep, deliberate sound—and lunged.

Brian met it head-on, shifting mid-air into his Alpha form. They collided with a deafening crash, teeth tearing into fur. Alex watched in horror, trying to summon the strength to shift—but something inside held him back.

Then he felt the mark flare.

Not pain. Power.

His body responded like never before—his wolf form didn’t just emerge—it ascended. His fur glowed with moonlight, eyes burning with silver light. He launched forward, biting into the Spectral Wolf’s flank.

The creature shrieked, pulling away—but it didn’t attack again.

It lowered its head.

And then it bowed.

Alex blinked, heart pounding, as the Spectral Wolf turned and disappeared into the trees.

Brian shifted back, breathing hard. “It… submitted to you.”

Alex looked at his paws, at his reflection in the stream nearby. His wolf was no longer just silver. It was streaked with light—like moonbeams carved through fur.

“I didn’t fight it,” he whispered. “I… called to it.”

Brian stared at him in awe. “You are Moonblooded.”

When dawn finally broke, they emerged from the forest, scratched and bloodied—but not broken.

The pack stood waiting.

And when they saw Alex—glowing, steady, powerful—they didn’t whisper doubts.

They bowed.

Even the council.

Rachel stepped forward with tears in her eyes. “The trial is over. And we now welcome our first Omega leader… the last of the Moonblooded.”

Brian took Alex’s hand, raising it high.

This was no longer just about love.

It was destiny.