Chapter 029

Light pierced through the curtains before I was ready to face it. My head throbbed faintly from too much noise, too many glasses of wine of last night.

By the time I reached the breakfast hall with Maris, most of the other women were already seated. The long table gleamed with silver dishes and fresh fruit, the air buzzing with soft chatter. Selene, of course, sat near the center, looking refreshed and smug, as though her very existence demanded attention.

I took my usual place beside Maris, grateful for her easy chatter to drown out the whispers. My appetite was barely there, but I forced myself to eat, stabbing at a piece of bread just to keep my hands busy.

Then the soft hum of voices hushed when the doors opened.

Luna Amelia entered gracefully, flanked by a pair of attendants. Her presence, as always, commanded the room, poised, elegant, and carrying that quiet authority that made even the older Lunas straighten in respect.

“Good morning, ladies,” she began, her tone even, calm, but carrying easily across the room. “I trust you all enjoyed last night’s festivities?”

A few murmured replies followed, mostly polite, practiced smiles.

Amelia’s lips curved faintly. “Good. Because today, your poise will be tested in a rather different way.”

The room went still. Even Selene’s confident smirk faltered just a little.

Amelia clasped her hands in front of her, her eyes sweeping over each of us. “As is tradition during the summit, the morning following the Dance of the Goddess marks the Trial of the Huntress.”

“The what?” Maris whispered beside me.

Amelia continued, “It is a test of instinct and strength, a chance for the women of each pack, mated and unmated alike, to show that beauty and grace do not make one fragile.” Her gaze sharpened slightly. “Each of you will wrestle in your beast form, wolf against wolf, before the council of Lunas.”

A ripple of murmurs broke out.

My blood ran cold.

“In times of peace,” Amelia said, “we dance. But in times of war, we protect what is ours, our mates, our homes, our cubs. A Luna, a warrior, or even a common she-wolf must never forget what she is capable of. So today, you will remind yourselves of it.”

Selene smiled a slow, predatory curl of lips. Her eyes flicked briefly in my direction, and I didn’t need mind-reading abilities to know what she was thinking.

“She’s going to challenge me,” I muttered under my breath.

Maris paled slightly. “You don’t mean—”

“Oh, she will,” I said quietly, staring down at my plate. My stomach twisted. “And I can’t even shift.” I whispered to myself

Everybody is was going to find out how much of a weakling I am.

The truth clawed at my chest like a secret that had grown too heavy to keep.

Because if what Amelia said was true, then before the day ended, everyone would know the truth.

And once that happened…

No title, no alliance, no mate bond would be enough to save me.

The breakfast table was cleared almost immediately giving us more time to change out of our lace gowns into a more tactical gear for the fight.

Each step I took towards the training ground felt like a kick in my stomach.

I have never trained a day in my life, my father thought it useless as I had no wolf to even train.

All the workouts I ever did was either in the kitchen or scrubbing the floors or Liana’s room. If I was going to ever die young today would be the day.

The field stretched wide before me, the scent of morning dew thick in the air, but I couldn’t breathe right. My chest felt tight, my heart pounding too fast as I watched the other women gather, laughing, stretching, shifting easily between human and wolf. They looked so sure of themselves. Like this was nothing more than a game.

It wasn’t a game to me. It is a death sentence!

Even Maris was unusually quite which even scared me the more.

I wasn’t made for this kind of thing, the blood, the growling, the spectacle. I just wanted to survive quietly, not draw more attention than I already had. The last thing I wanted was to make a fool out of myself in the middle of a fight in front of everyone, especially with the brothers watching.

I looked around, looking for a means of escape, I needed to leave before anyone noticed but it seemed impossible.

Every exit was watched by guards and the men were standing around, waiting to cheer on their mates. If I made a move now someone will definitely spot me.

Feeling defeated I turned to my only option praying to the Goddess that it works.

My palms were damp as I made my way toward the raised platform where Luna Amelia stood. She was radiant as always—her silver gown catching the light like liquid moonlight, her hair pinned neatly, every inch of her composed and commanding.

“Luna Amelia,” I said softly, bowing slightly. “I… I’m afraid I won’t be able to participate today. I haven’t been feeling well.”

She turned to look at me, her expression unreadable, her gaze sharp enough to still my breath. “Not feeling well?” she repeated, her tone cool, clipped.

“Yes,” I said quickly. “It’s probably from last night—the lights, the wine… I just need a little rest.”

For a moment, she said nothing. Then she stepped closer, the sound of her heels soft but heavy with authority. “Why? You are too scared to have your ass kicked.”

My eyes widened “No— I’m just feeling slightly nauseous that’s all.”

“I wasn’t born yesterday Rain, Don’t avoid what you cannot control.” she said slowly, “you do understand that hiding will not keep you safe here, don’t you?”

I frowned. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Oh, I think you do.” She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing just a fraction. “I’ve watched as you have allowed every other she-wolf here belittle you for no good reason. “You’ve caught the attention of the three most feared Lycans in the entire region, Rain. Do you even understand what that means?”

I froze, my breath caught halfway.

Amelia took a step closer, her perfume, sharp and floral, filling the air between us. “Their interest in you has already set tongues wagging. Jealousy brews among the women, questions among the men. Having their attention may feel like a privilege, but it comes with far more cons than you seem prepared for.”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding.

“You think you’re untouchable because they look at you,” she went on, her tone low but hard. “You are not. You’re surrounded by predators, Rain. Some will bare their teeth in lust, others in envy. Either way, if you can’t protect yourself, you’ll end up torn apart by gossip if not by claws.”

Her words were harsh, every syllable deliberate, cutting through the last of my excuses.

“So you will participate today,” she finished, her voice dropping like ice. “You will fight, and you will learn. Because the next time someone comes for you, there won’t be anyone to beg for your defense.”

I stood frozen, my throat tight, every instinct screaming to turn and run, but her gaze pinned me in place.

“Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Luna,” I said quietly.

She gave a curt nod and turned away, her attention already shifting to the rest of the gathering. I stood there for a moment longer, my stomach twisting.

“One more question, Luna Amelia,” I said quietly, and her sharp gaze flicked back to me.

She raised an eyebrow, waiting.

“Do we really have to shift into our beast form to participate?”

For a brief second, surprise flashed in her eyes before her face smoothed back into its usual calm authority.

“It is encouraged,” she said evenly. “Shifting shows strength and control. But if you believe you fight better in your human form… then so be it.”

Relief rushed through me like air after drowning. “Thank you,” I murmured, lowering my head.