CHAPTER FOUR : HEIRS OF THE HUNT

Five Alphas. One Moon-Blessed. And a hunt that could end in blood.

The five of them stood before her like gods disguised in mortal skin.

Ronan Drayke—the golden wildfire. Southern heir, cocky and predatory, with eyes that burned like the sun.

Kian Voss—the raven prince. Northern heir, cold and elegant, wrapped in black silk and secrets.

Silas Thorn—the beast. Eastern heir, tall and scarred, his presence like a thundercloud—quiet, brooding, violent.

Cassian Vale—the brother. Western heir, sharp-featured and dangerous, with a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

And Lucien Ashbane—the serpent. Central heir, pale and hypnotic, his gaze a silent threat, his power coiled beneath every word.

Ava faced them all, heart pounding.

“I’m not something you can win,” she said, lifting her chin.

Cassian’s smirk widened. “That’s cute. But you're in the Trials now, sweetheart. You are the prize.”

“Not a prize,” Lucien said softly, circling her like a predator. “A weapon. And weapons are only useful if we learn how to wield them.”

Ava stepped back. “Touch me again and I’ll show you exactly what I’m made of.”

Silas didn’t speak, but his eyes lingered on her—watchful, assessing. Almost... curious.

Then Xander entered.

“Enough,” he barked, his voice like a blade through the tension. “You’re not here to charm her. Or scare her. You’re here because the moon chose her. And the Trials start now.”

Later that night, Ava found herself alone in the Trial chamber.

The room shimmered with enchantment—floor to ceiling mirrors, ancient weapons sealed behind glass, and runes pulsing along the walls. The five heirs stood in a half-circle, each given a sealed envelope.

Xander held up a silver dagger. “Trial One: The Hunt.”

He tossed the dagger into the air—then drove it down into the map of the surrounding forest.

“You have until sunrise. You hunt her. She survives, she passes. But if anyone draws blood…” His eyes scanned each alpha. “You’re disqualified. Or dead.”

Ava’s jaw dropped. “Wait—you want them to hunt me?!”

“The Moon-Blessed must learn to run before she can rule,” one elder said from the shadows.

Kian tilted his head. “Do we get to use our powers?”

Xander nodded once. “No killing. But all else is fair game.”

Ronan cracked his knuckles. “She won’t get far.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Ava hissed, snatching the second dagger from the table and tucking it into her boot.

Cassian winked. “Ten seconds head start, little flame.”

“Make it twenty,” Ava snapped, already sprinting for the exit.

The forest swallowed her.

She ran fast and wild, branches cutting at her arms, breath ragged in her throat. Her heart thundered as the moonlight bathed the trees in eerie silver.

Behind her—howls.

They were coming.

She didn’t stop. Couldn’t. The bond buzzed inside her, responding to each alpha like a live wire. Their emotions pressed in—desire, rage, curiosity, hunger.

One of them was already near.

And he wasn’t slowing down.

Ava veered left, heart slamming against her ribs. She crossed a stream, doubled back, climbed a ridge. Still, one presence stalked her closer than the others—steady, controlled.

She turned—and slammed into Silas.

The Eastern heir didn’t speak. Just pressed her against a tree, his arm braced beside her head.

“You’re fast,” he murmured. “Not fast enough.”

“Let me go.”

He looked at her then, really looked. “You don’t smell afraid.”

“Because I’m not.”

Silas leaned closer, his breath cold against her ear. “Good. You shouldn’t be afraid of me.”

And then—he stepped back.

Ava blinked. “You’re not taking me in?”

Silas gave her one last glance. “The real predators aren’t me.”

Then he vanished into the shadows.

She ran again, faster now, every hair on her body alert. The bond pulsed suddenly—heat, sharp and wild.

She stumbled.

Ronan tackled her from the side, pinning her beneath him in the wet leaves. His smile was all teeth.

“Got you.”

Ava gritted her teeth and drove her knee into his side, flipping them both.

“Not yet.”

She scrambled to her feet—but his hand snatched her wrist. For a moment, their eyes locked.

Fire met fire.

He let go.

“You’re not what I expected,” he said, voice low. “You’re worse.”

“Good.”

As the sun began to rise, Ava stood bloodied, breathless, and alive at the edge of the forest.

She had outsmarted all five.

She had survived.

Xander waited for her, expression unreadable. “You passed.”

The five alphas emerged minutes later, each with scratches, bruises… and something else.

Respect.

Even Lucien, who simply nodded once and muttered, “Interesting.”

Ava wiped the sweat from her brow and faced them.

“If that was the warm-up,” she said, “then you better pray I don’t start liking this.”