The Beta Chamber was quiet. Selene sat cross-legged on a low stool behind Laura, her fingers pulling through Laura’s long brown hair, weaving it into a tight braid. Laura had one leg hanging up on the edge of her chair, lazily sharpening her dagger against a stone. Lucan lay across the couch by the wall, one arm resting on the side rest, tossing a coin and catching it as it fell.“Stop pulling,” Laura muttered, wincing slightly.“I wouldn’t have to if you’d stop moving your head every two seconds,” Selene replied dryly.“Maybe if you weren’t trying to braid it like you’re prepping me for war.” “It’s practice,” Selene cut in smoothly, pulling the braid tighter. “One day I might be doing this in the middle of a battlefield. You should be grateful I’m fast.”Lucan snorted. “Remind me never to let Selene braid my hair. I’d come out bald.” Selene smirked. “You don’t have enough hair worth braiding.”Before Lucan could talk back, the door creaked open.Beta Darian stepped in, calm as eve
The smell of sweat and dust lingered in the Shadows training hall. Aria rolled her shoulders, ignoring the burn in her muscles as she faced Selene in the combat ring. Mira stood off to the side, her arms crossed, watching closely. Lira leaned against the post beside her, also watching. Selene smirked. “What’s the point of being the Golden Wolf if you can’t stay on your feet?”Aria tightened her fists. “You talk too much.”“Oh? Then hit me,” Selene said, frowning. “If you can.”The other Shadows lingered around lazily. Sparring wasn’t unusual, but when Selene stepped in, it was always a show—one they’ll like to watch. Lucan’s voice called out from the edge of the circle. “Breathe, Lyra. She’s fast, but predictable. Use it.”Aria gave him a quick glance, then focused on Selene.“Eyes here, pup,” Selene said, and then she bent, moving slowly, aiming for Aria’s ribs.Aria blocked, barely. Selene’s fist hit her arm, but she didn’t drop.“Better,” Lucan called out.Selene came at her aga
Aria pushed the door open quietly, hoping they’d be asleep.No such luck.“There she is!” Mira’s voice cut across the room before Aria even stepped in fully.Aria groaned. “Do you ever sleep?”“Not when my roommate decides to skip dinner and disappear all night.” Mira sat cross-legged on her bed, hair tied up, she was still in her training boots. “We were about to start a search party.”Lira was leaning against the wall with a book in her hand. She closed it slowly, her eyes scanning Aria like she was studying a suspect. “You didn’t eat.”“I’m fine,” Aria muttered, kicking off her boots.“Fine,” Mira mocked, throwing a pillow at her. “That’s what people say when they’re absolutely not fine.”Aria caught the pillow and tossed it back. “You’re dramatic.”“And you’re avoiding us.” Mira leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “So? Where’d you go? Don’t tell me you’ve been lingering in the training yard. Or…” Her voice pitched higher. “…don’t tell me you were with the Alpha.”Aria froze for ha
The dining hall was quiet as always, save for the cutlery clinking against plates. The smell of roasted meat and spiced broth filling the air.General Thorne sat at the high table, his arms crossed and his eyes sweeping the room. His daughter’s seat was still empty.“Where’s Laura?” he asked finally, his voice cutting through the silence. Beta Darian didn’t look up from his meal. He smirked faintly. “With Lucan, I’d imagine.”General Thorne’s jaw tightened. “Again?”Selene, seated across from them, leaned back with a cunning smile. “Oh, not just ‘with Lucan,’ General. I was with them in the hall earlier. Looked like they had no intention of coming to dinner.”General Thorne frowned. “That girl… she’s not married yet.”Beta Darian chuckled. “They’re not pups anymore. You can’t watch them forever.”General Thorne gave him a hard look. “That’s exactly what a father does.”Selene’s smile widened, enjoying the stir she’d caused. “You should be worried about more than just your daughter, G
Aria didn’t remove her hand from his. Not when they left his chambers. Not when they walked through the corridors. His grip wasn’t desperate—just firm, certain.They turned toward the west wing towards the Shadow training hall. As they reached the gates, the two guards straightened at attention.“Summon the elite,” Kael ordered. “All of them. To the Elites’ Hall. Now.”The guards didn’t hesitate. They ran off quickly. Then Kael and Aria walked to the Elites’s hall. Kael held her hands till they got to the door, then he let go. Lucan was already inside when they entered. He leaned against a pillar, his arms crossed.“Well, look who didn’t die,” he said, a small grin tugging at his lips.Aria rolled her eyes. “Nice to see you too, Lucan.”He chuckled. One by one, the other Shadow Warriors began to arrive. Laura first, her hair tied back and sweat dripping from her body. They were called out mid-training. Then General Thorne and Beta Darian. Then Selene.Selene was the last to enter,
Lucan shifted back to his human from as he approached the gates. “She’s…” Lucan started. Kael’s eyes narrowed. Then another wolf crawled out. Brown fur. Grey eyes. “Lyra!” Kael yelled, his voice laced with excitement. Aria shifted back to her human form. “Why did you do that?” Kael asked Lucan. “Do what?” “Act like she didn’t make it.”“I didn’t do anything of such,” Lucan started. “We raced back. And I finished first. Thats all,” he said. Then he walked in. Kael stood still, watching Lyra walk towards him. Then he noticed the blood on her face. He steps moved towards her. “Alpha,” she called, bowing slightly. Kael paused right in front of her. His hands reached for her face but paused mid-air. “Did they hurt you?” he asked, his voice firm. “No,” Aria said, cleaning her face with her sleeves. “It’s just rogue threat.”“Come with me,” he said, pulling her with him as he went. Aria laughed softly as Kael pulled her. They walked swiftly through the hallways them straigh