Chapter 4

Anna’s POV

“It’s time to go!” a guard shouted from outside our door.

I dressed quickly. Mother kissed my forehead and promised she would join me later. For now, she said she had something else to take care of.

The guard escorted me to Father’s chamber, which overlooked the training grounds.

Father and Eric were chatting cheerfully beside the window, but the moment I entered, they fell silent.

Eric shot me an irritated glance. Father barely acknowledged me.

I kept quiet.

Master Ethan was seated nearby. He gave me a small nod before his voice entered my mind through the mind-link.

“Are you ready?”

Vaxy answered before I could. “We’re ready.”

A smile spread across Master Ethan’s face. “That’s my student. Go out there and show them what you can do.”

More and more wolves began gathering on the training grounds below. Some of them were unfamiliar.

“The Oak Pack is taking part too?” Eric asked Father. “I thought the selection was only for our pack.”

“The Lycan King has a tight schedule,” Father replied. “He’s combining two or three packs for each selection.”

Eric sneered. “And here I thought I wouldn’t get the chance to beat up those weak Oak wolves. They’re pathetic, yet they never stop bragging about the warrior they once sent to the Royal Army.”

Father patted him on the back.

“Son, never underestimate an opponent before facing them. The Oak Pack may have been weak for the past decade, but they once produced a wolf worthy of the Royal Army. That proves their bloodline has some value.”

Eric didn’t argue. He merely gave another dismissive hum.

Soon, the Alpha of the Oak Pack entered the chamber.

Alpha Aden was fairly young, but I had heard plenty about his fiery temper and love of fighting. A deep scar ran across his face, making his presence even more intimidating.

“Alpha Aden.” Father greeted him and held out his hand.

“Alpha Eax.” Aden looked around the chamber but made no move to shake Father’s hand. “Your territory seems smaller than I remember. What happened? Did you surrender more land to the Rogue?”

Father’s expression tightened. Eric opened his mouth to respond, but Father stopped him.

“I have never surrendered my territory to rogues. You must remember it incorrectly.”

Alpha Aden didn’t press the matter. He began pacing around the room. “Is your son ready for today’s selection?”

As he spoke, he picked up a bottle of whiskey from the counter and took two swallows.

Father proudly patted Eric on the shoulder. “Of course. Eric has been preparing for this since he was six.”

Before inheriting a pack, an Alpha’s heir had to pass a series of battles and tests. And there was no greater test than the Royal Selection.

Alpha Aden barely glanced at Eric. He simply waved toward the door.

A moment later, a large man entered.

His shirt hung open, revealing a long scar across his muscular chest. The instant he stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted.

This was Aden’s son, Henry—the most famous fighter among the neighboring packs.

He had once fought off nearly a hundred rogues during an attack. Everyone believed he would become a powerful Alpha and lead the Oak Pack into its greatest era.

Eric had never liked him. I had often heard him make sarcastic remarks about Henry, claiming he lacked manners and behaved more like an animal than a werewolf.

Werewolves were supposed to possess the strength of beasts while maintaining the restraint of humans.

But deep down, I knew the truth. Eric hated Henry because he could never be as powerful as him.

I studied Henry, not as someone to gossip about, but as a possible opponent.

He might have been larger than me, but I was certain I could move faster.

Henry noticed my stare and turned toward me. Our eyes met, and his brows immediately drew together.

“What is a she-wolf doing here?” he asked. “Shouldn’t she be somewhere else, breeding pups?”

Every wolf in the room turned to look at me.

Father appeared unwilling to explain my presence.

Alpha Aden, however, gave me an amused smile. “Is this the half Alpha you had with that Omega?”

Father’s expression darkened further. “That is none of your business.”

“No wonder everyone says Alpha Eax once had a much larger pack than the rest of us.”

Alpha Aden turned, his smile widening. “It seems you haven’t stopped breeding. But take my advice—not every wolf deserves to be brought into this world. You shouldn’t have tainted your pure bloodline with a filthy Omega.”

That familiar rage burned through me.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain still.

I wouldn’t lash out, not now.

Vaxy pushed against my control, trying to take over my body. “Anna, let me out! I’ll tear his head off!”

“Calm down,” I told her. “Remember what matters today—the selection, not these disgusting, arrogant males.”

On any other day, Father would have immediately struck back at Alpha Aden. But today, he remained unusually controlled.

He gave Aden a cold, warning smile.

“I suggest you save your energy for the selection, Alpha Aden. You’ll need it to cheer for your son when my pack’s wolves beat him into the ground.”

The tension in the room became almost suffocating.

Eric glared at Henry. Henry stared right back.

Just as I thought they might attack each other, the door opened once more.

A man stepped inside, dressed in clothes that were formal and expensive without being overly decorated.

There was nothing flashy about him, but the crushing power of his aura revealed his identity before anyone spoke.

The Lycan King had arrived.

The Royal Selection was about to begin.