Semua Bab THE ALPHA TRIALS: Bab 11 - Bab 20

When power comes without mercy, love becomes a weapon.The fourth Trial was never meant for mortals.It was held under the moon’s full pull—when blood ran hotter and truth tore deeper.Ava stood at the center of the ceremonial ring, the Mark of the Moon-Blessed now a silver brand across her back, glowing beneath her bare shoulders. The air tasted like lightning.Each alpha heir was seated at a cardinal point—Kian in the north, Cassian in the south, Ronan to the west, and Lucien to the east. Silas remained in the shadows, arms crossed, face unreadable.He hadn't spoken to her since she looked him in the eyes… and didn’t remember who he was.Elder Reva raised her hands.“This is the Trial of Mercy. You will be shown your enemy. You may choose to destroy them… or spare them. But beware: mercy does not always save.”Ava’s heart thundered.Suddenly, the air split—and from the earth, a figure rose.Not a stranger.Her mother.Bound in chains. Bruised. Eyes terrified.Dead for ten years.“No

The air in the Trial Grounds shimmered with tension.Ava sat cross-legged in the ceremonial chamber, her hands trembling as the red moon rose higher overhead. Her skin itched—not from fear, but from something far deeper.Something beneath her skin.Something waking.The second trial had ended with blood and betrayal. One of the alphas—Lucien—had nearly lost control. He'd been pulled off her, fangs bared, wild with the urge to claim her then and there.But it wasn’t just about desire.It was about the mark.And now, Ava couldn’t hide it anymore.The Council’s ChamberElder Thorne stepped forward, his robes heavy with age and power.“The Mark of the Blood Moon has appeared,” he announced, voice like gravel. “On the girl.”Ava stiffened as whispers echoed through the high stone walls.“She’s been chosen,” someone murmured.“No,” said another. “She’s been changed.”Ava looked up. “What does it mean?”Elder Thorne’s eyes burned into hers. “It means you no longer belong to the mortal world,

When the blood moon rises, so do the broken.The sky burned crimson.The Blood Moon had arrived.But instead of awe or ceremony, the Academy prepared for war.Ava stood in the war chamber, a map of the Forsaken territory unrolled before her. Pins marked border points, strongholds, and one in particular: The Hollow Bastion, buried deep beneath the Ashfang Mountains.“They’ve turned it into their fortress,” Silas said, his voice low. “If we hit it now, we cut off the Forsaken’s source of power—and Lucien’s.”Cassian stood with arms crossed. “It’s suicide.”“So was staying silent,” Ava replied. “And look where that got us.”Ronan slid a dagger across the table. “I’m with her. They tried to kill us. Let’s return the favor.”The plan was simple.Ava would lead a covert assault with the alphas—strike the Hollow Bastion at its heart before the Forsaken unleashed whatever dark ritual they were planning under the Blood Moon.But nothing was ever simple anymore.Not when someone inside the Acad

To bargain with a witch is to bleed on both ends.The land beyond the Academy was forbidden for a reason.Not just because it was lawless.But because the trees whispered your fears back to you.And the wind knew your name.Ava crossed into Blackmoor Hollow at dawn, her hood pulled low, her blade silver-tipped. Only Kian insisted on following her.“You’re not going in there alone.”“You’ll slow me down.”He smirked. “Then I’ll die stylishly.”The forest grew darker as they moved.No birds. No sound. Just bone wind and tangled roots.Every hour twisted space around them—shadows playing tricks, paths vanishing behind.Finally, they reached it:A ruined stone cottage half-buried in vines, runes etched into its door.Ava knocked once.Twice.And then the door opened… on its own.Inside, the scent of burned sage and iron clung to the air.She appeared by the fireplace. Ancient. Ageless. A crown of crow feathers in her wild black hair.“You’ve come to take what doesn’t belong to you,” the B

And then—Cassian jumped in front of Ava.He took the hit.Sank to his knees.Looked up at her, eyes filled with regret.“I remembered,” he whispered.“It was always you.”Then he collapsed.Ava screamed.The Bond pulsed like a dying star.Lucien reached for the throne.The Hollow Twin extended her hand.And Ava rose from the blood, fire in her eyes.“You want my face?” she said. “Come and take it”.Trial Grounds, Day Six – The Circle of FireAva stood at the edge of the scorched arena, the scent of ash and iron heavy in the wind.The fourth trial was unlike any before it—no weapons, no teams, no guidance. Just one instruction scrawled into the stone at the entrance:"Only what burns can become true."She’d been thrown into trials of strength, wit, endurance—but this one felt personal. The ground cracked beneath her boots, steam rising in wisps from between glowing runes scorched into the stone. And somewhere in the center of the arena... the fire slept.At least for now.1. The Fire