Mated to the Apex Three
The sun burned like a blinding golden eye in the center of the cloudless sky, beating down mercilessly on the Colosseum of the Apex.
High above the arena floor, the tiered stone stands overflowed with thousands of spectators. Banners of gold, crimson, and deep navy fluttered from iron poles, representing the noble bloodlines, pack elders, and council members who had traveled from every corner of the realm to witness the annual Combat Trials. The roar of the crowd was a deafening, physical force, a wall of sound made of cheers, stomping boots, and the raw, guttural howls of high-tier wolves hungry for dominance.