The fog thinned until lantern light cut through, warm halos swinging against the branches. Adanna slowed when she saw the settlement-wooden lodges tucked close, smoke curling, children running across the dirt path like it was the safest place in the world.

Her throat went tight. She had never seen a pack that looked like this.

Behind her, someone whispered, "Scarlet Moon."

Another muttered, "She doesn't belong here."

Adanna lowered her gaze, wishing the ground would swallow her.

"Head up," Leander muttered without turning.

Her eyes snapped to his back. "Don't tell me what to do."

"Then stop looking like prey."

She bit the inside of her cheek, but she lifted her chin anyway.

They stopped in front of a longhouse, wood beams carved with glowing runes. The door opened, and a man stepped out-broad, dark-haired, silver streak at his temple. His presence hit her chest like a blow.

Leander spoke first. "Theron."

The man's sharp eyes moved from Leander to Adanna. "You return with a Scarlet Moon stray?"

Adanna bristled. "I'm not a stray."

Theron's brow lifted slightly. "Then what are you?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it again. She didn't have an answer.

Before the silence could crush her, a woman stepped up beside Theron. Auburn braid, soft smile, steady eyes. "You'll scare her off if you keep staring like that."

Theron didn't look away. "Maybe she should be scared."

The woman touched his arm lightly. "Enough. Let her breathe." Then, to Adanna, "I'm Imogen. Welcome, even if it doesn't feel like it."

Adanna's lips parted. "I-thank you." Her voice sounded too small.

Theron folded his arms. "Why is she here, Leander?"

Leander's voice was calm, flat. "She needs Crescent Moon's protection."

"Does she?" Theron's gaze cut sharp again.

Adanna's pulse kicked. "I didn't ask for-"

"Yes, you did," Leander interrupted. His eyes flicked to hers for just a second, enough to shut her up.

Imogen stepped in. "Her name?"

Adanna cleared her throat. "Adanna."

Imogen nodded. "Pretty. Where are you from, Adanna?"

Adanna hesitated. "Scarlet Moon. But I'm not-"

Whispers erupted behind her. A couple of wolves had gathered near the doorway, muttering.

"Scarlet Moon trash."

"Why bring her here?"

Theron's voice cut through the noise. "Silence."

The room went still.

His eyes pinned her again. "Scarlet Moon rejects don't just wander into Hampstead Heath. What happened?"

Adanna's mouth went dry. She forced the words out. "My Alpha rejected me. My wolf is... gone." She swallowed. "I've got nowhere else."

Imogen's expression softened, but Theron's jaw tightened.

"Scarlet Moon's filth isn't our burden," someone muttered near the door.

Adanna's fists curled. "I didn't ask to be born there. I didn't ask for any of this." Her voice cracked, but she didn't look down.

Leander finally spoke again, firm, final. "She stays."

Theron's eyes narrowed. "You don't decide who stays."

"I decide who deserves a chance," Leander shot back.

A heavy silence stretched between them, sharp enough to slice skin.

Finally, Imogen stepped forward, placing herself between the two men. "Enough. The Council will hear her story. Tonight."

Theron let out a low growl in his throat, then turned back toward the longhouse. "Fine. But one wrong move from her-one-and she's out."

His words hung in the air, thick as smoke.

Imogen gave Adanna a small smile, softer than anything she deserved. "Come inside. Warm yourself. It's a long road from rejection to belonging."

Adanna's legs shook, but she followed them into the longhouse anyway.

************************************

The longhouse smelled of smoke and herbs. Wolves lined the benches, their eyes tracking every move Adanna made.

Imogen's voice broke the silence. "Council's here. Let's hear her story."

A man with graying hair leaned forward, sharp eyes narrowing. "She's Scarlet Moon."

Adanna's stomach dropped. "I was. Not anymore."

"Blood doesn't wash off that easy," another scoffed.

Leander's voice cut through. "She came here with nothing. That should be enough proof she's not Scarlet Moon anymore."

Theron sat at the head table, arms crossed. "Proof? Or bait? Maybe she's here to drag Crescent Moon into war."

Adanna's temper snapped. "Do I look like bait to you? I've got no wolf, no pack, no family. What exactly do you think I'm bringing-besides the stench of rejection?"

A murmur rippled through the benches.

The older man spoke again, voice cool. "If your Alpha cast you out, why come here? Why not disappear like the rest of the cursed?"

Adanna met his eyes. "Because I heard you don't turn people away."

Silence. Then a scoff from the far bench. "Depends on the people."

Imogen leaned forward, her voice calm. "Tell us what happened."

Adanna swallowed hard. "At the gathering, I was named Alexander's mate. He rejected me in front of everyone. Called me nothing. My wolf... she broke." Her voice cracked, but she pushed on. "I left that night. Haven't slept since."

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then a woman near the back whispered, "That's why her scent feels hollow."

Another muttered, "She's dangerous without a wolf."

Adanna flinched. "I didn't choose this."

Theron's gaze hardened. "A wolf without a wolf. That's a weakness. Weakness draws blood."

Leander leaned forward, voice low. "Weakness can be turned into strength. If you know how."

Theron's eyes narrowed. "And you're volunteering to teach her?"

Leander didn't blink. "Yes."

Whispers flared again-some shocked, some angry.

Imogen raised her hand. "Enough. This isn't trial by gossip. We give her a place for now. Watch her. If she proves herself, she stays."

A pause stretched. Then Theron growled, "One chance. Nothing more."

Imogen looked at Adanna. "Do you understand?"

Adanna nodded, though her throat burned. "Yes. One chance."

Leander finally looked at her, steady, unreadable. "Don't waste it."

Adanna sat hunched on the rough bench outside the training grounds, her shawl pulled around her like armor. Wolves stretched and sparred around the yard, their laughter carrying on the cold morning air. Every grunt, every crack of fists against dummies reminded her she didn't belong.

Imogen plopped down beside her, chewing something that smelled vaguely like mint leaves. She leaned back, eyes squinting at the grey sky.

"You look like shit," Imogen said cheerfully.

Adanna groaned. "Thanks. That's exactly the pep talk I needed."

"No, seriously. Did you sleep at all?"

"Not really." Adanna rubbed her face. "Every time I shut my eyes, I heard that guy-Theron?-calling me weak. Over and over."

Imogen spat her mint stalk onto the dirt. "Theron calls everyone weak. He called me a 'lame wolf with an attitude problem' once."

Adanna raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And I told him his beard looked like a wet squirrel."

Adanna couldn't help the laugh that slipped out.

"See?" Imogen nudged her. "Don't let his words stick. You're here now. That's what matters."

Adanna's smile faded. "Being here doesn't mean I'll stay. You heard the council. One mistake and I'm out."

Before Imogen could answer, a mocking voice carried across the yard.

"Hey, rogue!"

Adanna stiffened. Two young wolves stood by the training dummies, both smirking. The taller one was wiry, his arms covered in tattoos, and the other shorter, with a face too smug for his own good.

The tall one cupped his hands around his mouth. "You learn the rules yet? Number one: don't expect us to babysit broken wolves."

Imogen muttered under her breath, "Here we go."

Adanna stood slowly. Her pulse raced, but her voice came out steady. "I'm not broken."

The short one barked out a laugh. "No wolf? No fangs? That's like being a car without wheels. You'll just sit there and rust."

Adanna's jaw clenched. "Better no wheels than a head full of hot air."

Imogen choked back a laugh.

The tall one's eyes narrowed, and he took a threatening step forward. "Careful, rogue. I could break you before breakfast."

Adanna's throat tightened, but she forced herself not to step back.

"Then you'd answer to me," a calm, cold voice cut in.

The yard stilled.

Leander strode toward them, silver hair bright against the grey morning, his storm-grey eyes fixed on the two young wolves. His presence was enough to make the air shift.

"Out," he said simply.

The taller wolf bristled. "We were just-"

"I said out." Leander's voice was quiet, but it carried like thunder.

The pair grumbled but slunk off, muttering curses under their breath.

Adanna exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging. "You didn't have to do that."

Leander's gaze lingered on her. "You're Crescent Moon now. I don't let anyone in my pack get cornered."

Adanna frowned. "I thought you weren't exactly pack."

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes-pain, maybe? But it was gone too fast.

"Meet me here tomorrow. Dawn."

Adanna blinked. "Why?"

"Training."

Her laugh was short and bitter. "You want to train me? I don't even have a wolf."

"You said you're not broken." His tone was even, unreadable. "Prove it."

Imogen leaned close, whispering loud enough for Leander to hear. "Told you. Teeth."

Adanna shot her a look, but Imogen only grinned wider.

Leander turned and walked off, leaving no room for argument.

Adanna groaned, sinking back onto the bench. "What the hell did I just sign up for?"

Imogen smirked. "Oh, you're screwed. But at least it'll be entertaining."

The next morning, the training yard was empty except for Leander. He stood in the center, arms folded, watching her approach.

Adanna dragged her feet across the dirt. "I thought dawn meant... like, actual daylight. Not this."

"It's the best time," he said flatly. "Quiet. Focused."

"Focused on what? Getting humiliated?"

His lips twitched-almost a smile. "That depends on how fast you learn."

Adanna scowled. "You know, for someone who barely talks, you sure like giving orders."

Leander didn't respond. He tossed her a wooden staff. She fumbled to catch it, nearly smacking herself in the face.

"Seriously?" she muttered.

"Grip it tighter," he said. "Feet apart. Shoulders loose."

Adanna tried to mimic his stance, awkward and stiff.

He circled her, correcting her posture with a tap to her elbow, a nudge to her foot. Every touch sent a strange jolt through her chest.

"Better," he said. "Now swing."

She swung clumsily. The staff slipped from her sweaty palms and clattered to the ground.

Imogen's laugh echoed from the fence where she'd perched. "Smooth, very smooth."

Adanna glared. "You're not helping!"

Leander didn't move to pick up the staff. He just stared. "Again."

Adanna sighed, grabbing it off the ground. "Fine. But don't expect miracles."

The next swing was steadier. The next, even sharper. Soon her arms ached, sweat dripping down her back, but she kept going.

Leander finally raised a hand. "Enough."

Adanna dropped the staff, panting. "That... was hell."

"That was warm-up," he said.

She groaned. "You've got to be kidding me."

Imogen clapped sarcastically. "Don't worry, rogue. By next week, you'll only look half-dead."

Adanna shot her a weak middle finger before collapsing onto the bench.

Leander stood over her, his eyes unreadable. "You lasted longer than I thought."

Adanna blinked. "Was that... a compliment?"

"Don't get used to it," he said, turning away.

Imogen leaned down, whispering, "Translation: he doesn't hate you. Yet."

Adanna buried her face in her hands, groaning. "I'm going to regret this, aren't I?

That night, Adanna sat in her small room, muscles sore, arms aching. But despite the pain, she caught herself smiling faintly.

For the first time in weeks, she didn't feel completely useless.

And for the first time in years, someone had looked at her-not with pity, not with disgust-but with the expectation that she could be more.

She didn't know whether to be grateful... or terrified.

************************************

The next morning, Adanna limped into the training yard. Every muscle screamed in protest. She barely slept-again.

Leander was already there, stretching like he'd been born out of stone and discipline. No sweat, no strain. Just calm.

"You're late," he said.

"It's five minutes," Adanna shot back, wincing as she bent to tie her boots.

"Five minutes can cost you your life."

"Or five minutes could mean coffee," she muttered.

His brows lifted. "Do you want coffee or survival?"

Adanna straightened. "Both. Preferably."

Imogen's laugh rang from the fence where she sat again. "Gods, you two are like an old married couple already."

"Shut up," Adanna and Leander snapped in unison.

Imogen grinned. "See? Married couple."

Leander ignored her and tossed Adanna a smaller staff. "Today, we test reaction time."

Adanna groaned. "Can't we test, like... sitting? I'd be amazing at that."

"No."

She raised the staff half-heartedly. "Fine. But if I pass out, you're carrying me."

Leander's eyes darkened with something unreadable. "You won't pass out."

He lunged.

Adanna yelped, barely lifting her staff in time. The force rattled through her arms, nearly knocking her over.

"Keep your balance," he barked.

"I'm trying!" She stumbled back, swinging wildly.

He struck again. Their staffs cracked together, and her wrists burned.

"Too stiff," he said. "You're fighting the staff instead of using it."

"Oh, well, forgive me for not being a staff master!"

"Less mouth, more focus."

Adanna scowled. "You're really bad at pep talks, you know that?"

He didn't answer, only pressed harder. Each strike forced her back until her heels hit the fence.

"Cornered," he said coldly. "Now what?"

Adanna's breath came hard. She looked left, right-no space. Her staff trembled.

"Think," he pushed. "What's your way out?"

"I... I don't know!"

"Yes, you do." His voice softened, barely. "Stop thinking about what you can't do. Use what you can."

His words stung because they made sense. Her grip tightened. With a sharp yell, she twisted, ducking under his staff, and jabbed the end of hers into his ribs.

The strike landed.

Leander froze. His storm-grey eyes flicked down, then back up. For a breathless second, something unreadable flashed between them.

Adanna's mouth fell open. "Did I-did I actually hit you?"

Imogen clapped so loud it startled them both. "Hell yes, rogue! I think you just made the great Leander grunt."

Leander straightened, brushing dirt off his shirt. His face was unreadable, but his voice was low. "Not bad."

Adanna blinked. "Wait-was that another compliment?"

He ignored her, turning away.

Imogen cackled. "Oh, he's blushing."

"I am not." His voice was sharper than usual, and he stalked off toward the weapon rack.

Adanna leaned on her staff, panting, still stunned. "I actually hit him..."

Imogen slid off the fence, grinning. "Yep. You've officially survived round two. And trust me, not many can say that."

Adanna let out a shaky laugh, part pride, part disbelief.

For the first time since Hyde Park, she felt a flicker of something that wasn't anger or despair. It was small, fragile... but it was there.

Later that evening, Adanna sat on the back steps of the safehouse, the cool air easing her sore arms. Imogen plopped beside her with a loaf of bread and tore it in half.

"You know," Imogen said around a mouthful, "I've never seen Leander look at anyone like that."

Adanna frowned. "Like what?"

"Like you're not a burden. Like you're... worth the effort."

Adanna shifted uncomfortably. "He doesn't even like me."

Imogen snorted. "Leander doesn't like anyone. Trust me. That man has the emotional range of a rock. But he respects you. That's rarer."

Adanna tore at the bread, chewing slowly. "Respect doesn't change the fact that I'm still wolf-less."

Imogen's expression softened. "Maybe. Or maybe your wolf's just waiting for the right moment. You ever think of that?"

Adanna's throat tightened. "Waiting twenty years? That's one patient wolf."

Imogen nudged her shoulder. "Patience usually means power."

Adanna stared into the dark trees, heart heavy but a little less hollow.

The next morning, the pattern repeated. Training. Bruises. Banter. Leander's relentless orders, her stubborn retorts, Imogen's heckling.

But beneath it, something began to shift.

When Adanna stumbled, Leander caught her before she hit the ground. His hands were steady, firm, lingering a second too long.

When she landed a hit, his eyes lit-not with annoyance, but with something sharper. Something almost like pride.

And when she cursed him under her breath, she thought she saw the ghost of a smile.

By the end of the week, Adanna was exhausted but alive. She sat on the bench, sweat dripping, chest heaving. Leander stood across from her, arms folded, watching.

"You're improving," he said.

Adanna gave a tired laugh. "There it is. The legendary third compliment."

He raised a brow. "Don't push your luck."

Imogen shouted from the fence, "Adanna, write this down! Historic day-Leander admits someone else isn't completely useless!"

Adanna laughed until her ribs ached.

For the first time, laughter didn't feel foreign.

For the first time, the shadows around her weren't as heavy.

And though she'd never admit it aloud, she realized something terrifying:

She was starting to trust him.

The air was sharp with frost that night.

The kind that seeped through skin and bones, crawling into the marrow.

Adanna stood in the center of the clearing, every muscle in her body screaming with the urge to run. She couldn't. Not when the entire pack ringed around her, their gazes like knives. Torches hissed in the wind, throwing wild shadows over the ancient stones that marked the ritual ground.

The elders watched from raised seats, their robes heavy, faces hard. No mercy in their eyes.

"You stand accused," Elder Casper's voice carried across the circle, low and booming. "Wolf-less. Weak.

A liability."

The words stung even though she'd heard them whispered a hundred times before. She clenched her fists at her sides, nails biting into skin.

"I'm not weak," she muttered, barely audible.

But Leander heard. She knew he did-because his head tilted ever so slightly, standing tall in the crowd, eyes unreadable.

Elder Sarah, the only woman among the council, leaned forward. "You have one chance, girl. Prove you are not cursed by the Moon. Tonight, under Her gaze, show us your worth."

The pack's murmurs swelled. Some laughed under their breath, others sneered.

Adanna swallowed hard. She had no wolf to call, no primal strength to rely on. All she had was herself-and a stubborn fire that refused to die.

"Begin," Elder Casper ordered.

From the shadows, three wolves padded forward. Massive, fur bristling, teeth gleaming. Not rogues-her own packmates. Chosen to test her. To break her.

Her stomach dropped.

This wasn't training. This was execution in disguise.

One of them snarled, lunging before she could think. Adanna rolled, the wolf's claws raking her shoulder instead of her throat. Pain flared hot, but she forced herself up, backing toward the stones.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"She won't last a minute."

"End it quick."

"Better to be rid of her."

Their voices fueled something ugly inside her. Rage. Desperation. She wasn't going to die for their amusement.

The second wolf circled, eyes glowing, growl rumbling low.

"Move, Adanna!" someone shouted from the ring. Imogen. Her friend's voice cracked with fear.

Adanna dodged again, scraping her palms raw on the ground. She grabbed a fistful of dirt, flinging it into the wolf's face as it lunged. It yelped, stumbling, giving her just enough time to kick hard at its chest.

The pack jeered, half impressed, half mocking.

Her shoulder burned, blood soaking through her tunic. Her breaths came fast, shallow. She wasn't going to outlast them-not all three.

The largest wolf stalked forward now. Dark fur, massive frame. He bared his teeth in something close to a grin.

"Show us, girl," Elder Casper called. "Show us your wolf-or die as the cursed thing you are."

The words echoed in her head, rattling her skull. Show us. Show us.

Her chest tightened. She couldn't shift. She couldn't.

The wolf lunged.

Her knees buckled, but she forced herself sideways, the claws grazing her ribs. She hit the ground hard, air knocked from her lungs. For a moment the world blurred-shouts, firelight, the smell of blood.

And then she saw him.

Leander.

He hadn't moved, hadn't flinched once during the trial. But now his eyes locked on hers, steady and sharp, like a lifeline in the chaos.

Get up.

She could almost hear it, though his lips never moved.

Get up.

Her body screamed no. But something in his gaze dragged her to her feet anyway.

The crowd roared, restless. The wolves circled again, preparing for the kill.

Adanna spat blood onto the dirt. Her voice was hoarse but loud enough to carry:

"I'm not cursed."

The pack stilled.

For a heartbeat, even the wolves seemed to hesitate.

And then the biggest one charged again, straight for her throat.

The wolf's jaws snapped inches from her throat. Adanna threw herself sideways, landing hard on her bad shoulder. White-hot pain shot down her arm, but instinct made her grab for the torch nearest the stones.

The wood was slick with pitch, flames snapping wildly. She swung it with all the strength she had left.

The wolf yelped, stumbling back, singed fur smoking. The crowd gasped, voices rising in a storm of disbelief.

"She dares use fire?"

"That's no skill, that's desperation!"

"She's fighting to live-what would you do?" another shouted.

Elder Corvin slammed his staff against the stone. "Enough! Continue!"

The three wolves regrouped, growls rumbling deep, eyes gleaming with bloodlust. They wanted her to slip, to fall, to break.

Adanna staggered to her feet, the torch shaking in her hand. Sweat and blood stung her eyes. She sucked in a ragged breath, chest heaving.

"You won't take me," she whispered to herself, voice raw.

From the crowd, someone laughed cruelly. "She'll drop dead before moonrise."

Another voice cut through, softer but firm. Imogen again. "Hold on, Adanna. Just hold on."

The smallest of the wolves darted first. Adanna twisted, fire arcing close to its face. It backed off with a hiss.

The second lunged low. She didn't think-just shoved the torch down, flames catching on its fur. It howled, rolling in the dirt.

The crowd erupted, half cheering, half cursing.

"She's cheating!"

"No wolf fights like that!"

"She's surviving."

Adanna's chest heaved, strength waning. Her knees wobbled, her arms ached from the weight of the torch. She knew she couldn't last much longer.

The biggest wolf advanced slowly now, deliberate, savoring her weakness. Its growl vibrated in her bones.

"Do it," Elder Casper barked. "Finish this farce."

The wolf sprang.

Adanna raised the torch, but her grip slipped. The fire sputtered as it hit the ground. She stumbled back, unarmed, her vision narrowing.

The wolf's claws slashed down-

-and stopped.

Not because it chose to.

Because another hand caught it.

A man stood between them, tall, broad, pale hair catching the moonlight. His grip held the wolf's paw mid-swipe, unyielding.

Leander.

Gasps tore through the circle.

"What is he doing-"

"He interferes?!"

"Blasphemy!"

The wolf snarled, snapping at him, but Leander shoved it back with one hand, his grey eyes burning.

"That's enough," his voice cut like steel.

Elder Casper's face darkened. "You dare-"

"She proved it," Leander snapped, louder this time, turning to the elders. "She stood her ground. She bled, she fought, she lived. More than half of you could say in her place."

The pack erupted in chaos. Shouts clashed with curses. Some cheered her defiance, others demanded her death.

Adanna stood frozen, chest heaving, staring at Leander's back as he shielded her.

Why?

The elders banged their staffs, struggling to restore order. Finally, Elder Sarah raised her hand. "Enough!"

Silence fell, tense and heavy.

Her eyes, sharp and unreadable, flicked between Adanna and Leander. "The trial was not won cleanly," she said slowly. "But neither was it lost."

Elder Casper sneered. "She's cursed."

"Or chosen," Sarah countered.

Murmurs rippled like fire through dry grass.

Adanna's knees finally buckled. She sank to the dirt, clutching her shoulder. Every inch of her body screamed with pain. But her heart... her heart beat with something else.

Not victory. Not safety.

But a spark.

Leander crouched beside her, his voice low enough for her alone. "You shouldn't have survived that."

Her lips trembled. "Maybe I wasn't meant to."

He studied her, unreadable as ever. Then, softer: "You're stronger than you think."

Her throat tightened. She didn't know why his words mattered, but they did. They mattered too much.

Above them, the Moon hung heavy and full, its light washing over the clearing. The trial was over. The pack divided.

But one thing was certain.

Adanna was no longer invisible.

And Leander... he had just made her a target.