The Elder's Pavilion was quiet, filled with low murmurs and the glow of torchlight. Seven elders sat in a semicircle, their presence heavy with authority. At the center was Elder Maltheus, his gaze sharp and unreadable. Selena Silvermist walked in without hesitation. At seventeen, she already carried herself like an Alpha-back straight, chin lifted, eyes steady. She stopped before the council. "Elders of Silvermist," she said, voice firm, "I, Selena Silvermist, challenge Lucas Viremont for the title of Pack Leader in the coming trials." Silence fell. Elder Mira leaned forward. "You?" she said, disbelief clear. "The trials are not for children. Your wolf hasn't even manifested yet. And Lucas comes from a powerful line. This isn't something you play at." Selena held her ground. "I'm not playing. My eighteenth moon is close. My wolf is coming-and I know what it is. My father was Orion Silvermist. His blood runs in me." At the mention of her father, the room shifted. Elder Maltheus spoke next. "Tradition still stands. The Alpha seat has always gone to males. And Lucas's family holds influence in the Citadel. This challenge could cause problems." Selena's jaw tightened. "Then let it." A few elders exchanged looks. "I'm not doing this just for power," she continued. "Lucas is targeting my brother. He's been tormenting Elian for years, and now he made my brother agree to be sent to the Citadel-as a bride to the King." That drew sharper reactions. "Elian refused him," Selena added, her voice hardening. "So Lucas decided to use him for politics. I won't allow it. If I become leader, he loses that control." Elder Garrick frowned. "And you think this won't bring trouble? The King's court is not something we provoke lightly." Selena stepped forward. "Then we stop bowing to it. Lucas doesn't want strength-he wants control. He wants Elian broken. I won't let that happen." The room fell into debate. Voices rose, then quieted again. Finally, Elder Maltheus lifted a hand. "Enough." Silence returned. He studied Selena for a long moment. "You carry your father's will. And your wolf is near awakening. Very well." Selena stilled. "The challenge is accepted," he said. "You will face Lucas in the trials." Relief flickered in her chest, but she only nodded. "I won't fail." --- By the time Selena left the pavilion, the sun had begun to set. The forest was quiet as she made her way home, but her mind wasn't. Everything had changed now. The trials were real. So was the danger. A scent hit her first-sharp, familiar. Lucas. He stepped out onto the path, two others behind him. His expression was already twisted with anger. "You've got nerve," he said. "Challenging me like that." Selena didn't stop walking. "The elders agreed. Deal with it." He let out a harsh laugh. "Because of your weak brother?" She froze. Lucas stepped closer. "I wanted Elian," he said plainly. "He would've been useful to me. But he refused. So I found a better use-offer him to the King." Rage burned through her. "You're not touching him," she said. Lucas smirked. "You think you can stop me? You're not even an Alpha yet." "Try me." His expression darkened. "You're nothing but a girl playing warrior." Selena met his stare. "And you're nothing without your father." That did it. Lucas lunged. Selena moved faster. She stepped aside and drove her elbow into his ribs. The hit landed clean, knocking the breath out of him. His companions hesitated, then stepped back. Lucas staggered, glaring at her. "This isn't over." "It never is," she replied. He backed away slowly, his voice low with threat. "At the full moon, you'll lose. And when you do, your brother is mine to decide." Then he disappeared into the trees. Selena stood there for a moment, her heart still racing. The trial were coming. And she will not lose. ************************* The forest path opened into Silvermist's homes, fires glowing softly in the night. The scent of woodsmoke wrapped around Selena, familiar and grounding. Her knuckles still ached from the fight with Lucas, the pain keeping her anger sharp. The moon hung low. Soon, it would be full-and with it, her change. When her home came into view, fear settled in her chest. Her mother was already waiting. Lydia Silvermist stood at the door, arms crossed, eyes fixed on her. The moment Selena stepped closer, the tension between them snapped tight. "What have you done, Selena?" Lydia's voice shook. "Why would you go for the title? You promised me. And now this? Throwing yourself into that fight?" Selena stopped. The words hit harder than any blow. She didn't argue. Instead, she stepped forward, gently taking her mother's hands and guiding her inside. The fire burned low in the hearth. Selena led her to a chair and knelt in front of her, holding on tightly. "Mother," she said quietly, "I know what I promised. I meant it. But Lucas crossed the line." Lydia's eyes searched hers. "He sent Elian away," Selena continued, her voice tightening. "To the Citadel. Like he's nothing. Like he's... expendable. You know how Lucas has always treated him. I couldn't stand by this time. I won't let him destroy Elian just to gain power." Lydia's expression broke, tears filling her eyes. "Elian..." she whispered. "He's always been gentle. Too gentle for this world." Her gaze returned to Selena. "But you... you're not. You're like your father." Selena squeezed her hands. "I'm turning eighteen next week. My wolf is coming-I can feel it. And I know what it is, Mother. I know what I'm meant to be." Lydia said nothing. "If I win," Selena went on, softer now, "I can protect him. I can protect all of us. Please... trust me." Silence filled the room, broken only by the fire. Finally, Lydia sighed, her shoulders sinking. "I always knew," she said quietly. "The training... the bruises... you never really stopped." Selena looked down. "I let it happen," Lydia admitted. "Because it kept you strong." She reached out, cupping Selena's cheek. "Alright. Go for the title." Selena looked up, startled. "But listen to me," Lydia added, her voice firm despite the tears. "If it becomes too much... you walk away. I won't lose you too." The words cut deep. Selena stood and pulled her into a tight embrace. "You won't lose me," she whispered. "And you won't lose Elian either. He promised he'd come back." Lydia held on to her, shaking slightly. For a moment, they just stood there, holding each other. "I'll bring him home," Selena said. "I swear." When they finally pulled apart, Lydia managed a faint smile. "Then go, my Alpha pup. But remember-strength isn't just power. It's who you fight for." Selena nodded. "I know." Later, alone in her room, she lay awake staring at the ceiling. The moonlight spilled through the window, cold and steady. Everything was set in motion now. There was no turning back.

Elian woke slowly. Not peacefully-no. There was a strange heaviness in his body, like sleep had held him too tightly and only just let go. His brows drew together as he shifted beneath the covers, the silken sheets cool against his skin. Something felt... off. His lips hurt. He frowned, lifting a hand to touch them gently. A sharp, unfamiliar soreness lingered there, like a bruise that hadn't fully formed. He pressed lightly, confusion knitting deeper across his face. "...What?" It didn't make sense. He hadn't fallen. Hadn't been in a fight. And yet the sensation was real-subtle, but impossible to ignore. As though something had happened... something his mind couldn't quite reach. A faint unease settled in his chest. Before he could think further- Knock. Knock. Elian startled slightly, sitting up. "Come in," he called, his voice still filled with sleep. The door opened, and a familiar figure stepped inside. Mira. She entered with her usual gentle brightness, balancing a tray in one hand, though her eyes immediately softened when they landed on him. "You're awake," she said with a small smile. "Good. I was worried I'd have to drag you out of bed myself." Elian let out a quiet breath, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Mira..." There was comfort in seeing her. Something steady in the middle of everything unfamiliar. "You look like you didn't sleep well," she added, stepping closer and setting the tray down. Elian hesitated. "I... don't think I did," he admitted. His fingers brushed his lips again unconsciously. "Something feels strange." Mira noticed. Her gaze lingered-just for a second too long. But then she smiled, light and easy, as if nothing was wrong. "First night nerves, maybe. This place does that to people." "Maybe," Elian murmured, though he wasn't convinced. There was something he couldn't explain. Something just out of reach. Mira clapped her hands softly, shifting the mood. "Well, no time to dwell on it. I'm here to get you ready." Elian blinked. "Ready?" "For breakfast," she said, as though it were obvious. "With the King." Silence. "Elian?" she prompted when he didn't respond. "With the... King?" he repeated, slower this time. "Yes," Mira said, tilting her head. "You were summoned. Personally." That uneasy feeling returned-stronger now. "Why would he want to see me?" Elian asked quietly. Mira gave a small shrug, though there was something knowing behind her eyes. "That, I don't know. But when the King calls, you don't keep him waiting." Elian swallowed. King Kael Draven. Dangerous. And yet... For a brief, fleeting second, Elian's fingers brushed his lips again. A strange warmth flickered in his chest. Gone as quickly as it came. "Alright," he said finally, pushing the feeling aside. "I'll go." Mira's smile returned, softer this time. "Good. Come on-we don't want your first royal breakfast to start with you looking like you just rolled out of a storm." Elian huffed faintly at that, but allowed her to guide him. As she moved around the room-preparing water, laying out clothes-his gaze drifted toward the window. The Citadel stretched far beyond it, towering and endless. Beautiful. And suffocating. Something had changed the moment he arrived here. He could feel it. Like invisible threads tightening around him... pulling him toward something he didn't yet understand. ------------ In a chamber lined with dark stone and shadow- King Kael Draven stood by the window, watching the same morning light creep across the horizon. His expression was unreadable. But his fing ers lifted-just slightly-brushing over his own lips. A slow, almost imperceptible smile followed. "Wake up, little mate..." he murmured under his breath. "Let's see if you remember me."