Chosen by the moon, rejected by the alpha

stood like silent sentinels, their edges honed for battles against both beast and Void. The air was thick with the scent of oiled steel and leather, a grounding contrast to the turmoil in

is green eyes flicked to hers, assessing her with the quiet intensity of someone who'd seen too many trials go wrong. "The

faced the Void's creatures once, in the chaos of her village's fall, but those were mindless horrors of claw and shadow. Spirits were different-cunning,

ngs, warriors who bound their souls to the Fangwood to protect the Moonstone. They test your heart as much as you

itter. She was terrified-not just of the spirits, but of failing, of proving Kael right. The bond, still frayed from his rejection,

"You don't have to prove anything to him, Liora. This trial is f

e wrapped in cloth. The young werewolf's brown eyes darted between Liora and Torin, a shy smile breaking through her usual wari

moonlight. It was lighter than her borrowed one, yet warmer, with a faint hum of magic that tingled agains

my mother's. She was a scout, before the Void took her. She said it was blessed by a druid

nce leaving her village. She draped the cloak over her shoulders, its weig

but she nodded. "Just c

to move in it. The Fangwood's thick with roots and thorns-speed matters as much as strength." He gest

atures. But she stepped into the space, gripping the dagger as Torin had shown her, its balance unfamiliar

his tone calm but fi

rist and twisting until the dagger clattered to the floor. Pain flared, but it was the

ing her. "Keep your weight

ed or pinned, Torin's corrections sharp but patient. By the tenth try, sweat beaded her brow, and her arms ached,

ps. "You're quick, Liora. Trust that. The spirits wil

red unbidden, a soft glow limning the blade, and when she struck, the runes flared, leaving a faint

he lamplight like fire. Her lip curled as she surveyed the scene, her gaze lingering on Liora's glowing

voice steady despite the knot in her chest. "I don't n

knife. The spirits will eat you alive, Lunari or not." She stepped closer, her ember-like

mix of pain and anger. She straightened, meeting Sylva's gaze. "Kael'

he Alpha wants you at the war council. Now." Her eyes flicked back to L

arlier cheer dimmed, while Torin's jaw clenched, his gaze distant. Liora sheathed the dag

angwood's no place for doubt." He hesitated, then added, "Kael's at the council because of reports from t

-starred figure flashing through her mind. "It's sp

ne's not just a trinket-it's a relic of Selys's power, said to amplif

e small but fierce. "You can d

gh fear gnawed at her. "I'l

We'll meet at dawn to head to the Fangwood's edge. I

own. She returned to her quarters, the moonlight through the window weaker now, clouded by a gathering storm. She lay on t

buried deep. She pushed it away, anger flaring. He'd rejected her, yet the bond refused to die, a cruel tether

ight pulsing like a heartbeat. Shadows moved at the forest's edge, their eyes glinting with ancient hunger. A voice, cold and

he sat up, clutching Mira's cloak, and made a silent vow. She would face the Fangwood, the spirits, and her

expression grave but proud. The Fangwood loomed beyond, its trees dark and twisted, a challenge that would either forge her or break