Zephyrine


    Night fell over the Lycan Kingdom like a heavy cloak. Torches flickered along the stone courtyard, casting long, jagged shadows.


    The massive gate swung open, and werewolves poured in, filling the arena with low murmurs and restless energy.


    The trial had been announced suddenly, and I couldn’t turn away. Not when Dessyn’s safety and perhaps pride was on the line.


    I lingered at the back of the arena, scanning the crowd as the Lycan members and visiting werewolves settled into their seats.


    Every eye seemed fixed on one figure. Ka Yadev, the empire’s most refined female archer. I knew the truth. No one here cared about a rogue like me. They expected me to fail.


    A ripple of gasps ran through the crowd as Ka entered. Her hair was braided tight, her dress fitted for movement, and a gleaming bow rested in her hands.


    She carried herself with the arrogance of someone who knew they were untouchable. Nyroth walked beside her, chest puffed, his gaze alight with possessive pride, as if the arena itself belonged to him.


    I lowered my gaze. My heart clenched, but then I saw Dessyn, eyes fixed on me, her hands clutching a bow and quiver she extended toward me.


    “Thanks, Zephyr, for doing this,” she muttered. “Alpha Auedric told me to give them to you for the trial.”


    I blinked, staring at the bow. It bore the crest of the Moon Pack. I would represent them tonight. Relief and pride swelled inside me as I looked at Dessyn. We exchanged a brief, knowing smile.


    “Alpha Auedric is taking a risk trusting me with this,” I whispered.


    “More than anything.” Dessyn said, determination hardening her voice. “You are the goddess of war. This is nothing.”


    I swallowed, gripping the bow. My focus snapped back to Ka, who was already at the back too, smirking at me with utter confidence before walking away without words.


    Nyroth didn’t followed her immediately, he came over to me, eyes glinting as he nced at my face.


    20


    “You love making a fool of yourself, Zeph, don’t you?” he spat, stepping forward and grabbing my arm.


    I tried to pull away.


    “Let go.”


    “You’re about to embarrass yourself! It’s not <i>too </ite to yield. Do you really think you can go head–to–head with Ka?”


    I said nothing. He tightened his grip.


    “For once, Zeph! Do what’s right! Be reasonable!”


    A trumpet red, signaling the start of the trial. I jerked my arm free.


    “This is the right choice,” I snapped, voice low and tense. “The best I’ve made in five years.”


    Dessyn rushed forward, gripping my hands. For a heartbeat, the world fell silent between us, our unspoken understanding filling the space. Then I stepped into the arena.


    The cheering was deafening until my eyes fell on Ka. She sat tall on her horse, bow at the ready, smirk unwavering.<fnf361> Newest update provided by Find★Novel</fnf361>


    The crowd murmured, impressed by her elegance and skill. I swallowed the sting of mockery from Nyroth’s enraptured gaze. He look more fixated on Ka than he had ever and will ever be for me.


    The drums began again.


    “Three stages,” the announcer called. “First, shoot three arrows into the bullseyes. Second, mount your horse and strike the bullseyes again. Third, ride the horse at full gallop and shatter the swayingntern.”


    Silence descended immediately after the announcement. Every onlookers pause to watch.


    Ka drew first after she dismount her horse. Her arrows flew like lightning, piercing the bullseyes in perfect session. The crowd erupted in awe and marvel.


    I look down now to set my bow when I got approached by the wild horse set aside for me. Its nostrils red, hooves stamping nervously. Alpha Auedric rushed forward.


    “Zephyr! The horse we prepared for you has fallen sick out of nowhere. You see this horse now provided… it’s sedated! It’s wild! You should quit,e home!”


    I stare at the horse for a brief seconds and shook my head. If I backed down now, disgrace would follow me for life. I ced my hand on the horse’s neck, whispering softly until it calmed for a brief moment.


    1 set my arrow, standing beside my wild horse, and drew the bowstring tight. The moment felt electric. I released and the first arrow struck the bullseye dead center.


    Without hesitation, the next two arrows followed, each piercing the first one exactly as they entered the target.


    A hush fell over the crowd. Whispers rippled through the spectators, eyes wide with astonishment at the speed and precision I’d disyed.


    Ka’s gaze snapped to me, sharp and incredulous. She was a skilled archer herself, but had she ever seen anything like this? The way I moved, the speed I struck, the wless uracy… It was beyond anything she’d imagined. For a moment, herposure faltered, reced by raw, bitter surprise.


    I let the bow rest. letting the stunned silence linger a heartbeat longer. The message was clear. I was not to be underestimated.


    Stage two. The horse reared and bolted, unsteady. I mounted, gripping the reins, heart hammering.


    Ka’s arrows hit perfectly again. Now it was my turn. I leaned with the horse, aiming for the bullseyes. Each shot struck clean and true. The murmurs shifted, some began to cheer my skill. Ka’s smirk faltered once again but I ignored her.


    Stage three.


    1


    Thentern swayed high above, the final target and I had to pierce it while on a moving horse. Ka set her bow, and I understood immediately. The night was not going as she had hoped.


    She nced at my horse, studying it with that sharp, calcting gaze. I could swear her lips curved into a mocking smile, amused at its wildness.


    Then, with determined speed, she kicked her horse into motion. The bowstring sang, the arrow flew but it missed. Murmurs rose from the crowd, disappointment threading through the air.


    Ka pulled back, reins in hand, ncing at me with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. She tried again, slowing her horse


    this time.


    The arrow hit the target but there was no cheering, no triumph. Not the way she had imagined. Her expression faltered for just a heartbeat, and I almost smiled at the subtle sh of disbelief on her face.


    I turned to the wild horse beside me, letting my hands soothe it, calming its restlessness. It held steady for a moment as 1 readied my bow, aiming at the swayingntern. Then, without warning, the horse bolted straight toward the arena wall. Gasps rippled through the spectators at the speed, but I didn’t falter.


    With perfect timing, I released the arrow while riding at full speed. Just before the horse would have crashed, I rolled with fluid precision,nding on my feet in perfect bnce. The arrow struck true, thentern shattered cleanly.


    Silence froze the arena for a heartbeat so sharp it made hearts skip. Then, as realization dawned, jubtion erupted but this time, it was for me, not Ka Yadev. The tide had turned.