The day of the second trial had finally arrived. As we gathered at the ceremonial grounds, I found myself questioning the consteliami
Before entering the Alpha King election, im gol had been simple; win at any cost. The crown world af
gre to fight for all werewolves who suffered ininstler, I would create a world where packs like thatithorn wouldn’t have to endure the cruelty <b>of </b>Alphas, where instrasts could find belonging.
But as I stood in the precipice of the second trial, Skyes hand warm in mine, Ryder and Lydis nking on with unservering patty, old help bert question myself. Would I truly pay an price for victory?
No. If winning meant sacrificing the people who mattered most, the ones who had believed in me when I had nothing, then such a victory would be hollow, meaningless. What was the point of being Alpha kme if I beat what made the title worth having?
Perhaps sensing me tension, Skye squrered my hand prasti
the remaining twenty teams.
bew thiength from her touch, Kering myself in focus as Elder Selene stepped forward to
The Trial of Wisdom,” Elder Selene announced, her voler carrying across the silent gathering, ‘consists of two phases. First, each park must ovee a unique challenge as a team. Those who seed will progress to the second phase–directpetition between packs.”
Her ancient eyes swept across the candidates, sharp despite her years. As with the first trial, if you find yourself in mortal danger, signal for rescue and withdraw. There is no shame in living to fight another day.”
A thin smile touched her lips. “<b>After </b>all, the Council <b>is </b>not an organization of assassins. Our purpose is <b>to </b>select a worthy Alpha King, not to collect
The attempt at humor fell t among the tensepetitors. I scanned the gathering, wondering which of these Alphas harbored murderous intentions toward me. <b>Maya’s </b>warning echoed in my mind–someone wanted me eliminated permanently.
My gaze settled briefly on Maxwell. My uncle’s expression revealed nothing, his face a mask of calm determination. If he was nning my demise, he hid it well
When Elder Selene concluded her speech, attendants <b>guided </b>each team to separate locations. Our group <b>was </b>led to a small <b>wooden </b>cabin set apart from the
“Your first challenge is called The Arrow Shower,” the attendant exined<b>, </b>gesturing toward the door. “<b>Every </b>ten minutes, arrows will fire from the <b>walls</b>. After thirty minutes, <b>the </b>door will unlock automatically.” With an upsettling smile, he added. “Good luck,” before walking away.
Inside, <b>the </b>cabin was sparsely furnished–just arge round wooden table in the center, nothing else. The walls were unremarkable, giving no indication of the deadly projectiles they would soonunch.<fn39b2> For original chapters go to F?nd-Novel</fn39b2>
?
Skye immediately approached the table, rapping her knuckles against its surface. “Solid <b>wood</b><b>,</b>” she observed, eyes calcting. “We could use this <b>as </b><b>a </b>She nced around at us. “Help me dismantle it.”
“Eve got this,” Ryder volunteered, his <b>eyes </b>gleaming with determination as his mails elongated into ws. With a few powerful swipes, he separated the tabletop from its base.
shield.”
Working quickly, he split the wooden disk into four roughly equal sections. “Seems simple enough,” he remarked, helling one of the makeshift shields, “We stand back–to–back, use these to block the arrows, and wait it out.”
<b>ΠΠΕ </b>
1 frowned, unease prickling at the <b>back </b>of my neck. “It feels <b>too </b>straightforward,”
“Perhaps were fortunate this year,” Lydia suggested, her melodic voice reassuring behind her mask. The night before we left Oasisbom, I performed <b>a </b>divination. The <b>cards </b><b>predicted </b>good fortune for our <b>journey</b>.”
The sends had barely left her lips when the first arrows shot from the walls, whistling through the air with deadly precision.
“<b>Defensive </b>positions<b>?</b>” <b>I </b><b>shouted</b>, raising my shield.
The <b>formed </b>i Ilent <b>clitic</b><b>, </b>each curvering a section of the Ton
deeply in our thalekhin thick.
<b>Just </b>as we settled into a shythm of blocking the projectiles, Ryder’s agonized cry pierced the air. Blood streamed from Ne dit where in serb Him. Looking up <b>in </b>hotion, we realised wit mistake–arrunks were nine raining down from the reiling
<b>“</b>The ceiling“” I raised my shield higher, adjusting to protect our heads, ‘Cover overhead?”
The others moved to follow my exemple, but I quickly stopped them. “Not The shields aren’t big enough. Il poard alime, mu keep protecting the aldrit
Despite my warring, our defensive formation left my lower body exposed. Paisnced through my leg My knees weakened as blood soaked through my pants.
“Adrian!” Skye’s voice reached me, thick with tears and feat
Lan arrow found its merk, then another<b>, </b>
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