"Get up now!" Kael's voice ripped through the morning fog like thunder. Lunarion warriors stalked through the scattered camp, yanking blankets, shouting at the Moonveil wolves still groggy from sleep.
It wasn't enough that they'd spent the night on the cold ground, barely catching any rest. Now, just hours before dawn, they were being dragged to their feet again.
The half-moon still lingered faintly in the sky, pale against the dark horizon.
"What the hell is this?!" Sera barked, shooting to her feet. "You said training would start at dawn!"
Her voice was raw—strained with exhaustion, frustration, and a buried kind of fury.
"We've gone through enough already. Why now?!"
"I agree," one of the Moonveil wolves muttered behind her. "You said dawn, Kael."
Kael just stood there, arms folded, a cruel little smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. His golden eyes scanned the tired faces with no hint of sympathy.
"I changed my mind."
Sera's brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"
Kael took a step forward, voice cold. "We start now. I don't care who's limping, bleeding, or half-conscious. You're not here for comfort."
His gaze locked onto hers—burning, challenging.
"You smug bastard," Sera hissed. "This isn't training. It's punishment."
Kael's smile widened slightly. "You're catching on."
Near the edge of the camp, Aldric sat beside his daughter, cradling Liora's hand in both of his. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow. She hadn't stirred at all.
Aldric looked up, his voice soft but firm. "Let me stay with her. She needs someone."
Kael didn't even pause. "No."
Aldric blinked. "What?"
"You're training too."
There was a beat of silence. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
"You can't be serious," Sera said. "She's his daughter."
Kael's voice sharpened. "And? He's a warrior, not a wolfmaid."
Sera stepped forward. "I'll stay with her. I'm not leaving her like this."
Kael's jaw clenched. "No. You're training too."
"Don't push me, Kael," Sera warned, her voice low, dangerous.
"I don't need to," he replied flatly. "You're already close to the edge."
Aldric stood slowly, tired eyes on Kael. "Fine. I'll do it."
Sera glanced back at Liora, her lips tight with anger. There was nothing she could do—not now. The rogues had left them with no ground to stand on. This was all they had, and Kael knew it.
"...Alright," she muttered. "Let's get this over with."
—------------
The Moonveil wolves stood in a loose line under the dim sky. Kael paced slowly in front of them, the silence stretching painfully.
"You're in my territory now," he said. "That means you move when I say move. Sleep when I say sleep. Bleed when I say bleed."
No one spoke.
"Drop. Push-ups. Now."
They obeyed, some groaning, some coughing, but none dared protest. Kael didn't look pleased. He looked disappointed.
"You call that effort?" he snapped. "That's what made it out alive? No wonder the rogues wiped you out like flies."
Sera didn't look up, but her fists clenched against the dirt.
Kael turned toward her like he'd been waiting. "You. On your feet."
Sera stood, eyes blazing.
"Still full of attitude, huh?" Kael said. "You got something to prove?"
"Only that your ego's buying golds your strength can't pay for," she shot back.
The warriors muttered, the air tense.
Kael's expression didn't change. "Perfect. Then show me."
She didn't hesitate. She stepped forward and into the circle.
Kael cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. "Try not to disappoint me."
"Oh, don't worry," Sera said. "I disappoint arrogant Alpha's for sport, who are you? , a mere Beta."
He lunged first. Sera ducked, sidestepped, and landed a sharp jab to his ribs. Kael grunted, then spun and kicked at her legs. She leapt back, barely avoiding the sweep.
They circled each other, fast and tense. No wasted movement. This wasn't practice. This was personal.
Kael struck again—one, two, three hits—Sera blocked, countered, and on the fourth, she twisted under his arm and slammed her elbow into his back.
"You're slowing down, Golden Eyes."
"You talk too much."
He charged, ramming into her. They hit the dirt hard. He tried to pin her, but she shoved his weight off and rolled. Dirt smeared across both their faces.
Sera spat out soil. "Is this the best you've got, Kael? Or do you fight better when someone's not watching?"
Kael lunged again, but Sera ducked, pivoted, and flipped him clean over her shoulder. He landed hard.
Silence.
Sera stood over him, chest heaving. "Next time you want to vent your feelings about Zyra, pick someone slower."
She walked off, not sparing him another glance.
Kael sat up, spit blood, his anger was sky high , he cursed under his breath "Training's over—for now."
But every wolf there knew the real fight was yet to come.
—-------------
Deep in the forest , Ciara sat on a fallen log, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, trying to ignore how cold the night had gotten. The air was damp, heavy with the scent of earth and moss. She stared blankly ahead, chewing on her bottom lip, her thoughts spiraling.
What was she thinking?
Running off like that… alone, exposed to rogues and other things out there, No backup. No plan. Just anger and pride leading her legs while her brain screamed for her to turn back.
She blinked rapidly, feeling the sting behind her eyes.
"Stupid," she muttered to herself. "So damn stupid."
A soft crack echoed from behind.
Her spine straightened.
Ciara shot to her feet, heart racing, eyes scanning the darkness around her.
"Who's there?" she called out, trying to sound firm, but her voice shook anyway. She stepped back slowly. "I'm an Alpha. Don't think I won't fight."
Another rustle. This time to her left.
She turned sharply, fists clenched. Her pulse hammered in her ears.
"I mean it!"
Silence.
And then the bushes moved.
Something—or someone—was definitely there.
Ciara's breath caught as a tall figure stepped into view. She squinted through the dim light. It wasn't a wolf. No scent of fur, no shifting energy. The air around him felt… wrong. Cold. Still.
Her instincts screamed.
It was pale, almost unnaturally so, with sharp features and eyes that gleamed like polished metal. It didn't look surprised to see her. In fact, It looked amused. It's lips were covered with a cloth making it impossible to see its face.
Ciara took a step back.
"What are you?" she asked, voice quieter now.
The figure tilted It's head, studying her with an unreadable expression.
"You're far from your territory, little Alpha," It said smoothly. It's voice was calm, sluttry but deep , almost too calm, and it sent a chill down her spine.
Ciara swallowed. "You're not a wolf."
"No," It replied, lips curling into a slight, unsettling smile. "And you're not very good at hiding."
She squared her shoulders despite the tremble in her legs. "I'm not hiding. I'm thinking."
The figure chuckled. "Alone. In the woods. At night. Surrounded by creatures that want your blood. Sounds like thinking isn't your strong suit."
Ciara's jaw clenched. "Why are you following me?"
It took a slow step forward . "Who said I was?"
She didn't answer. Her heart pounded. Her wolf urged her to shift—but she wasn't sure that would help. Something about this felt… beyond anything she'd faced before.
Then it spoke again, voice low and almost gentle.
"Run, Alpha. Before I forget that I'm bored, not hungry."