Ava's heart raced within her chest.
Serena positioned herself in the doorway like a serpent wrapped in silk, her ruby dress hugging her figure as though shaped to her body. Her eyes emerald and frigid glimmered with wickedness. There was no sign of fear. No hesitation. Just the smug confidence of someone who believed she still held power.
Cassius stepped between Ava and Serena without a word, his presence like a wall of steel.
"You're brave," he said, his tone low and dangerous. "But foolish. You don't walk into my home uninvited and threaten my mate."
Serena smirked, eyes flicking to Ava with disdain. "Mate? Her? Don't insult the title, Cassius. She's a reject. A Beta-born nobody."
Ava stiffened, but she didn't hide behind Cassius. Not this time. She stepped beside him, chin high even as her hands trembled.
"I may be a reject," she said evenly, "but at least I wasn't chosen by deception."
Serena's expression darkened.
"I'm exactly who Lucien needed," she hissed. "I made him stronger. Gave him influence. What did you ever give him? Shame?"
Ava's wolf stirred inside her low and growling.
"You manipulated him. Lied to him. You were always jealous."
Cassius raised a hand, silencing them both. "Enough."
He turned to Serena, his golden eyes flashing.
"You will return to your Alpha with a message," he said coldly. "Ava is no longer part of his pack. She is no longer his concern. The moment he rejected her, he severed the bond. He has no claim."
Serena raised an eyebrow. "Oh, but he disagrees. You see, he believes Ava still belongs to Ironclaw. And he's not alone."
Cassius narrowed his eyes.
"Speak plainly."
Serena stepped forward, her lips curling. "Several Alphas have pledged support to Lucien. They think the throne is vulnerable. That a 'half-trained Beta' as Luna weakens you."
Ava flinched. The words stung, even though she knew better now.
But Cassius didn't waver.
"Let them come," he said. "I've dealt with worse than posturing cowards."
Serena's gaze slid to Ava. "Then you'd better train her fast. Because if she's going to wear a crown, she'll need more than your protection. She'll need to earn it."
Ava met her gaze head-on. "Perhaps it's the moment for me to do so."
The atmosphere was heavy with tension. After that, Serena chuckled. A chilling, mocking noise.
"This should be enjoyable," she remarked, preparing to go. "I'll meet you both in combat."
She walked out without saying anything else. The heavy doors closed behind her with a boom.
Silence followed.
Ava turned to Cassius, pulse still racing. "She's not joking, is she?"
"No," he said sternly. "Lucien has been gathering allies for months. I just didn't think he'd be foolish enough to provoke open war."
She swallowed hard. "Because of me?"
Cassius looked at her. "Because of power. And what you represent."
Ava dropped her gaze. "I don't feel powerful."
"You will," he promised. "Starting today."
Training began the next morning. Prior to dawn, Ava was taken to the Lycan arena an expansive, round area hewn from rock and encircled by tall towers where sentinels observed each action. It was chillier in this place, the wind stinging her skin. She donned basic workout clothes, her hair pulled back, heart racing with anxiety.
Cassius faced her, with his arms crossed.
"This is the place where warriors are created," he stated. "And leaders are born."
She looked around. "It's... intimidating."
"It should be," he replied. "Power is never handed over without blood."
He motioned to a weapons rack. "Choose."
Ava hesitated, then reached for twin daggers. They felt familiar in her hands; light, balanced.
"Good choice," he said. "But your greatest weapon isn't in your hands. It's here." He touched his chest. "Your instincts. Your wolf."
Ava nodded. "Then let's wake her up."
The first few hours were brutal.
Cassius didn't hold back. He was faster, stronger, more experienced. He disarmed her within seconds, pinned her in others. Her body ached with every fall. But she didn't give up.
Again and again, she rose.
"Quicker," he shouted. "Don't expect me to take action." Anticipate it."
She lunged, barely missing his side.
"Too slow."
Sweat poured down her face. Her arms burned. Her legs trembled.
Nevertheless, she continued onward.
"You're forcing me too much," she wheezed, collapsing to her knees.
"No," he replied decisively. "I'm challenging you just as much as necessary."
Ava glanced at him, a spark appearing in her eyes.
Resolve. She rushed forward once more, this time pretending to go left and then twisting to the right. Her dagger grazed his arm. It wasn't deep but it was something.
Cassius grinned. "Finally."
She fell beside him, breathless.
"You battle as if you've been confined your entire existence," he remarked softly. "However, your wolf... she desires freedom."
Ava shut her eyes. "After that, I will release her."
Of course! Please provide the text you'd like me to paraphrase.
That evening, Ava was in her room, her muscles aching, her thoughts racing.
She gazed at her image in the mirror but she didn't look away. For the first time, she didn't see weakness..
She saw fire.
The door creaked, and a figure stepped inside.
Not Cassius.
"Annika," Ava said in surprise. The palace maid had been quiet since her arrival.
Annika bowed slightly. "I brought you something."
She handed Ava a folded cloth. Ava opened it slowly.
Inside was a pendant a moonstone set in silver. The same crest that was on the king's armor.
"It belonged to your mother," Annika whispered. "The true heir."
Ava stared at it, her throat tight. "How…?"
Annika smiled faintly. "There are many who've waited for you to rise. You are not alone, Ava."
Tears pricked her eyes.
Annika turned to leave but paused. "Oh, and one more thing… The prophecy? It doesn't speak of a warrior. It speaks of a queen who rises from rejection. One who chooses her path."
Ava clutched the pendant in her hand.
She was no longer the girl Lucien cast aside.
She was something more.
Meanwhile, deep in the Ironclaw Pack…
Lucien stood in his war chamber, a map of the realm spread before him. Rogue leaders and dark-eyed Alphas flanked his sides.
"She's stronger than I thought," he muttered. "That damn Lycan king is making her into something dangerous."
A grizzled Alpha chuckled. "You had her. You rejected her. Now someone else turned her into a weapon."
Lucien's eyes burned with fury.
"She was mine. She still is."
A shadow moved behind him.
Serena stepped into the room, lips tight. "She won't come back willingly."
Lucien turned to her, his face twisted in rage. "Then she'll come back in chains."
He slammed his fist into the table.
"We attack at dawn."