The moon loomed over the Lycan palace, illuminating the stone towers with a silver glow.
Ava positioned herself at the balcony's edge just outside her rrom, the chilly wind playing with her hair. Beneath the training area thrummed with activity, fighters are humming their arms, scouts coming back from border duties, and sentries locking gates.
War was coming.
And she wasn't ready.
Not yet.
Her fingers closed around the moonstone pendant Annika had given her. She hadn't taken it off since that night. It was more than a keepsake it felt like a piece of her she hadn't known was missing.
A knock sounded on the door.
She turned. "Come in."
Cassius stepped inside, dressed in black battle leathers, his eyes sharp and unreadable.
"There's been a summons," he said without preamble. "The Elders want to see you."
Ava blinked. "The Elders?"
He nodded. "The ruling council of the Lycan Court. They're the ones who approve mates of the royal line. And they don't believe a rejected Beta is worthy of being queen."
Her stomach dropped. "So they're going to challenge me?"
"No," he said grimly. "They're going to test you."
The Lycan Council chamber was an ancient, circular room deep beneath the palace. Torches burned along stone walls. Eight Elders were positioned on tall-backed seats set up in a semi-circle. Their faces bore the marks of age, while their eyes were keen with scrutiny. Ava stood at the center of the room. Alone.
Cassius was not permitted to speak for her here.
"State your name," said a female Elder with a braided silver crown.
"Ava Sinclair."
"Pack?"
"Ironclaw," she said, forcing the word out.
A male Elder sneered. "The same pack that rejected you?"
"I was rejected by one Alpha," she said, her voice firmer. "Not by my blood. Not by the Moon Goddess."
Another Elder leaned forward. "You claim to be the mate of our king."
"I am," Ava answered.
"Then prove you are worthy of the bond."
A heavy door groaned open behind her. Two palace guards dragged in a rogue a massive, scarred wolf-man with glowing red eyes and chains around his wrists. He snarled when he saw Ava.
"The trial is simple," the lead Elder said. "Defeat him. Or die trying."
Ava's blood turned cold.
She glanced toward the doors; no Cassius, no help.
This was her fight.
Ava stepped into the ring, heart hammering. She could feel the fear pressing in, the whispers from the Elders, the mocking in the rogue's grin.
But she also remembered Serena's voice; you'll need more than protection. You'll need to earn it.
The chains dropped.
The rogue lunged.
Ava rolled to the side, barely dodging his claws. He was fast. Stronger than anything she'd faced. Her training with Cassius echoed in her mind; Anticipate. Move. Don't wait to be overpowered.
The rogue charged again.
She ducked low, slashing at his thigh with her dagger. Blood sprayed, but he didn't slow down.
Pain exploded across her back as he slammed her into the stone floor.
She gasped, vision blurring.
Get up.
Her wolf stirred.
Fight.
The outlaw seized her by the neck, hoisting her off the ground. She kicked and twisted, attempting to liberate herself. Her dagger fell from her grip.
No!
She closed her eyes and then something inside her snapped.
A surge of heat tore through her body. Her eyes flew open glowing bright silver.
Her scream pierced the silence as energy erupted from her chest, flinging the rogue backward. He slammed into the wall with a disturbing thud and fell down in a pile.
Silence.
Ava remained quaking in the middle of the circle, her eyes still shining, a silver aura pulsating around her body.
The Elders stared.
One stood slowly. "What… what is that power?"
Cassius entered the chamber, having sensed the eruption.
"She's awakening," he said simply.
The lead Elder cleared her throat. "The trial is complete. The claim… stands."
Ava breathed out unsteadily, her legs giving way. Cassius seized her just before she fell to the ground.
"You did well," he whispered.
She looked up at him. "I didn't shift. But something… broke open inside me."
"I know," he said. "And it's just the beginning."
Later, Ava sat wrapped in a cloak beside a fire in Cassius's war room. Her body ached, but her spirit felt lighter burning with something new. Something fierce.
"What happened back there?" she asked.
Cassius poured a drink and handed it to her. "That wasn't just power. It was your bloodline asserting itself."
She looked up sharply. "My bloodline?"
He sat beside her, his gaze intense. "You're not just a Beta, Ava. You're the daughter of Lycan royals killed in secret during the rebellion. You were hidden away in Ironclaw to protect you. But they kept you weak on purpose."
Her breath caught. "My parents…?"
"They were betrayed by those who feared the prophecy. The one that said a queen born from rejection would rise to unite the fractured realm."
She moved her head from side to side. "Why didn't you inform me earlier?" "Because power means nothing without belief," he said gently. "You had to find it in yourself first."
She stared into the fire, everything crashing down at once. "Then I'm not just a mate. I'm an heir."
Cassius nodded. "And that makes you dangerous."
A knock interrupted them.
A guard stepped in, bowing. "Your Majesty, urgent news from the southern border. Ironclaw soldiers have crossed into the neutral zone. Led by Alpha Lucien."
Ava's heart lurched.
"Already?"
Cassius stood. "He moves faster than expected. He's hoping to catch us off guard."
Ava stood too, shoulders straight. "Then let's not be caught."
Cassius looked at her, pride gleaming in his golden eyes.
"You're ready."
The next morning, the Lycan palace was alive with preparation.
Armories rang with steel. Scouts galloped in and out.
The smell of battle was heavy in the atmosphere. Ava positioned herself on the fortifications clad in the training attire, with a moonstone pendant hanging from her neck and a dagger secured to her thigh.
Besides her, Cassius gave orders to his commanders.
Lucien was coming.
And this time, she wouldn't run.
The sky turned gray as storm clouds rolled in.
A storm was coming.
But so was a queen.