Cassie’s eyes narrow. Her smirk widens, wolf-sharp. “Oh, I think she does.”
The crowd parts just enough for her to step into the ring. The reds of the fire reflect off her pale hair like embers. She moves like she’s been waiting for this moment a long time.
“I challenge,” she says, her voice raised, formal. “If this girl wants to call herself wolf, let her fight like one.”
The moment the words leave her mouth, the circle shifts. Ripples of awareness spread like a dropped stone in dark water. Even the trees seem to lean in.
Maya rises slowly, brushing pine needles from her palms, breathing steadier now. She hasn’t looked away from Cassie once.
She’s scared. But not the way I expected.
She’s angry.
“What does that mean?” Maya asks, her voice hoarse.
Cassie bares her teeth in a smile. “It means if you want to stay in our world—or in his”—she jerks her chin toward me—“then you prove yourself worthy. Or you get out.”
“Thisisn’t Luna Trials,” Dax mutters at my side. “She doesn’t even know what she is yet.”
Maya’s head snaps toward him. “What do you mean, ‘what I am’?” she demands, her voice sharp but laced with confusion. “What am I?”
Dax glances at me, lips pressing into a line. He wasn't expecting her to hear him. Or maybe he just didn't expect her to ask.
“Maya…” I start, stepping toward her.
“No.” She takes a half-step back, shifting her gaze between us. “I’m tired of half answers and weird looks. Everyone here is acting like I’m part of some secret club I didn’t sign up for. So tell me—what did he mean?”
I look into her eyes—wide, defiant, but scared. She deserves the truth. Even if it’s sooner than I planned.
“You’re not just human,” I say quietly. “At least, not fully. And tonight, under the full moon… something inside you woke up.”
For a moment, Maya doesn’t respond. Then she blinks, slow and stunned, her voice trembling but louder now. “What do you mean, not human?” She takes a step back and looks around the circle. “Is this some kind of joke? Are you all messing with me?” Her eyes flash toward me. “Is this why you brought me here? I knew something was weird—this whole night has been insane—but now you're telling me I’m not even human? You’re all crazy.”
“Maya,” I step forward, hands open, but she takes another half-step back, eyes wide.
“I deserve to know why I’m really here,” she says, voice tight. “Why did you even invite me?”
I meet her gaze directly. “Because I needed to know. My wolf”—I pause—“my wolf recognizes you as his mate.”
Maya lets out a short, sharp laugh. “You can’t be serious. Mate? Like… soulmates? What is this, a cult?”
The pack murmurs, some nervous, others annoyed. Cassie smirks but says nothing.
From behind me, my father’s voice cuts through the tension like a blade. “Bolton. Shift.”
I stiffen but nod once, stepping into the center of the circle.
Maya’s breath catches. “Wait, what does he mean by—”
I let the change take me.
Bones stretch. Muscles reshape. Heat rolls down my spine as skin ripples into fur. In seconds, I’m standing on all fours as a massive black wolf. Shaggy midnight fur, claws sunk into pine needles, eyes glowing icy blue.
The entire circle goes still.
Maya doesn’t move. Doesn’t breathe. She just stares.
Then, slowly, I shift back—barefoot in the dirt, breath heavy, heart racing.
