The training grounds were already crowded by the time Wren arrived, every unmated wolf in the pack lined up along the edges of the sparring ring, murmuring behind cupped hands. A few of them fell quiet as she passed, exchanging glances that carried yesterday's gossip with them. Darius stood near the front beside the Beta, arms crossed, watching the ring with the patient stillness of someone who already knew exactly how this was going to go.Kade wasn't there. Wren told herself that didn't matter, and mostly believed it."Pairs," the Beta called out, consulting a list in his hand. "Trial matches. Winner moves forward. Losers, back to training." His eyes skimmed the crowd and landed on Wren. "Wren, daughter of Maren. You're against Rurik."A ripple of laughter moved through the crowd, sharp and unkind. Rurik was easily the biggest wolf in her age group, built like a wall, and had spent the better part of the last three years finding new ways to make Wren feel small during training. He g
Last Updated : 2026-07-26 Read more