Crowned by Fate

Chapter 10: Settling In

Elara followed a tall, lean wolf who had already shifted to human form, moving with confident ease.

“I’m Kaela,” the woman said. “I’ll be your mentor while you settle in. Think of me as your guide for the rules, the routines, and… surviving the first few weeks.”

Elara nodded, feeling a mix of nerves and curiosity. Surviving the first few weeks… that sounds familiar.

Kaela led her through the gates to a large building near the center of the grounds.

“This is the main hall,” Kaela explained. “Dining hall, training schedules, announcements—all go through here. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at set times. Everyone pitches in. If you spill something or make a mess, clean it up. No exceptions.”

Elara scanned the hall. Long wooden tables stretched across the polished floor, the scent of freshly baked bread and roasting meat filling the air. Wolves of all ages were gathered, some laughing quietly, some quietly observing the newcomers.

“The gym is here,” Kaela said, gesturing toward an adjoining building. “Weights, agility courses, sparring mats. You’ll train there every morning and afternoon. Don’t worry, it’s all adjusted for each wolf’s skill level. But you’ll push yourself.”

Elara felt a thrill run through her. This is what I wanted—structure, focus… a place to grow.

They moved on. “Here are your quarters,” Kaela said, opening a door to a small but comfortable room. A neatly made bed, a desk, and a window letting in soft sunlight. In the corner, a private bathroom. A place of my own…

“You’ll be responsible for keeping it clean,” Kaela added. “Same goes for your bathroom. Hygiene and discipline are part of training.”

Elara nodded. I can do this.

Kaela continued. “As for earning your keep here—you can assist with younger wolves, help around the kitchens, run errands, or even assist the trainers. It’s a chance to show initiative and learn the pack ways. The more you give, the more respect you earn.”

Elara bit back a small smile. I’ve been doing all of that my whole life… without anyone noticing.

Kaela tilted her head, noticing the expression. “I can tell already—you’re not ordinary. Just remember: strength and skill matter here, but so does attitude. Respect is earned.”

Elara nodded again, determined.

Kaela’s eyes softened slightly. “Oh, and one more thing. There’s someone here… you’ll meet him soon. Rylan. He’s competitive. Aggressive in training. You might not like him at first, and he’ll probably challenge you constantly. Don’t let it get to you. He’s a test as much as a rival.”

Elara’s lips pressed together. A rival? Good. I need that.

We can handle it, Lunaris whispered.

Kaela led her down a hallway lined with doors and lockers. “Here are the common rooms, the library, and the children’s quarters. Part of your duties can include helping with the younger wolves. They’re mischievous, but you might find teaching them… grounding.”

Elara looked around. Her eyes landed on a group of small wolves practicing running drills under the supervision of another mentor. They glanced at her curiously, then went back to their exercises.

“Alright,” Kaela said, stopping in the main corridor. “Take the rest of today to settle in. Explore. Learn the rules. Tomorrow, we start training for real. And don’t worry—Rylan will find you soon enough.”

Elara let out a slow breath, feeling a weight lift slightly from her chest.

This is where we start, Lunaris said. We rebuild. We grow. And soon, we’ll see just how strong we really are.

Elara closed her eyes briefly. One step at a time.

She opened them again and walked into her room, knowing that for the first time in her life, she had a place that felt like her own.