The arena awakened at dawn.
Stone terraces carved into the mountainside filled slowly with wolves from every rank warriors, sentinels, hunters, healers, elders, and visiting delegates from neighboring packs. The air buzzed with anticipation, fear, and barely restrained bloodlust.
Ancient runes carved into the battle floor glowed faintly, sensing the imminent clash. These runes had witnessed centuries of bloodshed challenges for leadership, trials of dominance, executions.
Today, they thirsted again.
High above, storm clouds churned, casting the arena in shadow.
Ivy stood at the highest balcony, hidden behind a veil of enchantment. The guards believed she remained confined to her chambers. They were wrong.
Her heart thundered violently in her chest as she stared down at the sand-cover
