The elders did not give Lily time to recover.
By dawn, the decision made at the council had already reshaped her life.
The morning mist clung low to the forest as Lily stood at the edge of the ancient training grounds, a wide clearing ringed by towering stones etched with symbols older than the pack itself. The air hummed, thick with magic, expectation, and scrutiny.
She felt exposed.
Watched.
“You don’t have to do this today,” Derek said quietly beside her.
She shook her head, pulling her jacket tighter around herself. “If I hesitate, they’ll think I’m weak.”
“They already know you’re not.” His gaze flicked toward the elders gathering across the clearing. “But they’ll test you anyway.”
Three elders stepped forward. The same one who had questioned her the night before took the lead
