Moonbound: The Shadowed Beta's Daughter

"One more time." The word was not spoken. I only cracked my fingers on freezing bark. I was alive for five hours before the group moved, when it was dark and calm. This bony wood near the ancient blacksmith shop made me gasp. Shaking my hands wasn't intentional. They were steady and dangerous as I drove them into training. Thud Thud Thud. Thud. Thud. I only informed the wind of the beat. I heard my father's voice like a ghost, and his lesson from the day before was all new. "Aerys, following orders isn't always a good thing." The air we breathe. You'll remember to breathe. At supper, he said it while glancing at Rowan while I tasted scorched stew. I hit the post harder. My shoulder shook after the hit. All right. The suffering was real. My thin top let the cold in before daybreak, but I felt hot, alive, and antsy. I learnt Stalking Low, River's Turn, and Shattered Pine. These are sophisticated wolf forms only the finest fighters know. Rowan and others like them. Avoid Beta's quiet daughter. Ice on the ground caused my foot to slip. Instinct took control. To avoid falling, I spun low and elbowed the post in its imagined kidney. Wood sounded. A pleasing splinter murmured in the dark. I stopped moving and listened. Only the wind through the naked trees was audible. Property is motionless. I hadn't arrived. Such a rule existed. Only one rule applies. Be nothing. Be nobody. Strive to grin. Being courteous when you lose. You should achieve all your ambitions without anyone knowing. For 17 years, it worked. I crouched and put my warm face on the hard wood. Like sometimes, fury hit me quickly and quietly, tightening my throat and sharpening my eyesight. It was pointless. The second heartbeat was strange and wild. Just there. I clamped my jaw hard till the feeling subsided and my dark flames returned. Lead. Be in charge always. From the first dull, metal-like light in the sky, I was done. Bootprints and large wood splinters were meticulously removed after my session. The post seemed worn and forgotten. I wore my gray wool over-tunic, which unnoticed people wear, and slumped. I slowed breathing. The dazzling light in my eyes turned calm and distant gray. Able Aerys left. Aerys the Acceptable ruled. Walk back taught me to be purposely mediocre. I took the longer route instead of the warrior's road, where early risers run. As I observed frost patterns on fallen leaves, I heard a vole moving through the undergrowth. Seeing Alpha's Hall sounded terrible. The common dining hall was filled with gentle conversation and bowling noise. It smelled like mush and burning. Hidden among a swarm of black figures, I entered. With the Beta and others visible, my father, Bram Blackclaw, sat at the Beta table. Simply being there changed the pressure, even from afar. When conversing with Lord Thorne's third officer, he waved his hand dismissively, cutting short part of the report. He ignored me. The server gave me my dish, and I just nodded to thank her. I sat at the end of a long bench with rough wood, like usual. Of course, I was alone. Not exiled, just absent. Rowan sat three tables away with his mates. His brilliant, boisterous laughter seemed to bounce off the hallway walls. He showed how to remove a weapon with a spoon with an expressive face. The boy next to him playful nudged his shoulder. Rowan pushed back, smiling. I slowly ate mush. It tastedless. I heard you fought Kaelen's son yesterday. The close-too-close voice made me tremble. The hunter with a big chest and a predatory smirk was Rorin. Bowl in hand, he stood over my table. "Finally checked. You collapsed like a grain bag. He spoke politely. Seeing something sorrowful prompted the comment. My eyes wandered as I gazed up. My whispered, "He's very fast," was barely audible. Rorin snorted. "Quick? You sent that morning block, girl. Shaking his head indicated disinterest. "Do not leave the gardens." "More safe." He continued. Chat ended. Perfectly small show. Sending it by text. I deliberately chose the wrong block. I knew how to fall to look harmed but not pain. It exhausted me. Then my father's eyes met mine. Only review, no recognition. A quick glance at my vacant face, half-eaten bowl, and surroundings. Despite not changing his expression, his shoulders seemed more relaxed. All was well. His daughter was meaningless. A peaceful, easy-to-read blank. No blank could fail. No blank revealed. Morning gathering bell rung loudly. In unstraight lines, we entered the main yard and stood in front of the Alpha's platform. Lord Thorne's fur-trimmed cloak showed his authority when he came outside. He was ancient and wise like a wolf, but his eyes saw everything. No more whispering. He said, raspily, "The Hunt returns from the northern border with good news." There are many running elk. All stores will be packed. The group murmured approval. He discussed border markers, guards, and the deep freeze. I thought of the wood's breaking feel and my kick's flawless arc in the silent grove. He modified his speech. It was real. Many. "We eat more than meat. Staying strong is our lifestyle. By honor. Our king approves. New stress was present. Warriors were taller. "Someone from Stonehaven has messaged." From High King's court. An exuberant whisper. The Moonbound Trials are coming. In three months, proof will emerge. Every united faction will send their strongest fighters to battle. Not for minor issues. He stopped and looked at Rowan's eager group awaiting him. Your request seems to be missing the text you want me to edit. Just try again, and I'll help!To join the King's Elite." For a future beyond these mountains. The excitement prompted much conversation. Rowan's eyes expressed raw yearning. Caelan Frostvale stood still in the fighters' front row. Despite clutching his hand tightly, he was emotionless. The dream came true. One dream. One time my heart impacted my ribs hard. My closed, covered, and rattled door was making noise. Leave. The word jolted my gloomy, confused thoughts. Not only my father's watch or the pack's disinterest. From removal. Get recognition for my strengths, not weaknesses. To live independently. I contemplated suicide. My father's comments sliced through the clamor from his seat next to Thorne, like he could feel my hazardous chemistry changing. It was loud, meant to be heard, and sarcastic. Pointing to Rowan and the other top trainees, Bram stated, "Our best can reach that goal." "A good way to find out how strong we are against the best." His sharp, knowledgeable eyes surveyed the crowd and stopped on me. "For some people, their important work gets in the way of their ambition." Some people are not destined to shine. A few laugh silently. The smile disappeared, and Rowan seemed uncomfortable before looking away. Suddenly, strong hope made me queasy. He was right. To try meant to break my life's well-planned deceit. Stepping into the light exposed my dark self. The meeting ended. To discuss the trials, small, eager teams formed. I turned to fade into the walls and resume my function. I noticed it then. The official paper was fresh from the delivery person's bag when it was fastened to the Alpha's Hall door notice board. The High King's mark shone bright in the morning despite the faint sun. A cheap blank paper with new writing was next to it: The Trials Registry is now accessible. STATE AND PACK MEMBERSHIP. The place was empty. Free from surveillance. Complete bureaucratic impartiality. People passed me without seeing me. My father and Thorne talked a lot. Rowan received a backclap. Before I realized how afraid I was, my feet moved. I reached the board in three steps. The training post left my hand rough when I picked up the quill. A distant roar accompanied the pack's noise. One blank line taunted me. I did not write "Aerys Blackclaw". That name connected. I wrote like I believed: Aerys of the Blackclaw Pack. I put the quill down. No sound during the show. Last. I hit a solid chest when I turned. I fell back, and my planned disinterest immediately took effect. Caelan Frostvale. He left his partying companions. His pure gray eyes scanned my face and the register behind me. The man gazed. His eyebrows knitted because he was confused, not making fun of anyone. He whispered, "Aerys?" "Did you really do that?" Before I could lie or stammer, my father's voice cut through the air like morning frost. "Aerys." Bram held my upper arm tightly. He ignored Caelan. He stared at me without anger. They warned me so strongly I was afraid. He muttered "come," softly like a burial blanket. The fate of dog-like mice must be discussed. I was hauled off the board away from Caelan's surprised expression and the King's dazzling symbol. I was held tightly as he took me to the Beta's chamber. But his whisper, meant for me alone, assured worse. "Never cast shadows. First lesson in invisibility." Wind blew the record list. People saw my name. Half my cage door was open. I had walked right into my father's mouth.