The summons arrived at dawn.
Not from the Royal Council.
Not from the Four Heirs.
It came from the oldest authority in the Lycan kingdoms.
The Royal Wolf Elders.
Every ruler who claimed the throne had to face them.
Not to prove their strength.
But to prove they were worthy.
If the Royal Wolves rejected her…
No Alpha would be bound to obey her.
Her crown would become nothing more than a piece of silver.
As Kaelira fastened the Blood Sovereign’s crown onto her head, Ronan appeared at her door.
“Are you ready?”
She let out a quiet laugh.
“I don’t even know what I’m walking into.”
Ronan’s expression softened.
“Neither do they.”
She looked at him, puzzled.
“What do you mean?”
He smiled.
“No one has stood before the Royal Wolves in a thousand years.”
The Trial Grounds lay de
