***Nova***
Days passed in an unfamiliar haze after the Alphas departed, the castle feeling both echoingly empty and alive with anticipation. The thrill of the tournament drew nearer, sharpening the sense of duty that ran through me like a living thread. Everyone had returned to their routines, albeit with tension still lingering like the last whispers of faded music. The next month would not only decide who would wield power over the pack but could change the fate of our entire kingdom.
Yet amidst the busyness, a sense of foreboding began to settle in the pit of my stomach. It was as if the air itself had thickened, weighing heavy with secrets and shadows. I had pushed those feelings aside for days, focusing instead on preparing for the challenges ahead.
It was early morning when I was
