The full moon hung heavy and silver in the night sky as Victoria stood at the edge of the deep woods, her small backpack weighing on her shoulders like a millstone. The pack had gathered in a loose circle around her, their eyes reflecting the moonlight like dozens of tiny stars. Some watched with curiosity, others with barely concealed hostility. A few—like Elena and Jake—looked as though they were attending a funeral.
Marcus stepped forward, his Alpha authority evident even in human form. "The trial will begin at midnight," he announced, his voice carrying across the clearing. "You have until dawn—approximately six hours—to survive. The pack will give you a thirty-minute head start before the hunt begins."
"And the rules?" Victoria asked, proud that her voice remained steady despite the
