Chapter 5: Trials of the Mate
Mia was summoned to a gathering in the training grounds without explanation. Two guards stood at her door at sunrise, their faces stern and unyielding. They didn't say a word, but their slight nod indicated that she was to follow them.
As she walked through the cold stone halls, Mia noticed that the entire keep was awake and bustling with activity. Whispers followed her like shadows, and she felt the weight of suspicious stares. When she arrived at the training grounds, a crowd had already gathered, and Kaian stood at the center.
The air was tense with anticipation, and Mia's gut twisted with anxiety. Kaian's eyes locked onto hers, and he said under his breath, "You could have warned me." Kaian replied that he hadn't planned this, and it wasn't his idea.
Kaian turned to face the crowd and announced that Mia had been marked by the bond and was under his protection. However, some people doubted her worthiness and believed she would weaken him. Kaian gave her the chance to prove them wrong.
A female warrior, Dryn, stepped forward to spar with Mia. The match wasn't a fight to the death, but a test of Mia's skills and endurance. Dryn didn't go for lethal hits, but instead aimed to humiliate Mia with quick takedowns and unpredictable strikes.
Despite being knocked down repeatedly, Mia refused to give up. She got up again and again, determined to prove herself. Finally, she landed a hit on Dryn, a clean elbow to the ribs that sent her stumbling back.
The crowd was impressed, and some people started to respect Mia. Kaian helped her up and said she did well. Mia was bruised and battered, but she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Later, Mia studied the pack's laws, history, and magic in the library. Dryn brought her scrolls and agreed to train with her again, not out of friendship, but respect. Mia was determined to learn as much as she could and prove herself as a worthy mate for Kaian.
However, not everyone was swayed. Someone watched Mia from the shadows, calculating and planning. They decided it was time to stop playing games and make Kaian see the threat. The tension was palpable, and Mia sensed that she was in grave danger.
As she navigated the complex world of the pack, Mia realized that she had a lot to learn and prove. She was determined to stand up for herself and earn the respect of the pack. But she also knew that she couldn't do it alone, and she relied on Kaian's support and guidance.
The road ahead would be challenging, but Mia was ready to face it head-on. She knew that she would have to confront her enemies and prove herself as a worthy mate for Kaian. But she was determined to succeed, no matter what it took.
The throne room of the Hollow was a grand, imposing space carved into the mountain itself. The walls were adorned with massive pillars shaped like wolves, and silver fire burned in iron braziers, casting a warm glow. The air was thick with old magic, and the room was filled with the Council of Claws, a group of twelve powerful wolves who advised Kaian.
Kaian stood beside Mia, his body tense with restraint. The council members looked at her with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Mira, the High Seer, spoke up, saying that Mia needed to understand the pack's laws, bloodlines, and burden. "The bond is more than magic," she said. "It's fate, and fate is cruel to those who are unworthy."
Mia met Mira's gaze, her voice firm. "Then tell me what you fear. Because this isn't about my worth. It's about your fear of change." Kaian stepped forward, his voice cold. "Enough. You want to test her? Test her. But do not insult the bond. You insult me when you do." The council members looked at each other, their faces tense with disagreement. One of them, a young wolf, scoffed at Kaian's words. "The bond has blinded you." Kaian's eyes glowed with anger, and he replied, "Do you want to find out how blind I really am?"
Mira intervened, her voice calm. "No more tests. For now." She looked at Mia, her eyes serious. "But if the bond deepens, blood will fall on your hands, girl. Remember that."
Later, Mia sat in her chambers, the fire crackling in the hearth. She was still thinking about the council's words, part threat, part warning. Kaian entered the room, his expression unreadable. "I should've stopped that," he said. "The council's posturing. Their fear."
Mia replied, "You can't protect me from all of them." Kaian looked at her, and for the first time, something in him yielded. "I know," he said.
Mia asked Kaian about the prophecy, and he told her that it spoke of a human touched by the moon, bonded to the Alpha of fire and shadow. "Her blood brings ruin... or rebirth," he said.
Mia felt a sense of anxiety, but also hope. She knew that she was in grave danger, but she also knew that she had Kaian by her side. As they stood together, the space between them shrank, and Mia felt a deep connection to him.
"I'm still scared," she said, her voice barely audible. Kaian's hand found hers, and he whispered, "So am I."