The announcement came without warning.
"All initiates will now enter the Cross-Pack Integration Trials."
The courtyard froze.
This was not tradition. This was not training. This was strategy.
"You will be paired with members of rival packs," the instructor continued. "These pairings will remain in effect until the Trials conclude."
A low growl rippled through the crowd.
Saphira felt her stomach tighten.
Names echoed across the stone.
"Saphira of the Silverlight Pack."
She stepped forward, shoulders squared. Princess or not, fear would only feed them.
Then—
"Paired with the Redmoon Pack."
Her breath stalled.
A Redmoon initiate moved to her side—older, stronger, already half-shifted in confidence. His eyes flicked to her once, unimpressed.
"Try not to die," he muttered.
She said nothing.
Above them, unseen but present, Alpha Kael watched. His face was unreadable, but his wolf was alert. This pairing was not random. The Council never played fair.
The Trial: Twin Watch
They were assigned a border zone near Red Moon Park, tasked with holding it through the night. Rogue beasts, drawn by moonstone, would test their defenses.
No replacements. No help.
The first attack came fast.
A feral wolf burst from the trees, claws tearing into the ground. Her partner lunged to intercept—but a second creature slipped through.
Straight for her.
Saphira moved on instinct, shoving herself aside as claws ripped across her arm. Pain flared, sharp and immediate.
Blood soaked into her sleeve.
Her partner stared. "Why aren't you healing?"
Her heart slammed.
She forced her voice steady. "I haven't awakened my wolf yet."
It was an excuse wolves accepted. Without a wolf, abilities stayed dormant. Everyone knew that.
He scoffed. "Figures."
The beasts retreated eventually, driven off by numbers and noise. The night dragged on, cold and merciless.
Saphira endured.
She did not heal.
Wolves healed themselves from minor wounds—it was natural. Painful, slow, but expected. She let her injury close the normal way, teeth clenched, refusing to draw attention.
Above the trees, Kael exhaled slowly.
Good.
The Trial ended at dawn.
They had survived.
As initiates were dismissed, Kael passed her in the corridor—close enough that his voice reached only her.
"That excuse will protect you," he said quietly. "For now."
She stiffened. "You shouldn't be talking to me."
"Probably not."
He stopped walking. "But the Council is watching patterns, not wounds."
She met his gaze, anger flickering. "I survived. That's all they need to know."
A corner of his mouth twitched—not a smile. Approval.
"Keep it that way," he said.
He walked on.
Saphira stood alone, arm aching, heart racing.
She was the only healer left in the world!!.
"Probably not."
He stopped walking. "But the Council is watching patterns, not wounds."
She met his gaze, anger flickering. "I survived. That's all they need to know."
A corner of his mouth twitched—not a smile. Approval.
"Keep it that way," he said.
He walked on.
Saphira stood alone, arm aching, heart racing.
She was the only healer left in the world!!.