Elena's P.O.V
It wasn't until the applause erupted around me that I realized we had an audience. Cheers and claps echoed, and in that moment, I became aware of their presence.
Vincent, emerging from the crowd, caught my attention. His expression held a mix of surprise and admiration. It was a sight that caught me off guard, making me question if it was truly aimed at me.
I turned to Rowana, almost expecting her smugness at having won the competition, but what I found was astonishing. Her demeanor was different—impressed, even. She praised my skills, stating that it was the closest anyone in the pack had come to matching her abilities as a hunter. Her words resonated deep within me, a validation I never knew I needed.
