THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH
The second trial was physical—a battle against three of the pack's strongest warriors. Each was tasked with pushing her to her limits.
The first opponent came at her with brute force, but Xanthe used her agility to evade his strikes and wear him down until she landed a decisive blow.
The second opponent was faster, forcing Xanthe to anticipate every move. She combined her human wit with her wolf instincts, outmaneuvering him and pinning him to the ground.
The final opponent was the most cunning, using illusions conjured by a fragment of witch magic to disorient her. Xanthe closed her eyes, relying on her other senses—her keen hearing, her sense of smell—to locate and disable him. When she stood victorious, the pack howled their approval.
THE TRIAL OF LOYALTY
The final trial was the most personal. Xanthe was led to a secluded grove where the elders revealed that a spy had infiltrated the pack. Her task: identify the traitor before their plans could come to fruition.
At first, the task seemed impossible. The accused—three loyal pack members—were presented before her, each proclaiming their innocence. Xanthe listened carefully, analyzing their words, their body language, and the subtle shifts in their emotions.
Her half-human intuition kicked in when she noticed one of the accused hesitating—a flicker of guilt in his eyes when the pack's future was mentioned.
She stepped forward, her voice clear. "It's him."
The accused wolf's face twisted in fury, and he lunged at her. But Xanthe was ready, shifting into her wolf form in a heartbeat. She subdued him with a swift, powerful strike, exposing his betrayal to the pack.
CLAIMING THE THRONE
When the trials were complete, Xanthe stood before the elders once more. Elder Malak's voice was filled with reverence. "You have proven yourself wise, strong, and loyal to this pack. Xanthe Redwood, you are the rightful Alpha Luna."
The pack erupted into cheers, their howls echoing through the night. Xanthe knelt, her heart pounding as the ceremonial Alpha's Mark was carved onto her wrist—a symbol of her ascension.
As she rose, Lynam stepped forward from the shadows, his gaze filled with pride. He took her hand, his thumb brushing over the fresh mark. "You've earned this," he said softly.
"And I'll protect it with everything I have," Xanthe replied, her voice steady.
The night ended with Xanthe standing tall as her pack surrounded her, their faith in her renewed. The throne was hers—not because of her bloodline, but because of her courage, intelligence, and unyielding loyalty.