The morning sun streamed through the high, arched windows of the Wolf-High Academy training hall, casting a golden glow over the polished wooden floors and the gleaming weapons mounted on the walls. Aurora's heart raced as she stood among the crowd of students, her palms clammy and her nerves fraying at the edges.
Combat training. She'd known it was coming, but now that the moment was here, she felt a weight settle heavily on her chest. It wasn't just about survival here—it was about status, about proving she wasn't a charity case that didn't belong.
The instructor, a grizzled Beta with scars that told a lifetime of stories, paced in front of the group. His sharp eyes scanned the students like a wolf sizing up prey. "In this class, strength and strategy matter. Out there"—he gestured toward the window, where the distant forests of pack territory loomed—"there are no second chances. You fight, or you die."
Aurora shifted uncomfortably. The weight of his words pressed down on her, but she knew she couldn't let it show.
"All right, pair up!" the instructor barked.
Aurora's stomach twisted as she saw the students around her eagerly finding partners. Sofia gave her a sympathetic look as she was swept up into a pair with a friendly Beta. Aurora was left standing awkwardly until a shadow fell over her.
"Looks like it's you and me, Cinderella."
Her heart sank. Solomon.
The towering Alpha grinned down at her, cracking his knuckles with an audible pop. His golden-brown eyes gleamed with sadistic anticipation. Solomon was one of the strongest students in their year, known for his brutal sparring style and unrelenting aggression.
"This is going to be fun," he added with a smirk.
Aurora swallowed hard but straightened her back. She couldn't afford to show fear, not here. The whispers had already started around the room, and she could feel every gaze on her like a spotlight.
"Good luck," Sofia mouthed from across the room, her expression filled with worry.
The instructor clapped his hands. "Begin!"
Solomon wasted no time. He lunged forward, his movements a blur as he aimed for Aurora's shoulder. Instinct screamed at her to dodge, and she barely managed to sidestep his attack, her feet skidding on the polished floor.
"Too slow," Solomon taunted, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "Is that all you've got?"
Aurora clenched her fists, anger bubbling beneath her fear. She wasn't about to let him humiliate her in front of the class. Her mother's voice echoed in her mind, the self-defense lessons she'd learned as a child coming back in flashes.
Stay calm. Watch his movements. Use their strength against them.
Solomon came at her again, his fist arcing toward her side. This time, Aurora ducked low and spun away, using his momentum to her advantage. He stumbled slightly, growling in frustration.
The room grew quieter. The other students were watching now, their eyes wide with surprise.
Aurora's chest heaved as she tried to steady her breathing. She couldn't overpower Solomon—he was too strong—but she could outthink him. She had to.
"You're quick," Solomon admitted, a sneer tugging at his lips. "But quick doesn't win fights."
He lunged again, faster this time. Aurora barely managed to evade his strike, her heart pounding in her ears. She countered with a sharp jab aimed at his ribs—not enough to hurt him, but enough to make him step back.
The whispers in the room grew louder. Even Finley, who stood on the far side of the hall, turned his head to watch. His piercing gray eyes locked onto Aurora, his expression unreadable.
Solomon's frustration was palpable now. His movements became sloppier and more aggressive. Aurora knew she couldn't keep dodging forever but also knew she couldn't let him get the upper hand.
He charged at her again, his movements wild. This time, Aurora ducked low and swept her leg out, aiming for his ankle. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to throw him off balance. He stumbled, catching himself just before he fell.
A ripple of murmurs spread through the room.
"Enough!" the instructor's voice boomed, cutting through the tension like a blade.
Aurora froze, her chest heaving, as Solomon shot her a venomous look. She met his glare with steady defiance, refusing to back down.
The instructor stepped between them, his expression neutral but his eyes lingering on Aurora for a moment longer than necessary. "Good instincts," he said gruffly, before turning to address the rest of the class. "Remember, strength isn't everything. Strategy wins battles."
Aurora exhaled a shaky breath, her muscles aching from the effort. She could still feel the weight of everyone's stares, but this time, they felt different. Less dismissive.
As she stepped back, a familiar voice spoke from behind her.
"Interesting."
She turned to see Stefan Ryan leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed and a smirk playing on his lips. His dark eyes glinted with amusement—and something else she couldn't quite place.
"You've got more fight in you than I expected," he said, his tone teasing but his gaze unnervingly sharp.
Aurora didn't respond, unsure whether his words were a compliment or a veiled threat.
Before she could say anything, the instructor barked out orders for the next pairs to step up. Aurora moved to the sidelines, her legs trembling beneath her. Sofia rushed over to her, her face a mix of relief and concern.
"That was insane," Sofia whispered. "I thought he was going to tear you apart."
"Me too," Aurora admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
As the next match began, Aurora's mind was already racing. The fight with Solomon had been terrifying, but it had also awakened something in her—a fire she hadn't realized she possessed.
But there were repercussions from that fire. Glancing back across the room, she saw Finley once more observing her, his gray eyes unreadable and piercing. Stefan's smirk persisted as if he was already formulating his next move.
Aurora couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just stepped into a larger game—one where every move mattered, and the stakes were far higher than she realized.
She barely noticed when the instructor dismissed the class, too lost in her thoughts to pay attention. But as she left the training hall, the whispers followed her like shadows, and she couldn't ignore the weight of Stefan's gaze lingering on her back.
In the distance, the forest loomed dark and foreboding, its shadows stretching like claws toward the school.
There was an impending event.
Aurora wasn't sure if she was prepared for it either.