A Test of Strength
The sky was overcast the next morning, the thick clouds casting the training yard in muted gray. Isla stood among the remaining contenders, her body still sore from the brutal obstacle course. Every ache in her muscles reminded her how close she had come to failing. But she was still here. That counted for something.
Susan stood in the center of the yard, her commanding presence silencing the murmurs of the onlookers. “The second trial is a test of strength,” she announced, her voice sharp and unyielding. “A Luna must not only endure but fight to protect her pack. Each of you will face a Crimson Fang warrior in combat. Show no mercy—because they won’t.”
The contenders exchanged uneasy glances. Isla’s stomach turned as she scanned the line of warriors standing nearby, their expressions grim and unreadable. Each one was a seasoned fighter, and Isla knew they wouldn’t hold back just because they were sparring with potential Lunas. This was a test of survival, plain and simple.
“Rada, you’re up,” Susan called.
A massive woman stepped forward, her broad shoulders and rippling muscles making her look more like a force of nature than a person. Isla’s heart sank as Susan turned to her. “You’re her opponent.”
The crowd stirred, whispers of pity and doubt rippling through them. Isla swallowed hard, forcing herself to step into the ring. Rada crossed her arms, her lips curling into a smirk that was anything but friendly.
“Try to make it interesting,” Rada said, cracking her knuckles.
Isla ignored the taunt, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. The ground beneath her feet felt solid, grounding her in the moment. Lira’s voice hummed in her mind, steady and calm.
You can’t outmuscle her. Outsmart her.
The signal to start came with a sharp whistle. Rada didn’t waste a second, lunging forward with a speed that belied her size. Isla barely dodged in time, the force of Rada’s swing whipping the air past her face. She stumbled back, her heart pounding as Rada turned to face her again, her grin widening.
“That all you’ve got?” Rada taunted, her voice carrying over the crowd.
Isla didn’t answer. She darted forward, feinting left before twisting to the right. She grabbed a training staff from the weapons rack at the edge of the ring, gripping it tightly as she faced Rada again. The heavier woman charged, and Isla swung the staff with all her strength. The wood cracked against Rada’s arm, but it barely seemed to faze her.
Rada swiped at Isla with a powerful hand, knocking the staff from her grasp. Isla stumbled, her knees hitting the dirt as Rada loomed over her. The crowd’s murmurs grew louder, their doubt stinging like nettles.
Get up, Lira growled. You’re not done.
Isla rolled to the side just as Rada’s boot slammed into the ground where she’d been. Her fingers scrambled for the chain coiled near the weapons rack, her grip tightening around the cold metal. As Rada lunged again, Isla twisted the chain around the woman’s arm, using her momentum to pull her off balance. Rada stumbled, her growl turning into a frustrated snarl.
“You little—” Rada began, but Isla didn’t let her finish. She looped the chain around Rada’s other arm, pulling it tight. The larger woman struggled, her strength threatening to snap the chain, but Isla held firm, using her smaller size to stay out of reach.
“Yield,” Isla demanded, her voice steady despite the tremble in her limbs.
Rada’s jaw tightened, her eyes blazing with fury. For a moment, Isla thought she might refuse, but then the woman tapped the ground in surrender. The crowd erupted into murmurs, some impressed, others skeptical.
Isla released the chain, her arms trembling as she stepped back. Rada stood, glaring at her with a mixture of frustration and reluctant respect. “Not bad, rogue,” she muttered before walking away.
Draven approached the ring as Isla caught her breath, his dark eyes assessing her. He didn’t say anything at first, letting the weight of his gaze settle on her. Then, finally, he spoke.
“You fought smart,” he said quietly. “That’s more important than brute strength.”
Isla’s chest tightened at the unexpected praise. She nodded, unable to find her voice, as Draven turned and walked back to the sidelines. The rest of the contenders were called up one by one, each facing their own battles. Isla stayed on the edge of the ring, her body aching but her heart steady.
She had survived another trial. And she wasn’t done yet.
***
Later that evening, Isla sat in the quiet of her room, her mind racing. The trials were far from over, and the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on her shoulders. She stared at her scraped palms, the raw skin a stark reminder of how much she still had to prove.
A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She opened it to find Jamie leaning casually against the frame, his trademark smirk firmly in place.
“Nice work today,” he said, his tone light. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”
“Thanks,” Isla replied, crossing her arms. “Was that supposed to be a compliment?”
Jamie shrugged. “Take it however you want.” His smirk faded slightly, his expression turning more serious. “Just watch your back. Not everyone here wants to see you succeed.”
Isla’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Jamie hesitated, then shook his head. “You’ll figure it out,” he said, pushing off the doorframe. “Just… don’t trust anyone too easily.”
