Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Lila
Rows of tiered seating ringed the space above us, shadowing the faces of the judges and spectators. Somewhere up there, I knew Damon was watching
The center of the room had been transformed into a living map; raised terrain etched with ridges and markers, depicting the territory of two neighboring Packs, not–so–creatively named the ‘Green Valley‘ and the ‘Red Valley‘
A wide painted river cut the landscape in two. It was rich in resources. Sacred to one Pack. Strategically vital to the other. A disaster waiting to happen.
We were to simulate a real negotiation, acting as mediators and representatives. I had been paired with a tall candidate from Nora from a powerful Pack.
She stood next to me now, straight–backed and self–assured in her navy dress, arms crossed as the moderator explained the scenario.
“We’re here to mediate a standoff over this contested river valley,” he said. “Your goal: reach a sustainable agreement before tensions escalate. There are no scripts, no prompts. You’ll have sixty minutes. Your time begins now.”
As soon as the official stepped away, Nora turned to me. “We lead with strength,” she said. “We present Red Valley’s claim as vital and threaten military action unless Green Valley yields.”
“Or,” she added with a tight smile, “we soften it. Offer a trade. Red Valley grants hunting rights in exchange for water access.”
I swallowed, trying to keep my posture confident. “That’s assuming they’ll accept being backed into a corner.”
Nora scoffed. “They’re a smaller Pack. We would have the numbers and the leverage in this situation.”
I didn’t respond right away. My fingers brushed the edge of the raised terrain model, tracing the river’s curve. I tried to imagine what Elena would do here. She’d probably flash a feral smile and push for total domination.
The room was quiet except for the scratching of notes from the judges above.
Nora had already started crafting her pitch. “We’ll lean on tradition. Packs respect strength. Especially from the Council.”
My thoughts raced. The trial was about leadership and strategy. Not reciting treaties or flattering old wolves. Nothing I had read the past few days was any help here like I hoped it would be.
I remembered Damon’s words on the terrace: You don’t have to be the best. You just have to be more dangerous…
And Ronan, that whisper of advice: Don’t chase the obvious answers…
I looked at the river again. Two Packs. One sacred, one strategic. Neither willing to budge.
“What if we don’t force a choice?” I said aloud, mostly to myself.
Nora frowned. “What?”
“What if contested land becomes neutral land,” I said, voice gaining strength, “governed jointly by both Packs?.”
She stared at me. “You want to share it?”
“Not just share it, elevate it. Make it usable for both. A place for shared rites and resources. Pack exchanges…”
Nora blinked. “That’s… idealistic.”
“It’s sustainable,” I said, “And it builds more than peace. It builds trust.”
I could hear my pulse in my ears. One of the moderators at the edge of the chamber shifted forward slightly. Watching.
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Chapter 41
“And to seal it,” I added, “they host an annual event. A hunt, maybe, Oite year Green Valley leads. The next, Red Valley, Honor both traditions. Inst. ÎNT
Crown to observe.”
Nora didn’t look impressed. But she didn’t interrupt again.
A bell chimed above. Time was up and we stepped back from the map.
I glanced up into the gallery above, where Damon’s silhouette was barely visible. His posture didn’t change. But I knew he was watching
And I had no idea if I had just passed a test or made myself more of a target.
We were dismissed from the chamber without ceremony. No feedback. No scores. Just a crisp, “That will be all,” and the opening of the heavy doors as the next pair filed in.
I kept my chin up as Nora and I exited, but my stomach dropped with every step. I could still feel the heat of Damon’s gaze on the back of my neck, even though I couldn’t see his eyes.
Nora peeled off without a word, which was a small victory. She didn’t argue or mock me like I’m sure Vanessa would have. She was either too stunned or too pissed off. Maybe both.
I walked alone toward the candidates‘ residence. I had offered something unexpected. Something vulnerable. Shared governance? Ceremonies? Gods, I might as well have carved my heart into the model and offered it as tribute.
You don’t have to be the best. Just more dangerous than the ones pretending to be.
What did Damon mean when he said that? Was today’s answer dangerous? Or was it soft? Weak?
As I turned into a quieter corridor, Emma caught up with me. She grabbed my hand and pulled me into a nook by the window.
“Well?” she hissed. “What happened?”
I exhaled hard, shaking my head. “I proposed peace.”
Emma blinked. “Peace? In a werewolf trial?”
“Neutral land. Rotating council. Annual rites. All that.” My voice was low, uncertain. “It felt right in the moment but who the hell knows. Nora was all for strength and probably a small scale territory war.”
Emma’s expression softened. “And that’s probably what makes it Brilliant.”
I wanted to believe her.
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We sat on a bench beneath the arched window, the light slanting through the panes in warm orange streaks. I pulled my legs up beneath me, hugging them to my chest.
“I don’t know if I passed or failed,” I admitted.
Emma nudged my knee with hers. “You led. That’s what they wanted. And you didn’t follow the obvious path.”
I tilted my head toward her. “You sound suspiciously like Ronan.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
We sat in silence for while before I broke it. “Do you think…” I started, then stopped.
Emma looked at me. “Do I think what?”
“Do you think he expected me to fail?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
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Chapter 41
She didn’t answer immediately. Then, “I think he expected you to surprise him.”
That touched something deep in my chest. I stood suddenly. “I need to walk.”
Emma didn’t follow this time. She just squeezed my hand before letting me go.
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I wandered the long hallways of the palace, not toward my rooms, but toward the upper levels. The ones lined with balconies and watching platforms. I wasn’t sure why, maybe part of me wanted to see the trial room again. To look down from where Damon had been. To see what he saw.
The gallery was empty now though. I stood at the railing, gazing down at the model of the river valley. The terrain had been reset for the next group, but the decision to propose neutral territory ate at me.
“Shared land,” I whispered to no one. “Joint rule. Who even am I?”
The door creaked behind me. I spun–but it was just a guard doing rounds.
Still, the adrenaline didn’t ease. I stayed frozen there for another minute before turning away.
I had no answers. Only instincts. And right now, those instincts said I still had Damon’s attention.
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