Lila
The Great Hall was tense with anticipation
The banners above had been changed overnight–deep red and silver swaths, embroidered with the Lycan crest, hung like ceremonial nooses from the vaulted ceiling. Someone had gone to great lengths to make the space feel celebratory.
It only made the air feel heavier.
I stood near the front of the gathered candidates, my hands clasped loosely at my waist, the fabric of my dress smoothed flat could feel sweat gathering between my shoulder blades despite the hall’s chill.
Every girl here was waiting to hear if she mattered. If she was worth remembering. If she would still have a chance at becoming Luna.
I caught Emma’s eye from the opposite side of the room. She gave me a small nod, encouragement without show. It was a small gesture that said fin willing to forgive you and work on being friends again. I breathed into it. Let it anchor me.
1 had known Damon wouldn’t be here he was off touring two of the western Packs, a duty Ronan had announced earlier–but the emptiness at the end of the dais still felt like a pulled thread. One I wanted to tuck back into place.
Jackson stepped forward, robes sweeping the polished floor. He raised his hands and the room quieted instantly.
“Today,” he said, “we honor the three final candidates who have demonstrated strength, diplomacy, endurance, and grace.”
I tried not to look like I was holding my breath.
The first name called was Talia Fairwind. Expected. Daughter of a prestigious Alpha, well–connected, well–mannered. She stepped forward with practice poise, her pearl–studded bodice catching the light.
The second name made my chest clench.
“Lady Elena Ashford.”
It took me a heartbeat to react. I moved forward slowly, careful not to stumble on my hem. Applause rippled through the room, polite but uneven. I fel hundred eyes scraping across my skin. I kept my shoulders back. I didn’t look for anyone’s reaction. Not even Nora’s.
But I felt her. And then her name followed mine.
“Lady Nora Vance.”
She stepped into place beside me like she belonged there–like she’d always belonged there. Her smile was radiant, her posture regal. We stood shoul to shoulder, and for a moment I swore I could feel heat rising from her skin.
The applause faded. The Elders droned on about the importance of legacy, how the final trial would test more than skill–it would test character. I hea none of it.
When we were dismissed from the dais, I tried to melt into the crowd, but Nora was suddenly beside me again. Far too close for comfort.
“Congratulations,” she said, voice honey–sweet. “Truly. I know how hard this must be for you to return.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
Her eyes didn’t move from my face. Or rather, not quite my face. Just beneath it. My braid had slipped forward over my shoulder, but not far enough to fully shield the side of my neck.
She didn’t say anything. But she smiled a little wider, then leaned in, her voice just for me.
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Chapter 92
“Funny how things always find a way of showing themselves in the end?
My throat tightened.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I said carefully.
“Oh, I think you do.” She turned and vanished into the crowd before I could answer.
I needed ait, goddess I needed air.
The hallway just outside the Great Hall was quieter, but the laughter and chatter of the crowd still echoed behind me, but out here, everything fett muted. Like the palace itself was holding its breath.
I didn’t realize how fast I was walking until a voice stopped me.
“Lady Ashford.”
I turned too sharply at my name.
Asher stepped out of a side corridor, hands tucked into the pockets of his dark slacks, eyes fixed on me like he’d been waiting.
My pulse kicked hard against my ribs. “You scared me.”
He tilted his head. “You’ve looked scared since the moment Nora spoke to you.”
I stiffened. “She was just… congratulating me.”
He arched a brow. “That wasn’t a heartfelt congratulations. That was a warning I could see from twenty paces away.”
I glanced back toward the hall, but Nora was long gone–reabsorbed into the crowd.
“She’s just playing the game, like everyone here,” I said, too quickly.
“You sure?”
I hesitated. “She… looked at me strangely. That’s all. She doesn’t know anything.”
He stepped closer, just enough to lower his voice. “A wolf blocked from her quarry is dangerous.”
I tensed. “You think she’ll try something like with the Rogues?”
“No,” he said, “but I know she’ll try something. Take out the competition and ensure her victory. Try and show she’s the strongest – it’s what she preferred in the trial you were paired together in. Strength over just about anything else.”
-The words dropped like stones between us.
I folded my arms over my chest and leaned back against the wall. The stone was cool against my spine, a welcome contrast to the heat rising under m
skin.
Asher studied me for a moment before gentling his voice. “I want you to be careful. Because if she goes for your throat–and she will–she’s not going do it with claws. She’s going to do it with smiles. With timing.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” he asked. “Because I watched her watch you. I’ve seen her look at the competition before. This is different.”
I closed my eyes for half a second, just long enough to gather myself. Then I lifted my gaze to his. “You think she’ll go for reputation. Or try and disqua
me.”
Chapter 92
“I think she’s not going to wait for the final round,” Asher murmured. “She’s going to try to eliminate you before it even baptis
My fingers tightened on the edge of my sleeve. So I’m supposed to what, find a way to get to her fire?
Asher nodded slowly. “She doesn’t play fair. And now that it’s down to three, she doesn’t have to pretend to. Don’t give her any more ground” but said. “Whatever this is between you and Damen–hide it. Or end it. But don’t leave it half exposed
I flinched.
Hide it. Or end it. That sounded a lot like deny it exists.
I straightened, pulling my shoulders back. “I’m not ashamed. The point of this is to develop a relationship”
He gave me a long look. “I didn’t say you should be. I said she’ll use it.”
Silence stretched between us. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but didn’t. Instead, he nodded once and stepped back. “Watch your back. Lila.”
My real name caught between us as I watched him disappear into the shadows.
Only then did I exhale. The fabric at my collar was damp from how tightly I’d been gripping it. I released it slowly, fingers tingling from the tension.
I turned toward the corridor that would lead me back to my quarters. The hall behind me still buzzed with celebration. But I felt it deep in my chest–like cold steel waiting to thrust into my heart.
This felt like the beginning of a hunt.
