#Chapter 44 – Trial by Instinct

Lila The morning was still dark when we were roused. Cold enough that the dew froze silver on the palace stairs. I dressed in silence, heart thudding louder in my ears. By the time I joined the other candidates in the training yard, my breath fogged in the air, curling like mist. Beta Ronan was already waiting, flanked by two royal scouts. In his gloved hand, he held a pouch of thick leather. Another scout held a basket of carved tokens—pale bone etched with symbols I couldn’t read. Each woman was called forward in turn, and handed one of each. No explanation beyond “Find the wolf.” When my name – Elena’s name – was called I stepped forward with my chin high. My fingers closed around the scrap of fabric inside the pouch. It was coarse and aged, clinging to a sour, musky scent like old sweat, pine, and iron. Manufactured, maybe. But, not unfamiliar. The bone token was warm in my palm, as if it had been resting near a fire. A shimmer of something brushed over my skin the m