Wolf in the shadows

t tight, every joint ached as if she had been running for miles, her body no longer accustomed to the intense physical demands s

ecy. The

nt training, every lesson she learned, brought her one step closer to facing him. Lily shivered, despite the warmth of the early morning sunlight

the wolf that now lived inside her. Yet, despite his assurances, she couldn't shake the feeling that so

ready gathered. The sounds of clinking metal and muffled voices greeted her as she stepped into the clearing. Some members of th

ver. Lily could feel the weight of Elias's gaze before he even turned to acknowledge her. He had become something of a mentor to her over the past few day

ts buzzed with a strange energy, as if the forest itself

alm, but there was something in the way he spoke her name that m

"Test? What

ed closer to her. "You've been training for days now. It's t

the wolf inside her, made her stomach churn. She had barely begun to understand what it meant

" she said quietly, her

tening. "None of us are ever truly ready. But you

ound a large clearing near the edge of the camp. Kalen was there, as was the rest of the t

retreat back into the safety of her room, but there was something in his gaze-somethi

"You've learned the basics-how to tap into your wolf, how to strengthen your connection to

d, confused

you, and you will have to defend yourself. The goal isn't to win-it's to demonstrate c

her. But something in her gut told her this was necessary. If she wanted to survive the coming battle

rd, his eyes gleaming with purpose. "I'll be your oppon

shimmered in the sunlight as he shifted, his muscles rippling with strength. The transformation was seamless, a blur of motion that left h

ace. "Remember," he said softly, "this is about contr

un. She wanted to escape, to hide from the fear gna

ring beneath the surface, its energy pulsing in time with her heartbeat. It was strong, powerful, and eager to break f

at left her no time to think. He lunged, his powerful legs propelling him forward w

round beneath her feet shifted, and she pivoted, trying to create some distance between them. She was slower than

how what she had learned. But the pressure was immense. Every instinct in her screamed at her to fight back, to use her new

't panic. Instead, she let herself sink into the rhythm of the fight, feeling her body react instinct

He recovered quickly, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Good. Bu

felt both tense and exhausted from the exertion. But the connection with the wolf was growing strong

r, but using it to enhance her own movements. Her body responded with a speed and agility she didn't know she possessed. She dodged

ng as she fought to catch her breath. Her heart pounded in her ears, but she felt a

the corner of his mouth. "Impressive," he said, wiping t

dy aching from the effort, but there was a sense of accomplishment

done, Lily. You showed control, strength, a

d over her thoughts. Zev was still out t

attle ahead, not yet. But