Awakening The Sliver Wolf

I sized the guy up, assessing my chances. He was larger than me and stood about an inch taller.

But I had something he doesn't—speed.

I kept my jaw tight, saying nothing, just nodding in response.

"I'll take that as a yes," he growled, lunging at me with startling speed.

Okay he seems he was also fast.

I barely dodged the first strike. His claws swiped through the air where my face had been moments before, the force of his swing cutting through the wind.

His claws?!

I ducked, spun on my heel, and countered with a swift punch to his ribs.

He barely flinched.

"Come on, is that all you've got?" he taunted, circling me like prey.

His eyes gleamed with arrogance, feeding off the attention of the other wolves who had paused their own training to watch.

I bristled but kept my calm. I knew better than to get emotional. It was what he wanted—me to lose control, to make a mistake.

What a disappointment I was about to be to him.

He lunged again, this time faking high and going low. His shoulder slammed into me, knocking the wind from my lungs and sending me stumbling back.

Pain radiated from my injured side, but I kept my footing, my instincts sharper than ever.

I shifted my stance, crouching low, waiting. He charged again, this time faster, more aggressive.

At the last second, I dodged, grabbing his arm and using his momentum to flip him over my shoulder. He hit the ground hard with a loud thud.

For a moment, the watching wolves went silent.

The guy's eyes flickered with something dangerous as he scrambled to his feet, wiping the blood from his lip. "You think that means something? You're still nothing here."

My heart raced, the pain at my side burning, my breathing heavy, but I met his gaze unflinchingly. "I'm not here to prove anything to you," I said calmly, but my voice carried a weight of defiance.

He snarled, stepping toward me again, but Joseph's voice cut through the tension. "Enough!"

Joseph called an end to the sparring, but the tension between us didn't fade.

As the pack started to disperse, he shot me a final, venomous glance. "You don't belong here, and we both know it."

I stood my ground, watching him leave. My body ached, but I didn't allow myself to flinch or show any weakness.

Not now. Not ever.

I watched Lilith as she walked back to me, her steps hurried. "Come, you're bleeding," she said as soon as she got to me, dragging my arm to lead me out of the field.

I looked down at my side and I was indeed bleeding. The white shirt was already soaked with my blood.

As I left the field, I caught Rowan's eyes. His face was unreasonable but his eyes were hard. I quickly turned away and followed Lilith.

"Joseph won't be able to leave training so I'm all you're got," she said as we entered the house.

"Please don't kill me," I said as I sat.

"No promises made," she said as she left the room and came back soon with a first aid kit.

She lifted my shirt and peel off the bandaid. And just like I thought, my stitches had opened.

I hissed as Lilith cleaned the wound, even though her hands were gentle.

"Sorry," she said and I nodded.

"Well, first day at training was fun, don't you think?" she said as she continued working.

"Yeah." I exhaled.

"I'm sorry about that. I promise we're not always like that."

"I understand." And I do. It won't be easy to accept someone from your enemy's pack even though they claimed to be banished.

"All done," Lilith said as she put on a clean bandage. She stood and admired her work.

"Perfect. And you're still alive." She clapped.

I snorted as I tried to sit up.

"Let's go get something to eat."

I followed Lilith as we made our way to the dining hall. Once inside, we headed directly to the buffet.

I grabbed a tray and stacked it with pancakes, sausage, eggs, and a cup of orange juice.

Yes, I was starving.

We chose a table and ate in silence. None of us rushed to finish our food.

The hall quickly became loud and bustling as the pack returned from their training. I suddenly felt the urge to finish my food in a hurry.

"Relax," Lilith said.

And I did. My back was facing the room so there wasn't any need to panic.

A hand suddenly clasped my shoulder and I jumped.

"Relax," Joseph said as he chuckled.

I cut him a glare as he sat beside me with his own mountain of food. He had lamb shank with mashed potatoes.

"You're going to eat all that?" I said as I eyed his tray.

"Look who's talking," he said as he rolled his eyes.

"At least mine is light, it's just pancakes. Yours is not."

"Take your award and leave me the fuck alone."

We sat in silence, the only sounds coming from the pack as they talked and ate.

"How's your side?" Joseph broke the silence.

"Fine. Lilith did a much better job than you," I answered.

Joseph huff. "She wishes."

"I did do a good job though," Lilith said, pouting.

"Good job," Joseph said without looking at her. "Any of you got anything to do today?"

I shook my head. I was just planning to go back to my room and finish my book.

"I have a hair appointment, but I can always reschedule," Lilith said. "Got something fun to do?"

"You bet," he replied. "Hurry up and finish your food."

We were done in under two minutes.

"Spill," Lilith said, pushing her tray away.

I drank the last of my juice and turned to Joseph who was also done with his. How can someone eat that much in such a short time?!

"So," Joseph started as he turned to us. "Since Ravenna hasn't seen much of the pack house, we're going to show her around." He paused.

"Get on with it!" Lilith said impatiently.

Joseph chuckled. "So impatient. We're going to hunt," he said.

"Hunt?" Lilith and I chorused.

"Yes ladies. Hunt."

"What kind of hunt can we do inside the pack house?" I asked, confused.

Joseph faced me and grinned. "Indoor scavenger hunt."