Chapter 5:The test

The morning came too soon.

Selena barely slept. The night had been cold, the unfamiliar sounds of the Crimson Shadow Pack keeping her on edge. Even when exhaustion pulled at her, fear kept her wide awake.

By dawn, the camp was alive with activity. Wolves sparred in an open clearing, some shifting mid-fight, their growls and snarls filling the air. Weapons clashed as warriors trained with swords and daggers, their movements fluid and deadly.

Selena stood at the edge of the clearing, her heart hammering against her ribs. She had never trained with weapons. She barely knew how to throw a proper punch.

Kade approached her, his expression unreadable. "Nervous?"

She shot him a look. "What do you think?"

He chuckled. "At least you're honest."

Selena inhaled deeply. "Do I even stand a chance?"

Kade studied her for a moment before replying. "That depends on how badly you want to survive."

Before she could answer, Raven called out, "It's time."

A circle formed around the clearing, pack members gathering to watch. Some looked eager for a fight, others indifferent.

Raven stepped forward. "Selena, as a new wolf in this pack, you must prove your worth. You'll fight against one of our warriors. If you win, you stay. If you lose…" She paused, letting the silence stretch, her meaning clear.

Selena swallowed hard.

Her opponent stepped into the circle—a muscular young man with a confident smirk. He cracked his knuckles, looking at her as if she were already defeated.

"Try not to cry, little wolf," he taunted.

Selena clenched her fists.

"Begin!"

The warrior lunged first.

Selena barely had time to react. She dodged, but not fast enough. His fist grazed her shoulder, sending her stumbling. Pain flared, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to focus.

Think, Selena. You can't win with strength, but you can be faster.

The warrior charged again. This time, she ducked under his swing and darted to the side, causing him to stumble forward.

The crowd murmured.

Kade watched silently, his expression unreadable.

Selena's breathing was ragged, but she refused to go down. She had spent her whole life being the weakest. If she backed down now, she would be nothing.

The warrior growled, his patience running thin. He shifted slightly, his nails elongating—his wolf beginning to surface.

Selena knew she couldn't let this fight drag out.

The moment he lunged again, she dropped to the ground and kicked his legs out from under him. He crashed down hard, momentarily stunned.

Without thinking, she grabbed a nearby training dagger and pressed the tip against his throat.

Silence.

The crowd stared.

The warrior lay frozen beneath her, shock in his eyes. He could have overpowered her in strength, but she had beaten him in speed and instinct.

Raven's lips curled into a slow smirk. "Not bad."

Selena didn't dare move until Raven spoke again.

"She stays."

A mixture of approval and surprise rippled through the pack. Some nodded in respect, others turned away, unimpressed. But it didn't matter.

Selena had done it.

As she stepped away, Kade met her gaze. "You fought smart," he said.

She swallowed. "I fought to survive."

His smirk deepened. "Then maybe you'll last here after all."

Selena didn't know what the future held, but for the first time, she wasn't running. She was standing her ground.

And she wasn't the weakest anymore.