The palace training grounds were nothing like Fia expected.
She had imagined something ceremonial perhaps lessons on etiquette or pack customs. Instead, the large courtyard was filled with warriors. Wolves shifted between human and wolf form, sparring, running drills, and practicing combat techniques.
The air smelled of sweat, earth, and raw strength.
Fia hesitated at the edge of the field.
"Scared already?"
The deep voice behind her made her turn.
Ronan stood a few steps away, arms folded across his chest, his dark hair slightly tousled by the morning wind. Even in simple training clothes, he looked intimidating every bit the powerful Alpha everyone feared.
"I'm not scared," Fia replied calmly.
His eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Good," he said. "Because today isn't about etiquette."
Fia looked around again. "Then what is it about?"
"Survival."
Her stomach tightened.
Ronan gestured toward the training field where two wolves clashed violently. One was thrown hard against the ground before quickly getting back up.
"A Luna isn't just a title," Ronan continued. "My mate must be strong enough to stand beside me. The pack won't respect someone weak."
Fia crossed her arms. "So you're going to train me like a warrior?"
"Not exactly."
A tall woman walked toward them. She had short silver hair and sharp eyes that studied Fia like a hawk watching prey.
"This is Mira," Ronan said. "Head of the warriors."
Mira nodded once. "So this is the girl causing chaos in the palace."
Fia lifted her chin. "Nice to meet you too."
A faint smirk appeared on Mira's face.
"She's got spirit," Mira said to Ronan. "But spirit won't keep her alive."
Fia frowned. "Alive?"
Before she could ask more, Mira suddenly tossed something toward her.
Fia barely caught it.
It was a dagger.
Cold metal rested in her palm.
Her eyes widened.
"What am I supposed to do with this?"
Mira stepped back and pointed to the center of the field.
"Fight."
Fia stared at her.
"You can't be serious."
"Oh, I'm very serious."
Across the training ground, a large warrior stepped forward. His arms were thick with muscle, and his wolf aura radiated power.
Fia swallowed.
"You expect me to fight him?"
Ronan's voice came from beside her.
"Yes."
Her heart pounded.
"This is insane."
Ronan leaned closer, his voice dropping to a quiet murmur only she could hear.
"You wanted to take Hazel's place," he said. "This is part of it."
Fia clenched the dagger.
The warrior stepped into the ring, cracking his knuckles.
"Don't worry," he said with a grin. "I'll go easy on you."
Fia walked slowly into the training circle.
Dozens of warriors stopped what they were doing to watch.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
"That's the new Luna candidate."
"She's an Omega."
"She won't last ten seconds."
Fia heard every word.
Her grip tightened on the dagger.
The warrior lunged.
Fia barely dodged in time.
Gasps erupted around the field.
The man laughed. "Not bad."
He attacked again faster this time.
Fia stumbled backward, nearly losing her balance.
She had never fought before.
But she refused to fall.
The warrior reached for her arm.
Instinct took over.
Fia twisted and slashed the dagger through the air.
The blade cut across his sleeve.
The crowd went silent.
The warrior looked down at the torn fabric, surprised.
Then he laughed loudly.
"Looks like the little Omega has claws."
Ronan watched from the sidelines, his golden eyes glowing slightly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The fight continued.
Fia dodged more than she attacked, but she refused to quit.
Finally, the warrior grabbed her wrist and disarmed her.
The dagger clattered to the ground.
He pinned her arm behind her back.
"Yield," he said.
Fia's chest rose and fell rapidly.
Her muscles burned.
But she didn't speak.
The warrior looked toward Ronan.
"She's done."
Ronan stepped forward slowly.
"Are you?"
Fia met his eyes.
Something fierce ignited inside her.
"No."
Before the warrior could react, she stomped hard on his foot and slammed her elbow backward into his ribs.
The grip loosened.
She twisted free and grabbed the dagger from the ground, pointing it straight at his chest.
The entire training field went silent.
The warrior raised both hands in surrender.
"Well," he said with a grin, "I didn't expect that."
Fia lowered the dagger slowly.
Her hands trembled, but her eyes were steady.
Ronan walked toward her.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he said quietly,
"You passed."
Fia blinked.
"That was a test?"
Mira crossed her arms nearby.
"Every day here is a test."
The warriors began murmuring again, this time with a different tone.
Respect.
Ronan leaned slightly closer to Fia.
"You're still weak," he said bluntly.
Fia rolled her eyes. "Thanks."
"But," he continued, "you don't give up."
Their eyes locked.
"And that," Ronan said, "is far more dangerous."
Fia wasn't sure if that was a compliment or a warning.
But something told her this was only the beginning.
Because in the shadows beyond the training grounds, someone had been watching the entire fight.
And they were smiling.