The full moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the packhouse courtyard. The air buzzed with excitement—tonight was the annual warrior trials, a tradition where the strongest wolves displayed their strength before the entire pack.
For years, Celeste had stood beside Kieran, watching him lead the trials. This time, she stood alone.
She kept her head high, despite the murmurs that followed her.
"She doesn't belong here anymore."
"Why is she even trying?"
"Kieran should have chosen someone stronger."
She had learned to tune them out. But tonight, the weight of their words pressed harder than usual.
Rowan appeared at her side, arms crossed. "You sure about this?"
Celeste swallowed, forcing a steady breath. "I won't cower."
He studied her for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Then don't let them break you."
Easier said than done.
As the warriors gathered, Kieran took his place at the front, towering and powerful. His presence still pulled at her, a cruel reminder of what they once had.
"Welcome," Kieran's voice rang out, commanding attention. "Tonight, we test strength, discipline, and loyalty. Our warriors prove they are worthy."
A few murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.
"And, of course," Kieran continued, a smirk curling at his lips, "we'll see who can endure."
Celeste stiffened. Something in his tone sent a ripple of unease through her.
The warriors stepped forward in pairs, one after another, engaging in sparring matches.
Then Kieran turned to her.
"Celeste."
A hush fell over the crowd.
Her spine went rigid as every gaze locked onto her.
Kieran's expression was unreadable. "You've trained for years. Stand and prove it."
It wasn't a request.
It was a challenge.
A trap.
Celeste's pulse thundered. She could refuse—but that would only make her look weak.
Rowan murmured lowly, "You don't have to do this."
But she did.
So she stepped forward.
Kieran's smirk deepened. "Good." He turned. "Lillian."
Celeste's stomach dropped.
Lillian stepped into the ring, rolling her shoulders with an easy grin. "I was hoping for this."
A chill spread through Celeste's veins.
She wasn't being tested. She was being humiliated.
Lillian was Kieran's new favorite. She had trained under him relentlessly.
And Celeste had barely trained at all in weeks.
Kieran lifted a hand. "Begin."
Lillian moved first—fast, precise, a blur of motion.
Celeste barely had time to dodge before a strike slammed into her ribs.
She gasped but stayed standing.
Pain shot through her, but she gritted her teeth. Focus. Breathe. Fight back.
She pivoted, landing a glancing hit to Lillian's shoulder. But Lillian barely reacted.
A mocking smirk curled her lips. "That all you got?"
Celeste didn't respond. She braced herself—
But she wasn't fast enough.
Lillian's leg swept beneath her, knocking her to the ground.
The impact stole her breath.
A collective murmur rippled through the crowd.
Celeste forced herself up, heart hammering.
She wouldn't let this end here.
She lunged—
Lillian sidestepped and struck again, slamming her onto her back.
The pain was instant and searing.
She lay gasping, vision swimming.
Then Lillian leaned down, voice just loud enough for the onlookers to hear.
"Kieran doesn't want a weak Luna."
Celeste's blood ran cold.
Lillian straightened, turning to Kieran. "Should I stop?"
Kieran's gaze met Celeste's.
For one fleeting second, she swore she saw hesitation.
But then—
"No."
The single word shattered everything.
Lillian grinned.
Celeste barely had time to react before Lillian's foot connected with her ribs, sending her skidding across the dirt.
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
Celeste coughed, blood filling her mouth.
No one helped her.
No one defended her.
Not even Kieran.
He just watched.
And in that moment, Celeste realized—this was her breaking point.
She had spent too long waiting for him to see her. Too long holding onto a bond that was already severed.
She wasn't his mate anymore.
She was nothing to him.
And if that was the case…
Then she would rise as something greater.
Slowly, painfully, she pushed herself to her feet.
The crowd had already begun to turn away, moving on.
Lillian smirked as she walked past.
Kieran barely spared her a glance.
But Celeste wasn't looking at them anymore.
She was done looking at them.
She turned, walked away from the courtyard—each step stronger than the last.
And for the first time, she wasn't walking toward Kieran.
She was walking away.