on. Isla stood at the edge of the training grounds, her dagger in hand, working through a series of drills Ryker had taught her. Each movem

d to see Kira, her green eyes sharp and assessing. "You've been at thi

her movements. The thought of the shadowy wolves Elias had

e determined. I'll give you that." She pulled a short sword from the she

r and took the sword, its weight unfamiliar but manageable. Kira steppe

ped to watch. Kira moved with the fluid grace of someone who had fought countless battles, her str

ice steady even as she pushed Isla ba

ting her movements flow more naturally. She sidestepped Kira's next st

smirk, though her next st

muscles burned, her breathing labored, but she refused to give in. She could fee

er brow. Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath, but a small sense

g her sword. "But don't let it go to your h

" Isla replied, a faint

a loose circle around him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and con

to our territory," Ryker began, his voice carrying over the crowd. "We do

a sharp glance. "This isn't the time for panic," she said firmly. "We've faced

e intensified, and every rogue will be expected to contribute to fortifying the

termination. She wasn't just surviving anymore; she was part of something bigger, a group

on the patrol tonight," he said. "You've been proving

own," Isla replied

and two other rogues, their footsteps silent on the mossy ground. The patrol was tense but

nose, setting her wolf on edge. She halted, her eyes sc

hing as he caught the same scent. "Blood

rate. The scent grew stronger, mingling with the metallic tang of

ed on the ground, its body mangled beyond recognition. Dark claw marks marr

cass, his expression dark. "T

n named Jax, frowned as he examine

ed, standing. "This is a wa

pounding. The air around them felt charged, a

up froze, their eyes darting toward the sound. Moments later, a pair of glow

was dark and matted, their jaws filled with jagged teeth that gleamed in the moonlig

ow and commanding. "Stand your gr

ct, raising her dagger to block the first attack. The impact sent a jolt through

hing she had, her training and instincts guiding her movements. The creatures were fa

Isla. She sidestepped at the last moment, driving her dagger into i

last of the creatures fell. The rogues stood panting and b

grim. "This was just a scouting party," he

he adrenaline that had carried her through the fight was

ed, his voice steady despite the weight of

face it head-on. She wasn't the same girl who had been rejected and

la knew it was only a temporary reprieve. The shado