Jamie POV
The morning air carried a chill that bit through my shirt, despite the warmth of the rising sun. I stood on the stone terrace outside my quarters, eyes tracing the fog as it curled lazily across the edges of the training field below. Today wasn't the trial—not yet—but my heart thudded like it already was.
Ann was the first to find me. She padded up beside me quietly, hair tied back in a thick braid, two steaming cups in hand. She handed me one without a word, her fingers brushing mine.
"I thought you might be up early," she said softly. "Couldn't sleep?"
I shook my head. "It's like my body knows something's coming, and it won't let me rest until it's over."
She gave a small laugh, leaning on the stone rail. "Welcome to the pre-trial jitters. You'll fit in just fine."
"What exactly is the pre-trial?" I asked, sipping the bitter tea.
Ann tilted her head, as if weighing how honest she wanted to be. "It's... a public test. A show of your strength, agility, and control. Mostly to convince the Council, you won't die the moment you step into the actual trial."
"That's... comforting," I muttered.
She grinned. "It's not as bad as the real thing. Just don't die in the warm-up, and you'll be fine." Then, seeing my pale expression, her tone softened. "Jamie... I believe you'll come back. I don't care what those crusty Council bastards say. You've got something none of them do."
"What's that?"
She smirked, poking my chest. "Andrew. And that stubborn, weirdly loyal heart of yours. It's gonna get you through this."
*****
Earlier that Morning
OONA'S PRIVATE CHAMBER
The chamber smelled of roses and rot. A perfume of luxury masks the undercurrent of danger. Oona sat at the far end of the room, her silk robes trailing the floor like spilt ink.
"Close the door, darling," she said without looking up. "We don't want interruptions."
Lilith obeyed, the click of the door sealing them inside.
Oona reached into a velvet-lined box on the table, withdrawing a tiny object—no larger than a brooch, but glinting faintly with silver. It was shaped like a curved thorn, elegant and sinister.
"This," she said, holding it between two fingers, "is called a hooker. Not the kind your father favours, mind you. This one has bite."
Lilith raised a brow. "What does it do?"
"A poison, slow and exquisite. Dipped in silver, enchanted to pierce through the wolf's core. It won't kill him, not immediately. But his strength will wither. His instincts will dull. He'll feel it... like a sickness blooming inside. And by the time the actual trial begins tomorrow, he'll be nothing but a shadow of himself."
Lilith took the weapon, studying it in the light. "And you want me to use it during the pre-trial?"
"Precisely. There will be a spar—a sanctioned duel between Jamie and a supposed rival. We'll make it seem like we're testing his readiness, giving him a fair shot." Oona's lips twisted. "But truly, we're laying the groundwork for his failure."
Lilith smiled. "Now that's fun."
Oona touched her chin. "Be graceful. Make it look like an accident. Don't win—just damage him enough. Then tomorrow... the Trial will finish the rest."
Lilith smirked, slipping the hooker into the fold of her sleeve. "May the best wolf win"
Jamie POV
The duel grounds had been set in the southern courtyard—an open ring surrounded by high stone walls and ancient trees. The grass was freshly trimmed, and rows of benches filled quickly with murmuring spectators. Elders, warriors, Council members. I saw Maelin. Oona. Cassian, arms folded and scowl permanent.
Andrew sat further back with Alpha Jackson, but his eyes never left me. His presence steadied me, even from across the field.
Then Lilith stepped into the ring.
She looked radiant in her crimson sparring gear, hair braided into a sleek crown around her head. When her gaze met mine, something twisted in her smile.
Her expression was soft, but her eyes? Cold.
"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered.
"Hello, sweetheart," she said sweetly. "May the best wolf win."
I swallowed hard.
Ann's voice echoed in my mind: It's just a test.
The Elder officiating raised his hand. "This is not a fight to the death. This is a demonstration of strength, not finality. Begin when ready."
The duel began with formality—circling, testing.
I remember what Andrew had taught me. Agility over power. Timing over brute strength.
We circled. She struck first, fast, and brutally. Her claws grazed my arm before I could blink.
I retaliated. Not bad. I landed a hit to her side that made her grunt.
And then it happened.
She lunged, faster than before, too fast—and her arm swept across my ribs. A flash of pain. Sharp. Hot. Then cold.
I stumbled back, vision swimming.
The crowd leaned in. I heard murmurs, confusion.
What's wrong with me?
My limbs were heavy. My wolf, usually a roar in my mind, whimpered.
Lilith's grin widened. She knew.
Something was wrong.
I fought on, losing ground. My strength faded unnaturally fast.
The final blow wasn't even harsh—just a shoulder check that sent me sprawling, unable to get up.
Gasps echoed. Some of the Council whispered. Maelin smirked.
Oona dabbed her lips with a silk cloth, eyes dancing.
I tried to rise. Couldn't. My eyes locked with Andrew's, now storming toward me, and then everything went dark.
******
Andrew POV
I knew something was wrong the moment he stumbled.
Not exhaustion. Not fear.
Pain.
I didn't wait for the whistle. I crossed the ring, grabbed him just before he collapsed again.
"Jamie?" I whispered. "What happened?"
His eyes flickered. "I… don't know…"
His skin was clammy. I could feel his wolf energy—it was faint, like a candle struggling for oxygen.
They'd done something to him.
I carried him to the infirmary myself. Ignored the murmurs, the eyes. Let them talk. Let them dare.
Ann was already there when I arrived. Caroline, too, was quiet for once.
He lay unconscious on the cot, pale, chest rising too slowly.
I sat beside him, fists tight.
Alpha Jackson came in later, gritting his teeth. "The Council's already making noise," he said. "Some are saying this was proof he's not ready. That tomorrow's trial is a waste."
My father looked… smaller. Defeated.
And I knew then—I'd have to fight harder than ever. Not just for Jamie.
But for everything.
******
Council Hall –
The chamber felt colder than usual.
Stone walls soared above like they might collapse at any minute. Shadows pooled in the corners.
Maelin stepped forward. "We all saw the duel. The boy collapsed under minor pressure. He's not ready. He's not worthy. This trial-this-this-this—entire experiment—needs to end."
A few elders nodded.
Oona was quiet, her smile hidden beneath her veil.
Elder Throne tried. "It was a test. A test. Let the trial speak."
Alpha Jackson rose. "This isn't justice. This is sabotage."
But he was drowned out.
They didn't want a trial.
They wanted a funeral.
*****
Andrew POV
I left that room ready to burn it down.
When I returned to the infirmary, Jamie was still out. Ann looked up at me. "How bad?" she asked.
"Worse," I said. "They're ready to write him off."
I sank to the edge of the bed, brushing hair from his forehead.
He stirred.
I whispered, "What did she do to you…?"
And there was no answer.
But I would find it.
Even if it meant war.