As I entered the ring, my heart hammered in my chest like a war drum. The arena was a dusty circle, surrounded by stone seats packed with onlookers.

The sky above was a murky gray, the clouds roiling as if they could sense the tension in the air. I took my place, feeling the cool breeze against my skin. I glanced around, taking in the weathered faces of my pack, and then glanced over at Beta Cillian. His stern face was unreadable as he began the announcement.

“Since Alpha Zion ...