Lila stands in a clearing, holding a stick Asher gave her to practice fighting. He shows her how to punch, his hands guiding her arms, making her heart beat faster. She swings at a log, missing half the time, her arms shaking. Zane sits on a stump, watching her, his grin wide. Rowan leans against a tree, his eyes locked on her, silent as usual.

Asher steps closer, showing her how to block a hit. His hand brushes her wrist, and that tug in her chest sparks again. “Focus,” he says, his voice sharp, his face close. Lila nods, trying to ignore her racing pulse. Zane claps, shouting, “You’re getting it!” to cheer her on.

Zane jumps up, grabbing another stick. “Pretend it’s a sword,” he says, tossing it to her. They spar, and Lila swings, laughing when she almost hits him. Rowan stands, his boots crunching as he moves closer. Lila trips, and Zane catches her, his hands on her waist, making her breath catch.

Lila’s jacket slips, showing the crescent-moon mark on her shoulder. Mira walks up, her eyes fixed on it, holding her book of symbols. “That’s from a prophecy,” she says, her voice low. Lila asks, “What prophecy?” but Mira shakes her head, saying, “Not yet.” Pack members nearby whisper, staring at Lila like she’s trouble.

Talia steps into the clearing, pointing at Lila. “She’s bad news,” she says to Asher, her hands on her hips. Asher tells her to back off, but Talia doesn’t move. Lila feels small, like the pack already hates her. Zane steps beside her, saying, “She’s with us,” but Talia glares and walks away.

Asher grabs Lila’s arm, pulling her to another drill. His touch makes that tug in her chest stronger, like a rope pulling tight. “You need to be ready,” he says, his face close to hers. Lila pulls away, confused by how he makes her feel. Rowan watches, his eyes sharp, making her nervous.

Lila swings the stick, hitting the log this time, and grins. Zane cheers, jumping up, his eyes bright. Rowan steps closer, saying, “Not bad,” his voice quiet. Lila feels that tug again, stronger with all three guys near her. She doesn’t understand why her heart reacts like this.

A pack member runs up, shouting about an Ironclaw scout in the woods. Asher grabs a knife, his face hard, and tells Lila to stay close. Zane pulls her behind him, his hand on her arm. Rowan heads to the trees, moving fast, like he’s hunting. Lila’s mark itches, like it’s trying to wake up.

Lila follows Asher, her stick still in hand, her heart pounding. Zane stays by her side, his shoulder brushing hers. Rowan’s already in the woods, his shadow gone. The pack members mutter, some glaring at Lila, like she caused this. She feels like an outsider, caught in their world.

Mira pulls Lila aside, away from the group. “You’re a hybrid,” she says, pointing at the mark. Lila stares, asking, “What’s that mean?” but Mira only says, “It’s dangerous.” Lila feels scared, like she’s something she doesn’t understand. The pack’s whispers grow louder, making her want to run.

Asher calls Lila back to practice, his voice sharp. She swings the stick again, her arms stronger now. Zane spars with her, his grin back, making her laugh. Rowan returns, his eyes scanning her, like he sees something new. Lila’s mark itches more, and she feels different, like something’s changing.

Lila hits the log hard, cracking it, and Zane cheers louder. Asher nods, his face softening for a second. Rowan steps closer, his hand brushing her shoulder, making her jump. That tug in her chest feels like it’s pulling from all three of them. She steps back, her head spinning with questions.

The pack gathers around, watching Lila’s training, their faces hard. Talia crosses her arms, muttering to another wolf. “She doesn’t belong here,” Talia says, loud enough for Lila to hear. Lila’s stomach twists, feeling like she’s making things worse. Zane puts a hand on her back, saying, “Ignore her.”

Asher stops the training, looking at the sky. “We need to check the borders,” he says, grabbing his knife. Lila wants to help, but her hands shake, still holding the stick. Rowan looks at her, his eyes intense, like he’s trying to figure her out. Zane stays close, his presence calming her nerves.

Lila sits on a log, catching her breath, her mark itching more. She thinks about the pendant in her bag, glowing back in the cabin. Ethan’s shouts from last night echo in her head, making her shiver. Asher kneels beside her, saying, “You’re stronger than you think.” Lila nods, but she doesn’t believe him yet.

A pack member screams nearby, falling to the ground, clutching his throat. “Poison!” another yells, and the pack turns to Lila. Talia points at her, shouting, “She did it!” Lila freezes, her heart racing, not knowing what’s happening. Asher steps in front of her, his knife raised, as the pack closes in.