**Aria's POV**

Phase Three took place in the Academy's main combat arena, a circular space surrounded by tiered seating that was now filled with pack observers, Academy officials, and what felt like half the Lycan world's leadership community.

No audience had ever made me more nervous.

"Combat assessment," the trial coordinator announced as the fifty-three remaining students gathered at the arena's edge, "will consist of individual matches against Academy instructors, followed by tactical ...