SERENA'S POV

I stood at the entrance of the arena, my heart racing with anticipation and nerves. I had returned to Frostfang, but not as myself. Not only that, but I wore a disguise, a moon-blessed veil hiding my face, and wolfbane oil masking my scent. I was with Kai, who disguised himself too. As for Lyra, my daughter , I had to leave her with Rasha. “Are you sure you are ready for this?” Kai asked.

“I wouldn't be here if I'm not ready, okay? I'm ready, which is why I'm here. I just don't know what I'm about to face. I mean, Draven, he wouldn't even recognize me even if I had to be normal, I said.

“And that's why we are here, okay? You are here to take your rightful place as the Luna of Frostfang. I know that you can do something if there is still something in you, which is why it still lives in you. Just go do it, okay,” Kai said, bringing life to me.

“You are such a good person; I owe you a lot. I would have been fed if I hadn't seen you. I just hope I have to repay you some day,” I said.

“You have nothing to worry about; okay, I'm always here to help you; you should know that by now, you aren't responsible, and you will always be there until you make it to where you want,” Kai said.

“Thank you so much,” I said, my voice low and menacing.

“You shouldn't thank me over everything; at least you should also appreciate yourself for getting the favors; it's your gate to survive, and you have been determined to survive, so don't worry about me protecting you; it's my job and would forever be my job to do all the protections for you,” he said, giving me reassurance.

“Where should we go from here now? I mean, staying at this spot might be suspicious to this passerby, so let's plan on getting into the village,” I said.

“I know, but it might be too risky for us as well to get into the crowd. It might be obvious for the pack members to get us and report us as intruders to the Alpha,” Kai said. “I know an ancient tower where we could give rituals of blessings before going back to the pack for the trial. But we would still have to pass the time pack,” Kai said. “Okay, then let's go,” I said, drawing him along.

“What do you mean? Are you being serious right now? You expect me to follow you there without a plan of passing by. It can be too suspicious for us. Do you have to take these hoods and cover your face? Do we go past them without being caught? “Kai said.

The Luna Trials were my chance to reclaim my place and to show Draven what I was capable of. As I walked into the arena, I felt his eyes on me, and my skin prickled with awareness. I didn't dare look up; I didn't dare reveal my true identity. I had to be careful to keep my secrets hidden. The trials were about to begin, and I was ready. I would show Frostfang what I was made of, and I would make Draven remember. The crowd cheered, and I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. This was my chance to start anew, to forge a new path.

We crossed the pack members without being caught. Kai, who feared being caught by the pack members, avoided following the short part that was leading to the tower of redemption he told me about. Being courageous, I walked through the risky part. I had a mix of feelings about getting caught or not getting caught. But one thing was off: this was a shadow of my past self. I knew nothing about what I was doing, thinking less of the consequence of getting caught. After the walk through the pack members, I saw the tower, which Kai was talking about. I had to wait for him, seeing that he was rushing to come to me.

“What are you panting?” I asked.

“I was running to see you if you have been caught. But it's obvious that you have actually improved. I really admire your courage,” Kai said.

“I know that it was a bit risky, but all thanks to you who showed me the best way to follow so I would become this courageous. So now that we are here, what do we have to do?” I asked.

“I haven't been here since I was eighteen, and the lady who processes the ritual and incantation for the moon goddess on this altar, I genuinely don't know if she is no more, " Kaia said, his face distressed and worried.

“What are you insinuating right now? Do you mean we should go back from where we are coming from because I know that going back to the pack members would be a lot of stress, and I'm actually tired of running around for them?” I said.

“I didn't mean we were going back. We are here already, and until we achieve the goal of coming here, we are going nowhere until we are done,” Kai said.

“So then what are you waiting for outside here? Don't you think we should go inside and see for ourselves if the lady is still there, if another has taken over her, or if there is no one to do the rituals anymore?” I said.

“I think that's what we are going to do; let's go find out for ourselves if there is still someone inside, " Kai said as the both of us got inside the room. Immediately we were struck by a flask of light.