Liora lay flat on her back, hair spread out against the grass. She stared at the stars with wide, curious eyes. Beside her, a boy with a soft smile and gentle face sat cross-legged, plucking clovers and weaving them between his fingers.

On her other side sat Draven. His posture was rigid, his arms folded across his small chest, golden eyes sharp. He wasn't lying down like Liora or playing like Kaelen.

Liora tilted her head towards Kaelen, her lips curling into a smile. “When I grow up, I want to see the world,” she whispered, her voice carrying softness. “The mountains, the rivers, everything beyond the packs”

Kaelen chuckled, fumbling as he tried to finish the little crown of clovers. His brown hair fell into his eyes, and he pushed it back sheepishly. “When we grow up, I'll be taller, and when I'm taller, I will marry you. Then I will take you everywhere you want to go.”

Liora’s cheeks warmed, and she covered her mouth with her hands, eyes sparkling with amusement. “Marry me? You're barely taller than me, now.”

Kaelen flushed and then laughed. “That's why I said when I'm taller. Just wait, Liora. I will be stronger and I will protect you.”

Her lips curved into a real smile, her heart softening at his certainty. She liked Kaelen's calmness, his gentle way of speaking. But before she could respond, Draven’s voice cut through– cold and flat.

“He can't marry you.”

Liora turned her head sharply towards him, brows furrowed. “And why not?”

Draven finally looked at her. His expression didn't change. “Because you're not meant for him.”

Kaelen frowned, his small hands curling into fists in the grass. “And what would you know about it, Draven?”

Draven shrugged. “The moon goddess wouldn't waste you on him. She'll give you to someone stronger.”

Liora sat up, her cheeks hot with indignation. “You don't get to decide that, Draven! The goddess doesn't even decide who her friends are. I choose for myself”

For the first time, Draven's jaw tightened. “You're a fool if you think you'll get to choose.”

Liora scrambled to her feet, pointing accusing fingers at him. “You are always a killer joy. Nobody would want to be bound to someone like you.”

Kaelen’s lips twitched with a suppressed laugh, though he didn't join in her mocking. His soft gaze lingered on Liora, proud of her boldness.

Draven's hands curled into fists on his knees. He rose slowly, his small body stiff, shoulders squared. “You’ll see,” he said quietly. “One day, you’ll see I'm right.”

Liora huffed, folding her arms and looking away from him. Her cheeks burned with sheer frustration. “You don't know everything. Draven”

The tension between them cracked. Before either could say more, three guards emerged from the trees, faces pale. One dropped to his knees before Draven, bowing low.

“My Lord,” he panted. “There's been an incident. Your father…..struck down Alpha Renar of the iron fang pack.”

Liora's lip parted in shock. Kaelen froze.

“What?” Liora whispered. “Killed….an Alpha?”

The guard nodded. “An argument turned….violent. Blood has been soiled. The packs are gathering now.”

Another guard burst through the brush and seized Kaelen's arm. “Young heir, we must leave at once. Your father summons you.”

Kaelen stumbled, his voice breaking with panic. “Liora,” his pale eyes locked onto hers as the guard dragged him back. His voice cracked. “Wait for me, Liora! No matter what happens– wait for me!”

Chapter 1

The screaming of the crowd was thunder in her ears.

Sword rang against sword as dust and blood mixed on the arena of the tournament ground. The air was filled with dust, but still alive.

At the center of it was a warrior in a black mask.

Liora's breath came fast but steady as she spun her blade, eyes narrowing through the slit of her disguise. Her opponent staggered back, clutching his bleeding arm, before she swept his legs out from under him with a brutal kick.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Selene raised her sword high as her rival writhed on the ground. “Yield,” she hissed, her voice distorted by the mask.

The boy spat blood and glared, but the tremor in his limbs betrayed him. “I….yield”

The horns blared.

The arena erupted with cheers, though not all of admiration. Jealousy, envy, suspicion– she could feel their eyes burning into her, a warrior they couldn't quite understand.

Liora lowered her sword, chest heaving, and pulled her mask tighter against her skin. Fighting became her comfort zone after her mother died, and knowing that a female can't fight, she disguised herself using a mask to hide her face– nobody questioned it after her first win. Ever since then, she continued.

The cheers washed over her, and a flicker of pride burned in her chest. She had survived another round. She had proven herself again.

“Impressive”

The voice was low and held meaning. Liora's stomach tightened instantly at the sound. She turned her head, and across the arena stood her next opponent.

Her heart lurched.

Draven Duskbane.

Even masked, she felt the sting of recognition. The boy from her childhood, now grown into a man whose presence commanded the ground he walked on. His golden eyes glowed faintly. His jaw set and that perfect posture.

He tilted his head slightly, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “I wondered who they had pitted against me. And here you are.”

Liora's grip on her sword tightened. He was supposed to be here fighting. Her lips pressed into a hard line. She remembered him– cold and distant. The boy who had once told her she had never chosen her own fate.

The boy who has been right more times than she wanted to admit.

“I’ll enjoy this," Draven said. His eyes raked over her stance, studying her like a puzzle he already knew how to solve. “You fight well….for someone hiding behind a mask”

Heat surged in her chest. She lifted her sword, leveling the blade at him. “Enjoy it while you can. You’ll be the one on the ground this time.”

Draven's smirk widened. He rolled his shoulders, drawing his weapon in slow motion. The crowd stirred, anticipation buzzing through the air like lightning.

From the stands, Liora could see Kaelen smiling with her best friend. His evergreen smile was plastered on his face. Liora's heart twisted, and she couldn't think of him now. Not when Draven stood before her with a blade honed for her throat

The horn blared again, and the match began.

Draven moved first, his strike so powerful her arm shuddered beneath the impact. Their swords clashed.

Liora staggered back a step, then moved, sliding low to smash at his side. He parried with ease, his golden eyes glinting.

“You're strong,” he said between blows, their blades sparking. “Stronger than most, like something is motivating you or pushing... maybe”

Liora gritted her teeth, swinging with renewed fury. Why does he know me better than anyone else? “How does a heart of stone know emotions?”

Their swords locked, their faces inches apart. She saw the way sweat was beading on his forehead and that stupid smile forming at his lips.

“You still talk too much,” he murmured, only for her to hear.

Her pulse stuttered.

The crowd roared around them. She shoved hard, her wolf snarled inside her, restless and agitated.

The clash of steel again as they fought, each strike heavier and each intent to kill.

And as their swords locked again, sparks flying, Draven's hand shot up– fingers brushing against the edge of her mask.

Liora's heart lurched.

“Let's see who you really are,” he leaned closer, his voice in a whisper.