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The arena was buzzing with anticipation as I stepped onto the field, the weight of a hundred stares pressing down on me. Warriors from various packs stood in clusters, murmuring, waiting to see if their Luna was worthy.

Elias leaned casually against a post, watching with that same arrogant smirk.

Alec stood off to the side, arms crossed, unreadable. But I could feel him watching.

Let them stare.

I wasn’t here to prove them right.

I was here to prove them wrong.

The announcer’s voice rang out. “The first trial: The Leadership Challenge.”

A low murmur rippled through the crowd.

I kept my expression neutral. Leadership. That meant strategy, endurance, and commanding a team. Easy enough.

The announcer continued, “The Luna will be assigned a team of warriors. Their objective? To navigate a dangerous obstacle course—together. Every member must cross the finish line, or the trial is considered failed.”

Simple in theory. A nightmare in practice.

Alec had trained me for combat, but this wasn’t just about individual skill. This was about leading people who didn’t want to follow me.

I turned as five warriors stepped forward—my team.

Instantly, I recognized the problem.

Three were from my own pack. Loyal. Respectful.

The other two? Blackwood warriors. Elias’s men.

I clenched my jaw.

He was already trying to sabotage me.

Elias grinned from the sidelines.

I ignored him and stepped in front of my team. “Alright, listen up—”

One of the Blackwood warriors, a tall brute named Soren, crossed his arms. “Look, Luna, no offense, but we can handle ourselves. Just tell us the course, and we’ll figure it out.”

I raised a brow. “Is that so?”

The other Blackwood warrior, a wiry man with sharp eyes, scoffed. “Yeah. You don’t need to lead us like we’re pups.”

The nerve.

Jack, who was watching from the crowd, muttered, “Oh, they’re so dead.”

I took a slow breath. Calm. In control. Unshaken.

Then I smiled.

“Alright. Since you don’t need a leader, let’s make a bet.”

Soren frowned. “What?”

I gestured toward the start of the obstacle course. “I’ll race you to the first checkpoint. If you beat me, I’ll let you ‘handle yourselves’ and stay out of your way.”

The two Blackwood warriors exchanged looks. This was their chance to humiliate me in front of everyone.

Soren smirked. “Deal.”

Alec sighed from the sidelines. He knew what was coming.

I walked to the starting line beside Soren, stretching lazily. The course stretched ahead—a wall climb, rope swings, mud pits, and a final sprint uphill.

Soren cracked his knuckles. “Try to keep up, Luna.”

I smiled sweetly.

The announcer raised a hand.

“Go!”

Soren shot forward, running at full speed.

I let him.

I paced myself, keeping steady as he threw himself at the first obstacle—a high wooden wall. He jumped, gripping the top, hauling himself over with a grunt.

I reached the wall seconds later, leapt, and pulled myself up effortlessly.

Soren glanced back, surprised to see me right behind him.

Good.

The next section—rope swings over a water pit. Soren grabbed a rope and launched himself across, barely making it.

I grabbed a rope and flew.

Landed lightly. Kept running.

Soren was panting now. Already?

The mud pits slowed him down. He trudged through while I glided, using my speed and balance to avoid sinking.

And then came the final sprint.

Soren pushed himself forward, arms pumping, feet digging into the dirt—desperate to win.

I didn’t even break a sweat.

I shot past him at the last second.

And crossed the checkpoint first.

Soren collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. The crowd cheered.

I turned to him, smiling. “Looks like I’ll be leading after all.”

Soren scowled but nodded. The challenge was over. He would listen now.

I turned to the rest of my team, my voice sharp. “We move together. No one gets left behind. Understood?”

This time, they all nodded.

The real trial had just begun.