Sera's Pov
The night air was crisp, the scent of damp earth mingling with the lingering smoke from the training fires. I pulled the final strap on my combat gear, ensuring the hidden daggers lay snug against my body. One at my thigh, another at my waist, and two more strapped to my forearms beneath the sleeves. Just in case.
As I stepped onto the training ground, the fading sun cast a warm ombre glow over the clearing, illuminating the tense figures of the other trainees. Kael was already there, leaning lazily against a tree with his arms crossed, looking entirely too relaxed given what we were about to do.
"You sure you're ready for this?" he asked, his lips curling into that infuriating smirk.
I rolled my eyes. "Why wouldn't I be?"
He chuckled. "I like the confidence."
I didn't dignify that with a response. The others were starting to gather, instructors standing in formation as the final preparations were made. We moved out, a silent wave slipping through the dense forest, our only companions the rustling leaves and the steady rhythm of our breath.
Hours passed in a tense blur, any trace of daylight fading into darkness by the time we reached the enemy camp. It was exactly as we'd planned. Those who lost their matches were sent in first, their task to kill and try to survive.
The moment the first screams split the air, I felt it deep in my chest—a visceral, almost physical reaction. I couldn't tell if the cries were from our trainees or the enemy. The uncertainty sat like a rock in my stomach. I clenched my jaw and steadied my breathing, fingers tightening around my dagger as I waited.
Kael stood beside me, unfazed, eyes locked on the treeline. When some of the enemy fighters began slipping through the chaos, trying to escape, we moved. The first man I faced barely had time to react before my blade found his throat. His body crumpled, and for a moment, I just stared.
I've killed before, protecting my pack. I've trained for this. But there was something about watching the life drain from someone's eyes outside of pack protection that made my stomach churn.
Kael, on the other hand, didn't hesitate. He cut through enemies with ruthless efficiency, his expression unreadable as blood splattered across his gear. Around us, others fought—some shifting into their wolf forms, snarling and tearing through flesh like wild animals.
The scent of iron was thick in the air. I forced myself to move, pushing forward through the camp, ducking into one of the tents in search of anything valuable—maps, plans , anything that could help.
Instead, I found them.
Two children, huddled together in the corner, their wide, terrified eyes locking onto mine.
My breath caught. They couldn't have been older than six or seven, their small bodies trembling, clinging to each other as if it was the only thing keeping them from falling apart.
The sounds of battle raged outside. And here they were—helpless, scared.
I tightened my grip on my dagger.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?