Chapter 356: At the Threshold
The morning air carried a strange sort of anticipation.
It buzzed beneath the wide arch of the pack gates, threading through the gathered trainees like an unseen current—anticipation tangling with nerves, excitement rubbing shoulders with dread. Boots shifted against the ground. Fingers flexed around weapon hilts. Wolves stirred restlessly beneath skin. Snow fell heavily, staining cloaks.
Sophia stood in line with the others, shoulders squared, chin lifted. Dren and the others had made her stand at the front due to how short she was. They joked about how Sophia would get lost in the midst of the trainees because of her height, and even how the beasts would miss her, thinking she was a bug.
But the moment they stood in position, all joking cut off immediately.
This was it.
The gates loomed ahead of them, tall and carved with symbols that marked protection and boundary alike. Beyond them lay the forest. Beyond that—whatever the test truly held.
