[Kaelen's POV]
I was in the VIP section of the Hundred-Clan Airshow with Lucian and a few others, discussing Seraphina's upcoming flight demonstration for the Stormcliff Pack.
"Seraphina's skill is second to none in the entire eastern forest," Lucian said, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. His voice was thick with admiration. "Only a she-wolf like her is worthy of you, Kaelen."
I didn't reply, merely nodding as my gaze swept over the advanced air-mounts and magical rigs on display, calculating how to leverage this event for the Blackwood Pack's gain.
Just then, Lucian nudged me with his elbow. "Well, look who decided to crawl out of her hole."
I followed his line of sight, and my brow instantly furrowed.
Elara.
She was standing with that Liana from the Azure Fang, looking with genuine interest at a Wyvern caged within a rune-etched enclosure.
What was she doing here?
A familiar, unsettling irritation coiled in my gut. Ever since the Hunt Festival, she had become more and more unpredictable, slipping further from my control.
"She just won't give up, will she?" Lucian sneered. "She must have heard Seraphina was performing today and came specifically to make trouble."
We walked over, our expressions making it clear we were there to watch the inevitable drama unfold.
Elara seemed to sense our approach, but she only spared us a single, dismissive glance before turning back to her conversation with Liana.
Her complete lack of regard pricked at my pride.
The moment she saw us, Liana made an excuse and hurried off, clearly wanting nothing to do with us. Elara, now alone, continued to wander through the exhibits. She stopped before the enclosure of a magnificent griffin, her focus absolute.
That's when an unexpected figure appeared at her side.
Malachi. The Lycan King.
He said something to her. She turned, her face showing no trace of fear as she began to converse with him.
They stood together, moving from the griffin to the wyvern, the atmosphere between them disturbingly familiar, almost comfortable. I saw a light flash in Elara's eyes I had never seen before—the spark of someone who has found a kindred spirit.
My fists clenched at my sides.
With me, she was always so quiet, so obedient. But in front of another male, she could be this… vibrant.
After a few minutes, Malachi seemed to be called away. Elara resumed her tour alone and, unfortunately for her, walked right into our path.
"Well, if it isn't our future Luna," Lucian drawled with exaggerated mockery. "Come to see the airshow? Do you even know which end of a griffin is which?"
The others snickered. I didn't stop them. I wanted to see what game Elara was playing.
She looked at Lucian, her voice cold as winter stone. "Is there some prerequisite for attending? A special certificate, perhaps?"
Lucian was momentarily speechless, then his words turned venomous. "A sharp tongue won't help you. Are you trying to imitate Seraphina, hoping Kaelen will finally notice you? Don't waste your time." He leaned in, his voice a low, cruel whisper. "Let me tell you what you look like. A stray dog trying to grow wings."
"Seraphina is a born sky-rider! What are you? Can you even command these beasts?"
The laughter from my friends grew louder, their eyes dripping with contempt.
I watched her, waiting for her to break, to get angry, to show even a flicker of shame.
She did none of those things.
She simply swept her gaze over us, her expression placid, and said quietly, "Mastering a griffin... is that supposed to be impressive?"
The statement was met with a gale of laughter.
"Hah! Hahaha!" Lucian howled, bending over as if he were in physical pain. "Elara, have you lost your mind? Do you think riding a griffin is like taking a gentle Windrunner for a stroll? You are laughably stupid!"
"Exactly. Stop comparing yourself to Seraphina. You'll only make a fool of yourself."
My face hardened, and I finally spoke. "Elara, it's just a fact. Seraphina is the best rider in the Stormcliff Pack. There's no need to be jealous."
Jealousy?
She looked at me, and for the first time, her ice-blue eyes held a look of something akin to pity.
She was pitying me.
Just then, her communication crystal glowed. She stepped away to answer it, the sound of our unabashed mockery following her. I watched her speak a few words into the crystal, end the connection, and then turn toward the flight demonstration area behind the main hall.
What was she doing?
A sense of foreboding washed over me, and I immediately followed her.
I saw her walk toward a War-Branded Griffin. It was larger than a standard griffin, its body covered in magical glyphs that pulsed with battle-honed energy, its temperament notoriously volatile.
Liana was waiting there, wringing her hands. "Are you sure about this? This one is vicious!"
"It's fine," Elara's voice was calm. "The Silvermoon bloodline has a way with powerful creatures."
With that, she moved to mount the beast.
I couldn't hold back any longer. I lunged forward, my hand shooting out to clamp around her wrist.
"Elara, what the hell do you think you're doing? Are you insane? This is not a place for your games!" I thought she was acting out, pushed by our taunts, trying to prove something in the most foolish way imaginable. This wasn't a toy. She would get herself killed!
"Let go," she said, her eyes cold, not a flicker of doubt in them.
Liana rushed over and shoved me back. "Kaelen, get your hands off her! I asked her to help!"
I scowled, not believing a word. "Just because you're jealous of Seraphina, you're going to risk your life? Do you have any idea what this beast is? Get down from there, now!"
"I'll say it one more time. Let go," Elara's voice was laced with a warning. "And for the record, I have never found anything about Seraphina worth being jealous of."
With a sudden twist, she wrenched her arm free.
I stared at my empty hand, stunned by her strength.
Without a backward glance, she swung into the saddle, expertly donning the flight goggles and taking the reins.
Liana blocked my path, looking at me as if I were the biggest idiot on the continent. "You can't possibly believe the only she-wolf in the world who can ride a griffin is Seraphina, can you? You say she's jealous? Seraphina can ride a griffin. So what? Who cares!"
I glared at Liana. "What are you trying to say? That Elara can ride? She probably can't even identify the magical harnesses on its back!"
"Whether she can or not, you're about to find out," Liana said with a cold smirk.
In the few seconds we had been arguing, the War-Branded Griffin, once restless and hostile, had grown completely calm under Elara's touch.
My eyes widened in disbelief.
Under Elara's command, the beast took powerful strides, gliding smoothly down the runway.
Then, with a piercing cry that echoed through the arena, it spread its massive wings, kicking up a hurricane of wind as it launched itself into the sky.
I threw my head back, watching the figure shrink against the vast blue canvas above.
My pupils contracted. My mind went blank.
Elara…
She could actually ride a griffin.