Outside the hospital, the entire landscape was a stark contrast to the clean, sterile walls inside. The Royal Pack hospital’s dark gray brick exterior looked more like a manor house than a medical facility, framed by wood beams and rows of flowering vines that softened its stone structure. A gravel path wove between meticulously pruned hedges and flowerbeds, winding toward the expansive mountain view.

I took a deep breath of crisp mountain air, my energy lifting instantly. The sun was out, casting a warm glow over the landscape, and my wolf stirred with excitement at the thought of training in this breathtaking territory.

Warrior Hogan led the way down a gentle slope through dense, towering evergreens. Alpha Reggie and I followed in silence, and soon the quiet crunch of gravel beneath our feet was the only sound, swallowed by the vastness of the forest. When we emerged from the trees, I had to blink twice to believe my eyes.

The building in front of me was massive, larger than the pack house back home, with clean white stone and black accents that lent it a polished elegance. Twin columns framed the entryway, giving it the imposing appearance of an old estate—a place built for leaders and warriors alike.

“Welcome to the Elite Training Compound, Selene.” Hogan glanced over his shoulder, a small grin playing at his lips.

“This is… where I get to train?” I stammered, overwhelmed. “It looks like a castle. Are you sure this isn’t a country club for royalty?”

Reggie chuckled. “Don’t let the exterior fool you. Our warriors take training very seriously here.”

“Oh, I believe you.” I winced as a memory of a past sparring session surfaced. “I’ve felt their hits. But I guess I expected wood barracks and bunk beds or something.”

Hogan and Reggie shared a knowing look before guiding me inside. The interior was just as grand as the outside, with twin staircases sweeping up to the second floor. Past the staircase, a sprawling living area opened up, a wall of windows behind it revealing a view of the dense forest that stretched across the Royal Pack’s territory. In the center of the room stood a fireplace large enough to walk inside.

“The comfort here is well-deserved,” Reggie said as I took it all in. “Our warriors spend most of their time out in the field, training or on missions. When they’re here, we want them to have a place where they can truly recharge.”

To the left, we entered a massive kitchen equipped with multiple cooktops, rows of ovens, and a wall of refrigerators—built to serve the appetites of elite warriors. My excitement must have been obvious.

“Think you could handle living here, Selene?” Reggie asked, his amusement barely concealed.

“Are you kidding? I’ve only seen the kitchen, but this place is amazing!”

He chuckled warmly. “Good. You’ll spend a lot of time here, so I’m glad you like it. But I should leave the rest of the tour to Hogan. I’m not actually based here myself.”

“Thank you, Alpha Reggie. You didn’t have to stay with me this long.”

Reggie waved away my apology. “I wanted to see your reaction, Selene. And I did want to talk to you about a few things before I go.”

We took a hidden staircase near the kitchen that led to the dormitories on the second floor. Hogan explained that each warrior had their own room—no forced roommates here. “You’ll be surrounded by the best of the best, but that doesn’t mean everyone gets along all the time. Sharing rooms would be… counterproductive,” he added with a smirk.

He stopped at a door halfway down the hall and pushed it open. “This is yours.”

My new room was cozy yet functional. The walls were a clean white with black trim, contrasting against a light blue comforter on the queen-sized bed. A desk in the corner held a stack of books and supplies for my studies. It was simple but thoughtfully designed, every piece as practical as it was comfortable.

“Your floor leader will introduce herself later,” Hogan said. “You’ll share a bathroom with the other warriors on this floor. Omegas clean daily, but we expect you to keep your space respectful and orderly. After all, we’re here to support each other, not to leave a mess for others to deal with.”

“Yes, sir.” I nodded, already feeling a sense of belonging.

“Now,” Reggie said, motioning for me to sit. “There’s one last thing we need to discuss, Selene.”

I settled onto the bed, sensing a shift in his tone. He towered over me, his expression stern.

“There are too many unsettling similarities between your attack and the threat that targeted Luna Queen Anne and Luna Ava. You and your wolf don’t remember anything more about that night?” he asked, his voice gentle but firm.

My mind sifted through fragments of memory, my wolf’s voice joining in my thoughts. “No, sir. My wolf and I both remember very little after they came into the locker room. But I know there were at least three attackers. The leader didn’t lay a hand on me—she only spoke. But her voice was so close, almost like she wanted me to remember.”

“And the scent?” Hogan prompted, leaning against the doorframe, eyes narrowed.

“That’s just it—there wasn’t any. No scent at all,” I said, still frustrated at the strangeness of it. “Even the ring leader had no scent. I knew it was Stacey only by her voice. It’s almost like she wanted me to know she was responsible but didn’t want to leave proof. As if… she thinks she’s untouchable.”

Reggie’s gaze hardened, his expression a mixture of concern and resolve. “That’s helpful, Selene. Knowing what we’re up against will help us keep everyone here safe.”

Hogan placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “You’re part of our family now, Selene. We take care of our own.”

The warmth of his words filled me with a sense of security I hadn’t felt in ages. I was finally somewhere I could belong, somewhere I could grow stronger.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Get settled in,” Reggie instructed. “Training starts early, so get some rest tonight.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I said, already anticipating the challenges to come.

Once they left, I took a moment to let it all sink in. Here, in this place of strength and honor, I would prove myself. Not just to the Royal Pack or to the warriors, but to myself. Stacey’s cruelty was nothing compared to what I would become.

My wolf stirred in the back of my mind, her confidence bolstering my own.

This is just the beginning, she whispered.

A thrill ran through me. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I wasn’t just surviving.

I was ready to fight.