Chapter 96
Chloe's POV
I successfully joined Price's Fight Gym.
As I walked out of the detention zone, the sky had already darkened. The distant mountains looked like a black barrier in the twilight. I took a deep breath, feeling a force I'd never experienced before surging in my chest—not the power of a wolf, but something deeper.
On my way back to the wolf house to pack, my mind replayed everything that had happened today. Leon's guards, Frank's cold eyes, Ivan's complex expression, and the hope in the eyes of those detention zone residents. I knew I'd done something crazy, but I didn't regret it.
One month until the hunting trial.
One month to defeat Connor and hunt the biggest prize without an awakened wolf spirit—it sounded like a joke. But I had no other choice.
Either prove myself in the trial, or become a pawn in a political marriage, wed to some stranger whose name I didn't even know.
When I pushed open the front door, Connor was leaning against the hallway wall, playing with a dagger. He looked up, his lips curling into that mocking smile I hated most.
"I heard you caused quite a stir in the detention zone today," he said slowly, the blade spinning between his fingers. "Even scared Leon off."
I ignored him and headed straight for my room.
"Wait." Connor pushed off the wall and blocked my path in a few strides. "I'm curious, sister. You really think some homeless rogue can teach you anything? A gym run by people like that—what can it teach you besides how to roll in the mud?"
"Move aside," I said coldly.
"You know, Leon came to see Father today," Connor continued, showing no intention of letting me pass. "He said you publicly accused Jordan of treason. Tsk tsk, quite the accusation. Father was actually pleased—after all, you finally did something worthwhile, defending the Alpha's authority." He paused, his eyes growing more contemptuous. "But do you think that changes anything? In a month's trial, you'll still lose spectacularly."
I clenched my fists. "How do you know?"
"Because I know you, sister." Connor leaned in close, his voice dropping low. "You have no talent, just pathetic passion. No matter how good that rogue trainer is, he can't change your inherent defects. You think learning a few fighting techniques will help you beat me in the hunting trial? Dream on."
His words cut like knives into my heart, but I forced myself to stay calm. I looked up, meeting his eyes.
"We'll see."
Connor froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Good, good! I can't wait to see what surprise you bring me in a month." He patted my shoulder, the force nearly making me stumble. "Good luck, sister. Don't disappoint me."
He turned and left, leaving me alone in the dim hallway. My shoulder still ached, but I gritted my teeth and didn't rub it. I couldn't show any weakness in front of him.
Back in my room, I started packing. A few changes of clothes, some daily necessities, and the old scarf my mother left me. I folded them one by one and put them in my backpack. The room was quiet, only my breathing and the occasional wind outside.
I sat on the edge of the bed, looking at this room that had accompanied me growing up. My childhood drawings still hung on the wall, dried flowers Grace gave me sat on the windowsill. Everything was so familiar, yet suddenly felt strange. I knew that once I left here, my life could never go back to what it was.
But I had no choice.
I stood up, shouldered my backpack, took one last look at the room, then closed the door.
The hallway was empty. I wanted to leave directly, but after thinking about it, I decided to see my father. After all, he was my father and the Alpha of this pack.
I should tell him my decision.
When I reached my father's bedroom, dim yellow light seeped through the door crack. I was about to knock when I heard voices inside.
"The witches of Thornwood Forest have been subdued by the Blood River Pack." That was Beta Ethan's voice, low and grave. "They only resisted for three weeks before surrendering completely to the Blood River Pack's Crimson Flame Warlord."
My hand froze in mid-air.
"So what?" My father's voice came through, sounding tired. "We border the Silver Moon Pack. They won't stand by and do nothing."
"Alpha, with all due respect," Ethan said, "the Silver Moon Pack has their own problems. Their internal power struggle isn't over yet—they have no time to care about us. If the Blood River Pack really attacks, we must be prepared."
A silence.
"I've already instructed Connor," my father finally spoke. "In this hunting trial, he must hunt the biggest prey, so that sister of his will give up and obediently go through with the marriage alliance. Only through marriage alliance can we gain enough support to guard against invasion."
My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand.
"Speaking of Chloe," Ethan's voice continued, "Leon said she's been causing quite a commotion in the rogue detention zone."
"Let her make a fuss if she wants." My father's tone was full of disdain. "She can't possibly hunt the biggest prey anyway. Becoming a marriage alliance bride—that's her destiny, and her only value to the family."
My vision blurred.
I turned around, my footsteps so light I couldn't even hear them myself. The hallway was long, each step like walking on knife points. I heard my own heartbeat, heavy and slow, as if it would burst from my chest.
My father's words echoed in my mind: "Her only value to the family."
So in his eyes, I was never his daughter—just a commodity for trade.
I quickened my pace, through the hallway, through the courtyard, all the way outside the house.
The night wind was cold, cutting like knives against my face, but I felt more clearheaded.
I didn't look back.
Behind me was the home I'd lived in for seventeen years. Ahead was an unknown fate.
But at this moment, I just wanted to leave, as far away as possible.
I'd walked the road to the detention zone once before, but this time it felt especially long. Night shrouded the entire area, with only scattered lights shining from dilapidated houses. I heard a baby crying in the distance, and a woman's soft soothing.
The door to Price's Fight Gym was still open, warm light spilling out. I pushed it open to see Ivan organizing equipment while Frank sat in the corner polishing an old sword.
Hearing the door open, they both looked up.
"You're back?" Ivan seemed surprised. "I thought you'd come tomorrow."
"I want to start training early," I said, my voice calmer than I expected.
Frank looked me over, said nothing, just nodded. "There's an empty room upstairs. You can stay there."
"Thank you."
I climbed the narrow stairs and found the so-called "empty room." It was small, with only a bed, a cabinet, and a window. But it was clean, the bed made with faded sheets, and an unfamiliar small flower pot sat on the windowsill.
I put my backpack on the bed and walked to the window. From here I could see most of the detention zone. In the distance was the high wall, beyond it the Lightning Wolf Pack's territory, and farther still, the home I never wanted to return to.
I sat on the edge of the bed, touching the scarf my mother left me.
It was old now, the edges frayed, but it still carried her scent—a faint lavender fragrance.
"Mom," I said quietly, "I made a crazy decision. I don't know if it's right or wrong, but I have no other choice."