The crowd still buzzed with astonishment as Eila stepped down from the arena. The last embers of her magic were still smoldering on the ground behind her, leaving behind scorched earth and a stunned silence that had only recently erupted into roaring applause. Her hands trembled—not from exhaustion, but from the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She had done it.
A tall examiner in ceremonial black robes stood at the podium, calling out names and results in a loud, unwavering voice.
"Candidate Thirty-Six—Eila Johnson. Perfect score in both physical and magical categories. Rank: First."
The moment her name and rank echoed across the arena, there was a wave of gasps followed by thunderous clapping. Eila froze. First? She hadn't dared hope for that. Her breath caught in her throat, and her knees felt like they could give out at any moment. A pair of strong arms caught her before she stumbled.
Leonard's icy blue eyes locked onto hers with a warmth that melted every shred of anxiety she had left. "You were magnificent," he whispered, brushing a kiss against her temple. His fingers brushed the stray strands from her face, grounding her.
Then, in perfect synchrony, Lukas and Zois appeared on either side of her. Lukas ruffled her hair, a grin stretching wide across his face. "We knew you had it in you, little wolf."
Zois simply wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her in close, his voice lower and teasing, "Though I didn't expect the fireball of death. That was… beyond expectations."
Eila let out a breathless laugh, overwhelmed. The three of them surrounding her, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world—it was all too much. She tried to speak, but words refused to form.
"Let's get out of here," Leonard murmured, already guiding her gently by the small of her back.
They exited through the private side gate of the arena where a sleek black carriage was waiting—one that bore the crest of the Beta House. No one stopped them. Not even the professors dared question the presence of Alpha Magnus's sons and the elusive Leonard Blackwell escorting a candidate.
The ride was quiet at first. Eila sat between Lukas and Zois, while Leonard sat opposite, his gaze never leaving her face. Lukas handed her a flask of chilled rosewater. "You've earned this. Drink."
She sipped, grateful for the coolness against her parched throat. "I didn't expect this," she admitted finally. "I just… I wanted to pass."
"And you destroyed the arena," Zois smirked.
"You made history," Leonard said softly. "No other female wolf has ever ranked first in both categories at Moonshine University's entrance exams. You shattered centuries of silence, Eila."
Her eyes brimmed with emotion. She had done it. For herself. For her parents. For every girl in the pack who had been told to lower her eyes and shrink herself.
They arrived at Leonard's estate—he had insisted on hosting a private dinner for her, just the four of them. The servants already had the table laid out in the candlelit garden. The scent of jasmine lingered in the air, mingling with the aroma of roasted meats, fruits soaked in honey, and warm bread.
Later, after the meal, they walked through the rose gardens under the moonlight. The soft breeze lifted the hem of Eila's dress, and the boys surrounded her once again like silent sentries.
Leonard took her hand. "Come with me."
The others followed without question.
He led them to a secluded marble gazebo tucked behind the lavender fields. Moonlight spilled across the space, silvering their faces. Leonard pulled her into his arms. "I was scared today."
Eila blinked. "You? Scared?"
"I've watched warriors fall to those golems. I've seen magic rebound and consume its caster. But you…" He touched her cheek. "You didn't just survive. You ruled."
Lukas came behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You were fierce, Eila."
Zois stepped in front of her, his expression softer than usual. "And every second of it, we couldn't look away."
They were all touching her now—hands entwined with hers, warm breaths brushing her skin. She stood in the center of their attention, not as a girl in need of protection, but as a warrior who had earned their pride and reverence.
"I'll fight for all of you," she whispered, tears glinting in her eyes. "For my family. For the truth. For this pack."
Leonard pressed a kiss to her forehead. "And we'll fight beside you."
Under the silver gaze of the moon, surrounded by the three souls bound to her by fate and fire, Eila closed her eyes. For the first time in what felt like forever, she believed that everything might just be okay.