Page 51 of The Onyx Covenant

“Exactly in this state,” Tarek iterates. “While your inhibitions are lowered, sort out the differences with your partner fast because you will need each other. Otherwise, consider yourself already failed.”

Theron leans close. “Stay calm. We can do this.” The steadiness in his voice surprises me.

“This is crazy,” Nero mutters, loud enough for me to hear.

“Preparedness is a luxury you will rarely have in battle or leadership,” Tarek replies. “The strongest wolves adapt.”

“Pair up with your Omegas,” Melian instructs. “You will travel as a team to the Darkbone Peaks.”

Murmurs ripple through the room. The Darkbone Peaks. Jagged mountains beyond both territories said to be haunted by the spirits of wolves who died in the ancient wars. Parts of the forests are also occupied by territorial trolls. Few who venture there return.

Aria’s face drains of color. “Shit!” she whispers, hand squeezing mine so tightly it hurts. “All those horrid stories we’ve heard about the place.”

I swallow hard, fear crystallizing in my gut. Theron’s gaze meets mine. We’re in this together now, whether I like it or not.

“Getting to the Darkbone Peaks is a transition to your trial,” Tarek explains. “You will face the elements, wild beasts… and perhaps even each other.”

His gaze sweeps across the room meaningfully.

“Some of you already contemplate how you might eliminate your competition,” Melian explains. “That is your right. The Harvest Ritual has always been as much about survival as leadership. But remember, your actions here will echo through your reign—should you survive to claim it.”

“But know this,” Tarek adds. “Once you reach the Bloodmoon Field at the heart of the Darkbone Peaks, the main Harvest commences. Then, the first pair to complete it will rule the Onyx Covenant for the next decade.”

I shift uncomfortably, my thoughts spiraling into dangerous territory. If Theron and I win, his pack will claim victory, but with my presence on his team, the influence of the Elios wolves won’t be ignored. But it will still be weak, as I doubt Theron’s father will not be involved. He wants me nowhere near the Onyx Covenant if the Umbra wolves win again.

My throat tightens as the weight of it all presses down on me. How am I even thinking about winning when I’m the weakest link on his team? I’m not a warrior like the others, and staying alive feels like a victory in itself. Yet… I can’t ignore what’s right in front of me. I have a dangerous, impossible chance to shift the outcome. If I hold back, if I let Theron stumble, Aria and Orion could take the lead. They could secure the win and ensure that the Elios pack controls the Onyx Covenant’s positions.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding as the weight of that decision coils tighter around me.

“One final warning,” Melian’s voice drops. “Your partner is the only one you can truly trust. They will have your back when no one else will. Remember this when the shadows grow long and the path seems uncertain.”

With those ominous words, they turn to leave, but Cassius stands.

“Wait! Just like that? No equipment, no weapons?”

Tarek pauses in the doorway. “You have the clothes on your back, the wolf in your blood, and whatever weapons you managed to conceal.” His smile is knowing.

He’s not wrong. My dagger is strapped to my waist beneath my tunic, and I’d bet my life every person in this room is similarly armed.

“May the moons guide your path. Meet us outside to commence,” Melian intones. Then they’re gone, leaving us in stunned silence that lasts approximately three heartbeats before the room erupts into chaos.

“This is a death sentence!” someone shouts.

“It’s a test of our resourcefulness,” another argues.

“It’s fucking lunacy,” someone else declares, but he’s already moving to gather what little he can from the table—a knife, a cloth napkin, anything useful.

Beside me, Theron is completely still. Then he turns to me, more focused.

“We need to move outside and start,” he says. “Now, while everyone’s still arguing.”

“What’s the rush?”

“First to leave, first to arrive.” He stands, and I quickly follow him. “Besides, do you really want to be here when the alliances start forming? When they remember how much they hate each other—and us?”

He has a point.

I turn to Aria beside me, leaning in to whisper, “We’re leaving now. You coming?”

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