I went to visit Mother first, and she showed no particular expression when she saw me. Instead, she tossed me a thick, weathered book and instructed me to study it thoroughly.
I brushed off the dust that had settled on the cover and carefully tucked it into the pocket of my jacket. Only then did Mother look up at me, her gaze sharp and assessing.
"Training complete," she stated.
I nodded in response.
For the first time, I caught a flicker of approval in her eyes. She rose gracefully from her seat and placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "I knew this day would come."
She then slid the silver bracelet from her wrist, the one she’d worn for as long as I could remember, and pressed it into my palm. "This is the Moonstone Bracelet. It accelerates healing during combat and amplifies your aura."
Her words were measured, but there was an unmistakable weight to them. "I’m entrusting it to you. In three months, you’ll represent me at the Pack Trials."
The statement caught me off guard. The Pack Trials were a rare event, held once every few years, and each pack carefully selected their strongest warrior to compete. Victory not only elevated one’s standing but also granted access to legendary artifacts that could enhance a werewolf’s power exponentially.
I clenched the bracelet tightly, the cool metal pressing into my skin, and gave Mother a solemn nod.
"Thank you, Luna," I said, my voice steady despite the surge of anticipation coursing through me. "I won’t let you down."
