Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 155

**Briony's POV**

"My little Sentinel is finally back!" Aria crushed me in a hug that squeezed the air from my lungs.

"Can't breathe," I laughed, wiggling free. "Where've you been? I haven't seen you for two days."

She released me, stepping back to look me over, tears gathering in her eyes. "Don't ask. Luna Selena sent me to the castle on some errand. Those noble girls have been swarming Derek while you were gone. I had to play his date through countless meetings." She rolled her eyes dramatically. "All because of your performance at that meeting. Now every Luna and her daughter is dying to meet you."

"I just answered some questions," I shrugged. "Not like I gave some mind-blowing speech."

"Stop being modest," Aria gave me a playful shove. "You stood up to an Alpha in front of everyone! People are still talking about it months later. Several Lunas specifically asked Alpha King Nathan about you. You should've seen how proud he looked telling them you were on a special mission. Like a dad showing off his kid."

I coughed awkwardly and turned to the quiet girl beside me. "Aria, this is Freya. We met during my mission. She's the daughter of Crescent City Pack's Alpha." Noticing Freya's discomfort, I added, "We just escaped together."

"Maybe not an Alpha's daughter anymore," Freya said quietly, her gaze dropping. "Not sure how many of my pack survived, or if my home still exists."

"Don't say that," I squeezed her hand. "That's partly why we brought you here. The Sentinels have connections across the continent. If your people are out there, we'll find them."

"Hope you're right," Freya attempted a smile.

"How long were you locked up?" Aria asked, leading us toward the dining hall. "Was anyone else captured with you?"

I felt Freya's hand tense in mine. Seeing her pale face, I shook my head. "Let's save those questions for later. Alpha King Nathan will want details, but she doesn't need to relive it multiple times. That place doesn't exactly bring back warm fuzzy memories."

*She might open up to you first,* Aria said through our mind link. *But we really need her to talk so we can help.*

*I get that,* I responded. *But imagine what she went through. Being captured, imprisoned, abused. She needs time to adjust.*

*You're right.* Aria's concern flowed through our link.

We sat at a long table, our trays loaded with food. Despite Diana's warning about easing back into normal eating, I couldn't resist the smell of roasted meat and fresh vegetables. The first bite of hot, juicy meat made me groan with satisfaction.

"Jeez, are you inhaling that food?" Aria raised an eyebrow. "Didn't Diana tell you to take it slow? Your stomach's shrunk - you'll be puking everywhere."

"If Taric hadn't said the same thing, I'd ignore you," I mumbled around a mouthful, shoving in more bread. "But this tastes too good, and I'm starving."

"Better listen to Taric," Aria nodded, fighting a smile. "Otherwise, you'll have an 'enthusiastic entry, miserable exit' situation."

We burst into laughter, and even Freya's shoulders relaxed a little.

As we ate, more Sentinels joined our table. Mark and Cyrus squeezed in beside us with heaping trays, while Sophia and several female Sentinels gathered around, bombarding Freya with questions about her condition and our escape. Everyone offered to help Freya find her people, filling the air with genuine warmth.

The next morning, Taric showed up at my door right on time. He practically dragged me out for morning runs, each step feeling like I was wearing concrete shoes. Though I used to love these runs, now I just wanted to crawl back to bed.

*Seriously? You used to live for morning runs,* my wolf teased. *Always first one out the door.*

*That's because running was the only thing keeping me from punching Victoria's face,* I replied, panting. *And it helped me lower my guard, made me less afraid of ambushes. Different now.*

*So you need new motivation,* she mused. *Think about Noah and those boys. They've definitely been training hard while you were gone. When you get back, they'll test you. Want them to see a weaker Briony?*

That thought lit a fire in me. I quickened my pace, passing an equally winded Freya.

"Why'd you speed up?" she asked between breaths, cheeks flushed. "What's so funny?"

"My wolf reminded me of something," I explained as we ran. "My brother Noah and my friends back in Polaris are probably training like crazy, trying to get better than me. I can't let them look down on me when I get back. I set goals before I left, and now I need to work twice as hard."

"So it's your competitive side?" Freya raised an eyebrow, following as we turned onto a gravel path leading to the training grounds.

As we cleared the last bushes, the massive training area spread before us. Freya stopped dead, eyes wide.

"Whoa," she breathed. "Our pack's training area was nothing like this."

"Welcome to Sentinel training," I said proudly. "Instructors set up different courses depending on what we're working on. Sometimes it's a full obstacle course, sometimes specific skills. These facilities will keep you busy for months. Plus we have strength training areas and combat halls."

"Hey, you two!" Mark called from nearby, waving us over. "Ready for today's challenge?"

"Hell no!" Freya and I answered together, then looked at each other and laughed.

Mark explained the day's training - a complete obstacle course with participants starting thirty seconds apart. I pulled Freya to the back of the line, watching how others tackled each obstacle.

When my turn came, adrenaline was already pumping. I moved through wooden posts, climbing walls, balance beams, hanging rings, and crawl nets. My muscles screamed and my lungs burned, but I pushed through.

Crossing the finish line, I was soaked and filthy, but couldn't stop grinning. This was where I belonged. The challenge, the feeling of pushing past my limits - it filled me with life.

Freya completed the course too, gasping for breath but eyes bright with excitement.

"Good work, considering your condition," a Sentinel instructor said, noting our times. "Five-minute break, then clean up. Alpha King Nathan and Warrior Taric want you in the operations room ASAP."

I blinked. "Operations room? Now? I thought we'd have days of adaptation training and psych evaluations first."

"Not my call," he shrugged. "Just know you've been summoned. According to schedule, you have - " he checked his watch, "less than ten minutes. Better hurry."

I grabbed Freya's arm and sprinted toward the dorms.

"What's wrong?" she asked as we ran.

"Around here, being on time isn't optional," I laughed, picking up speed. "Trust me, you don't want to find out what happens when you're late. So, run!"