Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 34

**Briony's POV**

"Crap, I didn't realize I'd dragged you guys through the woods for so long!" I wiped sweat from my forehead, guilt creeping in as I noticed the setting sun. "You really didn't have to follow me, you know."

Ethan drained half his water bottle in one go. "Like we had a choice. When you decide to sprint at full speed, it's either keep up or get left in your dust."

"Don't act like you hated it," Benjamin smiled, "You treated it like some personal challenge."

"My legs are definitely filing a complaint tomorrow," Christopher groaned, stretching.

"Worth it," Maxwell said simply, watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read.

Layla leaned against a tree, eyes bright with mischief. "When the queen decides on a royal tour, subjects just follow along."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Knock it off. I just needed to burn off some energy."

"Burn off?" Noah handed me a clean towel. "That was nuclear-level energy release." His voice softened. "But I get it. Sometimes your body needs to move so your brain can shut up."

I nodded while wiping my neck, surprised by how well he understood. Maybe it was our shared blood, or maybe he'd been watching me more closely than I realized.

"You know I'll be okay, right?" I asked quietly, making sure the others couldn't hear.

"I know," he matched my tone. "You're tougher than anyone. But being tough doesn't mean doing everything alone."

A familiar ringtone cut through our moment. Noah pulled out his phone, eyebrows lifting as he checked the screen. "It's Luna Isabella."

He put it on speaker, and Luna's melodic voice filled our little circle: "Are you all together?" Without waiting, she continued, "I need everyone back at the clubhouse now. Shower, dress nicely. I want to see you presentable in thirty minutes."

"What's going on, Mom?" Maxwell asked, concern edging his voice.

A light laugh came through the speaker. "Nothing to worry about. We just have important visitors, and your father wants you all there. Girls, come to my floor - I've laid out clothes for you."

"Who's visiting?" Christopher asked.

"It's a surprise," Isabella replied mysteriously. "Thirty minutes, don't be late." Before hanging up, we heard her mutter, "Hope there's enough time for the girls' hair..."

Noah pocketed his phone, frowning. "Who'd make Luna this excited?"

"Conrad, maybe?" Layla suggested. "Final Sentinel selection list?"

"No," Benjamin shook his head. "She wouldn't fuss this much over an instructor. Has to be someone bigger."

"Whoever it is," Maxwell said firmly, "we better move. When Mom says thirty minutes, she means 'you should've been ready yesterday.'"

We quickly gathered our stuff and headed for the parking lot. None of us wanted to meet VIPs looking like we'd been rolling in dirt.

"One hour," Layla whispered as we walked. "I bet Isabella gave herself a full hour for us girls but told the guys thirty minutes so they wouldn't drag their feet."

I nodded, smirking. "Smart tactical move."

Back at the clubhouse, we split up - boys to their suites while Layla and I took the elevator to the top floor. Isabella waited for us, amusement in her eyes as she took in our sweaty state.

"Silver Pines adventure?" she asked kindly, pointing us toward the master bathroom. "Everything's ready for you inside."

The bathroom was ridiculous - one wall entirely glass, overlooking the forest. A massive tub gleamed in one corner, with a shower stall big enough for a pack meeting in the other. The counter displayed fancy bath products, with fluffy towels stacked nearby.

After washing, we walked out.

Isabella's clothes surprised me - not formal gowns but elegant, comfortable dresses. Mine was deep blue, flowing like water, cleverly hiding my shoulder scars without looking obvious. Layla's was deep red, perfect against her olive skin.

"These are beautiful," I touched the soft fabric nervously. "But I'm not sure..."

"Don't worry about the cost," Isabella reassured me while arranging Layla's hair. "These were made for you girls. Taking care of the females in our pack is my job and my joy."

"Thanks," I said sincerely. "Not just for the clothes, but... everything."

She nodded, understanding in her eyes. After braiding Layla's hair in a complex pattern, she turned to me, gently brushing my hair.

"Your hair is beautiful," she commented. "Like sunlight through wheat fields. Just a bit of wave will frame your face perfectly."

Under her skilled hands, my hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders. Her touch was so gentle that I closed my eyes, enjoying the rare feeling of being cared for.

"So," I ventured while she made final adjustments, "are tonight's guests from the Sentinels? Conrad mentioned selection tests."

Isabella's fingers paused briefly before continuing. "Tonight involves the Sentinels, but it's more than that." She met my eyes in the mirror. "Some meetings are arranged by fate, Briony. No matter how small you feel, the stars adjust their paths for your dance."

Her cryptic words just made me more curious, but I knew better than to push when Luna decided to be mysterious.

"There," she stepped back, satisfied. "Simple yet elegant, just like you."

The mirror showed someone I barely recognized - not the scrappy fighter always lurking in shadows, but a confident young woman with bright eyes and natural grace.

"You look amazing," Layla breathed, herself transformed, looking like a princess from some exotic land.

"Don't get used to it," I joked. "Tomorrow I'm back in combat boots."

Isabella laughed. "Beauty and strength aren't opposites, dear. Sometimes showing your softer side takes more courage."

Her phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. She checked it, expression unreadable.

"The boys are waiting," she said simply. "It's time."

"Time? Why does that sound ominous?" Layla asked half-jokingly.

Isabella just smiled mysteriously. "Not a challenge - an opportunity. Ready?"

Layla and I exchanged glances, nodding together.

Following Isabella to the elevator, I noticed she'd changed into a pure white gown with delicate silver jewelry. Her unusually formal manner only heightened my curiosity.

The elevator opened to the low rumble of male voices and occasional laughter. We followed Isabella toward the sound, my heart pounding harder with each step.

As I entered the reception room, my breath caught. Standing in the center were several men who instantly commanded attention. The tall, powerful middle-aged man with an aura that made the room feel smaller - even before anyone spoke, I knew who he was. That inborn authority could only belong to one person.

The Alpha King.

He wore a dark suit, silver-gray hair gleaming, amber-gold eyes sharp as a hawk's. Beside him stood an elegant woman with silver-white hair braided with moonstone pieces - the Luna Queen. Behind them stood a younger man, clearly their son based on his features.

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like lead. Talking with Adam and Isabella was intimidating enough, but facing the highest ruler of the werewolf world? I had no clue what to do.

"Ah, the girls have arrived," Alpha Adam smiled, gesturing us forward. "Allow me to introduce Alpha King Nathan, Luna Queen Selena, and their eldest son, Prince Derek."