Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 42

**Briony's POV**

"Oh, that's the good part," Layla's eyes opened fully, her lips curving into a sly smile. "You passed out on Chris's shoulder immediately. The funny thing was, you had this death grip on his arm, and he looked way too pleased about it."

She sat up, stretching. "Then the triplets actually argued over who'd carry you back, but Noah pulled the brother card. He brought you here and had me stay so you could rest properly."

"That's ridiculous," I rolled my eyes. "Fighting over carrying me like I'm some prize toy."

The boys and Prince Derek burst into our room minutes later, descending on the remains of our breakfast like locusts. Despite Isabella's insistence it was all for me, she'd clearly anticipated their bottomless appetites.

"Seriously?" Layla stood up, crossing her arms with mock outrage. "Could you at least knock before barging in? We could've been changing!"

"We did knock," Ethan mumbled through a mouthful of toast.

"For like half a second," I added, unable to suppress a smile.

They shuffled out reluctantly, promising to wait in the hall. I grabbed a worn t-shirt and my oldest training pants - perfect throwaway clothes for what was coming.

"That's what you're wearing?" Layla frowned, eyeing my baggy outfit.

"I'm definitely shifting today," I explained, tying my hair into a high ponytail. "No way I'm ruining good clothes when I turn furry."

She nodded, pulling a small package from her bag. "Already packed you spares. Just in case."

The simple gesture warmed something inside me. Having someone actually think ahead for me still felt new.

In the hallway, Noah and Ethan were locked in an intense rock-paper-scissors battle.

"Yes!" Ethan pumped his fist triumphantly. "Ben, you're up for carrying duty!"

Benjamin sighed but crouched in front of me. "Hop on, shorty."

"You know I can walk perfectly fine on my own two legs, right?" I said, even as I climbed onto his back. His body heat seeped through our clothes, oddly comforting.

At the training grounds, I spotted my teammates from yesterday - Mark, Sophia, and Raven - already waiting. I slid off Benjamin's back and made quick introductions before my friends headed to the spectator area.

As soon as they left, anxiety crept in. Today I'd have to reveal my wolf. Only a handful of people knew I could shift, and even fewer had actually seen her. Would my father be angry about the deception? Shocked that I'd awakened so early?

Griffin approached, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention. "Today's tests are completely different from yesterday. You'll be performing individual challenges in wolf form. We've set up tents around the arena for private shifting."

Relief washed through me. At least I wouldn't have to show my scars to everyone.

In the tent, Sophia followed close behind me. "What's your plan for today?" she asked quietly. "You look about sixteen. No way you can face adult werewolves in human form."

I took a deep breath, deciding partial honesty was best. "Actually, I've had my wolf almost two years now. Part of why Griffin let me participate. We do human versus wolf training all the time."

"Two years?" Her eyes widened. "That's impossible! Even early awakenings happen at fifteen, sixteen at the earliest!"

"Beta's daughter," I shrugged, the lie sliding easier than expected. "My brother and his friends all got theirs around the same time. More common in high-ranking families."

She looked skeptical but dropped it, turning to her own preparations.

Only fifty contestants remained, about twenty female. I deliberately waited until last, approaching the two female warriors recording shifts only after everyone else had left.

"Still can't shift, honey?" the taller one asked kindly. "You do seem quite young."

"That's not it," I said. "Could I ask a favor? Record just my wolf's characteristics and not... other circumstances?"

They exchanged confused glances but agreed. I turned my back as I undressed, but once shifting began, I couldn't control my movements. I heard their gasps - they'd seen the scars. I could only hope they wouldn't tell anyone.

"Beautiful!" the shorter warrior exclaimed when my transformation completed. "That silver-blue coat must be dazzling in moonlight!"

*Told you we were special,* my wolf preened.

*Let's get out there before they send a search party,* I urged.

**Christopher's POV**

When Briony emerged in wolf form, I nearly forgot to breathe. Her silver-blue coat gleamed like pearls in sunlight. Though smaller than other wolves, she moved with unmistakable confidence.

"Look at her posture," I whispered to Maxwell. "Not a hint of fear."

"Just like her," he nodded. "Small in size, commanding in presence."

The first challenge, "Hunter's Intuition," required tracking hidden targets while avoiding guards. Most contestants charged straight in, but Briony circled the perimeter patiently, studying patrol patterns.

"What's she doing?" Ethan fidgeted. "Why not just blast through?"

"She's mapping their movements," Benjamin explained, unusual admiration in his voice. "Their routes are predictable. She's looking for openings."

On her third circuit, she chose an unexpected route, using terrain features for cover and slipping through during guard blind spots. When she returned with the target, the judges looked genuinely shocked - no one had anticipated such tactics.

For hours, she navigated agility tests, endurance races, sensory challenges, and water rescues, each designed to push contestants to their limits.

"She's even better than I imagined," Noah said, pride evident. "Her wolf seems perfectly made for this."

The final challenge, "Lone Wolf," pitted contestants against three Sentinels. When Briony's turn came, three massive wolves surrounded her in a triangle formation.

Instead of trying to break through the perimeter as expected, she charged directly at one of them - the most unexpected move possible. Just before collision, she pivoted sharply, flashing past his side before he could react.

What followed was breathtaking. She used every obstacle, every dip and rise in the terrain, constantly changing direction and pace. Several times they cornered her, but she always found a way out at the last moment, her silver-blue form streaking across the arena like lightning.

"Holy shit!" Ethan exclaimed. "How is she doing this? I can barely track her!"

When the final whistle blew, Briony had successfully evaded capture for the entire duration - one of the few to achieve it.

**Briony's POV**

After medical checks and recovery time, Griffin announced we could return to the tents to change back. I found him waiting for me inside.

He smiled at my wolf form. "Damn good work today, kid. You've been training harder than I realized."

My wolf dipped her head gratefully: *Thanks for your help. I just hope it's enough to get their attention for when I'm actually old enough.*

"Don't worry about that," he said quietly. "From what I hear, you outperformed everyone today."

Outside, the guys and Layla were waiting for me.

"Holy crap, Lightning!" Ethan scooped me up, spinning me around. "You were incredible! Those guards were sweating bullets trying to catch you!"

"Put her down, you idiot," Layla scolded, though her eyes sparkled with pride. "She just went through hell. The rest of us want hugs too."