The Alpha's Betrayal Rise Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 29 The Competency Gauntlet The drums strike again , loud as thunder . 2 今 回 Elder Thane raises his arms . " The Luna Competency Trial will have three tests : wisdom . ferocity , and mercy . The one who prevails shall be named rightful Luna of Silvercrest . " A hum ripples through the crowd , and torches flare as if on cue . Izel steps forward first , her pale gown whispering over the marble of the arena . She bows her head slightly to the High Council , then flashes me a sweet , poisonous smile . " May the Moon favor the worthy , " she says . " May she burn the false , " I reply coldly . 4×4 A carved stone table waits in the center ; placed atop it are three bowls containing salt , blood , and moonwater . A younger councilwoman , Esme , with short - cropped blonde hair , steps forward . " A Luna must know balance . Tell us which sustains the pack ." Izel answers eagerly . " Blood , of course . Without it , there is no life . " Esme gestures for me . I study the bowls , then finally speak calmly , " Blood gives strength , but salt preserves it . Water heals it . None sustain the pack alone . Balance does ." A murmur ripples through the crowd . Esme's lips twitch . " Correct . Luna Freya claims the first mark ." I sigh with relief . Esme raises her hand again . " Second question . A Luna must know her people's hearts ." She turns , her tone shifting to one of quiet challenge . " What breaks a pack fastest : hunger , war , or silence ? " Izel answers smoothly . " War . Wolves die in war . That's the end of all bonds . " Esme nods , then looks to me . " Silence ," I say. " Hunger and war can be endured together . But silence between wolves kills slowly - it makes them strangers . And a pack of strangers cannot survive ." 21:38 Wed , Oct 15 d . Chapter 29 The Competency Gauntlet : . ( 15 Finished A low rumble of approval from the crowd follows . Esme marks another symbol on the stone . " Freya Vale - Thorne claims the second mark . " My eyes instinctively explore in search of Rowan and find him soon enough . There's a smile on his face , which encourages me further . " Last question , " she says . " A Luna must know herself . Answer this : when the Moon hides her face , what remains to guide the pack ? " Izel tilts her chin proudly . " The stars , " she says . " Even when the Moon fades , her children remain to light our path . " Esme turns to me . " The howl , " I reply softly . " It's the call that binds us . When the Moon is gone , we guide each other home . " The elder frowns . " A fine sentiment , but wrong ." My heart stumbles . She gestures to Izel . " The stars are the Moon's promise . Her light endures through them ." Applause follows , thin , but enough for Izel to bow with smug grace . Esme nods . " One mark to Izel . Two to Luna Freya . Wisdom round complete ." Izel leans close as we pass each other . " Even the Moon doesn't favor you always . " I ignore her . 444 For the ferocity round , two warriors step forward from each pack to form a ring . The scent of sweat and dust fills the arena . " This is combat ," Thane announces . " No magic or tricks . Strength and skill alone ." I strip off my cloak and toss it to the floor . The air is cool against my skin , the marble cooler beneath my feet . Izel stretches her arms , eyes glinting with malice , The signal is given . She moves first - fast , sharper than I expected . Her staff cuts through the air , but I duck low , hit her legs with my own staff , and send her sprawling . Gasps ripple from the crowd . Izel snarls , rising , hair sticking to her face . 2/5 21:38 Wed , Oct 15 d Chapter 20. The x Gente1 D For coment " You'll regret that , " she hisses " I doubt it . " She feints left , then flicks her fingers , making a tiny spark appear . Witchfire . Green and unnaturally hot . It catches my arm , burning flesh . I bite back a cry . Gasps and shouts erupt . " Magic ! " Esme calls out sharply . " The test forbids witchcraft ! " Izel freezes , eyes wide , but it's too late . Esme strides forward with another elder , hands raised . The High Council murmurs among themselves . Elder Thane frowns , but he doesn't intervene . " Continue . " Esme orders coldly . " Without spells . " Izel glares at her but obeys . She snaps with her staff , which hits me straight at my cheek . making me yelp . I raise mine , but it slips from my hand like it's coated with oil . With a growl , I grip it harder , avoiding her blow . But it only feels more slippery . " Forgotten all your practice ? " Izel teases , smirking . I seize the opening and glide right , dropping the useless , rigged staff . I catch her wrist and twist . Her body hits the floor , toppling the staff from her hand . My knee pins her chest . She spits , screaming in frustration . " Yield , " I demand , calling forth Nyx's strength . She doesn't . So I slam my palm against her shoulder , forcing it to the ground so hard it's close to breaking like a stick . " Yield ," I repeat . Her teeth bare . " Fine . " The drums stop . " Freya Vale - Thorne wins the Test of Ferocity , " Esme declares . A few Nightfell wolves cheer . I catch Rowan's small , quiet smile from across the ring . *** Two guards drag in a wounded warrior - a trembling man with blood down his chest , barely able to stand . 3/5 21:38 Wed , Oct 15 d Chapter 29 The Competency Gauntlet Finishert Thane gestures . " Your last test . Mercy . You may end his suffering , or grant him reprieve . Choose wisely . " Izel steps first , not hesitating . " Mercy is release , " she says , and slits his throat . The crowd murmurs - some approving , others uneasy . My turn . I kneel beside another wounded wolf , his eyes dull with pain . " What is your name ? " I ask softly . " Calen , " he rasps . " Do you want to live ? " He nods weakly . I place my hand over his heart , close my eyes , and whisper the Moon's Benediction . It's a simple healing prayer , one every Luna is taught . His breathing becomes steady , and the blood flow slows . When I rise , the arena is quiet . " She spared him , " someone finally whispers . Another voice- " That's the duty of a Luna . To heal and to save ." Esme lifts her voice above the murmurs . " Freya Vale - Thorne has passed all three tests . By law , she stands Luna of Silvercrest . " Cheers rise - Nightfell , Silvercrest , even from Ravencourt . But Thane doesn't clap . His expression is cold and unreadable . " Not yet , " says a voice , smooth and chilling . The crowd parts . A woman steps forward . Her hood falls back , revealing a pale face , eyes blue as the ocean . It takes a second to understand the resemblance . She's Izel's mother , Nyssa . " I challenge the verdict , " she says . " By Lunar law of blood - bond and lineage , one bound by the challenger's blood may invoke the Trial by Blood . The victor claims the Luna's crown . The fallen forfeits life . " 4/5 21:39 Wed , Oct 15 d The Alpha's Betrayal Rise Of The Rejected Luna