Chapter 4 Trial by Pack (and Papaya)

Cleo didn't sleep.

Not because the bed wasn't ridiculously soft-it was. She suspected the mattress was stuffed with unicorn down and the tears of stressed-out influencers.

No, the problem was everything else.

She was in a werewolf resort. Bonded to a guy she barely knew. Scheduled to be introduced to a group of magical political wolves tomorrow. And worst of all, someone had replaced her emergency chocolate stash with a note that read:

"Chocolate makes new werewolves unstable. – Management."

Cleo sat up at 2:47 a.m., stared at the mini-fridge, and whispered, "This is hell."

By morning, she was running on two hours of sleep, three espresso shots, and enough sarcasm to power a small town.

Luca met her in the lobby wearing a tight black shirt, tactical pants, and a smirk that said I may be your fated mate but I'm still annoyingly hot. Next to him was Celeste. Again. Wearing another green robe like it was a uniform of evil.

"Ready to meet the council?" Luca asked.

"No," Cleo said. "But I'm coming anyway. Like a brave idiot."

Celeste rolled her eyes. "Try not to drool on the alpha's chair."

"Try not to hiss at the sunlight, Dracula's cousin."

Luca cleared his throat. "Ladies."

Cleo and Celeste glared at each other like two cats who'd smelled the same tuna.

They walked through a set of golden doors and into the council chamber. Cleo expected something dark and moody, but no-it looked like a wellness TED Talk. Semi-circle seating, mood lighting, incense in the corner.

At the center stood five council members, all dressed in different shades of earth-tone seriousness.

One of them-an older woman with silver dreadlocks and fierce amber eyes-stepped forward. "This is the girl?"

"I'm Cleo," she said, offering a wave. "Bonded by scooter, powered by caffeine."

There was a stunned silence. Then a slow cough from the back.

"She's... unusual," the woman said.

"I prefer refreshing," Cleo replied.

The woman smiled faintly. "I am Elder Rema. You've formed a sacred bond with our heir. That makes you... important."

"Cool. Do I get a badge?"

Luca whispered, "Stop talking."

"Can't. Nervous babble mode activated."

Elder Rema continued. "Normally, the bonded mate of the heir must pass The Trial."

Cleo frowned. "That sounds very Hunger Games."

"It's more of a social test."

Luca added, "It's brunch. With the pack."

"Oh," Cleo said, relieved. "That's not so bad."

Celeste chimed in. "Except they'll be judging your scent, bloodline, and emotional resonance."

Cleo blinked. "I'm sorry-scent?"

"You smell like anxiety and mangoes," Celeste sniffed. "It's offensive."

Cleo turned to Luca. "Do I get to punch her at some point? Just curious."

"Not in front of the council," he murmured.

An hour later, Cleo was seated at a massive stone table surrounded by wolves in human form, all eating grilled meat and various fruits like it was normal. Someone passed her a smoothie.

"What flavor is this?" she asked.

"Papaya," a lean wolf-shifter named Jasper said, licking his lips. "Celeste's favorite."

"Of course it is."

Cleo took a sip. It was delicious. Which was a shame, because Celeste chose that exact moment to say loudly:

"I hope she doesn't choke. The last human couldn't handle papaya."

Cleo met her gaze, sucked the entire smoothie through the straw in one long, aggressive slurp, slammed the glass down, and said, "Delicious. Got any more?"

The table went dead quiet.

Then Elder Rema chuckled.

"Well," she said, "she's not boring."

Someone snorted. Jasper whispered, "We may actually like her."

Celeste hissed.

Cleo raised an eyebrow. "Do you ever stop doing that?"

"She's sensitive to citrus," Luca muttered under his breath.

Celeste stood abruptly. "Excuse me. I'm going to the moon chamber."

Luca leaned in. "She only goes there when she's furious."

"Good," Cleo said. "Hope the moon tells her to chill."

Then the door to the dining hall burst open.

A guard stepped in, pale and panting. "Alpha! Rogue wolves-two miles east. Tracking your scent."

Luca stood instantly. "Everyone stay inside."

But Cleo was already moving, adrenaline kicking in.

"Wait," Luca snapped. "You're not trained-"

"I'm also not helpless," she shot back.

Elder Rema stood slowly. "Let her come. The bond might stabilize faster under threat."

"What does that mean?" Cleo asked.

"It means if you survive," Rema said gently, "you'll earn your place."

"Oh yay," Cleo muttered. "Nothing like mortal peril to win friends."