s different now; where they had once looked at her with amusement or disdain, now there was something new. Curiosity. Respect. But she understood respect was a fragile thing, easily sha

the room as she headed towards her bed. She had pointed facial features and dark brown hair swept back into a loose ponytail. The other three were not hostile-facial, but something else. Her face wasn't hostile, though-neither was it friendly. It was curious. "You're bolder than you look," the woman said, stepping in closer to Raven. "And you are?" "Leah," she said. "You're going to need a friend here, and I think you're more fascinating than half of these idiots." Raven lifted a brow. "Depends.". Are you one of those who hoped to see me fail? " Leah smiled. "Nah. I like to see people prove people wrong." Raven stared at her, then nodded once. "Then I guess we'll see how long I last." Leah chuckled. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's training will make today a warm-up." As Raven lay down on the thin bed, exhaustion weighed heavily on her body. But even as sleep tugged at her, her mind raced. She had made the first move. She had won her first battle. But survival's fight was only just beginning. At Dawn, a shrill horn blast roused Raven from sleep. Around her, warriors were already rousing, some complaining, others moving with trained facility. Leah was awake, stretching her arms above

as equivalent to entering the arena itself, heart

nd mighty, seasoned fighter with a rep as

newcomer," Corin taunted,

ind out," she shot back, settling into a defensive stance. The world around her

ered with a kick to his thigh. The kick landed, and he stumbled backward a step, giving her a sense of triumph. But before

tant of triumph been so quickly dashed? But then she remembered what Leah had told her about showing

e force of her punch caught him by surprise, and he rotated to the floor. Raven's heart was racing in her chest as she realized she had t

th one last convulsion of willpower, Raven delivered a precise uppercut, and Corin stumbled backward onto the

, a glint of approval in his

feet. "You're a good fighter," she told hi

ance he threw her now. "You've gained some gr

and skepticism, now there was a burgeoning respect. Leah's earlier words returned to her. Perhaps survival wa

. With each blow, each fall, and each hair-raising second toughened her muscles and constitution. With each fight, Raven felt that

training field in heat. Kieran finally called for a break, and the warrior

u are at it-it's about how you function together as one pack. Unite and believe in each other. We are stronger as one." Raven stood attentiv