Luca let out a slow breath. “You’re kidding.”
Solomon shook his head. “You may use wolf form or human form. You may not use tools. You may not ask for help.”
Nadia’s stomach tightened. She looked at the stone again and then at Luca. His shoulders rolled back as he studied the distance. He wasn’t smiling anymore, and neither was she.
The wind howled across the ridge and rattled the trees. Snow whispered along the ground. Somewhere below them a bird took off, wings beating hard against the cold air. Nadia wrapped her arms around herself and swallowed. She sucked in a sharp breath, and steam burst from her mouth into the frozen air. “Are you kidding me? That’s two miles away.”
Solomon nodded, completely unbothered as snow skittered across the ridge. “I know. It’s not meant to be easy.”
“This is stupid,” Luca said flatly. He planted his boots and stared at the slab of slate. “Who even cares about this?”
“The pack does,” Solomon replied, his tone calm but firm. “This challenge requires brute force and an understanding of slate as well as problem solving. Slate is what this pack was built on.”
Luca glanced at Nadia, his mouth twitching. “I’m not going to lie. If I never see another slab of slate for the rest of my life, I’d be fine.”
“These challenges have been intense.” Her shoulders tightened as the wind cut through her jacket.
Solomon inclined his head. “That’s the entire point.”
Her feet had gone numb. Now her ankles ached in a dull throb that crept upward every time she shifted her weight. She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re enjoying this.”
Solomon ducked his chin, almost sheepish. “I really am. Being the scholar around here gets boring. It’s nice to do something that actually matters.”
Nadia turned away before she said something she’d regret. The wind whistled through the trees below them, carrying the scent of snow and pine. The forest felt watchful and quiet in a way that made her skin prickle. “I don’t sense any soldiers nearby.”
“Oh, you won’t,” Solomon replied. “They’re out there. I promise. They have to keep their distance, but they’ll guard you both.”
“I’ll keep you safe,” Luca said without hesitation.
She lifted her chin. “I’m capable of protecting myself.”
He blinked. “I thought you couldn’t fight.”
She bristled. “I can fight. Just not well.”
That earned her a thoughtful look.
“Taryn is a very good fighter,” Solomon added helpfully.
Luca frowned, looking between them. “They don’t have to fight each other. Do they?”
Dread pooled low in Nadia’s stomach. How fast could someone learn to fight well enough to survive? Taryn had both size and experience on her, and she’d need some good moves just to keep standing.
“No,” Solomon said quickly. “That isn’t how it works. Once the Alpha is chosen, that person declares a mate from the females who endured at least one trial with him. Or her, of course.”
Luca looked back at the massive slab of slate and shook his head. “Does the grimoire say that an Alpha challenger could’ve been female?”
“Absolutely,” Solomon said. “There was no restriction, even back in the day. Anybody with Alpha blood could’ve challenged to be the pack Alpha. Only five of you stepped forward this time, and you’re all male. It’s too bad. I would’ve liked to have seen a strong female Alpha in these trials.”
“There’s Taryn,” Nadia said quietly.
Solomon nodded. “I asked her why she didn’t challenge for the Alpha position outright. She said she doesn’t know the pack well enough, and also that she doesn’t want to spend her life fighting off challengers.”
Nadia swallowed. “I totally understand.”
“All right,” Solomon said cheerfully. Far too cheerfully. He rocked back on his heels as if this were a picnic and not a test meant to break bodies. “Good luck. Once you reach the closed mine, don’t worry. You only need to propel the slab inside. Somehow.” He smiled that intelligent smile of his. “Best of luck with that.”
“Thanks,” Luca said dryly.
