Meredith.
"We will see," he said simply.
Just that.
I stared at him, half-annoyed, half-amused. "You’re impossible," I muttered under my breath.
Dennis laughed lightly. "You’re no fun," he told Draven.
Draven ignored him. His gaze settled back on me, cooler now.
"Go inside. Change your clothes."
His voice wasn’t sharp, but it was final.
"Yes, Alpha," I teased softly, even as I turned to leave.
And as I walked away, towel clutched tight, I still found myself smiling because I had passed, and Draven’s eyes were no longer cold as they used to be.
What one night of deep passion changed.
---
I didn’t even make it up the stairs before Dennis appeared beside me, grin already in place.
"Draven gave you a week off. That’s a reward worth celebrating."
"You mean actual rest," I corrected.
"And gifts," Dennis added, wagging his brows.
He reached into his pocket and held out a slim box.
I blinked. "What is it?"
"Open it."
Inside was a delicate silver bangle with a small, flat pendant — etched in tiny, curling script was a word in the werewolf tongue I barely recognized.
"It means Fearless," Dennis said softly, seeing my puzzled look. "Because you didn’t give up. Not once."
For a breath, the knot in my chest loosened. "Thank you," I murmured, fingers brushing the cold metal. It was such a meaningful gift.
"Don’t thank me yet," he teased, stepping back. "Wait until you hear what’s worth."
"What is it worth?" My curiosity got the better of me.
Instead of answering my question, he shook his head, turned back around and ran away.
---
When I finally made it back upstairs, towel still draped around my shoulders and Dennis’ gift clutched carefully in my palm, I barely stepped into my room before Deidra nearly knocked the air out of me with her excitement.
"My lady!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "You passed, didn’t you?"
Azul was right behind her, hands clasped over her chest. "We knew you would."
"How did it go? Was it hard?" Arya asked breathlessly, barely giving me space to move.
"It was..." I began, but Deidra was already bustling around, fetching a fresh dress while the others hovered like worried sparrows.
"It was harder than I thought," I admitted, a crooked smile tugging at my lips. "But I passed. Barely."
"You passed," Azul corrected gently, her voice soft and pleased.
Kira stepped closer, eyes bright. "We knew you could do it. You’ve been practicing every morning with so much zeal."
Cora, quieter as always, smiled and reached to touch my damp sleeve. "We’re so proud of you, my lady."
My chest tightened a little at that — an unexpected warmth prickling at the edges of my tiredness.
My maidservants were really my cheerleaders. Well, Dennis included.
"Oh, and look," I added, remembering, holding out the bangle Dennis had given me. "A gift for passing."
They gathered close to look. Deidra gasped softly, fingertips hovering over the silver pendant. "Fearless... that suits you," she murmured.
Azul’s gaze lifted to my face. "It really does."
A few minutes later, they helped peel off my damp clothes, towel-dried my hair, and wrapped me into something warm and soft.
All the while, their chatter didn’t stop: speculating what Draven might give me (Azul thought a dagger; Deidra hoped for a horse), and how proud he must have been, even if his face didn’t show it.
Their gentle fussing, their excitement on my behalf — it warmed something quiet and small in my chest.
"Don’t be too happy. This is just the first step."
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