I never expected to find acceptance among the other contestants, yet here I was, sitting on my straw mattress, surrounded by faces that no longer regarded me with suspicion. It was an unfamiliar feeling.
Harry, Maria, and Lily lounged nearby, chatting as if we weren't in the midst of a fierce competition. I suspected my scandal with Harry had something to do with their change in attitude. It seemed that one moment of affection was enough to alter their perception of me.
Lily spoke enthusiastically, her eyes bright. "Can you imagine winning the Luna Trials? I could finally bring recognition to my pack, maybe even clear my father's name. He never committed treason, I'm certain of it."
I resisted the urge to dismiss her naivety. She was living in a fantasy if she believed winning this comp
