Chapter 44

Sara, who stood beside them with her usual calm, nodded. “Stick together, and we’ll ace this round. Let’s make Blue Mountain proud.”

They moved to the starting line, each mentally preparing. As Zoe took her place, she felt eyes on her and glanced across the field to see Ewan and several Ironclaw pack members watching them with cold, assessing stares. Ewan’s lips twisted into a mocking smirk, and he gave her a condescending nod as if already counting her out.

The whistle blew, and the round began. Zoe and her friends sprang forward, navigating a series of intricate obstacles: high walls, ropes to climb, rings of fire to leap through, and enchanted water barriers that required skill to pass. Each of her friends displayed their unique strengths. Dominic moved like lightning, surging ahead with his natural speed; Nikola’s movements were precise, almost calculated, weaving through the obstacles with an intense focus. Sara’s agility allowed her to twist and dodge gracefully, and Zoe felt he