CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168: TWO FACES OF THE SAME SOUL

A tall werewolf pushed his way out, grinning from ear to ear. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he looked at Serena. "And who might say no to a fight, huh? Well, in the end, if the Alpha doesn’t mind, then I don’t. And if she doesn’t mind, then I surely don’t."

The others around him laughed loudly, some whistling. One even shouted, "Careful, she might bite harder than you, fool!"

Vaelen scowled at their teasing but didn’t say anything. Serena saw his expression and almost laughed herself. But her heart was beating fast with excitement.

She didn’t want to back down.

Her blood was burning with fighting spirit. She wanted to test herself, to see how far she could go. She looked straight at the challenger and nodded firmly.

"Alright," she said. "Let’s fight."

The crowd erupted again.

And then it started.

The moment the werewolf lunged forward, Serena knew this fight was different. He wasn’t holding back. His strikes were heavy, his speed faster than Vaelen’s had been. His aura carried that Alpha blood.

But the most shocking thing? Serena matched him.

Step by step, strike by strike, she didn’t falter. She dodged, blocked, and countered with equal precision, her moves sharper and sharper with each round. The fight burned hotter, fiercer. Even the young Alphas who had been watching leaned forward now, their cheers rising louder.

"Damn, she’s holding her ground!" "Look at that kick!" "Vaelen really went easy on her!"

Vaelen’s jaw tightened at their words, but he didn’t interrupt. His eyes stayed fixed on Serena. He was watching every move she made.

The fight went on until both of them finally stepped back at the same time. There was respect in the challenger’s eyes as he stopped, straightened, and suddenly caught Serena’s hand.

Before she could react, he bent down and pressed a kiss on the back of her hand.

"My, my," he said with a sly smile. "May I know the name of the beautiful lady standing before me? It’s the first time I’ve found a she-wolf this strong. Beautiful and powerful."

He bowed dramatically, clearly flirting.

Serena’s face heated, but before she could answer, her hand was yanked away.

Vaelen’s growl cut through the air. "Don’t you dare." His glare was sharp enough to cut stone. "She is my sister."

For a moment, the entire training ground went silent. Then... everyone laughed.

"Come on, Vaelen, since when did you have a sister?" "Don’t lie! Your sister can’t just grow up overnight!" "Maybe she fell from the sky yesterday!"

The warriors laughed so hard some clutched their stomachs.

Vaelen’s eyes flashed dangerously. He snarled at them with a bad expression. "She’s my uncle’s daughter. Do you hear me? My uncle’s."

That shut them up instantly.

The laughter died, replaced by stunned silence. Everyone stiffened. Their eyes widened, and slowly they turned to stare at Serena again.

The resemblance hit them like a wave. The silver hair. The sharp features. The cold aura hidden in her soft face.

They exchanged nervous looks. Someone muttered under his breath, "Oh no..." Another whispered, "She really looks like him."

The challenger who had kissed her hand swallowed hard. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, trying to smile but failing.

"Ah... see you later, lady," he stammered, bowing again before quickly stepping back.

The others burst into nervous chatter.

"We dare not mess with her." "Who wants a beating from that uncle of his?" "I still remember training under him... no, thank you!"

The whole crowd shook their heads, half terrified, half laughing at their own fear.

Serena just stood there, speechless. She didn’t know whether to laugh or hide her face.

It was the first time she had seen this side of werewolves — they were loud, chaotic, teasing, dramatic. And instead of being afraid, she found herself smiling.

She actually liked it.

Even after hearing her father’s name, the warriors didn’t completely avoid Serena. At first, some of them kept their distance, whispering among themselves. But slowly, one by one, they started getting along with her.

The first to speak was a tall guard with scars down his arm. "I am Calder," he said with a small grin. "I work as a guard in the Lycan Palace. If you ever need help, just call me."

Another followed, and another. Soon Serena found herself surrounded by everyone. And all of them were full of enthusiasm.

Some of them were warriors who served as guards inside the palace itself. Others were Alphas and Betas from different packs, sent here for training. Because everyone knew the Lycan Palace had the best training ground. To be here was an honor. To learn here was a chance many dreamed of.

Serena listened carefully, smiling at each name, repeating it so she wouldn’t forget. She laughed when they teased one another. She clapped when two young warriors started arguing over who fought better.

So this is how it felt — being surrounded by people who admired you, loved you, and wanted to be your friends. She suddenly realized she had missed so many things in her life. And suddenly, the idea of coming here was proven really good.

Because she was happy... truly happy.

Vaelen stood beside her quietly, but his eyes never left her face. He watched her laugh, her eyes shining, her cheeks glowing with excitement as more and more warriors came to greet her.

And for a moment, his heart softened.

But then, like a shadow, another face appeared in his mind — Selene.

His smile faded. His chest tightened.

If only Selene had been like this.

If only her past had not been so cruel.

He knew her life better than anyone. The pain she carried, the chains her bastard father had put on her. She had never been free to laugh like this. Never free to talk openly, to make friends, to stand in the middle of a crowd and shine.

Selene had yearned for it, though. He had seen it in her eyes — that desperate wish for a simple life, for just one true friend.

But she never got it.

Vaelen swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on Serena, yet his thoughts fixed in past.

Maybe that’s why, when he first met Serena, something inside him had shifted. She carried the same fire. She looked so much like her, but where Selene’s eyes were filled with nothing but coldness, she radiated a joy only an innocent woman could.

Only he knew how much he wished that if life had not been cruel to her, she would have been exactly like Serena...a cheerful girl, surrounded by her family, admirers and friends.