Chapter 595: The Mark of Those Who Stand

"Micah," Sophia said with a smile as Micah started moving forward. "Accepted into the ranks as a guard."

The words settled into the air, and for a moment, everything around Micah seemed distant.

The noise.

The people.

The cold.

None of it mattered.

He moved forward anyway—steady, measured steps carrying him toward the front where Gregory stood waiting.

Gregory held a tray with jewelry coloured white and red; he stood next to Brynhild.

Gregory’s gaze landed on Micah as he approached.

"What would you like?" he asked with a smile.

Micah didn’t hesitate.

"An earring."

Gregory nodded once, reaching down and picking one feathered piece, then passed it to Brynhild.

She took it carefully.

Her movements were precise, practiced.

Then she tilted her head slightly in Micah’s direction, a faint smile forming on her lips.

"You’ll have to take it from me," she said calmly. "Unless you want me to accidentally pierce your eye."

Micah blinked.

Then laughed softly.

"...I’d rather not risk that."

He reached forward, taking the earring from her hand.

He lifted it and then pierced his ear.

The feathered earring settled into place, swaying slightly as he straightened.

Brynhild’s sightless silver gaze remained directed toward him.

"It’s good to have you in the ranks," she said.

Micah smiled.

"Thank you."

There was something lighter in his voice now.

He stepped back, turning to join the others who had already been given their jewelry. He really was no longer a trainee.

---

"Dren."

Sophia’s voice carried again.

Dren stepped forward immediately, rolling his shoulders slightly like he was preparing for something.

"Accepted into the ranks as a guard."

A grin broke across his face.

"About time," he muttered under his breath as he walked forward.

"What do you want?" Gregory asked him.

"Two earrings."

Gregory raised a brow—but handed them over anyway.

Brynhild held them out this time without comment.

Dren took both.

Then, without hesitation, he pierced one ear and then the other.

He shook his head slightly, as though adjusting to the new weight, then grinned.

Brynhild’s lips curved faintly.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you," Dren said, his voice lighter than usual.

He turned, heading toward the line of guards.

---

"Miles."

Sophia didn’t need to look up to know he was already moving.

"Accepted into the ranks... as a hunter."

Miles exhaled slowly as he stepped forward, running a hand briefly through his hair.

Ethan watched him approach, the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Well," Ethan said, "you made it."

Miles huffed a quiet laugh.

"I don’t know how," he said.

"Well, I do. You passed because you deserve it."

"I thought I was going to be a guard...not that I hate being a hunter," Miles said.

Kevin chuckled. "You’d be more suited with us. Ethan confirmed that."

"What’ll it be?" Ethan asked, gesturing to the tray he held.

Miles looked down.

Then up.

"...An earring."

Ethan nodded, handing one over before passing it to Kevin.

Kevin gestured for Miles to step closer. He pierced his ear and then smiled.

"It’s good to have you with us," he said.

"Thank you," Miles replied, and then he stepped away.

---

"Bianca," Sophia called out. "Accepted into the ranks as a guard."

Bianca walked forward with a quiet kind of confidence.

Her gaze flickered briefly toward the tray before she spoke.

"A necklace."

Gregory handed it over. It was beaded, each bead half white and half red.

Brynhild held it out, and Bianca stepped closer, taking it before slipping it around her neck herself.

It settled neatly against her collarbone.

Brynhild smiled faintly.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you," Bianca replied softly.

---

"Nia," Sophia called out. "Accepted into the ranks as a guard."

Nia stepped forward, her movements calm—but her eyes bright.

"Two earrings," she said.

Gregory didn’t question it.

Brynhild passed them to her.

Nia took them—and with steady hands, pierced both in the same ear.

---

"Laia."

"Accepted into the ranks as a hunter."

Laia laughed softly under her breath as she stepped forward.

"Two earrings," she said immediately.

Ethan raised a brow.

Ethan handed them over to Kevin.

He pierced one ear and then another.

"Congratulations."

---

"Cat."

"Accepted into the ranks as a hunter."

Cat stepped forward, already smiling.

"A headband," she said.

Ethan blinked once.

Then chuckled, handing it to Kevin.

He slipped it into place, a smile on his face.

---

"Joren."

"Accepted into the ranks as a guard."

Joren walked forward with far too much energy for someone who had just passed one of the hardest tests of his life.

"What do you want?" Gregory asked.

"A necklace," Joren said.

"—and an earring."

Gregory huffed a laugh.

Brynhild handed both to him.

Joren put on the necklace first and then pierced his ear.

Brynhild smiled faintly.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Joren turned, but instead of joining the others, he walked straight toward Orion.

Ronan’s brows lifted immediately, curious about what this was about.

Joren stopped in front of Orion, standing straight.

"Alpha Orion," he said.

Orion looked down at him.

"Yes?"

Joren hesitated—just slightly. Then he spoke clearly.

"Can I be Sophia’s official guard?"

There was a pause at that; even Sophia turned to look at Joren.

Orion’s gaze was on Sophia as Joren spoke.

"...I know she doesn’t need one, but—"

"Are you sure you should be asking me?" Orion asked Joren. "Sophia is right there, you know."

Joren blinked and then turned to Sophia. He had only opened his mouth to speak when she spoke herself.

"No," she said firmly.

"But—" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"First, you asked Orion before even asking me. Secondly, this is not the time to have this conversation. We can talk about this some other time," she said.

Joren sighed and then walked to join the others.

"Where do you get the audacity to do things like that?" Dren asked him.

Joren didn’t even hesitate.

He lifted his hand and flipped him off.

"Ooh, Joren knows how to use the middle finger," Laia said from where she stood, making those around them laugh.