Chapter 21
1024words
As sunset approaches, I'm led to a small chamber to wait for moonrise. The walls are adorned with ancient symbols—some resembling those on my mother's knife, which now hangs at my hip in a sheath provided by Selene.
"A final word of advice," the Elder says before leaving me. "The Challenge tests not just strength and cunning, but character. Remember who you are, Freya—not just what you are."
With those cryptic words, she departs, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the growing knot of anxiety in my stomach.
When the door finally opens again, it's Lucas who stands there, dressed in ceremonial attire that emphasizes his status.
"It's time," he says, his expression unreadable. "The moon has risen."
I follow him through torch-lit corridors to the palace's rear courtyard, where it seems the entire pack has gathered. Hundreds of werewolves form a circle around a large open space, their faces illuminated by the full moon overhead and the bonfires burning at each cardinal direction.
In the center stands Kayden, tall and proud in similar leather attire to mine. Our eyes meet across the distance, and the connection between us pulses like a living thing. Beside him is his father, the Alpha, his expression stern as he surveys the gathering.
Lucas leads me to the edge of the circle, then leaves me to join the council members seated on a raised platform. Ashley sits among them, her position as Witness marked by a silver circlet on her brow. Her eyes follow me with undisguised hatred.
A hush falls over the crowd as Elder Selene steps into the circle, her white robes gleaming in the moonlight.
"Under the eye of the Goddess, we gather for the Blood Moon Challenge," she announces, her voice carrying clearly to all present. "Freya, daughter of Lyra, comes before us to prove her worth as mate to our future Alpha and member of our pack."
She gestures for me to enter the circle. As I step forward, the crowd's murmurs grow louder. I hold my head high, focusing on Kayden rather than the hundreds of eyes watching my every move.
"The Challenge consists of three trials," Selene continues. "Strength, Cunning, and Spirit. Succeed in all three, and your place among us is secured by ancient law. Fail, and you submit to the council's judgment."
She turns to Kayden. "Do you stand as champion for this challenger?"
"I do," Kayden replies, his voice strong and certain.
"Then let the first trial begin." Selene steps back as Lucas enters the circle, removing his ceremonial robe to reveal fighting attire beneath. "The Trial of Strength. The challenger and her champion must defeat their opponent in fair combat."
Kayden moves to my side, his presence steadying me. "Remember your training," he murmurs. "Trust your instincts."
Lucas smiles coldly. "Touching. But advice won't save her now."
Without warning, he lunges—not at Kayden, but at me. I barely dodge in time, his claws grazing my arm as I twist away. The crowd roars its approval of his aggression.
Kayden intercepts Lucas's next attack, the two cousins colliding with supernatural force. They move almost too fast to follow, trading blows that would shatter human bones. I circle them warily, looking for an opening to help without getting in Kayden's way.
"Your mate is useless," Lucas taunts as he lands a heavy blow to Kayden's ribs. "Hiding while you fight her battles."
I know he's trying to provoke me, to make me act rashly. But as Kayden takes another punishing hit, I feel that now-familiar energy stirring within me—my wolf responding to the threat.
This time, I don't fight it. I welcome it, letting the wild power flow through my veins. My vision sharpens, my reflexes quicken, my senses heighten to preternatural levels.
When Lucas throws Kayden to the ground and turns toward me with a triumphant snarl, I'm ready. I meet his charge not with fear but with newfound confidence, ducking under his swing and striking at his exposed side.
My blow lacks a werewolf's full strength, but enhanced by my awakening abilities, it's enough to make Lucas stumble. The crowd gasps—a human landing a blow on a werewolf is unheard of.
Lucas recovers quickly, his expression darkening with rage. "Lucky hit," he growls, circling me. "It won't happen again."
But it does. As Kayden rejoins the fight, we fall into an unexpected rhythm—Kayden attacking directly while I strike from angles Lucas doesn't anticipate. My smaller size and speed become advantages rather than weaknesses.
For every blow Lucas lands, we deliver two. Gradually, his movements slow, his breathing grows labored. When Kayden feints left and I sweep Lucas's legs from beneath him, the larger werewolf crashes to the ground with a grunt of pain.
Before he can rise, Kayden pins him, one hand at his throat. "Yield," he commands.
For a moment, I think Lucas will refuse. Then, with hatred burning in his eyes, he tilts his head back in the traditional gesture of submission.
"I yield," he spits.
The crowd erupts in a mixture of cheers and shocked murmurs. Elder Selene steps forward, raising her hand for silence.
"The first trial is complete," she announces. "The challenger and her champion are victorious."
As Lucas stalks from the circle, Ashley rises from her seat, her voice cutting through the noise. "The human used unnatural abilities! Her eyes glowed like a werewolf's. This violates the terms of fair combat."
"The challenger's heritage was made clear to the council," Selene replies calmly. "Her abilities, whatever they may be, are part of her nature. The trial stands."
Ashley sits back, her expression murderous. Beside her, the Western Alpha watches me with renewed interest, his calculating gaze making my skin crawl.
"Prepare for the second trial," Selene instructs. "The Trial of Cunning awaits."
