CHAPTER 22: THE CALM BEFORE
1015words
Three days had passed since we'd made our decision to fight publicly, and the world had responded with more intensity than we'd imagined. Noah monitored the news coverage from their laptop, giving us updates that swung between encouraging and terrifying.
"The story's everywhere," Noah said, scrolling through articles. "Major news outlets, social media, even some human publications have picked it up. #TrueMatesOverPolitics is trending."
"Any word from the Council?" Damon asked, pacing by the window of our safehouse.
"Official response tomorrow," I replied, checking my phone. "Rafe says they're calling an emergency session."
My phone rang—Lucas this time. I answered quickly.
"Ari, we have news. Both good and bad."
"Give me the bad first."
"Dominic's counter-narrative is gaining traction. He's claiming the mate bond is artificial, that Damon used Alpha influence to manipulate you." Lucas's voice was grim. "He's demanding a Council investigation into supernatural coercion."
My stomach dropped. "And the good news?"
"Public opinion is overwhelmingly on your side. We're getting messages from young wolves across the continent sharing their own stories of forced arrangements. This is becoming bigger than just your case."
After hanging up, I found Damon standing by the window, his jaw tense with worry.
"Hey," I said softly, moving to his side. "Talk to me."
"I keep thinking about what Dominic said. About artificial bonds." He turned to face me, his blue eyes troubled. "What if people actually believe that?"
"Do you believe it?"
"Of course not. What we have is real—I can feel it in every cell of my body." He reached for my hands. "But proving that to a room full of skeptical Alphas? That's different."
"Then we'll prove it." I stepped closer, until we were sharing the same breath. "Whatever they want to test, whatever ceremony they require—we'll show them what real looks like."
His phone buzzed with a text. Damon checked it, and his expression grew both serious and resigned.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Message from Professor Hendricks at the Council." He looked up at me. "Dominic has formally invoked Ancient Rights. The challenge is official."
"When?"
"Three days from now. Grand Amphitheater. Trial by combat to determine..." He paused, reading. "To determine the rightful mate of Princess Aria Silver."
Noah looked up from their laptop. "Three days? That's not much time to prepare."
"It's enough," Damon said, surprising me with his confidence. "I've been preparing for this my whole life—I just didn't know it yet."
That evening, as we sat around the small kitchen table planning strategy, my phone rang. An unknown number.
"Princess Aria?" The voice was elderly, formal. "This is Elder Moira from the Council of Alphas."
My heart jumped. "Elder Moira. It's an honor."
"I'm calling to inform you personally of the challenge terms. Three phases: physical combat, mental challenge testing leadership qualities, and mate bond verification."
"What exactly does the bond verification involve?"
"A traditional ceremony in front of the assembled Council. If your bond is genuine, it will manifest visibly—shared aura, synchronized heartbeats, the unmistakable resonance of true mates." Her voice softened slightly. "I've seen it twice in my lifetime. It's quite remarkable."
"And if it doesn't manifest?"
"Then the arranged marriage stands, and young Blackwood faces the consequences of his challenge."
After she hung up, we sat in heavy silence.
"Consequences," I repeated. "What kind of consequences?"
"Ancient Rights challenges aren't games," Damon said quietly. "If I lose, I could be banished from pack society entirely. Marked as someone who interfered with sacred contracts."
"And if you win?"
His smile was soft but determined. "Then we get to spend the rest of our lives proving that love really can change the world."
---
Meanwhile, at the Blackwood Estate
Dominic's POV
I stood in the family training room, sweat dripping from an intensive sparring session. My body was ready—years of combat experience had prepared me for physical confrontation. But this challenge was about more than strength.
"Sir?" My assistant entered, tablet in hand. "The latest polling data."
I toweled off, reading the numbers. Public opinion was split, but trending away from the arranged marriage. Damaging, but not unexpected.
"Social media sentiment analysis shows 67% support for the princess and your brother," he continued. "The narrative has shifted from 'runaway bride' to 'fighting for true love.'"
"Clever positioning." I had to admit, their media strategy was effective. "But public opinion doesn't matter in the arena. Only strength, wisdom, and divine judgment."
"About that," he hesitated. "The mate bond verification... if their connection is genuine..."
"It's not." I said it with more confidence than I felt. "Whatever they have, it's not the sacred bond they claim. And even if it were..." I paused. "Some things are more important than individual desire. Pack stability, political alliances, the greater good."
"Yes, sir."
But as he left, I found myself staring at a family photo on the wall—Damon and me as children, arms around each other's shoulders, grinning at the camera. When had we become enemies instead of brothers?
"Soon," I murmured to the empty room. "Soon this will all be over."
---
Aria's POV
The night before the challenge, I couldn't sleep. I stood on the small balcony of our safehouse, looking up at the stars and thinking about how much had changed since that first day at the academy.
"Can't sleep either?" Damon joined me, wrapping his arms around me from behind.
"Too much to think about." I leaned back against his chest, feeling his heartbeat against my shoulder blade. "Tomorrow changes everything."
"Whatever happens, we face it together," he murmured into my hair.
"Are you scared?"
"Terrified," he admitted. "But also... ready. I've spent my whole life being the younger brother, the spare heir, the one who followed orders. Tomorrow, I fight for something I chose."
I turned in his arms, looking up at his face in the moonlight. "I love you, Damon Blackwood."
"I love you too, Princess Aria Silver." He leaned down to kiss me, soft and sweet and full of promise. "Now let's get some rest. Tomorrow, we make history."
But I'm so worried about tomorrow.
