Mated to a nemesis

Chapter 17-New beginning,New threat

Callista sat up in bed long after Lucien and the elder had left, her mind racing. The reality of her situation was beginning to sink in—she was no longer just a girl with a hidden past. She was the daughter of a powerful witch, the mate of an Alpha, and the key to ending a war she barely understood.

Her mother’s last words echoed in her mind. Accept your destiny. Join forces with the werewolves.

But how could she accept a life that had already taken so much from her?

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Emma, one of her handmaids, peeked in. "Your Highness, Alpha Lucien requests your presence in the training grounds."

Callista frowned at the title again but said nothing. She pushed off the blankets and stood up, wobbling slightly. Two weeks in bed had made her weak. But if she was going to survive, she needed to be stronger.

Emma and Ella led her through the packhouse, a massive fortress-like structure surrounded by high walls. As they walked, Callista felt the eyes of passing wolves on her. Some looked at her with curiosity, others with outright suspicion.

She bit her lip, feeling the weight of their judgment. Prove yourself, Callista. On your own terms.

When they reached the training grounds, Lucien was already waiting. He stood shirtless, his muscular body glistening with sweat from sparring with a few pack warriors. Callista’s breath hitched for a second before she looked away, irritated with herself.

Lucien turned to her with a smirk. "Glad you could join us, Princess."

She rolled her eyes. "Don’t call me that."

He chuckled but said nothing. Instead, he gestured toward a group of warriors. "These are some of my best fighters. If you want to stay in this pack, you need to train. You need to defend yourself."

Callista crossed her arms. "And if I say no?"

Lucien’s smirk vanished. "Then you won’t last long. The witches won’t stop coming for you, Callista. And I won’t always be there to save you."

She swallowed hard. He was right. She had barely survived the last attack. If she was going to have any chance at facing her aunt and her army, she had to become stronger.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward. "Fine. Teach me."

Lucien’s eyes gleamed with approval. "Good. Let’s begin."

For the next few hours, Callista trained relentlessly. The warriors put her through a series of exercises—dodging, striking, blocking. She struggled at first, her movements clumsy, but Lucien never let her give up.

"Faster," he instructed as she swung at him. He dodged easily and grabbed her wrist, twisting her arm behind her back. His breath was warm against her ear. "If I were your enemy, you'd be dead by now."

She gritted her teeth and tried to break free, but he was too strong. "Then teach me how to fight back."

Lucien smiled, releasing her. "That’s the spirit."

By the time the sun began to set, Callista was exhausted, covered in sweat and bruises. But for the first time since losing her mother, she felt… alive.

As she wiped sweat from her brow, a sudden chill ran down her spine. The air around her thickened, and a strange energy crackled in the air.

Lucien stiffened beside her. "Do you feel that?"

Before she could answer, a piercing scream echoed through the packhouse. Warriors instantly sprang into action, shifting into wolves and running toward the source of the noise.

Callista’s heart pounded. "What’s happening?"

Lucien’s expression darkened. "We’re under attack."

And just like that, her new life in the Blue Moon Pack had begun—with blood and war knocking at their door.