Three marks, one mate

Eighteen

Desiree POV

Morning came far too quickly.

The soft warmth surrounding my body made me reluctant to open my eyes. Strong arms held me from both sides, and another arm rested possessively across my waist. The comforting scents of cedarwood, earth, and wild pine filled my lungs, instantly calming the restless edge of my wolf.

For a brief moment, the chaos of the previous night disappeared.

I shifted slightly, stretching lazily as I slowly opened my eyes.

The first thing I saw was Grayson’s face inches away from mine, his arm wrapped tightly around my waist. Behind me, Brandon’s chest pressed firmly against my back, his steady breathing warming my neck. Zachary lay on the other side, one hand resting gently on my shoulder as if he had been guarding me even in his sleep.

Three men and somehow… all of them were holding me like I was the most precious thing in the world.

My wolf purred contentedly.

Then a voice suddenly echoed from outside the door. “Alpha, Celine is waiting for Luna Desiree at the training ground.”

My eyes flew open.

The fight.

I had completely forgotten about the fight.

Yesterday’s rogue attack, the Moon-Born revelation, and the mysterious necklace had pushed the challenge out of my mind.

Adrenaline shot through my veins.

I tried to push Grayson’s arm off my waist, but the man barely moved.

“Grayson,” I muttered, trying again.

Nothing.

I shoved harder.

Still nothing.

My patience snapped. “WAKE UP!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

The reaction was immediate, all three men jolted upright in pure alarm.

Zachary moved first, instantly positioning himself in front of me like a shield as his eyes scanned the room.

“What happened?” he demanded sharply.

Brandon was already halfway out of bed, his muscles tense and ready for battle.

Grayson blinked sleepily, rubbing his eyes. “Who are we killing?”

I stared at them for a second.

Then I burst out laughing.

“Nothing happened,” I said between breaths.

Zachary frowned. “Then why did you scream like you were being attacked?”

“Because I have a fight this morning,” I said, pointing accusingly at them. “And the three of you are cuddling me like oversized puppies!”

Grayson leaned back on the bed lazily. “Well, good morning to you too.”

Brandon sighed, running a hand through his hair as realization dawned on him. “The challenge.” His eyes immediately turned serious as he looked at me.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. “Especially after what happened last night.”

The rogue attack had shaken everyone.

But strangely…I felt stronger today, almost energized.

“I’ll be fine,” I assured him confidently.

Zachary studied me carefully, as if trying to sense something beneath the surface.

Then he smiled faintly. “She’ll be fine,” he said calmly. “She’s the Moon-Born after all.”

Grayson grinned wickedly. “And we’ll be cheering loudly when she knocks Celine on her arrogant ass.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile forming on my lips.

The training ground was already packed when we arrived.

A large crowd had gathered around the arena, their voices buzzing with excitement and curiosity. Warriors, elders, and pack members filled the stands, whispering and pointing as soon as we stepped into view.

I could practically feel their expectations, many of them had probably come to watch me fail.

But my wolf wasn’t intimidated.

If anything…She was excited.

Celine stood in the center of the arena, dressed in black combat gear, her arms crossed confidently as she waited.

The moment she saw us approaching, a smug smile spread across her face.

“Well, well,” she sneered loudly. “I thought you chickened out.”

My steps didn’t slow. “I’m not scared of you,” I replied calmly as I stepped into the arena.

The sand beneath my boots shifted slightly as I moved into position.

Celine laughed mockingly. “You should be,” she said proudly. “Because today… you die by my hands.”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.

Grayson’s voice echoed from the stands. “Bold words for someone who cries to her mommy.”

Several warriors snickered.

Celine’s eyes flashed with fury. “Let’s see how funny you think this is when I break her bones.”

I rolled my shoulders, stretching slightly as my wolf stirred inside me.

Let me fight, she growled eagerly.

She wanted this.

She wanted to defend what was ours.

I inhaled deeply and let her take control.

The world sharpened instantly.

Every movement became clearer.

Every sound louder.

Celine lunged first.

Her fist shot toward my face with surprising speed but my wolf was faster.

I ducked smoothly, feeling the wind of her punch pass over my head.

Before she could recover, my claws slashed across her arm.

Celine screamed as blood instantly appeared on her skin. “You dare touch me?!” she shrieked in fury.

I tilted my head slightly. “I thought that was the point of this fight,” I said coldly. “Or did you expect me to stand still while you killed me?”

The crowd gasped.

Celine’s face twisted with rage. “That’s it!” she roared. “You’re going to regret the day you were born!”

She charged again, this time, I didn’t dodge.

I stepped forward.

Our bodies collided violently.

Her punch came fast—

But I caught her wrist mid-air.

Her eyes widened.

Before she could react, I drove my fist straight into her stomach with full force.

The impact echoed across the arena.

Celine’s body folded instantly as she coughed violently.

Blood sprayed from her mouth.

Shock filled her eyes. “But… they said… you’ve never fought before,” she gasped painfully.

I stepped closer slowly. “When it comes to protecting what’s mine,” I said quietly, “I exceed expectations.”

The bond with my mates pulsed strongly from the stands.

Pride.

Support.

Confidence.

It made my wolf even stronger. “Let’s finish this,” I said.

Celine’s eyes suddenly flashed with something dangerous.

Before I could react, she threw a small pouch of powder directly into my face.

The substance exploded into the air.

It burned my nose and lungs instantly, pain shot through my body, and the scent hit me like poison.

Wolfbane.

“THAT’S CHEATING!” Zachary’s furious voice thundered from the stands.

The crowd erupted into shocked murmurs.

Celine staggered to her feet, laughing breathlessly. “I warned you,” she sneered.

My knees trembled slightly.

Wolfbane was meant to weaken wolves.

To slow them down.

To break their strength.

But something strange happened.

Instead of weakening…

My wolf roared with anger.

A burning heat surged through my veins.

The pain faded.

My strength returned.

Stronger than before.

I slowly lifted my head.

Celine’s laughter died instantly. “How…?” she whispered.

I wiped the powder from my face and smiled slowly. “Too bad you were warned too.”

Her eyes filled with fear. “How is that possible?” she gasped. “Who are you?!”

I stepped forward, then my fist crashed into her jaw.

The impact sent her flying across the arena.

She hit the ground hard, rolling across the sand.

The entire arena fell silent.

“I am your downfall,” I said coldly.

Celine struggled to stand, but the fight had left her.

Her eyes were wide with fear now.

For the first time since this challenge began…

She looked defeated.

Slowly, she raised her hands. “I surrender.”

Gasps filled the arena.

Elder Maeve rushed forward immediately, her face twisted with fury. “What did you do to my daughter?!” she demanded angrily.

Brandon stepped down into the arena, standing proudly beside me. “My Luna defended herself.”

Grayson joined him with a smirk. “She challenged for a title that was never hers.”

Zachary’s calm voice followed. “And never will be.”

Celine collapsed to her knees, humiliated and broken.

But my wolf was still furious.

I stepped closer to her slowly.

“Warn your daughter,” I said coldly to Elder Maeve, my voice carrying across the arena.

“If she ever dares to challenge me again…”

My eyes burned with power.

“I won’t stop at breaking her pride next time.”

The entire arena went silent.

No one dared speak.

And for the first time since arriving in this pack…

Everyone was looking at me not with doubt but with fear.