Thirteen
1482 Words
Desiree POV
The moment the words left my mouth, a heavy silence fell over the entire meeting ground.
For a few seconds, no one moved, it was as if the entire pack had forgotten how to breathe.
Then the murmurs began.
Whispers spread through the gathered pack members like wildfire.
“She accepted…”
“Is she crazy?”
“She’s going to fight Celine, she must have a death wish?”
The voices grew louder, mixing disbelief with curiosity.
I could feel dozens of eyes burning into my skin—some curious, some doubtful, and others openly hostile.
My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin, restless and alert, sensing the tension swirling around us like a storm waiting to explode.
Celine’s lips slowly curved into a smug smile, the kind of smile someone wore when they believed victory was already theirs.
“I knew it,” she said, tilting her chin arrogantly. “You’re stupid enough to fall into my trap.”
“Trap?” Grayson scoffed loudly behind me, his voice dripping with mockery. “Please. The only trap here is the one your mother set when she convinced the elders you could actually be Luna.”
Several warriors snorted with laughter.
Celine’s face darkened instantly, humiliation flashing across her features.
“Laugh while you can,” she snapped bitterly. “When I defeat her, all of you will bow to me.”
Zachary stepped closer to me, his voice low and filled with concern.
“Des… you don’t have to do this.”
His hand brushed my arm gently, warmth flowing through the mate bond like a comforting wave.
But I shook my head.
“I’m tired of people treating me like I don’t belong here,” I said quietly.
The frustration that had been building inside me for days finally spilled into my voice.
“If she wants a fight… she’ll get one.”
Brandon had been silent the entire time.
Now he stepped forward.
His expression was dark, his jaw tight with tension, his entire body radiating restrained anger.
“This challenge is unnecessary,” he said coldly. “Desiree has already proven she is my mate.”
“That is not how pack law works,” Elder Maeve cut in sharply.
Her cold gaze slid toward me like a knife slicing through flesh.
“When a Luna position is contested, strength decides.”
Brandon’s fists clenched so tightly the veins in his arms bulged.
“You’re twisting the law.”
“No,” she replied calmly. “I am enforcing it.”
Celine crossed her arms triumphantly.
“You see?” she said sweetly. “Even the elders agree.”
“More like your mother agreed,” I hissed under my breath.
My wolf growled softly inside me, anger rising like fire.
“Fine,” I said, lifting my chin stubbornly. “When is the fight?”
The crowd immediately erupted into excited murmurs.
“Tomorrow morning,” Celine answered quickly, her smile widening into something cruel. “In the training arena.”
Her eyes sparkled with malicious excitement.
“And don’t worry,” she added mockingly. “I promise not to kill you too quickly.”
Grayson burst out laughing.
“Sweetheart, if you even land one hit on her, I’ll be impressed.”
Celine shot him a murderous glare.
“You’ll regret mocking me.”
“Oh?” he smirked lazily. “I’m shaking already.”
Zachary sighed heavily and rubbed his face.
“This is getting out of control.”
Before the argument could escalate further, Brandon suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me aside, away from the crowd.
The moment we were alone, his expression softened.
Concern replaced the anger in his eyes.
“Why did you accept that challenge?” he asked quietly.
There was frustration in his voice… but also worry.
“Because I’m tired,” I admitted.
“Tired of what, don't let their words get to you?”
“Of being treated like I’m weak,” I replied honestly. “Like I don’t deserve you.”
His eyes darkened instantly.
“You deserve everything,” he said fiercely.
“Then let me prove it.”
For a moment he said nothing.
Then he sighed deeply and pulled me into his arms.
The warmth of his embrace wrapped around me instantly, grounding me.
“You shouldn’t have to fight for a place that is already yours,” he murmured into my hair.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, allowing myself to breathe in his scent.
“But I will,” I whispered.
Behind us, Grayson’s voice cut through the moment.
“Well this is adorable, but we should probably start preparing her before she gets her head smashed in.”
I pulled away from Brandon and glared at him.
“Encouraging.”
Grayson grinned unapologetically.
“I’m being realistic.”
Zachary stepped forward, his expression serious.
“Celine has been training with the warriors for years,” he explained. “She fights aggressively and doesn’t follow rules.”
“Meaning?” I asked.
“Meaning she fights dirty,” Grayson said bluntly.
Brandon’s eyes flashed dangerously.
“If she hurts you—”
“She won’t,” I interrupted quickly.
Even though my voice sounded confident…
Inside, fear curled quietly in my chest.
Because deep down…
I knew this fight wouldn’t be easy.
Celine suddenly called out from across the meeting ground.
“Rest well tonight!” she shouted mockingly. “You’ll need your strength.”
Her eyes gleamed with something dark and unsettling.
“And say goodbye to your mates while you can.”
A cold chill slid down my spine.
Something about the way she said it… It didn’t sound like a challenge.
It sounded like a death sentence.
Grayson leaned closer to me.
“She’s planning something,” he muttered.
“I know,” Zachary agreed quietly.
Brandon’s jaw tightened dangerously.
“Then we’ll be ready.”
But as the crowd slowly began to disperse, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling growing in my chest.
Because when Celine turned to leave…
I saw her approach her mother.
Elder Maeve slipped something small and metallic into her daughter’s hand.
Both of them glanced back at me with identical cold smiles.
A sinister promise passed silently between them.
My stomach twisted.
If she wanted to play dirty…Then I wouldn’t play nice either.
After all, one of my mates was the most dangerous warrior in the entire pack, and I had no doubt he wouldn’t disappoint me.
“Let’s leave here,” Brandon said, guiding me away with the others.
“Go change and meet us in our chamber now,” Zachary instructed.
“Okay.” I hurried away, my heart racing with a strange mixture of fear and excitement as I rushed to prepare for my training.
But the moment I opened the door to my room…
I froze.
Elder Maeve stepped inside behind me.
My entire body went rigid.
“Why are you here?” I asked slowly, eyeing her with suspicion.
“I came to give you a chance to walk away unharmed,” she said calmly, sitting on my bed as if she owned the place.
My eyes narrowed.
“Are you here to threaten me?”
She laughed.
A cold, cruel sound that sent shivers down my spine.
“Threaten you?” she repeated mockingly. “You are far too small for that, girl.”
Her eyes swept across my room.
“The problem,” she continued slowly, “is that I control this pack.”
Her gaze hardened.
“And you are making things very difficult for me.”
“Control?” I feigned ignorance. “Aren’t you just an elder? Isn’t it the Alpha’s job to control his pack?”
Her smile faded.
“Leave today,” she said coldly. “And I will give you enough treasure to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”
“You mean abandon my mates?” I chuckled. “That will never happen.”
Her expression darkened.
“You leave me no choice then.”
She stood up slowly.
“I will make sure my daughter kills you tomorrow.”
I met her gaze without flinching.
“I look forward to it,” I said calmly.
“Now leave. My mates are waiting for me.”
Her lips curled into a chilling smile.
“Enjoy them while it lasts.”
Then she walked out.
I stood there for several seconds, my heart beating rapidly.
But I didn’t have time to think about what she said.
Not tonight.
I quickly changed into joggers and a sweatshirt before marching toward my mates’ room.
A smile slowly spread across my face.
Because tomorrow…
Someone was going to bleed.
And I was starting to realize something terrifying.
My wolf…Was actually looking forward to the fight.
- Writer
