The Alpha's Unwanted Mate

Chapter 10: Alpha Duel

Dawn. Blood on the snow.

Aria stood in the circle. Gold eyes locked on her father. Magnus shifted to his 9-foot wolf form. Black fur, massive claws. He was Alpha for 30 years. Stronger. Older. Crueler.

"Last chance, omega." Magnus growled. "Bow and live."

Aria shifted too. 7 feet tall, gold fur, royal Luna marks glowing on her shoulders. "I am not your omega anymore, Father. I am Luna Aria Storm."

They circled. The whole pack watched in silence. Damien wanted to step in but Aria shook her head. *Mine.*

Magnus lunged first. Claws raked Aria's shoulder. Blood sprayed. Pain exploded but Aria didn't scream.

*He threw me out. He called me weak. He killed my mother.*

Aria's Wolf roared. *Never again.*

She ducked under his swing and slashed his leg. Magnus howled. Angry now. He slammed into her, pinning her to the ground. His teeth at her throat.

"Pathetic," he snarled. "You were always weak."

Aria smiled. Blood on her teeth. "Weak? Watch this."

Gold light burst from her chest. Luna power. The bond with Damien flared hot. She headbutted Magnus and rolled free.

Now it was her turn.

Aria leapt. Claws sank into Magnus's neck. She tore. Blood gushed. He screamed and thrashed but she didn't stop.

For every year of pain. For every "you're worthless". For her mother.

Magnus collapsed. Breathing hard. Eyes full of shock. "You... you're not omega..."

Aria stood over him. Shifted back to human. Blood on her face, but she stood tall. "No. I am Luna. And this is my pack now."

She looked at his throat. One move and he dies. Revenge complete.

But Damien's voice came in her mind through the bond: *Don't become him, love.*

Aria closed her eyes. Then lifted her foot off his throat. "Leave. Red Fang Pack is banished. If you ever return, I will kill you."

Magnus crawled away, defeated. His army followed with tails between legs.

Silence. Then one wolf howled. Then another.

"ALL HAIL LUNA ARIA!" Shadow Moon Pack roared.

Aria stumbled. The fight drained her. Damien caught her before she fell.

"You did it," he whispered, kissing her bloody forehead. "My Luna. My Queen."

Aria smiled weakly. "I told you... I wasn't weak."

She fainted in his arms. But not from pain.

From something else. Something new growing inside her.

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To be continued...