From His Luna to His Rival's Mate

Chapter 10

SELENE

Today was the day, the first Lunar Trial. A Control Trial under the full moon. I stood in front of the mirror in my dorm room and looked at my reflection.

My hands felt cold. I did not know if I was strong enough to handle this, but I had no choice. I had to do it anyway. I could not afford to look weak in front of everyone, especially not in front of Calder and Elara.

I changed into the simple black training clothes the academy had given us. The fabric felt smooth against my skin. I tied my hair back into a tight ponytail and took a deep breath. My wolf felt restless inside me, like she knew something important was coming.

When I stepped out of the dorm, the night air felt cool and fresh. The moon hung big and bright in the sky, casting silver light over the academy grounds. Students moved toward the large open field where the trial would take place, their voices carried through the night, a mix of excitement and nervous energy.

I walked with steady steps and found a spot near the middle of the crowd. Coach Theo stood at the front with a microphone in his hand. His broad shoulders looked even bigger under the moonlight.

"Welcome to the first Lunar Trial of the semester," he called out, his voice loud and clear. "Tonight is the Control Trial. You must resist shifting no matter what temptations come your way. Emotional pain, physical challenges, memories that hurt. Stay in control. The moon will try to pull your wolf out. Fight it."

My stomach tightened. I did not know how well I would do, but I had to try.

The students spread out across the field. Small groups formed as people found their spaces. I stayed alone near the edge.

Calder stood not too far away, his silver eyes found me immediately and he watched me with that intense look that made my skin feel tight. Elara stood beside him, smiling sweetly, but her eyes looked sharp.

Coach Theo raised his hand. "The trial begins now!"

The first wave hit us fast. Instructors moved through the field carrying devices that sent out strong scents, the smell of fresh blood filled the air. My wolf pushed hard against my control. I clenched my teeth and fought to keep my claws from coming out, sweat ran down my back.

"Remember why you are here," I whispered to myself. "Remember the warehouse, the blade, remember what they took from you."

The hatred burned in my chest and it gave me strength. I pushed the wolf back down and kept my human form. My legs shook, but I stayed standing.

More temptations came. Instructors shouted painful memories at us, trying to break our control. "Your mate chose someone else!" one of them yelled near me. "You were never enough!"

I felt the words like a punch to my stomach, but I used them as fuel. I thought about Calder trading me away while the pack celebrated Elara. I thought about my baby and the pain made me stronger. I breathed through it and held my ground.

I looked across the field and saw Kael. He moved with calm confidence, his body stayed completely human even as the moon pulled at him. Other students around him struggled, their claws coming out, their eyes flashing gold.

But Kael looked steady and powerful. He resisted everything they threw at him without breaking a sweat. I could not stop watching him, he performed better than almost everyone else.

Time passed slowly and my muscles burned. My wolf howled inside me, begging to be let out. But I kept fighting. I used every bad memory as a weapon, the ropes on my wrists, the cold voice of Calder on the phone. The feeling of my baby growing still inside me. Each memory helped me push harder.

Finally, Coach Theo blew a loud whistle. "Trial over! Well done, students."

I let out a long breath and bent forward, resting my hands on my knees, my legs felt weak. Sweat covered my skin, but I had done it. I had made it through.

Students started moving around, talking excitedly about how hard it had been. I straightened up and wiped my face with the back of my hand. As I turned, someone bumped into me from behind.

Kael.

His hand touched my arm to steady me and the moment his fingers made contact with my skin, a strong wave of feelings rushed into me. Pain, hidden loneliness. Years of watching from the shadows and a heavy sadness mixed with something warm and protective. The emotions felt so real that my knees almost buckled.

I pulled my arm away quickly and looked up at him. My heart beat fast. What was that? Why did touching him bring such strong feelings?

Kael's dark eyes widened slightly. He looked at his hand, then back at my face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low.

I nodded, even though my head felt dizzy. "Yes. I'm fine."

He studied me for a moment longer. His jaw tightened like he wanted to say something more, but he stayed quiet.

Before I could speak again, Calder appeared beside us. His face looked pale and his eyes burned with anger, his hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides and he looked more unstable than I had ever seen him.

"Stay away from her, Voss," Calder growled. His voice sounded rough, like his wolf was close to the surface. "She is not yours to touch."

Kael turned to face him slowly. His shoulders squared and his body looked ready for a fight. "She can make her own choices, Vance."

Calder took a step closer. His breathing came fast and heavy. "You think you can just take what belongs to me? After everything?"

I stepped between them before things got worse. "Enough," I said firmly. "Both of you. This is not the time or place."

Calder's eyes moved to me, the look in them sent a chill down my spine. He looked like he was barely holding himself together, the calm Alpha I once knew was cracking more every day.

"This is not over," he said to me, his voice low and dangerous, then he turned and walked away with stiff steps.

I let out a shaky breath and looked at Kael. He watched Calder leave with hard eyes. The trial had ended, but the real tension between all of us had only just begun.

I rubbed my arm where Kael had touched me, that strange rush of his hidden pain still lingered in my mind. I did not understand what was happening to me, but I knew one thing clearly, everything was changing faster than I expected.