Ever Cynical

Chapter 69- The Luna Queen's Challenge

Anais POV

I had had just about enough.

This bullshit between groups was making me absolutely insane. They were even fighting over whose turn it was to train, where people were going to sit, who got to use the computer lab. It had only gotten worse. It was ridiculous! They were supposed to be here to help, and I was actually concerned that if we were attacked, they'd weaken our defenses due to being so damned out of sync. My irritation must have been clear on my face, because all three of my mates looked too nervous to approach me at breakfast. Jothan and Erik elbowed Kieran, who sighed and stepped forward. I almost giggled, bouncing my pink bunny-clad foot as my beloved wolf sat down next to me.

"Mo shíorghrá, I sense perhaps you are upset?" He asked gently. My eyes snapped to his. He held up his hands in surrender. "Okay. Can you maybe tell me what's wrong, go hálainn?" I flung my hand out and gestured to clearly self-segregated dining room. He looked like he wasn't exactly sure what I was pointing at. I sighed in exasperation.

"They have no unity." I huffed, and his shoulders sagged in relief, clearly worried it had been something they had somehow done. My mates were wonderful every single day. I'd be hard-pressed to find a single fault other than the fact that they were more than a little overprotective. He nodded to Erik and Jothan, I guess to say it was safe? They came over and sat around us, Jothan on my right and Erik on his left. I couldn't blame them, really, my emotions were noticeably sharper with my pregnancy.

I was well aware they sensed a lot through our bond.

"She's worried about everyone not getting along." He announced to our mates and they all oooooh'd and nodded. I rolled my eyes, then caught Maya glaring at me. f*****g again. Alright, that's it. I slammed my hands on the table and stood, getting the attention of everyone in the room. I don't know where this authoritative, confident persona I'd developed had come from, but I was ready to lean right into it. This wasn't just about me or my pack anymore. I could feel Claire on the surface, adding the weight of her aura to my words. Not command level, but definitely shut up and listen level.

"Listen up, everyone. You're all here to join our pack, sent by your leaders to aid us, to protect your kings and queen, and our little ones. All of you are embarrassing those that sent you here by being divisive and rude to your allies. Nobody has admitted to being mates yet, but I know you're here." Several pairs of eyes dropped. Mmhmm. "Each group is going to choose a representative for a challenge. If your representative fails the challenge, you do what I say and when. No questions asked, and no bullshit. You will be assigned to a unit that I decide, and you will all train together. This disruptive behavior ends now."

Stupid Maya got to her feet growling.

"Who the hell are you to tell us what to do?!" She said derisively. This pissed off most in the room, and I had to act quickly. While most weren't getting along, Maya was literally the only person in the room that was not 100% behind me as queen. I actually wanted her to find her place here, strange as that may seem. She belonged. When I saw Erik get ready to rise, I held out a hand. I needed to handle this. I let out my full aura, dropping everyone but my mates to the ground. They continued to eat casually. I held back a giggle.

"I, cub, am the Luna Queen. Outside of that, I am older than nearly everyone in this room at nine-hundred-twenty-four." Her shock was apparent. I grinned ferally. "Now, before lunchtime you are all to present your captains to me in my office, and we shall begin tomorrow. I encourage you to pick your strongest member." I pulled my aura back and went back to eating.

"Babe, you didn't mention the nature of this challenge yet." Erik said nervously, as if he already sensed he wasn't going to like my methods. "Oh, they're going to get the Ritsu Special." I grinned. All three turned to me, eyes wide. They'd heard about Geoff's mate and her initial behavior, of course. Ritsu had tried to coax her people to interact more, to no avail. Rintaro was great, of course. He was preoccupied with trying to find his mate, though. Additionally, he was the kitsune heir, so he was not technically joining Celtic Moon, and was here to help his friend more than anything else.

Kieran POV

Ughhhhh. I love Anais so much, but I was struggling to keep Ri'dubh from growling at her not to endanger our pups. Cubs. Clutch. Síobhra. Anyway, babies. I don't even know what they call baby elementals. Whatever, the point is, all of my protective instincts are going bananas. f**k. It wasn't that I didn't think she could handle it, far from it. We'd been training as a mate team recently, and she was amazing.

Erik, I linked our bear. What's the deal with that Maya chick?

I honestly have no idea, he responded with a sigh. I'm embarrassed by her behavior, and I know Jacob would have a fit. I watched the grumpy bear female's eyes roam over my mate while his head was turned and I growled audibly. Her eyes snapped to mine and then looked down. Oh hell no. I know what it is, Erik. I met his eyes with a smirk. She wants you. A growl tore out of him as he looked at her. Her head had come up at the sound, her eyes filled with tears.

Shit, he said. You're damned right.

How much you wanna bet she's been f*****g with our mate when we're not around? At his menacing growl, amplified by Therus' anger, Maya's head dropped again. Cool off, babe. Let Anais handle her.

Fine, he grumbled, visibly upset.

Now that this female was clearly wanting what wasn't hers, I was anxious for Anais to go ahead. I knew she'd put this woman in her place. Hopefully she could stay. I knew she'd long been someone that Erik trusted. With luck, her mate was around, and it would resolve itself without too much effort. Jothan was smirking, since I'd included him in our little conversation, but said nothing.

The next morning, eight people stood in the training area, still not knowing exactly what the Queen's Challenge was. Einar Rokhaug, dragon from Norway. Chanshe, dragon from China. Maya, bear from Canada (shocker, right?). Mercy Goodall, Fae from Britain. Hasegawa Natsume, kitsune from Japan. Rowena Leeford, vampire from Britain. Phirixian, demon. Nezeqoz, Basilisk from Germany. It occurred to me that neither the council nor our allies represented South America or Africa. Hmm. I'd have to look into that after the challenge. Perhaps we needed to actually make the Council bigger.

More diversity was always good.

The rest of the pack and our... guests, I guess until Anais says otherwise... were all gathered as an audience. Erik, Jothan, and I stood at the front of the challengers, arms folded. I could tell everyone assumed we would be their opponents. When I saw Maya lick her lips with eyes on Erik, I walked over to her and looked her in the eye, a thunderous growl ripping from my chest.

"HE IS MINE!" I bellowed, making everyone bow, even this disrespectful bear. I felt Anais' hand on my shoulder, and snapped out at her. "Let me challenge this one." I growled out, making Maya cower. That's right b***h, I'll f*****g kill you if you look at my mate like that again.

"Don't worry, mon coeur. I'll take care of her." Anais purred. I wanted to do it myself, but nodded, stepping back to where Jothan and Erik stood. Erik shoved my face in his neck and stroked my back. Anais addressed the group. "Today you will be having a two-on-one challenge. Two of you against one of us." She smiled evilly as the challengers' shoulders sagged in relief. "With me." Interestingly, there were a few scoffs from those who were not already pack. The pack knew Anais was not someone you wanted to go one-on-one with. "No fatal blows are permitted, but you may use any form and any ability or weapon." There were gasps, as certain metals were dangerous. She lifted a hand. "Any metal is permitted." I could see Maya smirking. "But consider that you may risk your alliance if you make a stupid decision." She asserted, looking straight at Maya.

The dragons went first, both shifting into dragons with the expectation that she had not learned to fight with hers yet. Their mistake. Xinglong was more than happy to make an appearance, to many shocked gasps, and quickly defeated both. She'd let out an audible sigh of disappointment before shifting back. More gasps when Anais shifted still clothed. Another fun thing she'd discovered. The dragons bowed in submission, moving off to the side where pack members waited with robes for them.

The Basilisk and Fae were next, using distance and magic to try and take the offensive. I shook my head, and Jothan smirked. Anais simply teleported inside their barriers and froze them, making them tap out. Mouths hung open. That's right, my mate can use any element as if she has an elemental, but is not restricted to only one. Maya was finally starting to look nervous. Good. More than anyone else, she needed this lesson.

Nobody f****d with our Queen.

The Vampire and Demon went third. Both races were most comfortable with closer combat, which gave Anais a chance to show off her flashier, highly trained physical combat skills. She'd snagged a katana mid-combat this time, and both conceded after finding themselves with it at their throat. She was making this a display of power. All she really had to do was use telekinesis, but I had a feeling she was saving that for Maya. Good girl. A low purr was rumbling from me, and my Luna Queen narrowed her eyes at me.

Last were the kitsune and Maya. Anais tossed aside the blade, knowing she wasn't going to need such things. The bear scoffed. I shook my head. When Anais shifted into her massive white wolf, everyone but Maya kneeled. White wolves had always been legendary, of course. The kitsune tugged at Maya, but she simply shifted and roared. Ha, this average-sized black bear thought she was Claire's equal? The kitsune didn't shift... instead she bowed deeply and conceded, leaving Maya to challenge alone.

Maya growled. It was clear she thought the fox was a coward.

"At least I know who I should be respecting." Natsume growled right back.

Claire circled slowly, waiting. Maya's bear, Lulu, apparently in agreement with her human, darted in to attack. Anais teleported away every time. After about six hits from lightning, Maya was forced to shift back. Anais also shifted back and Maya screamed in frustration. Anais flicked her wrist as Maya ran at her, picking her up by her neck with invisible hands. Telekinesis. That's my girl. Shocked gasps were erupting as it became clear that Anais' title was earned.

Tears were pouring from Maya's eyes as she conceded. Anais still had her held down as she stared into Maya's eyes.

"Now." She growled at the bear. "Who's your mate?" She commanded. She didn't realize her command affected everyone. Maya pointed to an Immortal male warrior who was watching with interest. He'd clearly known and waited for her to acknowledge him. There were several people calling mate under the Luna's command, all mixed pairs.

I grinned at Erik and Jothan.

"Guess she solved that problem, hmm?" I quipped.