The next few battles passed in a blur, each one fueling our confidence. That first victory had set something ablaze within us, and even when our team split into smaller groups, Team A continued to dominate most of Team B’s opponents.But as the matches wore on, it became obvious that Team B’s opponents were losing—badly. The crowd, once buzzing with energy, began to lose interest. The excited cheers dulled into disapproving murmurs. A few spectators even started booing.Matteo, always quick to notice a shift, took action. He brought his whistle to his lips and blew sharply, cutting through the noise.“Alright, listen up!” His voice carried across the arena. “Instead of facing separate opponents, Team A and Team B will now fight each other. Only the last five standing from each team will advance to the semifinals. After that, we move on to a one-on-one match.”A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd, whispers rising in anticipation. Matteo had just turned the game upside down.
My lungs burned as I stumbled back toward the bench, each breath ragged, my body aching from the fight. Sweat dripped down my face, mixing with the traces of blood on my skin. Caroline’s excited shriek cut through the noise of the crowd as she jumped up and down, eyes bright with victory.“Damn, girl! You did it!” she hollered, hands in the air like we’d won a championship. Her loud excitement drew a few curious stares, but I could only manage a weak smile in response.Before I could even sit, Matteo was at my side, his brows furrowed with concern. “Are you okay?” His voice held the sharp edge of worry, his gaze scanning me for injuries.I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as Caroline and a few others helped me lower myself onto the bench. “Yeah. I’m fine.”Matteo crouched beside me, pulling out a first-aid kit. He set it down next to me and sighed. “Sorry, I couldn’t step in. They weren’t breaking any rules.” His jaw tensed as if he hated admitting it.For a moment, I wanted t
My chest rose and fell in ragged, desperate breaths, my lungs burning as if they had been set on fire. The final whistle had blown, signaling the end of the battle, yet my body remained tense, frozen in the aftermath.The arena erupted into an uproar—cheers, gasps, and shouts blending into a distant hum. It all felt surreal, like I was trapped in a moment stretched too thin, suspended between exhaustion and disbelief.I had won.Me.The girl who had spent years being ridiculed, trampled on, and treated like a speck of dust beneath the feet of those who considered themselves superior. The girl everyone had mocked and dismissed as weak.I had stood my ground. I had fought.And I had won.A shaky breath escaped my lips, but it wasn’t enough. No amount of air felt enough. My body screamed for rest, for relief, but I forced my legs to remain steady, my hands gripping my knees as I hunched forward.A sudden warmth pressed against my back."Easy," Caroline murmured, her voice both soothing a
A blinding flash of light seared through my vision, sending a wave of dizziness crashing over me. My limbs felt disconnected from my body, and the world blurred into a hazy swirl of noise and movement. I could barely register Matteo rushing toward me before my legs gave out completely.Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground, and then I was airborne—slung over his shoulder like I weighed nothing. The last thing I remembered was Caroline’s worried face hovering above me, her lips moving, calling my name, before everything faded into darkness.The first thing I felt was warmth. A soft golden light pressed against my closed eyelids, seeping through even as I tried to block it out. The warmth spread over my skin, but it didn’t soothe me. Instead, it burned.My entire body ached as if I'd been trampled by a stampede of wolves. Every muscle screamed, my bones felt like they’d been shattered and poorly put back together. My throat was parched, my skin damp with sweat, and an unbearable
Dalton wiped his knuckles against his trousers, but it was too late—I had already seen them.Bloodied.I frowned, studying him closer. His face was drawn, the usual sharpness of his features dulled by exhaustion. His shirt, still unbuttoned at the top, clung to him, the sleeves rolled up messily as if he’d shoved them up in frustration. His hair was a tousled mess, and I knew exactly why.He had a habit of raking his fingers through it when he was irritated, deep in thought, or barely restraining his anger.But this? This injury was new.Even with my body still aching from the trials, my wounds had mostly healed—only faint scars remained. Yet his knuckles looked fresh, the cuts still raw. That was unusual. Lycan healing wasn’t supposed to be this slow.Dalton must have noticed the direction of my thoughts because he cleared his throat. His voice was steady, but there was something guarded about it.“I asked you a question,” he said. “What do you want?”I met his gaze. “Would you reall
The drive back to the mansion was faster than usual, the engine humming steadily as the Lycan King kept his foot pressed hard on the accelerator. The darkened trees blurred past the windows, but my attention wasn’t on the road. It was on him.Dalton’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles pale under the soft glow of the dashboard lights. He hadn’t said a word since we got into the car. He never talked much, but tonight, the silence felt different. It was heavy—like something unsaid was pressing down on him.The moment we reached the estate, the gates swung open without hesitation, the guards moving with trained precision. He drove straight into the garage, killing the engine in one smooth motion. For a second, he sat there, unmoving, before pushing the door open and stepping out.I followed suit, but as he rose to his full height, I caught it—just the briefest flicker of pain. His jaw clenched, and his hand instinctively brushed against his abdomen as if he was trying to
A faint breeze curled around me, brushing against my skin like a whisper of something distant yet familiar. A stray lock of hair danced against my cheek, tickling my nose. I shifted slightly, stirring from the deep embrace of sleep. The sensation was subtle at first, but the more the breeze played with my hair, the harder it became to ignore.My eyelids fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light filtering through the sheer curtains. Specks of gold and orange swirled in the air, kissed by the setting sun. The soft glow illuminated the room in hazy warmth, casting long, flickering shadows.Even as I absorbed my surroundings, a discomfort settled within me—a dryness clawing at my throat. I swallowed, but it felt like sandpaper scraping against raw skin. Water. I needed water.Moving, however, proved to be a struggle. My limbs felt like molten lead, heavy and aching, as though my muscles had been wrung dry. My body protested with every small shift, my bones screaming in quiet agony. Still
The hunger in his gaze was unmistakable. A raw, insatiable need burned in his eyes, and I knew—I felt—that I was the only one who could satisfy it.And I was ready.The moment his lips crashed against mine, it was like a spark igniting a wildfire, consuming everything in its path. His kiss wasn’t soft or careful—it was fierce, unrelenting, like he was staking his claim on me. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me flush against his hard body as heat surged through me, making my skin tingle and my breath hitch.I melted into him, my body thrumming with electricity, every nerve alive and aching for more. Only he could do this to me. Only Dalton could awaken this fire inside me, a fire that had been smoldering, waiting for him to ignite it.His hands traced the curve of my back, branding me with his touch. His lips moved with a desperate urgency, parting mine, his tongue sweeping inside, tangling with mine in a battle of dominance. A sharp gasp left me as he nipped at my bottom lip, the
The room fell silent, all eyes shifting between me, Cynthia, and Aleksander. His expression revealed nothing as he considered my judgment."Mercy," he finally remarked, "can be mistaken for weakness.""True mercy requires greater strength than vengeance," I countered calmly. "To heal rather than destroy, to rebuild rather than discard—these are not the actions of the weak."Something flickered across his face—not quite approval, but perhaps reassessment. "The judgment seems... appropriate," he conceded. "Though I would add one condition."I raised an eyebrow, waiting."During her year of service, she will spend one month in my territory, assisting our healers with the spring birthing season. She will see firsthand how packs can differ yet still respect each other's ways."The proposal surprised me—it was both a punishment and an opportunity, a chance for Cynthia to expand her understanding beyond the narrow confines of her prejudice.I glanced at Dalton, who gave a subtle nod, then at
The formal welcoming ceremony for Aleksander's pack was a masterpiece of carefully orchestrated pageantry. Every detail had been planned to demonstrate our pack's strength while honoring our guests—a delicate balance struck between power and hospitality.I stood at Dalton's side before the great stone archway that marked the entrance to our central compound, dressed in ceremonial garments that blended traditional pack symbols with subtle elements that marked me as Dalton's mate. As promised, I wore no magical protection, though Dalton had insisted on having Eliza work subtle strengthening spells into the embroidery of my jacket—"Not protection," he'd argued when I'd raised an eyebrow, "just enhancement of your natural abilities. Even Aleksander can't object to that."The distant sound of drums announced the Winter's Edge pack's approach. They moved with military precision, Aleksander at their head, his tall figure imposing even at a distance. Behind him marched his highest-ranking pac
Victor's expression was stone. "Enough, Cynthia.""The matter will be settled according to both our packs' laws," I interjected, unwilling to see her executed despite everything she'd done. "As the wronged party, I'll have a say in her fate."Aleksander's eyebrows rose again. "Mercy from an omega. How... unexpected.""Justice," I corrected. "Not revenge. That's the difference between leadership and tyranny."Something flickered in his cold eyes—not warmth, exactly, but perhaps a reluctant reassessment. "We'll see if you maintain that philosophy after spending more time as an Alpha's mate." He gestured to his pack members. "We return to our camp. The formal meeting will proceed tomorrow as originally planned."As they turned to leave, Cynthia was firmly escorted between two of Aleksander's guards—clearly now his prisoner rather than his informant. She twisted to look back at me, her expression a complex mixture of hatred and fear."This isn't over," she hissed.I met her gaze steadily.
My stomach dropped at the sight of her. She looked different—her usual polished appearance replaced by something harder, her blonde hair pulled back severely, her posture rigid with purpose. Her eyes found mine immediately, a small, triumphant smile playing at the corners of her mouth.The two groups halted a respectful distance apart, the morning breeze carrying scents between us—the unfamiliar, pine-and-snow smell of the Winter's Edge pack mixing with our own forest-and-earth scent.Protocol dictated that as the junior Alpha's representative, I should speak first, acknowledging Aleksander's status and thanking him for agreeing to this meeting. But before I could open my mouth, Cynthia stepped forward."This is the one I told you about," she said to Aleksander, her voice carrying clearly across the clearing. "The omega who ensorcelled our Alpha."A ripple of tension went through my escort. Victor's hand twitched at his side, his expression unreadable as he watched his daughter.Aleks
As the room cleared, Dalton maintained his grip on me, silently indicating I should remain. Once we were alone, his carefully controlled expression cracked, revealing the turmoil beneath."You can't seriously be considering this," he said, his voice low and intense."It's our best option," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "If I face him directly, on my terms—""He could kill you," Dalton cut in harshly. "Do you understand that? This isn't just pack politics, Oliver. Aleksander considers omega males an abomination. In his territory, they don't survive presentation."I swallowed hard. "I know. But that's exactly why this might work. He's expecting me to be weak, to hide. If I show strength—""He might respect it," Dalton acknowledged reluctantly. "Or he might see it as a challenge to his worldview that must be eliminated."I stepped closer, placing my free hand against his chest, feeling the strong, rapid beat of his heart. "Then we make sure elimination isn't an o
"Aleksander's pack approaches," Dalton began once we were seated, Dalton at the head of the table and me to his right. "And Cynthia has fled, likely to join them with false accusations against my mate.""False according to whom?" Victor challenged, his voice tight with barely controlled rage. "My daughter has served this pack loyally for years. She was raised to be your mate, to stand at your side as Alpha female. Instead, you publicly humiliate her for—" His eyes flicked dismissively toward me, "—this."A low growl rumbled from Dalton's chest, a sound that made the hairs on my neck stand on end. "Choose your next words carefully, Victor."The older wolf didn't back down. "The pack has a right to question your judgment in this matter. Aleksander certainly will.""My judgment is sound," Dalton replied, his voice dangerously even. "And your daughter attempted to kill my claimed mate. She's lucky exile is all she faces."Murmurs spread around the table at this. Exile was one of the harsh
Chapter"To check my injuries," I explained. "And to warn me about Aleksander."Dalton's expression darkened. "What exactly did she say?""That sometimes love isn't enough. That it takes strategy, too." I moved to the window, looking out at the pack grounds bathed in the day's fading light. Members were already moving with purpose, responding to what must have been Matteo's alerts. "She's right, Dalton. If we face Aleksander head-on about this, we risk everything—the alliance, the pack's safety, your authority.""What are you suggesting?" His voice was cautious.I turned back to him, an idea forming—one I wasn't sure I had the courage to voice. "What if... what if Aleksander doesn't see me as your mate when he arrives?"Dalton's eyes narrowed. "Absolutely not. I won't hide you, Oliver. I won't pretend our bond doesn't exist.""Not forever," I clarified quickly. "Just until the alliance is secured. Until we can find a way to introduce the idea more... gradually.""Deception isn't my wa
He turned to me, his golden eyes fierce. "Their opinions don't matter. I am the Alpha.""But their cooperation does matter," I pointed out gently. "Especially with the Northern Alliance meeting coming up."Dalton's expression darkened. "Matteo told you.""Cynthia did, actually," I corrected. "Right before she tried to cut my throat with a piece of broken glass."He winced, setting down the plate he'd been holding and moving closer to me. His hands came to rest on my shoulders, thumbs brushing against the fabric of my borrowed shirt."I should have told you," he admitted, his voice dropping. "I just... I didn't want to taint what we have with pack politics. Not yet."I leaned into his touch despite myself. "I need to know what we're facing, Dalton. All of it."He sighed, then nodded toward the dining table. "Let's eat. This conversation requires sustenance."We settled at the table, the domesticity of sharing a meal together still novel enough to send a ripple of warmth through me desp
I spent the rest of the day in a state of anxious anticipation. After cleaning up the broken glass and attending to my bruises—which were already fading thanks to my werewolf healing—Dalton had reluctantly left to deal with Cynthia and inform the pack council about the incident. He'd been hesitant to leave me alone again, but I insisted. I needed time to process everything that had happened.The Northern Alliance. The treaty negotiations. The fact that our relationship might trigger political consequences I hadn't even considered when I'd surrendered to the bliss of our claiming.I paced the length of Dalton's quarters—our quarters—trying to organize my thoughts. The initial euphoria of being chosen, of finally belonging, had been tempered by the harsh reality of what our union might cost the pack. Cost Dalton.A knock at the door interrupted my spiraling thoughts."Come in," I called, half-expecting it to be Dalton returning.Instead, Eliza—the pack's healer and one of the few who ha