CHAPTER 5

ARIA

“ She’s not fit to be your mate. ”

All eyes turned towards the back of the room where the voice had come from. I knew it was her even before I saw her — Victoria, Knox’s gamma. I had heard the whispers of Knox’s arranged marriage with her but I got the full story from Maya. She hadn’t meant to tell me but it slipped out one evening while we were talking about mates. I hadn’t let Maya see how much the revelation hurt me. 

But now, as I stared at Victoria with fury burning in her eyes, I didn’t feel hurt anymore. I felt possessive and ready to stand my place beside Knox as his fated mate and his Luna. I didn’t know where that feeling came from but I could feel Laila rising to the surface, telling me it was coming from her. 

Victoria stepped forward, every inch of her radiating power and confidence. “ She’s not fit to rule by your side. ” she spat, “ She’s weak. An Omega and not even one from this pack. She doesn’t deserve to be here. ”

Her words were laced with venom and I could feel the eyes of the pack on me, waiting to see what I would do. My chest tightened but I straightened my back, refusing to let her words get through me. I wasn’t a weak girl anymore. Knox’s mark had unleashed something inside me, something powerful. Although I haven’t fully understood what it is, I could feel it hum silently somewhere deep inside me.

 Knox’s grip on my waist tightened and then he growled loudly. “ This isn’t your decision to make, Victoria. ” he replied, his voice commanding. 

Victoria’s hand clenched into fists at her sides. Her gaze flickered between me and Knox and then, her lips curled into a sneer. “ I challenge you Aria. ” her voice echoed through the hall, causing gasps from the pack members. “ A fight for your place as Luna. ” 

My breath hitched in my throat. 

A challenge? 

I had expected Victoria’s anger and hatred but a challenge for my position as Luna? A challenge was a serious matter in the werewolf world, especially the once that could determine the position of an Alpha or Luna. But I knew what Victoria wanted — to publicly humiliate me, force me to back and prove in front of the entire pack that I was weak. 

Knox tensed beside me, growling underneath his breath. Then he stepped forward, his voice dangerously low as he addressed Victoria. “ You know what this means, Victoria. A fight to death. Is that what you want? ”

Victoria’s eyes flashed with determination. “ Yes. ”

Knox’s jaw clenched and I could feel the tension radiating off him. He doesn’t want this but Victoria’s challenge was formal. And in our world, it couldn’t be ignored. He turned to me, his eyes softening as they met mine. “ You don’t have to do this. ”

But I knew I wanted to. This was more than a challenge for dominance. It was about my right to exist here, claim the role that fate had chosen for me and rule by Knox’s side as his fated mate. If I backed down now, I would never be truly accepted and Victoria would never stop until she tore me apart. 

I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

“ I accept. ” I said, my voice stronger than I felt. 

Knox’s eyes widened in surprise and I could feel his concern radiating through our bond. I gave him a reassuring smile, letting him feel it from the bond. This was my fight. I have to prove to everyone and to myself that I was worthy of this role. He gave me a nod in understanding though I could still see the worry in his eyes. 

“ Aria has accepted the challenge from Victoria. And this would be done by the rules of the pack. No weapons. A fight to death. ” Knox announced. 

Victoria smiled viciously. “ This won’t take long. ”

We moved to the training grounds, where the challenge would take place. The pack gathered around, forming a tight circle. My heart pounded in my chest but I was ready. The old Aria would have run but the new Aria — the one who had survived being bullied, rejection, rogues and Knox indifferences — was ready to fight for her place. 

Victoria began to shift, her bones cracking as her body transformed into her wolf form. Her wolf was large and imposing, with brown glossy fur and eyes that glowed with rage. As the gamma of the pack and a trained warrior, she has experience in combat. I, on the other hand , had never fought a day in life but I was sure of this.

“ Are you ready for this? ” I asked my wolf, Laila, who has been quietly observing everything.

“ I’m more than ready for this. Let’s show her who's boss. ” Laila replied.

That was all the assurance I needed. With a deep breath, I let the shift take over me. My transformation was smooth and fast as though the power coursing through me made it easier. When I stood on all fours, my wolf was slightly smaller than Victoria’s. But I could feel my heightened senses and sharp instincts taking over. 

Without warning, Victoria lunged at me with a snarl, her teeth bared and claws extended. I barely had time to dodge, but I did, spinning out of her path as she snapped at the air where I had been. She growled, circling me, waiting for the right moment to strike again. I could hear the pack murmuring, watching intently. Some of them didn’t believe I could win. 

I was, after all, the omega.

Victoria attacked again but this time, I was ready. I sidestepped her lunge and swiped at her with my claws, raking them across her side. She howled in pain but it only fueled her anger. She whipped around, her jaws snapping at my leg. I felt the sharp sting of her teeth sinking into my flesh, but I didn’t let the pain stop me. With a powerful kick, I forced her off me and rolled to my feet.

Blood dripped from my wound but I ignored it, focusing instead on Victoria. She was strong but she fought with anger, letting her rage control her. I, on the other hand, was focused. I let my wolf guide me, my instincts sharp and clear. Victoria came at me again, her movements wild and reckless. I dodged her, staying light on my feet, waiting for the right moment. 

And then, when she lunged once more, I saw my opening. With a fierce growl, I threw myself at her, sinking my teeth into her neck and pinning her to the ground. Everyone fell silent, the only sound was Victoria’s pained whimpers as I held her down. She was trying to fight back, but my grip was firm. Slowly, she stopped struggling, realizing that she had lost.

The pack watched anxiously, waiting for my next move. This was the moment where I should kill her and end the challenge but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t take a life just like that all because of a position. I just wanted to prove to them that I belonged here. I wasn't the weak omega everyone believed me to be. 

The pack stared at me in shock as I released my hold on her and stepped back. Knox stepped forward, holding a blanket and covered my wolf form. I shifted back into my human form, naked beneath the blanket. I gripped it tightly, wrapping it around me. 

Victoria slowly shifted back into her human form naked, her body trembling with exhaustion and fury. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with hatred but there was something else there too — disbelief. Then with a snarl, she turned and fled, her pride shattered.

I scoffed internally. She should be grateful I spared her life. Everywhere remained silent for a few heartbeats and then slowly, the pack began to clap. They had seen me stand up for myself. They had seen me fight. And now, they accepted me as their Luna. 

“ Aria has proven her worth today. ” Knox addressed the pack. “ Anyone who questions her place as Luna will answer me. ”

The packs bowed their heads in submission, accepting his words. As Knox took my hand , leading me away from the crowd, I couldn’t help but feel this was only the beginning of the challenges I would face as Luna of Dark Moon pack.