009.

Stella's POV.

It was so obvious. The pride that oozed out of him and pink rose to my cheeks. I looked down, trying to decolorize my cheeks whilst using my hair as a curtain.

“Is she going to be a member of this pack?” A random person asked.

Of course, I'd be. I was his mate after all, it made sense if I was. But I wondered if I'd be asked to prove myself. 

But my mate's response shocked me.

“If she wants to.” Was his only response.

I snapped my head up, looking at him. What did he mean by that? If I wanted to? I scoffed loudly. I had the urge to walk away, but I couldn't. Why? Because this wasn't my freaking pack! And I hated the restrictions that came with it. Here and others.

How on earth did Aria cope? 

“She should not prove herself to us? The pack?” I knew Casey's voice from anywhere. I mean, I only spent a day here, but she had proven to be a stress. 

Why? Does she like Owen??

Owen, who noticed the shift in my mood, spoke again. “She already did, the night she came here.”

“But should that count? I mean, everyone knew what an emergency that night was. Then, it wasn't certain she'd be staying here. If she wants to, she needs to prove herself.” Casey pushed on, her head high.

Like she knew Owen couldn't decline the offer.

The crowds murmured their acknowledgement and agreement. 

Although his face appeared straight, his eyes were a storm of conflict. He knew that it was no longer up to him. It was a challenge only I could decline.

He wanted me to. His eyes told it all.

But unfortunately, I wasn't one who turned down a challenge. 

Instead, I strived for it.

I loved the thrilledness that came with it.

The built up adrenaline. 

This way, I could release my pent up anger instead of depending on some stupid pills to keep me grounded.

A few years ago— many years ago, actually, I was diagnosed with IED. Intermittent explosive disorder when I stabbed a girl with a pencil in her neck when I was 12. In my defense, she called me a skeleton because I was extremely skinny.

I hated the pills I was on. It made me dull and made me feel senile. That wasn't what I wanted for me. With time, I became antisocial because I fear I might actually kill someone. Training was the best way I could take out my anger. 

The same anger I felt right now.

A smirk slowly made my lips. They wanted a show? Fine, I'd give it to them. I ignored Owen's silent plea and moved to stand in the middle beside him. And everywhere became silent.

I felt like he wasn't scared for me, but for them. Which is actually alright.

“Who first?” My voice rang out loudly in the silent field. “You?” I nudged my head to Mike? I thought it was his name. “Or you?” I glanced at Chris. My smirk widened when my gaze fell on Casey who visibly gulped. “You?” I pointed at her and signed her to come forward with my hand.

“What the hell are you doing?” Owen hissed beside me. 

The smirk fell off and I casted him a straight look. “Scared I'll hurt your play thing?” I hissed back. “You know, why not the three of you? Then your alpha afterwards?” 

Gasps resonated in the field. 

“I can't deny a challenge.” Owen gritted out, his hand twitching as he gave me a side glare.

I faced him and smiled sweetly, “then don't.” The smile dropped as I walked past him, I said. “Don't hold back either.”

I was mad. No, I was furious. Livid. 

Understandable, he knew I existed not until Wednesday. But jeez, I was here! Yet he had the audacity to show care for that wannabe?? Oh, don't get started on the fact that he told my family about him. What gave him the right to??

That aside, I needed to break the stupid wings that mate stealer spread. 

It was insane how I couldn't feel the mate bond yet I was burning with jealousy. 

I scoffed inwardly. What stupid situation I was in.

Owen hesitantly stepped aside. When Chris followed, I frowned. “Because I know.” He answered my unasked question with a friendly smile.

I understood what he meant perfectly. He knew Owen and I were mates. He accepted me already. To him, I was his Luna and he would stand by me. Because he knew, I proved myself to him. 

My heart warmed at that and I returned his smile back.

Guesses were; I finally liked someone in this pack.

Mike confidently stepped forward. I snorted. Did this dude love his arse being handed to him? Well, for the fun of it… Casey followed suit, trying to poise confidence. Key word, trying.

No warning. No counting. No words. Mike charged at me. 

The pack gasped audibly. Owen growled. Mila appeared shocked. But I? Didn't flinch. Growing up, I've learned to always expect an attack. Either from my mother, father, or Vorus. I'd spend the night awake, turning on my bed, waiting for either of them to attack. Even after my father died and Vorus attacks on me stopped, I still waited. 

Staying at Mom Kath's place at Kormak's helped ease the tension, but it was still there. I never felt secure. Ever. 

So, while everyone seemed stupefied that Mike suddenly attacked me without waiting for the official start, I wasn't. 

Blocking his hold proved that.

Just a breath away from my face, my hand stood wrapped around his clenched fist. His eyes were narrowed in vengeance. He wanted to take glory, even though he knew he could never.

But it didn't hurt to try though. I'd give him that.

I twisted his hand. A hard glare rooted in my eyes. And he glared right back. Leaning in softly, I whispered, “this is exactly why you'd never best me.” Then I slapped his hand away. Due to the force of that, he shifted sideways. 

I peered at Owen who looked caught off guard. I smiled inwardly. “Before we start, I have a condition.” I started. He nodded and I went on. “When I win, they submit to me.”

The whispers unlocked again.

A lady amidst the crowd scoffed. “Who does she think she is?”

“Is she the Alpha's mate?”

“Impossible.”

“She's proud.”

I snorted out a laugh. Damn right she was. When Owen was still silently staring at me, I raised one of my eyebrows in question. 

“Why would he?!” Casey sneered.

“Hmm..” I pretended to think for a second, tapping my index finger on my chin. “...maybe because I'm his mate?” The pack couldn't be more shocked. And I shrugged merely. “It's only right you bow to me, after all.”

“Quiet, everyone!” Owen stepped back to the middle, coming to stand beside me. “As it turned out, she happened to be the mate I was robbed off. And today, she's going to prove herself against my beta and Casey,” I saw the way he hesitated before uttering her name. And I swallowed back my hurt. “If she wins, she automatically your future Luna till her inauguration.” 

“And if she loses?” Casey asked.

“You need not worry, sweetheart. I shall not.” I smirked, faking a British voice.

“Then she'd go against me.” 

What? 

My head snapped to him. I hadn't meant what I said about going against him earlier. “And if I lose?” Not that I was scared, because if Kormak and I could spar for hours without no one winning, there was a chance neither of us would until one surrendered. 

And I wasn't one to.

But, but I wanted to know what he had to say about that. If I lost, what would he do? Rob me off my Luna title? Or kick me out of the pack??

“We go again till you win.” He whispered. “It's either you do or you do. No way out.” 

And I understood the underlying meaning perfectly.