Chapter 91: Bonds Strengthened Lucas POV

"Once more."

Thalion’s voice boomed through the clearing, harsh and uncompromising. My muscles screamed in protest as I braced myself for another strike. The wooden post in front of me was splintered and bloodstained from hours of abuse, but I wasn’t finished.

With everything I had left, I rushed forward and smashed my fist against the post. My arm ached, but I chose to ignore it. Proving myself was the only thing that counted. Not to Thalion, not to them, but to Anna.

From the sidelines, Kael murmured, "Sloppy," with his arms folded across his chest. "You're merely using brute force. No skill, no finesse."

Thalion whispered firmly, "Kael," his eyes never leaving me. "Quiet. Let him do his job."

Kael scoffed without further comment. I sensed that he was watching me and waiting for me to fail. He wanted me to lose my temper so he could accuse me of being weak. However, I would not provide him with the satisfaction.

The wood cracked as I pounded my fist into the post once more.

Thalion raised a hand and whispered, "Enough. You've shown that you're resilient, but physical strength won't get you very far. More than just your physical prowess will be put to the test throughout the upcoming trials."

Panting, I took a step back and dabbed at my perspiration. I didn't care if my knuckles were bruised and bleeding. I faced Thalion and looked him in the eye.

"What comes next?" With a calm voice despite my heavy fatigue, I asked.

After examining me for a while, he nodded. "We'll carry on tomorrow. Take it easy for the time being."

I refrained from arguing. I needed a moment to recover my breath since my body felt like it had gone through a war. Anna arrived at the edge of the trees as I moved away from the clearing, her face displaying a mixture of pride and worry.

She hurried to my side and whispered, "You're bleeding."

I brushed by her and murmured, "It's nothing."

Taking hold of my arm and bringing me to a halt, she demanded, "It's not nothing, Lucas. Give me a look."

Too exhausted to fight, I sighed and extended my hands. She took a rag from her pack after flinching at my ripped knuckles.

As she delicately wrapped my hands, she remarked, "This is ridiculous. This is not required of you. You don't need to convince them of anything."

"Yes, I do," I firmly stated. "How can I protect you if I can't gain their respect?"

Her hands became motionless, and her eyes softened as she gazed up at me. "Lucas, you've always kept me safe. You can do that without their consent."

I started to reply, but Thalion came over before I could say anything. He stared between us with a keen gaze and a commanding presence.

He said in an unintelligible tone, "Your mate speaks wisely."

"We're not—" I began, but he interrupted me with a raised hand.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he replied, "Spare me your denials. Your relationship is as obvious as the mark on her arm. Are you really so unaware of it?"

I maintained eye contact with Thalion while Anna's cheeks reddened and she turned her head away. "What are you trying to say?"

With a small softening of his countenance, Thalion crossed his arms. "Bonds like yours are sacred in our pack. They are honored and celebrated. It would be prudent to strengthen your union if you are going to stay here."

"Strengthen?" Anna's question was hardly audible above a whisper.

"A ceremony," stated Thalion plainly. "To become mates in the pack's eyes."

Like a thick mist, the weight of his words descended upon us. Anna looked just as shocked as I did when I looked at her.

I said thoughtfully, "We can't make that decision hastily."

With an inclined head, Thalion answered, "Of course. Don't take too long, though. Time does not favor you."

He then left us in uncomfortable quiet and walked away.

Anna and I sat by the fire in the center of the ancient pack's village later that night. Her face was covered in flickering shadows from the flames, which brought attention to the concern in her eyes.

"Do you believe he is correct?" The stillness was broken by her question.

"About?"

Her fingers traced patterns in the mud while she paused. "About us. Regarding the bond."

With a sigh, I combed through my hair. "I'm not sure. Perhaps. Not that I haven't considered it before, but—"

"But what?" Her voice was gentle as she pressed.

"But right now, everything is so complicated," I added, looking her in the eye. "Oliver is after us. The awakening of your powers is just beginning. I don't want to complicate matters for you."

She reached out and put her palm over mine as her face softened. "Lucas, you don't make things more difficult. You make them tolerable."

Her comments felt like a kick to the stomach, and I was momentarily out of air. "Anna..."

A piercing, urgent howl resounded in the distance before I could finish speaking. Both of us stiffened, our instincts taking over.

"An additional trial?" With a hint of discomfort in her voice, Anna asked.

I stood up already and shook my head. "No. It served as a warning."

One wail led to another, and then another, until the cacophony filled the night. I felt a shudder go through me as shadows moved near the village's edge. We looked at each other, an unsaid understanding between us.

It wasn't going to be pleasant, whatever it was. It also had no intention of waiting.