Chapter 9 - THE CHALLENGE
Moonrise came too quickly.
The challenge ground sat between Cross territory and the northern ridge.
No weapons.
No guards inside the circle.
Only Cassian and me.
Damian hated every second.
“You don't know how to control your wolf.”
“I'll learn.”
“In twenty minutes?”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“I fight him.”
“This isn't your challenge.”
His jaw tightened.
“I know.”
I softened despite myself.
“Damian.”
He looked at me.
“You can't protect me from every consequence.”
“I know.”
“Then stop trying.”
His eyes lowered.
“I'm trying to protect you from mine.”
I didn't answer.
The horn sounded.
Cassian entered the circle.
I followed.
Gideon watched from one side.
Aurelia from the other.
The rules were simple.
Force the opponent outside the circle.
Make them submit.
Or continue until one cannot stand.
Cassian attacked first.
He was faster.
Much faster.
He struck my shoulder and sent me rolling across the dirt.
Damian moved forward.
Marcus caught him.
“Don't.”
I stood.
Cassian came again.
I dodged.
Barely.
His hand caught my sleeve.
Fabric tore.
He drove me backward.
“You've never fought.”
“No.”
“Pathetic.”
He hit me again.
Pain exploded through my ribs.
I fell.
The crowd murmured.
Cassian leaned closer.
“Submit.”
I tasted blood.
“No.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
He attacked again.
This time I stopped thinking.
I listened.
Not to Cassian.
To the wolves surrounding us.
Hundreds of heartbeats.
Hundreds of scents I had never been able to recognize.
Suddenly I could feel them.
Fear.
Anger.
Loyalty.
Grief.
And beneath all of them—
Mine.
My scent wasn't absent.
It was everywhere.
Cold rain.
Silver pine.
Snow before dawn.
The air changed.
Cassian stopped.
His eyes widened.
“What are you doing?”
“I don't know.”
A wave moved outward.
Every wolf around the challenge ground lowered their head.
Except Cassian.
He fought it.
His knees trembled.
Gideon shouted.
“Stand!”
Cassian roared.
Then charged.
I raised my hand.
“Enough.”
He stopped.
One foot from me.
His entire body shook.
Tears of rage filled his eyes.
“Make me kneel.”
I stared at him.
“No.”
Confusion crossed his face.
“I won't.”
The pressure disappeared.
Cassian remained standing.
I stepped backward.
Then I walked out of the circle.
Gasps erupted.
Gideon smiled.
“She forfeits.”
“No.”
Cassian turned.
Everyone looked at him.
He walked out after me.
Then he faced Gideon.
“She won.”
Gideon's expression changed.
Cassian lowered his head to me.
Not forced.
Chosen.
“I recognize Elara Vale.”
One by one, wolves across the valley did the same.
Damian watched silently.
So did Aurelia.
Gideon looked around as his coalition began kneeling.
His plan was collapsing.
Then Serena screamed from the edge of the crowd.
“Don't kneel!”
Everyone turned.
She held a crossbow.
The bolt was aimed at me.
Damian saw it first.
“Elara!”
The weapon fired.
He moved.
May you like
The bolt struck his chest.
And Damian fell at my feet.
