CHAPTER 8

Night is yet to welcome day. There is barely any light outside, but I am wide awake. Running around his territory, warming up my body. Today is the day I have to prove myself to my so-called mate. It is not the fact that I am nervous or anxious as to why I feel upset, but that I have to prove myself. That I have to tear myself apart piece by piece to show him worthiness to rule by his side. All my life, I had to fight, thinking there might be an end to it. Perhaps when I take my throne, or even when I find my gift from the moon. But I guess my destiny is always to fight. I fought for survival, now I fight for acceptance. Acceptance from him. I should not let myself be fooled by this kind of relationship. I stop in my tracks, all thoughts swirling in my head, his scent overtakes my body. My mind is growing hazy. Eyes searching, legs trying to take me to him. Hands itching to hold him, skin wanting to feel his warmth. It's a battle between mind, body, and heart. A war I can't seem to walk away from. A war I can't win. I watch him, the flex of his muscles to every stretch of his bones. Sweat was dripping from his sculpted stomach. Every bob of his Adam's apple to the gulps of water he swallows. His jaw clenches, hands turning into fists. He feels the heat of my gaze on him. Eyes meet, my breath hitched, the bond flaring to life between us. How can he fight this? Why does he wish to do so? I don't understand. I take uneasy steps towards him, his eyes looking at my feet, catching my movement; however, I halt once more. A female walks up to him, smiling with red, shy cheeks. Handing him a towel, he sparks a conversation between them. She slowly puts a strand of hair behind her ear, biting her lip. She desires him. Has he had her before? Has he tasted her? I get my answer when his eyes meet mine once again. He answers my question with those eyes of his. The thorns around my heart dig deeper, tears wanting to be released from the hold I have on them, legs shake from the weight of my heart. I look at her, memorizing her features. She will be the first I will destroy. My wolf agrees. Choices bring consequences. Finding her, she is already looking at me. Disgust for me evident in her eyes. Hatred consumed her. Cracking my knuckles, licking my teeth, I smirk. Today will mark the day of her death. My wolf will take pleasure in spilling her blood. Deimos walks to the center of the field. "Today, each one of you will fight an opponent. You may choose who you wish to fight, and put all your training and hard work into it. Make me proud." Wolves puff up wanting to show their Alpha their strength. "Who wishes to go first?" Deimos questions, eyes looking from one wolf to another. "Me." My voice booms across the field. No hesitation. "That female shall be my opponent." I point to her. I want her blood. Deimos grows nervous. Good, I want that. "Do you accept, Nadia?" Deimos looks at her. So, Nadia is her name. Did he scream her name? Did he scream her name when she took his thrusts? Did he call her name as a lover? This just fuels my anger. This will be the last time he will speak her name; I will make sure of it. The female looks from him to me, determination in her eyes. She wishes to take my place. I laugh quietly. Not even her dreams will she be able to acquire that. "Yes, Alpha. I accept." Her voice doesn't waver; she's strong. Pity, she won't be able to see tomorrow's sunrise. "Then let it begin," Deimos commands as he sits down on his chair. All the wolves around us are curious about the outcome. Curious to see the strength I possess. I look at my male, smiling. His eyes widen. My smile was not meant for him, but his wolf. For I will make my promise to him come true. My victory. The female and I circle each other, staring at one another. Feet bare, the snow beneath me making it numb. She attacks first, trying to knock me down and kicking my legs. I catch her by the knee, pushing her back, and her steps falter. She attacks again, swinging her fists to get a blow on my face. This female tries to fight without thinking. I dodged it, grabbing her forearm, twisting it behind her back, putting pressure, re breaking it. She screams, banging her head backwards, breaking my nose. Struggling from my grasp, she circles me again. This is a waste of time, and my stomach demands food. I need to end this now. She begins running at me at full speed, grabbing her by the neck, lifting her into the air., I smash her body to the ground, shattering her backbone. She struggles to breathe. I laugh. "Aren't you a pup? Your moves are those of a juvenile." I question her. Her cheeks flushed red with anger. "I wasn't a pup when your mate thrust deep inside me, screaming my name, feeling my warmth with his se…" I look straight into the eyes of Deimos, crushing her neck before she could finish the sentence. Her mouth was wide open, life draining from her eyes. "I pray the moon won't take you into her gates, as you took what was meant to be mine," I whisper to her. Deimos just quietly watches without speaking a word. Turning to all the females who are present in the field, I scream at them. "Anyone else who wishes to take my rightful place at his right, fight me here and now, but know this, I shall send you straight to the moon." Only silence answers me with occasional whimpers. They fear me. Good, I did what I wanted to. Blood still drips down my broken nose, and I wipe it with my sleeve. My wolf is happy as she looks at the white blankets of snow on the ground. This is our victory. We won. My feet take me to Deimos, and my hands clench the handles of the chair. I lean towards his ear, hand, e shivers at my closeness. I whisper, "Perhaps you do not wish for me to be yours, but know this, I do not share." I walk away from the field, back to the castle for a shower and food. Feeling the warm water on my body, heating it. Steam covers my vision, my eyes, and I keep thinking back to what the female told me before she died. How many times did he take her? Was she meant to be Luna if he didn't find me? Did he want her to birth his pups? My thoughts are interrupted when I feel him behind me. I don't run, scream, or cover from him. I am no shy wolf, we belong to each other, so being naked in front of him is not a big problem. He can look at my flesh all he wants. I keep my eyes closed, not wanting to see him. I feel him slowly reach around me, grabbing the soap and washing me. He turns me around, facing him. I still don't open my eyes, keeping my head down. "Look at me." He whispers to me. I open my eyes, looking straight into his. Can he see my pain? Can he see what he does to me? He continues washing me, keeping his eyes on mine. I look down at his body, his cock hard and straining wanting release. At least he physically wants me. I look back at his face. His jaw is clenched, teeth grinding, eyes darkening. He is trying his best not to take me right here and now.