Aria's POV 

What?" his voice resounds, he's completely frozen, shock written all over his face.

"I said, I want you to mark me, or don't you want to?" I tease with a faint smile playing on my lips.

"O..of course I do," he splutters. "Are you sure? Because there's no going back after this. Even now I can't let you go, marking you seals your fate with me mate." he finishes, with a deep reverberating voice, Alec is definitely surfacing.

"I have never been so sure of anything else in my life, you have successfully started breaking my walls. Thank you for making me feel so loved." I explain.

"This will hurt a bit, sorry mate." His teeth elongate slightly, leans towards the delicate part of my neck and sinks his teeth in slowly.

Excruciating pain shoots through my neck. A silent plea escapes my lips. He pulls his teeth out, then gently laps at the open wound.  The pain eased slightly, to the feel of a slight burn. After a while of his soothing actions, my eyes droop uncontrollably. My eyes flutter shut, everything faded instantly.

***

My light footsteps echo faintly in the hallway. I am late for training again. It's been two months since Kael marked me. A sweet smile pulls at my lips, the memory sweet and worth it. I woke up in his arms the morning after, he took care of me even though I was completely fine. Our relationship has bloomed into something beautiful. I'm just so scared, as if something bad happens and ruins everything. 

Lately I have been dealing with a lot of nausea. I can hardly stomach much, I have been able to successfully hide it from my mate. I feel it's nothing serious so telling him will only make him worry unnecessarily about my health. 

"I'm surprised, your lap dog is nowhere to be found." Alicia's awfully sweet voice stops me in my tracks.

"I don't have time for whatever this is, Alicia," I answer, barely sparing her a glance. She then steps right in front of me. I step sideways, but this doesn't stop her. It seems to have infuriated her, she intercepts me again.

I  take a deep breath, "What is it you want, Alicia." I say exasperated. "I'm pretty certain you don't have anything reasonable to talk to me about."

"You have truly grown wings. My mate was hospitalized because of you. I'm pretty sure you had something to do with it." 

I raise a brow in response.

"He chose me, get that into your thick skull. This won't go down just like that. Watch your back, and I mean it this time." She says with a sneer on her face, hits my shoulders and walks past me.

I shake my head at her foolishness, I have better things to do than trade words with an air-head. Sun rays hit my face as I step outside, I race towards the training grounds. I see my partner, Anita standing alone observing others as she waits for me.

"I need to stop covering for your lazy ass," She mutters, clearly sensing me behind her. 

I give her a light jab, "You know you love me too much to tell on me." I tease. Anita and I have become fast friends, I have made a few good friends in the pack but it seems I would have to earn my place with most though. They feel I may not deserve the title.

I lead Anita towards a clear side of the field, so we can spar. I have improved a lot faster than anyone anticipated. Anita throws a neat blow at my face, taking me unawares since I was distracted. My face whips to the side, I close my eyes for a while to clear the dizzy feeling threatening to take over.

"Are you good?" Anita asks with concern. "You seem a bit under the weather these days?"

"I'm good, it's just stress."

She gives me an unconvinced look. "Sure, but I'm here to listen to whatever problems you may be having."

I give her a little smile and nod. "Come at me again, you  won't be so lucky this time." I say to end the awkward conversation. I'll always respect Anita because she isn't unnecessarily vicious on the training ground which makes her a perfect sparring partner. 

She rushes at me swiftly, I block her paying attention this time. I land a kick, in turn making her land on her back. "Good, you're getting too good at this. I miss always winning." She teases as I give her a hand.

We go for each other again. We are able to intercept each other's attacks then she says something slowly. "You should be careful of Jessica."

I crease my brows in confusion. "Is something wrong?" She gives me a long look, breathing hard.

"She seems hell bent on winning the tournament, and with the comments she is making, she can do anything to get what she wants." She is able to  sweep me off  the floor.

I landed rather clumsily, since I was getting tired. These days I easily get tired. She lends me  an arm.  "Thank you for telling me, I'll be very careful."

"It's no......" A loud commotion pulls us out of conversation, we then walk towards the middle of the training grounds.

"I won't take your degrading words any longer, Valec," A lanky teenager with lots of freckles littered all over his face screams in the face of a large wolf twice his size.

Anita then curses under her breath. "You know what's going on?" I ask sparing her a short glance, distracting myself from the altercation in front of us.

"Valec is a bully, he picks on smaller wolves that are smaller than he is. I'm pretty sure, Gad isn't here and he saw it as a perfect opportunity."

"Is nothing ever done about it?" I ask in surprise, since I've been treated with a bit of dignity since when I got here, unlike back in Blood Moon.

"The Alpha doesn't tolerate bullying, even Gad, but they can't be everywhere at the same time." 

"Fight, fight, fight," echoes round the  training grounds. This will definitely not end well for the smaller wolf. Valec or whatever he calls himself, is definitely stronger. I am pretty sure those chanting this were troublemakers.

"Well I won't  ever back out from a challenge." Valec taunts with so much arrogance. I am pretty sure I didn't hear the smaller wolf challenge this wolf, he just stood for himself. 

"Gad," I call out using the mindlink.

 "Yes, Luna." he answers, surprise evident in his tone.

"There is an issue here,  please can you come."

"I'll be on my way, Luna, I am finishing up a discussion with the Alpha." Hopefully he makes it on time before the younger wolf gets hurt.

Valec picks up the wolf and flings him hard against the bare floor. The smaller wolf winces in clear pain. He is able to maneuver and slip from Valec's tight grip which infuriates him, a growl escaping his lips. He lands a bone cracking blow to  the smaller wolf's jaw, standing atop him he begins to hit blow after blow. Without giving it much thought, I sprint towards them before Anita could stop me.

I reach out and expertly climb onto the larger wolf, able to roll him off. I then stand between the two opponents facing off Valec. "Little Luna, you dare interfere into what does not concern you?" He spits with anger. "You will surely regret this," he finishes.

He comes at me with so much ferocity, I am able to expertly deflect most of his advances. I take a few hits though. I see an opening, he is fighting angrily so I take advantage of it. I am able to drop a round kick with precision and stamina, sweeping him off his feet. Shock is written all over his face and murmurs echo through the training grounds.

I give him a stern look, "The Cantara pack is powerful for its might to protect not oppress, you're not fit to fight if you don't care for fellow pack members. We are nothing if we turn on each other just for the fun of it." I say my voice resounding with so much authority. The training grounds grow silent.

Valec looks at me with indignation, obviously not remorse and stands up swiftly, coming forward to attack me. To my surprise an unfamiliar man stands between us, facing him and says, "You'll have to go through me to hurt Luna." My eyes widened in surprise.

Another comes forward, "Me too." Numerous voices resound around me saying the same thing. It sounded like almost the entire members of the pack stood up for me.

"Luna, what is going on?" Gad sprints towards me, trying to make sense of the scene in front of him.

"It's all sorted out. Can you please ask someone to take this wolf to the infirmary, he's hurt."

Gad looks at me in surprise, then peers at the wolf sitting on the ground holding onto his face.

"Yes, Luna." He surprises me, when he picks up the wolf and rushes towards the infirmary.

"I, Wendy Snow, renounce my challenge for the Luna position at the Luna Trials, and accept you as my Luna." A loud feminine booms in front of me, bowing her head slightly in respect.

Thane's POV

My eyes linger on the map before me, it is covered with numerous red signs. This is my way of marking territories that I have been able to subdue. I have also been able to partially conquer a lot of pack territories. A lazy smile plays on my lips. I have strategically been able to attain the largest territory in Crescent Moon. 

Wait! It seems that scoundrel Kael still has a rather large territory under him. I have tried by every means to take even an inch of his territory but he has not budged one bit. I have lost the most wolves to the pesky little flea. The plans I have for him give me so much joy. I have also  noticed that it seems like his ability to hold me back has made a lot of Alphas hopeful.

"Alpha, you have guests." My Beta, Shaw says through the mindlink.

It completely slipped my mind that I was expecting visitors today. Their visit is supposed to be a thing of glee for me since they are my moles in the Cantara Pack. But, unfortunately they always harbor bad news. 

I heave a sigh, "Tell them I'll be right there."

I fold the map up, placing it in my drawer. My heavy footsteps resound down the hallway as I walk from my office to the sitting room. 

"I apologize for my tardiness," I address everyone in the room, not really meaning it anyways. They  all bow  their heads in respect.

I take a seat on my favourite chair, facing everyone. "So, what good news do you have for me?"

"We were able to do  what you told us, though it's slow but no one has noticed."

"I am happy that you got something right this time, at least." I replied with a bored tone.

"But there is a major problem."

"And what will that be?" I ask in irritation.

"It seems the little Luna is much more than we gave her credit for."

This caught my attention.  "What makes you think so?"

"Well an incident happened yesterday where a dominant wolf was taking advantage of a smaller one."

"Get to the point already." I urge impatiently.

"She intervened, winning the hearts of a good number of respectable pack members."

I roll my eyes at the insignificant issue. "So what is the issue here?"

"A pack divided can easily be infiltrated but a pack that is one is harder to break."

I growl at the statement, it's actually true and my own words.

"Why is this little thing such a problem?" I ask in curiosity.

"The Council Member Morris stood up for her, and you know how much of a threat he is to us." my eyes widened in surprise, Morris is in the Luna's Camp that is interesting.

"Who else?"

"Well a couple of members of the pack council and a good number of warriors too."

"Most Lunas stick to nurturing the pack and more 'lady-like' activities, why is she even on pack  training grounds?"

"Well, certain members in the pack felt like she did not deserve the position and challenged her for it."

A chuckle slips through my lips. "I get it now, so it's more of a thing of necessity."

"Yes, and come to think of it, the plan we have going is actually perfect for the fight."

"Well for once, I am one step ahead of the bastard." I say unable to hide my irritation.

My phone rings distracting me, I slip it  out of my pockets and glance at the caller. A full blown smile covers my face, I answer immediately. "Hello."

"I am outside the pack prisons with your warriors."

"You did not inform me of this visit." I say in curiosity.

"The last supply you gave is gone, I'd like another fresh supply for Alpha."

I chuckle softly, sparing a glance round the sitting room. "You sure need to be careful  with your purchases, it's not easy to find."

"Money is not an issue and you know it, make it quick, I wouldn't want to keep him waiting."

I cut the call, placing my phone in my pockets. "Well since you have told me everything I need to know, this meeting is over." I stand up abruptly.

"Have a great day, take them out of pack lands, Shaw."

I take a turn out back, walking out the kitchen door. I walk towards the pack prisons, well this must be fun.

I walk down the lone path and see two figures ahead. "Welcome to my pack prisons after just a week." I say as I approach the two figures.

"Whatever, man, anything to sate our appetites."

"You're one hungry man." I say cryptically.

"Well follow me, I have the perfect pick for you." I urge him, walking past him pulling the  doors open.

We walk quietly towards the last door at the end of the hallway. I stop outside the silver bars staring at the figures inside. He follows suit. Numerous hollow eyes look at us with apprehension from inside.

"Have you seen what you like?" I ask.

He takes his time then finally speaks up, "I like the brown head," he says pointing in a direction. 

I follow this and chuckle. "This will definitely be interesting."

"Why is that?" He asks in mild confusion.

"She is pretty stiff-necked and stubborn, protected by an older she-wolf."

"Will it be a problem," he looks at me with side eyes.

"Of course not, just don't be surprised by any drama, and she will be harder to contain."

"Before all that, any news on packs."

"Well there have been rumors of certain things happening, you're moving too fast."

"I asked for information not advice," I say irritation leaking from each word.

He lifts his arms in surrender, "I'm just saying. At first packs paid more attention in keeping their individual borders safe."

"What about now?" I asked with raised brows.

"They are trying to form an alliance, I'm suspecting that they would  make that Lycan their head."

"Wait, Kael?" I say gritting my teeth.

"Yes, Kael. They all have noticed how he has successfully thwarted all your attacks on his border. In fact with barely any effort."

"Watch your tone." I warn.

"Well, you asked for information. I heard how even his weak Luna was able to kill your rogues. They are getting rather useless."

"Don't you dare."

"I'm just passing across the message from my Alpha. We want this alliance to work but we won't waste our resources on weaklings."

"You know you need me." I say without sparing him a glance.

"We do but if you keep losing, then I'm not so sure."

I turn and call a warrior. "Come and take the brown head out."

"Yes, Alpha." He answers, opening the bars and walking straight towards the brown head.

Cassia intercepts using her body to cover the younger wolf. The warrior gives her a hard slap to the jaw, her head whips to the side but she remains in the same spot. He picks her and twists her wrist, a strangled cry escapes her lips. Then he stumps on her ankle, the pain disorients her and he picks up the little she-devil. 

She bites his ears out until he pulls her off forcefully and gives her a blow that knocks her out. He carries her limp body, an arm shoots out and holds his ankle, belonging to Cassia. He kicks it off harshly and steps out locking the door.

"What a fight, she had to take a good beating before she let the girl go."

"I told you." I say with a sick smile.

He makes a gesture with his fingers towards the door and calls in his second. Who drops a suitcase at my feet.

"Your full payment with a little extra token for good service."

"Well, thank you." I say with glee. I then opened the suitcase making sure the pay was intact.

I noted with appreciation, "Good doing business with you."

"Same. Do keep in mind our discussion. Make sure to take care of Kael soon before he becomes a real problem."

"Don't worry about that, with what I have in store for him, he definitely won't see it coming." A smile played on my lips.

Aria's POV

I stare  at my reflection in the mirror, as I pull my hair into a tight ponytail. Today is the day that I'd have to prove myself to the pack. I'm so nervous, my entire life I've been looked down upon and things haven't worked in my favour. But, I refuse to let that dictate my life  any longer. I have been chosen by the moon goddess as Luna for a reason.

I feel a slight pain in my chest, rubbing it subconsciously. Now that I look at the reflection closer my face is rather pale, than usual. I have tan skin making this obvious. 

"Willow?" I call out, she's been unusually silent of late. Surprisingly, she doesn't reply.

A loud knock pulls me from my thoughts.

I turn my gaze towards the door, "Can I come in, Kitten."

A smile pulls at my lips. "Of Course Alpha," I  tease, the door knob twists open. Kael saunters in.

A lazy smile on his lips making his usually emotionless face radiant. His arms go for my waist, wrapping around it firmly. My eyes widen in surprise, he  is getting more daring each day.

His lips slam against mine, our tongues swirl around each other. After, playing for dominance, I lose my breath and push against his chest. I pant slightly with flushed cheeks and swollen lips, leaning my head against his broad chest. 

A rumbling chuckle resonates out of his chest, "You're still so shy, little mate."

I shake my head with vigour, denying the obvious  truth.

He holds me tightly in his arms. "I came to wish you luck for the tournament."

I peer at him from beneath my lashes. "Thank you, Kael."

He growls lightly, "I hate it when you call me, Kael." He says mischief written all over. "Call me  something sweet like, darling or honey or even my love."

"Maybe after the tournament I will, Kael."

His fingers go under my chin holding it up, facing him. "I don't care what the outcome for the tournament is. You are mine and I am yours. No one else's." 

I nod my head, he rubs his thumb gently against my chin. "Are you okay though love, you look a bit pale?"

I push him off slightly, "Yes I am, it's just my nerves." 

His eyes flicker round my face, "You'll tell me if something is wrong right?"

"Yes, I promise," I say with a smile though my tummy churns at my blatant lie.

"I....."

"Kael get out of there so I get my turn," Martha screams outside my door. "You have spent enough time with her already."

He rolls his eyes at her antics, a sweet giggle reverberates out of my mouth. He let me push him out the door. 

I pull the door open, there is Aldin, Gad, O'Brien and Martha. My eyes widened in surprise.

"We came to offer our allegiance to you, and wish you the best, Luna," Aldin speaks up on their behalf. 

He bows slightly and says, "I, Aldin Benard, the  Beta of the Cantara Pack, accept you as my Luna."

Gad follows suit, "I, Gad Leonard, the Head Warrior of the Cantara Pack, accept you as my Luna.

O'Brien comes forward. "I, O'Brien Kegan, the Enforcer of the Cantara Pack, accept you as my Luna."

Lastly, my best friend steps forward. "I, Martha Klassen, Warrior of the Cantara Pack,  accept you as my Luna."

Tears uncontrollably spill down my cheeks, I'm so happy. "This means so much to me guys, I promise to do my best," I jump in for a group hug.

Kael rolls his eyes but he stares at me with so much pride. The world vanishes around me as I get lost in his blue orbs.

"The pack must be gathered by now, we should go before you guys begin to make out once more," Aldin teases.

My cheeks are on fire, a grunt comes from Aldin. Our footsteps resound on the wooden floor of the packhouse as we walk towards the training grounds.

He rubs his ribs with a pout, "Keep your mate on a tight leash, Luna." He then gives me a playful wink, "He is so violent, unlike our adorable Luna."

"Get your own mate and call her adorable, Aldin," Kael says possessively.

"Well, look at this, our big bad Alpha is already wrapped around Aria's fist," O'Brien adds. They cackle at my expense. I thought Martha was bad but these two are way worse.

"Don't pay attention to them, Kitten," Kael whispers. 

We make our way to the noisy crowd, mixed expressions are littered on their faces. My palms grow sweaty. I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"I know you can do this." Kael whispers again in my ears, brushing his lip slightly against it. We walk in the midst of pack members, some offer me encouraging smiles. Kael helps me up the makeshift podium, Aldin, Gad and O'Brien follow. Martha stays in the crowd, giving me a dazzling smile.

"Today, we have some to witness the Luna Trials in respect to the age long tradition held for Lunas. This is to reinstate their place as Luna if they are challenged by other she-wolves to a fight." My mate's loud voice resounds round the training ground.

"My Luna and mate Aria will be facing our former Beta's daughter Jessica Woods, Misty Wardwick, and Anita Miller." he then stares at the crowd for a while and then mutters, "May the best one win."

Gad then steps forward and announces, "Let all contestants come forward," they all step forward from the crowd. 

"For a fair competition the Luna will be facing one opponent at a time, Jessica will be the first opponent then Misty and Anita then will come last." He addresses the crowd.

"The rules are no use of any weapons, you can shift to your wolf at any point of the fight, and most importantly to be pronounced winner is either by submission or death." He continues.

"If by any point you break the rules, it would lead to either disqualification or banishment pending on the severity." He then finishes.

"Everyone, move to the edge of the training grounds," Aldin announces. "Luna and Jessica please make your way to the middle of the training grounds."

I walk down the podium, after Kael gives my fist a subtle squeeze. I approach Jessica who sports a smirk as if she knows something I don't.

"You will go down, little Luna." She says. "You're not fit to be crowned Luna or worse officially mated to my Kael."

I growl at the disrespect to my surprise, Willow is completely silent. She is not even making any attempts to come out.

Now I'm worried, this is a bad time though but what is happening to Willow.

"Fight," Gad states simply.

"You're going down, Omega." Jessica taunts, she zips towards me, I'm able to clumsily miss her strike. She comes back on her feet fast and comes hard. She doesn't even waste a second, hitting me left, right  and center. 

"You can do this, Aria," Martha's loud voice reaches my ears.

"How are you able to deflect most of my advances, wench." She says angrily. I am getting rather sloppy and dizzy. My poor state has made me resort to just fending off her attacks. Now, I'm sure something is wrong, I feel sick all of a sudden. 

She goes for my belly, in my attempt to block her, I open my face up. She lands a heavy blow to my jaw, making me crash on the bare floor. She climbs atop me and begins raining blows, I am able to deflect some but she gets most.

"Now this is just a tip of the iceberg, my wolf wants her own pound of flesh as well from you." Jessica screams.

She stands up and urges me, "Get up, you filthy mutt."

Blood trickles down my head and my chin, I pick myself up on shaky feet and in no time, a large ash wolf replaces Jessica in her place.

She bounds forward towards me swiftly, before I can get out of her way, I feel blinding pain on my shoulder blades. She waved me around like a rag doll and bit off a full chunk of my skin, throwing me roughly against the floor. Blood rushes out of my shoulders. A pained roar reaches my ears. 

I am losing blood fast, my eyes blurred, I can barely make out anything. My ears are filled with a dull ring, drowning out the noise.  Then, complete silence and everything goes black.