Chapter 5: Blood and Bonds

The pack's fighting circle was carved into the earth beneath the full moon, its boundaries marked by ancient stones that had witnessed countless challenges over the centuries. Tonight, they would witness another,one that would determine not just the pack's leadership, but my fate as well.

I sat in the place of honor beside the empty Alpha throne, surrounded by wolves whose loyalty was as sharp as their teeth. Every eye in the circle was on me, measuring, judging, waiting to see if I would be their Luna or their next victim.

Larry stood at the center of the circle, having stripped down to just his dark jeans. In the moonlight, his body was a work of art,all lean muscle and controlled power, marked with scars that told the story of his rise to leadership. But it was his eyes that held my attention, silver fire that promised death to anyone who threatened what was his.

Even if what was his happened to be the daughter of his greatest enemies.

Across from him, Jackson Reid was a mountain of muscle and fury. He'd removed his shirt as well, revealing a chest crisscrossed with battle scars and arms that could crush bones with ease. Where Larry was elegant lethality, Jackson was brute force incarnate.

"The challenge is witnessed," Elder Catherine announced, her ancient voice carrying across the circle. "Jackson Reid challenges Alpha Larry Talbot for leadership of the Silverclaw Pack. The combat will be to submission or death, as the Moon Goddess wills."

"I won't submit," Jackson growled, his eyes never leaving Larry's. "And when I'm done with you, I'll give the pack the justice they deserve."

His gaze flicked to me, and the promise in his eyes made my blood run cold. He wouldn't just kill me,he would make it hurt, make it last, make it a spectacle for the pack's entertainment.

"You're welcome to try," Larry replied, his voice carrying that deadly calm I'd learned to fear. "But know this,I protect what's mine. And she is mine."

The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver through me that had nothing to do with the night air. Through the mate bond, I felt his complex emotions,the hatred he still carried for my bloodline warring with his wolf's desperate need to protect me.

"Then let's finish this," Jackson snarled, and shifted.

The transformation was brutal and swift. Jackson's human form exploded into that of a massive brown wolf, easily twice the size of most pack members. His eyes glowed with predatory fire as he circled the fighting space, looking for an opening.

Larry's shift was different,fluid, graceful, like watching darkness take shape. His wolf was midnight black with silver eyes that gleamed like starlight. He was smaller than Jackson, but what he lacked in size he made up for in speed and intelligence.

The two wolves circled each other, and I found myself holding my breath. Through the mate bond, I could feel Larry's battle focus, his predatory calculation as he assessed his opponent. But underneath it all was something else,a desperate need to end this quickly, to remove the threat to his mate.

Jackson struck first, lunging with massive jaws aimed at Larry's throat. But Larry was already moving, sliding under the attack and raking his claws across Jackson's ribs. Blood sprayed across the circle, and the crowd roared its approval.

The fight that followed was brutal and beautiful, a dance of death performed under the watchful eye of the moon. Jackson fought with raw power, trying to use his size advantage to pin Larry down. But Larry was like liquid shadow, striking and retreating, wearing his opponent down with precision cuts.

Through the mate bond, I felt every impact, every moment of pain and triumph. It was overwhelming, intoxicating, and terrifying all at once. I was experiencing the fight through Larry's senses, feeling his wolf's savage joy in combat mixed with his desperate need to protect me.

The turning point came when Jackson, frustrated by his inability to pin down his more agile opponent, made a crucial mistake. He overextended in a lunge, leaving his throat exposed for a split second.

Larry didn't hesitate. He struck like lightning, his jaws clamping down on Jackson's throat with crushing force. The bigger wolf thrashed wildly, trying to shake him off, but Larry held on with the tenacity of a predator who had everything to lose.

Blood poured from Jackson's throat, steaming in the cool night air. His struggles grew weaker, more desperate, until finally he went still. Larry held the death grip for another few seconds, ensuring the threat was eliminated, then released his hold and shifted back to human form.

He stood over Jackson's body, naked and painted with blood, looking every inch the apex predator he was. When he raised his head to survey the pack, his eyes were still more wolf than man.

"Does anyone else wish to challenge my authority?" he asked, his voice carrying across the suddenly silent circle.

No one moved. No one spoke. The message was clear,Alpha Larry Talbot was not to be challenged, and his mate was under his protection.

He walked toward me then, ignoring his nakedness and the blood that covered his skin. Every wolf in the circle lowered their eyes in submission as he passed, acknowledging their Alpha's dominance.

When he reached me, he dropped to one knee beside my chair, bringing his face level with mine. His silver eyes were wild, still caught between human and wolf, and I could smell the copper scent of blood on his skin.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice rough with the aftermath of battle.

The question surprised me. Through the mate bond, I could feel his genuine concern, his need to ensure I was safe. It was at odds with the calculated cruelty he'd shown me for days, and I found myself confused by the contradiction.

"No," I whispered, unable to look away from his intense gaze. "I'm fine."

He studied my face for a long moment, then nodded once. "Good."

He rose to his feet and turned to address the pack. "Let Jackson Reid's death serve as a reminder,I am your Alpha, chosen by blood and confirmed by combat. My mate is under my protection, and anyone who threatens her threatens me."

The pack's response was immediate and unanimous. "Alpha!" they chanted, their voices rising to the moon above.

But I barely heard them. All my attention was focused on the man who had just killed to protect me,the same man who had promised that every day of my life would be a living hell.

Through the mate bond, I felt his complex emotions, the war between his hatred of my bloodline and his wolf's growing attachment to me. He was changing, whether he wanted to admit it or not. The question was whether I could survive long enough to see what he became.

As the pack began to disperse, Larry turned back to me. "Come," he said, his voice carrying that Alpha authority I couldn't resist. "We have things to discuss."

I rose and followed him from the circle, knowing that tonight had changed everything between us. The beautiful disaster he'd promised was just beginning, and I was starting to understand that we were both going to be casualties in this war between love and hate.

The only question was who would surrender first.