Chapter 2

"Are you ready, your grace?" I heard one of my maids ask me.

I looked in the mirror examining my dark hair half pulled up to showcase my face but also half loose so that my long hair swept my back.

I stood up and admired the cobalt blue silk gown I wore that hugged my curves in all the right places with cut outs in the side.

Enough to tempt any man to fight for you. My wolf, Luna spoke in my ear.

I grinned to myself. Well they better. All fourteen of them.

Although the idea of fourteen men trying to show me how macho they were all at one actually sickened me. I knew I would have to stomach it for now.

At least until I got what I wanted.

I drapped the royal furs over my shoulders before turning around.

"I'm ready." I announced with my chin raised as I stepped out. My heels clicking against the floor.

Your heart is racing. Luna warned me in concern.

I was aware of that. Byt I couldn't help it. The anxiety of what I planned to do was heavy on me.

I was actively hunting down the person who single handedly took my entire world away from me and destroyed my life in a matter of seconds.

I tried to blink away the image of my father's limp body and the claw marks across his chest.

I still remembered his last words to me.

'They want your power.'

I never got the chance to ask who because at that moment, he died right in front of me.

But it was obvious.

It was no secret everyone wanted what we had. The power to rule the factions.

And it was no secret many of them were willing to kill to get it. But little did they know, they had messed with the wrong family.

I stepped out into the ballroom and the music died.

Silence fell upon the room

Quite an entrance. Luna snickered in my head.

I smiled and savoured the attention as hundreds of eyes turned to watch me.

If they wanted a grieving and weak Luna, they sure as hell were going to receive the shock of their lives.

At the botton of the staircase, a man in heavy royal furs was already climbing to meet me. Dark hair brushed his shoulders in soft waves, and his beard was neatly trimmed along a jaw that had seen more battles than any of the boys believing they deserved my hand downstairs.

“Uncle Jackson." I smiled at him cordially.

He stopped two steps below me so he wouldn’t tower over me. All the more reinforcing my authority to the masses. I appreciated it.

His lips curved into a proud smile.

“You look like you’re about to eat every single one of these alive men alive, kid." He spoke in amusement in a tone low enough for only us to hear.

I fought the smile threatening to escape. That was exactly the point. They needed to see that the Eclipse pack hadn't been weakened just because my father had died.

My eyes scanned the room. So this was them, the eligible bachelors the packs thought were fit to fight for my hand.

All of them desperate enough to have wanted my father dead no doubt.

Where's Carlo? Luna asked in my head.

I looked around realising she was right. My so called protector was no where to be seen amongst the other royal guards.

I couldn't fight my irritation. Don't tell me he was somewhere pouting over me ending our fling.

No matter. This wasn't about him or any emotions for that matter.

I started descending the steps and Uncle Jackson fell in beside me matching my stride exuding the confidence only the most powerful pack in the realm could.

My eyes scanned the room trying to take note of all my suspects.

Ryle of the Pine pack heir, strong enough to be a threat but he had always cared about his physical appearance more than getting his hands dirty. Not that I was crossing him off the list.

My eyes caught sight of two burly men with dark hair and dark eyes. The Thompson twins of the Everglade pack. Rumour has it that they hunted bears for sport when they were kids. But rumour also had it that they shared everything, including women. I didn't know if they could be my culprits but it wasn't impossible.

Any of them could be suspects. All of them were guilty unless proven innocent.

Uncle Jackson and I strode through the ballroom to the center of the room.

A hundred eyes watched us like hawks.

When we stopped, a maid appeared out of the with a tray a tray that had crystal flutes of champagne on it.

“Luna?” she bowed holding the tray out to me. "To start off the celebrations."

I didn’t reach for it.

Instead, I gave her a polite smile. “No, thank you.”

I rose a hand to dismiss her and she scuried away.

Uncle Jackson rose his brows at me.

"Just being careful." I shrugged.

He didn't question me further. Instead I saw his eyes scanning the room.

“The Eclipse pack is the greatest in the country,” he spoke. “Whoever wants your hand will have to be worthy of that. All these idiots think they're cut out for the job. Do us all a favour and don't go easy on them."

I smiled. "Don't worry. Wasn't planning on it."

I stepped forward, the hem of my dress brushing the marble floor.

It felt like the entire room was holding its breath.

“All the men who dare to seek my hand. Step forward.” I ordered.

I watched as all fourteen suitors did likewise. All of different appearance and sizes.

So these were the best the regions had to offer.

These were my suspects. My eyes scanned all of them knowing they all appeared on my list and didn't even know it.

I placed one hand on my hip and used my finger to point around.

"You, you, you and you." I spoke selecting four of them at random. "Step forward."

The four did likewise, the Thompson twins included.

I savoured all their confused looks. Everyone in the room seemed to be holding their breaths waiting for my next words.

I let out a satisfied sigh as I let the words slip out of my mouth. "I want you to fight. Hand to hand combat. No shifting allowed."

Eyes widened and the four looked at each other in confusion.

"Your grace, this is a formal event!" One spoke in outrage.

I let out a humourless laugh. "Oh my apologies. Are you afraid you'll break a nail?"

Uncle Jackson failed to hold in his laugh.

I could tell the elders didn't approve but I didn't care.

This was my game they were playing.

"Fight." I ordered sternly. "I don't care who spills blood."

I looked around meeting all their eyes so that they knew I was serious.

"It's my first challenge. And an order. And whoever wins..."

I let the words hang in the air then my lips curved into a smile.

"Gets to fight me."