Chapter Four;

Betty Pov:

The morning light barely crept through the tiny window,casting soft streaks across the cold,gray room. My muscles ached from weeks of training, but I welcomed the pain. It reminded me I was still here.

I was strong now. My wounds was completely healed and I have been training with the other wolves,preparing for the battle.

Unlike the cold, empty feeling that had followed me since the day Arthur rejected me.

It had been six weeks.

Six weeks he looked straight at me and said the words that shattered me.

"I, Arthur of the Dark pack reject you as my mate. He didn't even blink.

His family have not tried to reach me but I know they are looking for me. But they won't dare look in this pack because they don't want to stir up a fight with Alpha Evander.

I was still tangled in sleep,wrapped in scratchy sheets,when the door opened with the energy of a tornado wrapped in sunshine.

"Good morning, sunshine!"

Mia said mockingly.

I jolted upright,eyes squinting against the sudden brightness - not from the sun,but from her.

Smirkingly,She continued

"So,the whispers are true. The Alpha has finally chosen his Luna.... and it's you".

"Yes. He has made his choice,and I stand by his side with pride". I said calmly, but firm.

"Pride? Or fear that I might still take what you have? You think one ceremony,one title, will keep him bound to you? The Alpha deserves strength, fire, a mate who knows how to lead in battle,and someone from the pack who knows the pack traditions,not someone who hides behind loyalty".

Mia replied,moving closer to me with her voice dripping venom.

Meeting her gaze steadily. I said.

"He deserves more than fire. He deserves wisdom, loyalty, and a heart that beats for him - not for ambition. You mistake hunger for love, and that's why you'll never wear the title."

"Careful, little Luna. She replied,growling softly. Wolves with sharp tongues often find themselves silenced."

"And wolves blinded by envy often lose their place in the pack. Remember, the Alpha chose me - not because I demanded it, but because I am what this pack needs."

I replied stepping closer and unshaken.

"We'll see. A crown can be stolen as easily as it's placed". She replied with her eyes narrowing, forcing a smile.

I turned away quietly and said to her.

"Not this crown. Not from me."

"We'll see.... We w..i..l..l.....see!

She said and stormed out.

Alpha Evander had told me that she will come to frighten me with such conversation. So I was prepared for her. Everyone in the pack welcomed me except her. She was always angry that she wasn't chosen as the pack's Luna and this made Alpha Evander distance himself from her.

She became more angry the day Alpha Evander introduced me to the pack. Then an elder and a seer from the pack saw my eyes and said.

"She is a child of two worlds....the sun and the moon share her spirit. She will walk paths no wolf has ever dared."

Since then she has growling.

*******************

THE TRAINING GROUND;

The sun was just rising, but here at the Shadow Fang pack, we make training our priority. As Luna and leader of the female warriors in this pack,I had hundreds of female warriors to lead by example.

I put on some clothes and step out of the room. Headed to the training ground.

"Where are the male squads?"

"Busy", a maid replied. "Every single one of them is already out in the field training",she explained. 

I was looking for Alpha to tell him about my encounter with Mia,before going for training.

Moving closer to the training ground.

Then I saw him.

His eyes locked on my own, like he knew I was headed there to check on him.

My skin was flushed.

My cheeks pink.

My n*****s hard enough to show through the tank top.

And between my thighs?

A constant, pulsing ache. So sworn I could feel my heartbeat in my clit.

I look ruined.

F***d.

And he hadn't even touched me yet.

All he'd done was look.

One stare from him and my body turned to heat.

One f****g smirk and I'd nearly creamed my panties.

I couldn't stop staring.

The way he stood there..... Shirtless. His eyes burned amber,his broad chest bare,scared with the story of every fight he had survived. Sword glinting in the sun, like some ancient f****g god made of violence and testosterone.

It was my first time seeing him shirtless.

The way his eyes devoured me.

No smile. Just hunger.

Then that smirk.

That promise.

It was the kind of look that said he knew.

What I smelled like.

What I tasted like.

What I'd do for him if he just crooked a finger.

I should've looked away.

I didn't.

I couldn't.

"Betty".

Larry's voice snapped through the silence. "Are you looking for Alpha"

I nodded like a sheep lost in the field. As I turned to face Larry.

He's over there training the others.

He said running over to where Alpha was.

Facing the wolves. "Today we sharpen our fangs", the Alpha's voice thundered when the last echo fell.

"Today,we bleed so we do not fall tomorrow. No warrior leaves this field unstead!"

A roar of voices shook the night. Then, as if a spell broke,the training began.

Pairs of wolves launched at each other, slamming into the dirt with snarks and teeth snapping. Some fought in their human skins,blades flashing in sunlight,sweat dripping as they struck and blocked with raw precision. Dust billowed up, thick with the copper tang of blood as claws raked across fur and skin.

"Guard your throat, pup!" Betta Tia barked,shoving a young fighter back into stance. "You drop it in battle, you die."

The youth staggered, panting, but squared his shoulders and lunged again. The Beta's approving growl was rough, but it carried pride.

On the far side,the Gammas drive the warriors harder. "Again! Run it again!" They ordered, forcing wolves to circle the clearing at a sprint before diving back into sparring. Bodies heaved with exhaustion,but none dared stop.

On the other hand was Mia and the female wolves. Her gaze was sharp as any blade,her presence steading the pack. When a warrior fell,she knelt down pressing her bloodied palm to their brow before pulling them up to their feet. "Rise. Your fight is not finished."

The training's climax came when two of the strongest males clashed - Larry,the Gamma and Jarek, a fierce challenger. Their spar began as drills, but bloodlust rose quickly. Jaws snapped inches from throats, claws tore through flesh, and the circle around them tightened, wolves growling encouragement. The fight was brutal, raw, more war than practice.

"Enough!"

The Alpha's roar shattered the frenzy. His power rolled over the pack like thunder. Both fighters froze, panting, blood dripping from their jaws.

"Save your rage for the enemy. Discipline is the edge that wins wars."