Chapter 3

After our confrontation the day before, I left with the rest of the New Moon Pack.

Cedric was set to bond with Elena the next day.

But before that could happen, Aldric, the old Alpha King, suddenly announced a trial.

Every Alpha who entered had to choose a female partner to fight alongside him.

The trial would help decide who had a chance at becoming the next Alpha King. There was no way Cedric would miss it.

In the past, he'd always chosen me. But after he refused to mark me in front of everyone, that was no longer an option.

And Elena certainly couldn't take my place. She had no wolf, no powers, and no chance of surviving in the ring.

I wondered who Cedric would choose instead. I got my answer when he came looking for me.

He brought an expensive gift and spoke to me in an unusually gentle voice. "Cassandra, please help me just this once. Elena doesn't have a wolf, so she..."

I cut him off. "And what exactly would I be to you in this trial?"

Cedric hesitated before holding the gift out to me. "You'd be my partner. How does that sound? I have to use this trial to prove to the old Alpha King that I'm the strongest."

I refused the gift, but before I could say anything, Elena appeared behind him.

"Cassandra, you'd better know your place. When Cedric becomes Alpha King, I'll be his Alpha Queen. If you refuse to listen to Cedric now, I'll make sure you pay for it later!"

I almost laughed in her face.

Instead, I crossed my arms and put on a frightened look. "That trial is so scary. What if I die?"

Elena lifted her chin and looked down at me. "If you die, at least you'll have died serving the future Alpha King. Don't worry. Cedric will take in every slave from your pack."

My smile disappeared.

She could insult me all she wanted, but she had no right to insult the warriors of my pack.

"Partner? No, thanks. But I'll be more than happy to face you in the ring."

Cedric's expression darkened. "You're entering the trial too? Cassandra, a woman can never be an Alpha King!"

I stepped closer and met his gaze. "True, no woman has ever been Alpha King before. Maybe it's time that changed. I'll show every Alpha here exactly what an Alpha female can do."

I sent Cedric and Elena on their way.

The trial began at noon.

Elena sat beside Cedric. She hadn't even been marked yet, but she was already carrying herself like his Luna.

When the Elder saw me alone, he asked, "Cassandra, don't you have a partner? Which Alpha did you pick to team up with?"

I lifted my chin. "I don't need a partner. I'll take them all on myself!"

As soon as the trial began, two Alphas who'd never liked me attacked at once.

I broke one Alpha's arm and sent the other flying out of the ring with a kick.

One opponent after another fell until only Cedric and I remained.

Elena scoffed from the sidelines. "All she did was beat a few useless Alphas. She's obviously doing this to get Cedric's attention."

Oh, Elena. You really don't know me at all.

I shifted into my wolf form and lunged at Cedric.

Cedric stared at me in disbelief. "Cassandra, you won't even go easy on me?"

"Why would I? There are only winners and losers in the ring. Besides, you're not my partner!"

With five minutes left, I slammed Cedric to the ground.

The Elder raised my hand. "First place in this trial goes to Cassandra Reid!"

The New Moon warriors erupted in cheers, shouting my name with pride.

Across the ring, Cedric struggled to his feet and glared at me.