CHAPTER 5

ARIA

The cheering stopped instantly.

All eyes turned to where the voice had come from. I knew it was her even before I saw her.

Victoria—Gamma of Dark Moon pack and Knox’s betrothed.

When I had first arrived at the palace, I had heard whispers of Knox’s betrothal to her. Maya later told me the full story of how Knox had chosen to mark her and crown her as the Queen. I hadn’t let Maya see how much the revelation hurt me.

But as I stared at her with fury burning in her eyes, I didn’t feel that hurt anymore. I felt possessive and ready to stand my place beside Knox as his fated mate and Luna Queen. I didn’t know where that feeling came from but I could feel Laila rising to the surface.

‘ Who does she think she is? ’ Laila snarled

Victoria stepped forward, every inch of her radiating power and confidence, like a warrior entering a battlefield she already believed she would win. She dipped her head toward Knox in a shallow bow that felt more like formality than respect.

“ Your Majesty, ” she said before raising her head, “ Forgive my interruption. But someone has to speak for the pack. She’s an Omega and not even one from this pack. She can’t be our Queen. ”

I could feel everyone's eyes on me, waiting to see what I would do. My chest tightened but I straightened my back, refusing to let her words get through me. I wasn’t a weak girl anymore.

Knox’s mark had unleashed something inside me, something powerful. Although I haven’t fully understood what it is, I could feel it hum silently somewhere deep inside me.

“ This isn’t your decision to make, Victoria. ” Knox growled.

“ A King needs a strong Queen ,” Victoria shouted so everyone could hear, “ Not a weak little omega who was found in the woods. You were going to mark me. You were going to make me your Queen because I am strong enough to stand by your side.”

Knox growled loudly, a warning that should have sent any wolf running, but Victoria’s desperation had turned into a reckless sort of courage.

Her gaze moved slowly over me.

“ I challenge you Aria, ” her voice echoed through the hall, causing gasps from everyone, “ A fight for your place as Luna Queen. ”

My breath hitched in my throat.

A challenge?

I had expected Victoria’s anger and hatred but a challenge for my position as Luna Queen?

A challenge was a serious matter, especially one that could determine higher positions.

Knox’s hand gripped the arm of his throne so hard the wood groaned. I could feel Fenris rage through the bond, screaming for blood at the insult to his mate.

“ No. ” Knox roared, the sound of his voice and Fenris’s howl blending into one. “ She is my fated mate. This matter is closed. ”

“ But it is my right, ” Victoria said, looking at the Council of Elders, “ The law says I can challenge her for the position of Queen. If she can’t defend her place, she doesn't deserve it. ”

Knox leaned forward, his voice dangerously low. “ You know what this means, Victoria. A fight to death. Is that what you want? ”

Victoria’s eyes flashed with determination. “ Yes. ”

“You’re crossing a line, Victoria.” Beta Ethan said.

“ I am following the law. ” Victoria barked back.

Elder Thomas cleared his throat. “ She is right , Your Majesty. According to the Ancient Statutes, the challenge is valid. We cannot deny her the right to contest a seat she was promised. ”

Knox’s jaw clenched. He turned to me, his eyes softening. “ You don’t have to do this. ”

But I knew I wanted to.

This was more than a challenge for dominance. It was about my right to exist here, claim the role that fate had chosen for me and rule by Knox’s side. If I backed down now, I would never be truly accepted and Victoria would never stop until she tore me apart.

I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

“ I accept. ” I said, my voice stronger than I felt.

Knox’s eyes widened in surprise and I could feel his concern radiating through our bond. I gave him a reassuring smile, sending a wave of calm through the bond to settle the storm inside him and his wolf.

This was my fight.

I have to prove to everyone and to myself that I was worthy of this role. He gave me a nod in understanding though I could still see the worry in his eyes.

Then he turned back to face the pack.

“ Aria has accepted the challenge, ” he announced “ This would be done by the rules. Both will fight in their wolf forms. A fight to death. ”

Victoria smiled viciously. “ This won’t take long. ”

We moved to the training grounds, where the challenge would take place. Everyone gathered around, forming a tight circle. My heart pounded in my chest but I was ready. The old Aria would have run but the new Aria was ready to fight for her place.

Victoria didn’t waste time. She shifted into her wolf instantly. Her wolf was large and imposing, with brown fur and eyes that glowed with rage. As the Gamma of the pack and a trained warrior, she has experience in combat.

I, on the other hand, had never fought a day in life but I was sure of this.

‘ Are you ready for this? ’ I asked Laila,

‘ More than ready, ’ Laila growled back, ‘ Let’s show her that this ‘Omega’ is not to be messed with. ’

That was all the assurance I needed. I took a deep breath, and shifted, my dress tearing apart as Laila took over. The transformation felt smoother and faster than ever. Now standing on four paws, Laila glanced down at the ruined pieces of my beautiful dress.

“ So much for the beautiful dress I had just put on. ” I sighed internally.

Laila huffed softly. ‘ Don’t worry. Our mate is the King. There’s definitely more where that came from. ’

Without warning, Victoria’s wolf lunged with a snarl, her teeth bared and claws extended. Laila dodged fast, spinning away from her attack. Victoria’s wolf growled and began circling, her angry eyes locked on Laila as she waited for another chance to attack.

The crowd erupted into murmurs.

Victoria charged again and again, each attack fueled by anger, but Laila stayed calm, dodging each one.

“ Watch this, Aria. ” Laila hummed confidently.

As Victoria charged once more, Laila waited until the very last second before twisting sharply and slamming into her side. Victoria’s wolf stumbled hard across the ground before Laila pinned her beneath her paws with a deep, threatening growl vibrating from her chest.

Everyone fell silent, the only sound was Victoria’s pained whimpers as Laila held her down.

Through the bond, the crushing worry from Knox and Fenris vanished, replaced by something else. Knox’s heart swell in pride for his Queen and Fenris letting out a mental howl of triumph for his mate.

‘ Should I end it? ’ Laila asked, ‘ Should I kill her? ’

‘ No. ’ I replied, ‘ We can’t take a life just like that all because of a position. ’

Laila huffed. ‘ She would have killed us without a second thought. She doesn't deserve your mercy. ’

‘ Maybe not, ’ I told her firmly. ‘ But we are better than her. ’

Laila stayed still for a heartbeat, her muscles tensed, showing Victoria exactly how close she was to death. Then, with a grunt of annoyance, she slowly retracted her canines and stepped off.

‘ Fine. ’ Laila grumbled to me, though I could feel her pride.

Knox stepped forward, holding a blanket and draped it over my wolf form. Laila receded, giving me back control and I shifted back into my human form, naked beneath the blanket. I gripped it tightly, wrapping it around me.

Victoria, still in her wolf form, slowly rose to her feet. She looked at me, her eyes filled with hatred but there was something else there too—disbelief. Then with a snarl, she turned and fled.

Laila scoffed in my head. ‘ She’s lucky you asked me to spare her life. I wanted to keep her ear as a souvenir. ’

Everywhere remained silent for a few heartbeats and then slowly, everyone began to clap.

‘ Aria has proven her worth today. ’ Knox addressed the crowd, his gaze sweeping over the wolves until they all bowed. ‘ Anyone who questions her place again as the Queen will answer to me. ’

Knox took my hand, leading me away. I felt the heat of his palm and the satisfied purr of Fenris in my mind.

But deep down, I knew this was only the beginning of the challenges I would face as the Luna Queen.