NO ONE EXCEPT ME!

ELORA.

"To claim what is rightfully mine, Chief Grayson!" Alpha Killian asserted with a deep, commanding voice that sent a shiver down my spine.

The urge to shift into my wolf form and tear him apart surged within me, but I forced myself to maintain composure.

"That's never going to happen, Killian!" I snapped, my fists clenched at my sides as I locked eyes with him.

The sight of him only fueled my rage further, and all I wanted was to escape his presence.

He was my enemy, the Alpha I despised more than any other. His attempt to claim me filled me with disgust and irritation.

I wanted nothing to do with him, regardless of my father's wishes. I had my own desires, and they did not include submitting to Alpha Killian.

"It's already happening, Elora. You can't change what has been marked by the moon goddess herself!" Killian snarled, his gaze intense as he locked eyes with me.

Despite his handsome appearance, he was far from being my dream partner.

"The moon goddess would never pair me with someone I never wish to see in my life!" I retorted defiantly, refusing to meet his gaze.

"I think it's best you leave, Alpha Killian! She doesn't want you here, can't you see? You're only causing a scene!" Alpha Rohan intervened, attempting to usher Killian out of the hall. However, Killian remained stubborn, refusing to budge.

"I warned you, Rohan... when adults are speaking, don't interfere! Unless you want to face the consequences!" Killian's voice dripped with menace as his claws began to extend from his fingertips, a clear threat hanging in the air.

"Oh, I'm more than ready!" Alpha Rohan charged forward, his muscles tense and ready for a fight, but Chief swiftly intervened before the situation escalated further.

"Alpha Killian, stop this! There will be no fighting here!" Chief's authoritative tone commanded attention, his presence the only thing preventing a clash between the two Alphas.

"Then give me what rightfully belongs to me! How much longer must I fight for her?" Killian demanded, reverting to his human form, though his frustration remained evident.

"I will never accept you as my Alpha, Killian! I can never be yours! You only want my pack now that you..." I began to reveal the truth about my father's death, but Chief Gray cut me off before I could utter another word.

"Choose your words carefully, Elora," Chief cautioned, casting a wary glance around the room, mindful of others watching.

"If you both lay claim to her, then you leave me with no other choice!" Chief Grayson's sudden declaration left me bewildered, unsure of what to make of his unexpected statement.

"I'll do anything to keep my Luna!" Killian declared, flashing a wink in my direction, but his words sent a chill down my spine.

"We'll have to settle this through the moon goddess strength battle," Chief Grayson announced, but I immediately objected.

"No way, Chief! I won't allow it!" I protested, concerned for Rohan's safety, but Killian interjected.

"Are you afraid I'll defeat your Alpha?" he taunted, turning to Chief Grayson.

"I'm ready for it! Bring me the gems!" he commanded, and without hesitation, they were brought to him.

Soon, Alpha Rohan and Killian stood before Chief Grayson and me, the tension thick in the air as the crowd watched from a distance.

The moon goddess battle was no laughing matter; it could prove deadly for the weakest among them.

As the moon goddess battle began, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.

From the outset, it was evident that Killian possessed greater strength than Alpha Rohan, and the thought of him winning filled me with apprehension.

The possibility of being claimed by Killian was something I dreaded more than anything.

"Stay calm, Elora... I'm sure Rohan will prevail," Bryce's reassuring voice reached me from behind, offering a sliver of comfort amidst the tension of the battle.

I was grateful to have someone like Bryce at my side, providing a sense of stability in the face of uncertainty.

"These are the gems crafted from the waters of the Ocean pack. The moon goddess bestowed them upon us, and we will use them to determine who is worthy of Elora. Only the strongest Alpha can lead and protect a pack," Chief Grayson declared solemnly as he approached Killian and Rohan.

With a smile, he handed the gems to them, signalling the beginning of the fateful showdown.

"Connect your wolf to the gems, and if you can't handle it anymore, disconnect immediately! Understand?" Chief Grayson warned, directing his gaze mainly at the stubborn Killian.

"Yes, Chief," they both nodded in agreement.

"Connect!" Chief commanded, and without delay, they closed their eyes and followed his instructions.

The gems emitted a radiant glow, even in the daylight, casting a beautiful aura around them.

Despite the spectacle, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Rohan, knowing he was competing for my sake.

After a few minutes of waiting to see who would give up first, I noticed Killian's hands starting to tremble.

Relief washed over me, realising he was nearing his breaking point. It was clear that his wolf couldn't endure the strain any longer.

Finally, Killian fell to his knees, but he stubbornly refused to open his eyes and disconnect. I knew it would only be a matter of time before he gave in.

Rohan remained steadfast, showing no signs of faltering under the strain of the moon goddess's test.

Suddenly, whispers from the onlookers caught my attention, drawing my gaze towards Killian.

To my astonishment, I saw that he was bleeding from his nose, a clear indication that the gem was draining his powers.

"Chief, do something!" Panic surged within me, though I couldn't understand why I suddenly cared so much.

"Disconnect now, Killian! That's an order!" Chief Grayson's voice was filled with urgency, but Killian remained stubborn, refusing to comply.

As the bleeding worsened, my heart raced with fear. "Alpha Killian, disconnect immediately!" Chief's command was laced with apprehension, but still, Killian persisted, clutching the gem despite the blood streaming from his nose.

"Never! No one can have Elora except me!" His declaration sent a chill down my spine, his determination to claim me at any cost evident in his words and actions.

"Are you insane? You want to risk your life for the pack? Disconnect, you fool!" I pleaded desperately, unable to bear the sight of Killian's worsening condition.

"Then you..." Chief began to retort, but his words were cut short as Rohan collapsed, signalling Killian's victory.

As Killian opened his eyes and rose to his feet, the crowd erupted into cheers, hailing him as the victor. Meanwhile, guards rushed to attend to the fallen Rohan.

"Elora Hale is to be joined with Alpha Killian within the next four hours!" Chief Grayson's decree echoed clearly throughout the hall, sending a wave of shock and dismay through the onlookers.

"No, Chief... I can't..." I started to protest, but Killian interrupted me.

"Oh, Elora..." he approached me, his presence dominating and possessive. With a firm grip, he lifted my chin to meet his gaze, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

"I won, Elora, and trust me... I can't wait to claim you as mine," he whispered with a deep, commanding voice, his intense gaze locking onto mine as his breath brushed against my skin.

"I'll never accept you! You're the one who killed my father!" I spat out, my words filled with anger as I tried to keep our conversation private.

"Did I? And what if I did, Elora?" he countered, his tone dismissive and arrogant, causing me to gasp in disbelief as I clenched my fists tightly.