Chapter 04

“Are you being serious right now?” Disbelief was evident in Edmund's voice when he said those words. He even looked around to see if anyone was watching us. We were in a hidden corner here in their kitchen right after he dragged me out of his office so that his servants and the other werewolves wouldn't be able to see me.

I kept my eyes on him. “I am serious, Edmund. I can prove to you that I am not a weakling. I am not just any other she-wolf. I can be the Luna that you want. I can be strong, I can be fearless and fierce.” I made sure that I was able to deliver those words to him with conviction.

He was just looking at me as if he was trying to examine my face and intention. “Are you challenging me, Calla?”

I kept a firm face. I didn’t even blink as I was looking at him. “I will prove you wrong, Edmund. I will prove to you that I can be a better luna. I can be the luna that you want. You cannot just shove me away from this pack that we have been loyal to,” I said firmly. I saw how his eyes went on fire. It was as if he was suppressing his anger with what I said. His jaw clenched before he heaved a sigh and raised a brow.

“Very well, then, please me.” With that, he left me there and went back to his friends.

I shut my eyes firmly. I inhaled a deep breath before opening my eyes and letting out a sigh. I looked around before walking out of there. I kept my head down as I walked back to my house. There, I got my things and clothes ready. This she-wolves challenge was designed by the elder wolves. It won’t be easy for sure, so I needed to be ready for it. It usually has three rounds. Each of them represents a certain skill that a strong she-wolf should have.

The first round is all about channeling our wolves. It will measure how you will be able to control and shift. It will also test how you will be able to use your senses in times of danger. The second round is all about how good you are in using weapons, bow and arrow, swords, any weapon of your choice. The last round will be our combat skills. I am confident that I would be able to pass the first round. I was able to shift when I was thirteen years old, and I must say that I did great in controlling my wolf already. Although I haven’t shifted for a long time now ever since my father died, however, I know in myself that I will be able to control it. After all, my wolf is stronger and more awakened now. That shouldn’t be a problem. For the second round, I will be using a bow and arrow just like what I practiced in archery. I would need to practice more for it. Same goes with the third round. I may be at a disadvantage here, but it won’t stop me. I will win this. I will do well in this game. I cannot just be banished from this pack. I am worthy to be here. I am worthy to be a Luna.

I grabbed my things and hurriedly went out. I walked to our archery room. When I walked in, everyone  was busy practicing. I looked around to find a silent space. I walked towards the corner. I placed my things on the floor. I got my bow and arrow and started shooting the target. I heaved a sigh.

I positioned myself and released an arrow. It hit almost the edge. I shook my head and tried again. I lost count on how many times I tried to shoot the target until I finally hit the bullseye. I felt like a pinch of hope sprung in my heart when I saw the arrow on the center of the board. I bit my lip hard as I tried to contain my smile and excitement. I took a deep breath before going to the board to get my arrows. Then I went back to aiming arrows again.

I spend almost half of my morning practicing archery. Others were already out and preparing for later but I didn’t bother joining them. I had at least five rounds of practice in archery before going to another training center for combat. There was no one to practice it so I was left with no choice but to do the stunts with a dummy punching bag. I tried to remember everything that I had during the practice that we had back in the earlier days. I honestly don’t know if I would even win or have a chance for this round, but hell I am determined to win this. I am determined to prove them all wrong.

That afternoon was spent on my combat skills. Come evening, horse before the ceremony and the actual start of the Luna Games, I went to the forest nearby to try to channel my wolf. I stood in the middle of the forest. With my eyes closed, I gave all my concentration to my surroundings. I practiced my breathing before I finally attempted to mental shift. I cleared my mind and started being attentive to my senses. I clenched my fist and took a deep breath again.

I felt the cold wind wrapping around my body. The sound of the rustling branches and leaves became louder and louder. I felt my heart rapidly beating as well. I focused on  imagining my wolf face, channeling all my energy. I suddenly felt my body heating up. My heart felt like it was about to burst. I opened my eyes and gasped for breath when I felt like something was about to go out of my body. I shouted in pain as I felt my body being sucked into the abyss of darkness.

***

I woke up with my face on the ground. I groaned and immediately roamed my eyes around me. Shit. Where am I? My forehead creased. I bit my lip when I felt my headache and I felt memories rushing back to my head. I stared at what was in front of me. It was the river nearby. I looked down only to find the reflection of myself through the clear water.

I made it. I made it here. I smiled to myself. The first round is usually a contest on how a she-wolf will control and command her wolf when she’s shifted. Earlier, I tried to do that and commanded my wolf to be here, and here I am. I did it. I bit my lip and shut my eyes to contain my excitement. I haven’t shifted for years, and it felt so good to finally be able to do that again. I sighed and stood. I immediately looked for something that could cover my whole body before I ran back to the forest. I am gonna do well in this Luna Games. I will do well.

I couldn’t take the smile off my face as I went back to the pack. I didn’t mind the eyes that were scrutinizing me as I walked with only a dirty cloth wrapped around my body. I heard the murmurs around me but I held up my head high and didn’t even bother to look at them. I went straight to my house to bathe and prepare for later. The moment the water touched my body, I felt all the exhaustion from all the things that I did earlier, but I didn’t mind it. My determination was stronger than the tiredness that I was feeling. At exactly ten in the evening, the Luna Games will start. It was around nine when I got out of the house. When I looked around, the place was empty. I bet the wolves are already in the center in front of the alpha’s house. It is where the ceremony will be held.

When I got there, everybody was already cheering. Alpha Edward was holding the hand of his son, and Edmund was standing there proudly.

“The new Alpha of Ravenstone Pack, my son, Edmund!”

The wolves cheered again. Edmund smirked and raised his hands, signaling everyone to keep quiet. He then cleared his throat.

“My proclamation is not the only highlight of tonight’s event because this night, we will be witnessing another Luna Games between the pack’s she-wolves!” The wolves cheered once more. “And also, tonight, you will be meeting your new Luna as I have finally found my mate!”

My eyes widened as I heard the murmurs and gasps around. I thought he was going to say a name after that, but instead, he smirked. “You will meet her after the Luna Games. Now, let those challenges begin!” Edmund’s shout was followed by the sound of the wooden drums maneuvered by some of the werewolves. The cheers became louder as the players went to the center already. I took a deep breath before walking with them as well.

I kept my face stiff as I stood beside Margaux who only raised a brow on me. “Your nerve to join, huh. Get ready to lose, bitch.”

***

Mind Blowing. That’s only one of the words that I could think of to describe the Luna Games. I felt like I was deafen by the combined cheers of the wolves and the smashing of the drums around us. I was catching my breath as I held on to someone to maintain my balance. I heard the cheers become louder.

“Margaux! Margaux! Margaux!” That name echoed in the whole arena. I felt my knees weakening. I tried my best to stand still but my body collapsed and I felt my world spinning already.

The crowd cheered even more when I fell on the ground.

“And the winner of the annual Luna Games is none other than Margaux!”

“Wooh!”

“Margaux! Margaux! Margaux!”

“Second to her is the surprising Calla!”

I felt a hand helping my stand. There were still cheers from the crowd, but it was not as loud as Margaux’s. I composed myself and tried my best to look fine even though I could feel all my wounds aching.

It’s fine, Calla. Your wounds will heal immediately anyway.

“Everyone, I want you to meet your new Luna . . .”

I automatically looked at Edmund’s direction when I heard that. A glimpse of hope rose in me as I turned to him, but it was immediately shattered when I saw Edmund looking at the proud Margaux.

“Margaux will be your new Luna!” Edmund announced with a wide smile on his face. The crowd went wild again and cheered for her while I was shocked and was looking at him in disbelief. Anger overpowered me. I harshly freed my hand from the grip of the man who helped me and marched towards Edmund.

“She’s not your mate! I am your mate, Edmund!” I shouted with all my might. The cheering immediately stopped and everyone’s attention was on me already.

I heard the murmurs and gasps. I also saw how Edmund’s parents were looking at him confusingly.

“Edmund, what is the meaning of this?” the former alpha asked. I stared at Edmund fiercely. He swallowed hard before locking in with my eyes.

“And I reject you. I, Edmund, the Alpha of Ravenstone Pack, reject you, Calla, to be my mate. Even though you did well in the Luna Games, you still didn’t prove yourself enough to be the Luna of this pack.  You need to accept it whether you like it or not.” My eyes widened. I gasped hard along with the murmurs and whispers of the crowd.

I felt my eyes watering. Shit. After all the things that I did. After coming into this game. I wasn’t still enough for him!

I couldn’t move. My whole body was shaking.

“What are you waiting for, Calla? Follow your alpha’s command…” A smirking Margaux appeared in front of me. I looked at Edmund and his family. They were looking at me as if they were all waiting for my acceptance.

Wow. These people are the ones whom we have served. We were loyal to them, and now, this is what I get?

“Accept the rejection, Calla. That is an order.” Edmund’s voice thundered. I clenched my fist as anger clouded my whole being. I gritted my teeth as I looked him in the eye.

“I, Calla, accept your rejection.” And with that, I suddenly felt the bond was slowly dissipating. A moment later, I could no longer feel his scent.