ANMELDENCHAPTER 50
The arena was still buzzing when the referee stepped forward again, raising his hand for silence.“The winner of the second section…” his voice rang out, cutting through the noise, “Luna of Sun Pack—Celina!”Cheers exploded across the field.“Sun Pack!”“Celina!”“That’s our Luna!”The energy surged like a wave, loud and alive.Celina stood at the center of the circle, chest rising and falling, her golden armor catching the light.There was a sMorning light slipped through the heavy curtains. I woke slowly, my body was heavy and sore in the best way. Every muscle ached from the fight, from the victory, and from the way Ryder had taken me last night until I couldn’t think of anything but him.I was still naked under the sheets, skin warm from his body heat. Ryder lay beside me, propped on one elbow, watching me with that soft, intense look that always made my stomach flutter. His hair was messy, his jaw shadowed with stubble, and the sheet had slipped low on his hips, showing the hard lines of his chest and the faint scratches I had left on his skin during our sweet night.I blushed just thinking about it.He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.“Good morning, my beautiful Luna,” he murmured, voice still rough from sleep. He kissed my nose, then my cheek, then the corner of my mouth. “My strong, brave girl. My everything.”I smiled, still half-asleep, and turned into him. His
The car barely stopped before Ryder yanked the door open. He didn’t wait for the driver—he just scooped me up, my torn white gown bunched around my waist, my bare skin pressing against his half-open shirt. My legs wrapped around his hips instinctively, and his mouth was already on mine, hungry and rough, as he carried me up the front steps.Ms. D and two maids stood at the entrance, eyes wide, mouths open to greet us.“Welcome home, Luna—” One of the maids started.Ryder didn’t slow down. He didn’t even look at them. He kicked the door wider with his foot and carried me straight through the stairs, my back bumping the wall once as he turned toward the stairs.I heard Ms. D’s soft gasp and the maids’ surprised murmurs, but neither of us cared. Ryder’s hands gripped my ass hard, fingers digging in as he took the stairs two at a time. My fingers twisted in his hair, pulling his mouth back to mine. We kissed like we were starving, tongues sliding, teeth ni
Chapter 53The car rolled down the quiet road. Ryder sat beside me in the back seat, his hand rested on my thigh, thumb tracing slow circles over the silk. The heat of his touch burned straight through the fabric and into my skin.My body felt alive in a way it never had before. The victory, the cheers, the way he had kissed me on stage in front of everyone — it all mixed into something hot and restless inside me. I shifted closer, my knee brushing his.My voice came out soft, almost shy, but the words were clear.“I need you right now,” I whispered.Ryder’s breath caught. His hand tightened on my thigh. For a second he just looked at me, eyes dark with the same hunger I felt. He leaned in and kissed my temple, then my cheek, then the corner of my mouth.“We should get home first,” he whispered against my skin, voice low and rough. “Don’t you want to get home first?”I shook my head, my breath already coming faster. “No.”The word came
I shook off the dizziness. This was my moment, and I wouldn’t let anything take it from me.The referee’s voice still echoed in my ears.“The winner of the final round is Luna Doris of Moon Pack!”For a second, the entire arena went silent. Then the cheers exploded.Moon Pack members shot to their feet first. Their voices crashed over me like a wave.“Doris!”“Luna Doris!”“Moon Pack! Moon Pack!”Flags waved wildly. People clapped so hard their hands must have stung. Some of the older wolves who had once whispered behind my back now stood with tears in their eyes, shouting my name like they had always believed in me. Children jumped on their parents’ shoulders, pointing and cheering. Even wolves from the other packs joined in, nodding with respect, clapping along.I stood in the middle of the circle, chest heaving, blood on my garment. The garment was torn in places from the shift, but I didn’t care. I felt seen, recognized. Not judged o
~ Doris ~But I wasn’t the same girl who had been pushed around for years.The referee’s voice finally echoed through the speakers.“Final round for the title of Luna of the Year. Luna Doris of Moon Pack versus Luna Nova of Star Pack. Please return to the circle.”Ryder squeezed my knee once. “You’ve already won in my eyes,” he said softly. “Now go show them why.”I stood, smoothed the front of my garment, and walked back into the arena.The crowd was louder than before. Flags waved wildly. Chants mixed together in a chaotic roar. Sun Pack supporters were still upset about Celina’s disqualification, but Moon Pack voices rose above them.“Moon Pack!”“Luna! Luna!”“Luna of Moon Pack!”A group of werewolves near the front rail were making bets, voices loud and rough.“Ten gold on Nova. She’s never lost.”“Fifteen on Doris, she’s got fire.”“Twenty on Nova. Moon Pack Luna is still new. She’ll break.”I ignored the bets. I kept my
CHAPTER 50The arena was still buzzing when the referee stepped forward again, raising his hand for silence.“The winner of the second section…” his voice rang out, cutting through the noise, “Luna of Sun Pack—Celina!”Cheers exploded across the field.“Sun Pack!”“Celina!”“That’s our Luna!”The energy surged like a wave, loud and alive. Celina stood at the center of the circle, chest rising and falling, her golden armor catching the light. There was a small cut near her brow, but it didn’t take away from the confidence in her stance. If anything, it made her look stronger.Across from her, Aria of Cloud Pack stepped back, breathing hard, defeat written clearly in her posture. She gave a short nod, respectfully, before leaving the circle.Celina didn’t celebrate wildly. She simply lifted her chin, her eyes already searching.For me.The next fight.Moon Pack versus Sun Pack.My heartbeat slowed instead of rising. The clo







