Chapter 2

Blaire's POV

The pain rang through my chest like an alarm, dragging back memories of the first time I saw Ares. It hadn't been like every other day in Woodland pack where my father ruled as Alpha. The entire pack had been celebrating after winning the first warbook, and the pack house had been crowded with warriors and elders drinking, laughing, and praising my father.

As usual, I had been moving around quietly serving drinks and cleaning up after everyone. No one really noticed me unless they needed something, so after a while I slipped outside for fresh air. The loud voices inside were starting to make my head ache, and I just wanted a moment of peace away from everyone.

The night air brushed against my skin as I walked farther from the pack house. The woods were calm except for the sound of leaves rustling beneath my feet. I remember lifting my face toward the moon, enjoying the silence, when suddenly I heard movement deeper in the trees.

At first I thought it was one of the guards patrolling around the borders, but then I heard a low growl.

Fear settled in my chest immediately.

I slowly stepped back, my breathing turning uneven as another growl sounded, this time much closer. Before I could react, a rogue wolf lunged out from the darkness straight at me.

A scream tore from my throat as I stumbled backward, my body freezing in fear. The wolf's sharp teeth flashed under the moonlight and I shut my eyes tightly, waiting for the pain.

But it never came.

Instead, a loud snarl echoed through the woods followed by the sound of bodies crashing against the ground. My eyes flew open and that was when I saw Ares.

Even back then he looked terrifying. His dark hair fell around his face, his sharp eyes glowing dangerously as he fought the rogue like it was nothing. The rogue barely stood a chance against him. Within seconds Ares grabbed it by the throat and snapped its neck without mercy.

My breath caught in my chest. He slowly turned toward me, and the moment our eyes met, something inside me shifted violently.

Mate. The word echoed through my entire body.

A strong pull settled deep inside my chest, making my knees weak. My wolf stirred for the first time in years, and warmth spread through me so suddenly that it scared me. I couldn't stop staring at him. He looked cold and fierce standing there beneath the moonlight with blood staining his hand.

But all I could think about was how badly I wanted him close to me.

Ares stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. I could tell he felt it too because his jaw tightened slightly, but unlike me, he didn't react to the bond.

He simply walked toward me slowly. I remember my heart beating so loudly as he stopped in front of me. I had secretly wished he would touch me, maybe even pull me into his arms and claim me right there.

But he didn't. His eyes swept over me once before he spoke in a calm cold voice. "You shouldn't wander into the woods alone."

Then he walked past me like nothing had happened. I stood there frozen, staring at his back while my chest ached with disappointment. Ever since that night, I had waited for him. Waited for him to come back for me.

But instead, he rejected me. The memory faded as Ares's voice pulled me back to the present.

"How are you so sure you're going to win, Noah?"

I looked up immediately.

Ares sat lazily on the chair before us like a king watching over his court. Five men stood behind him with straight expressions, their eyes fixed on my brothers carefully. Even sitting down, Ares carried an air that made the entire room tense.

Noah crossed his arms confidently, though I could see the tightness in his jaw. "This is easy for us."

Beside him, Jake shifted uneasily and opened his mouth like he wanted to speak, but Noah shot him a warning look before he could.

"Even if it's ten men," Noah continued proudly, "the Nightmoons always come out on top."

A small smirk touched Ares's lips, but there was nothing warm about it. If anything, it made him look even more dangerous. The look in his eyes sent a chill through me.

"Fine then," Ares said calmly, his deep voice filling the room. "If the Nightmoons win the battle for the second warbook, I'll hand it over myself."

Noah grinned immediately, but Ares wasn't done. "And I'll personally invite you and Jake to dine with me."

Something about the way he said it made my stomach twist. I glanced toward him again and found his eyes already on me. Dark. Cold. Watching.

Quickly, I looked away.

I still couldn't understand why the Moon Goddess would tie me to someone like him. Every time he looked at me, it felt like he could see right through me and hate everything he found.

"Then you've got yourself a deal," Noah said boldly.

"Noah," Jake muttered quietly, stepping closer to him. "Can we at least think this through first?"

Noah scoffed. "What's there to think about?"

Jake lowered his voice, but I could still hear the worry in it. "What if something goes wrong? If we lose, father will blame us."

"We're not going to lose," Noah snapped. "We never do."

Ares leaned back against the chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest while he watched them argue. His face remained calm, but there was something hidden beneath his expression that made me nervous.

Then suddenly he stood up. The entire room seemed to stiffen as he adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves before speaking.

"I'll see you all at the arena tomorrow."

Without another glance, he turned and walked away. I released a shaky breath the moment he disappeared from sight. My chest still felt tight from the way he'd looked at my brothers. There was something cruel hidden behind that calm face of his.

Something dangerous.

I moved toward the table slowly, staring down at the dirty dishes left behind. My hands felt cold as I began stacking the plates together.

"What if we don't win?" Jake asked once Ares was gone. He turned toward Noah with frustration clear on his face. "Have you even thought about that?"

Noah rolled his eyes and dropped into one of the chairs. "Relax already."

"I'm serious."

"And you're acting scared."

Jake dragged a hand through his hair roughly. "Because father won't take this lightly if something happens."

"Nothing is going to happen."

I hesitated before speaking softly. "Jake might be right."

Both of them looked at me. I swallowed nervously but forced myself to continue. "Ares... he looked like he already had something planned."

Noah's face hardened immediately. "And who asked for your opinion?" he snapped.

I froze.

The confidence I gathered disappeared instantly.

Noah stood up from the chair and pointed toward the dishes. "Have you cleaned everything yet? Or polished my clothes for tomorrow's battle?"

"I..." My throat tightened painfully. "I just thought maybe—"

"Forget it," Jake interrupted with a sigh, though his tone wasn't much softer. "Just finish cleaning up. We'll need water and towels tomorrow once the battle starts."

I lowered my gaze immediately. "Okay."

Without another word, I reached for the plates again and quietly continued stacking them together while they returned to discussing the battle.

The ache in my chest only grew stronger. I should've been used to this treatment by now. But somehow, it still hurt every single time.