"Cassian!"
Someone yelled my name from across the training ground. I turned toward the voice, eyes landing on a tall young man—fists clenched, hostility radiating from him.
"You dare refer to your Alpha by name? How bold of you, pup," I said with a cold smile, stepping forward. Despite the faint scent of fear drifting from him, he didn't retreat. He stood his ground, staring me down.
How admirable.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed a group of older wolves, smirking with that all-too-familiar glint. I sighed inwardly.
"Of course," I muttered, turning fully to face the young wolf.
"I challenge you to a duel, Cassian," he declared. The entire training ground fell silent as wolves turned to watch, clearly stunned by his audacity.
"What is the meaning of this?" Luke stepped forward, his frown deep with displeasure.
"I'm challenging the Alpha. Winner takes the title," the young man said boldly.
I chuckled, while Luke's expression darkened. No doubt those old fools had put him up to this—just like they always did. Too cowardly to face me themselves, so they prey on the minds of the young. Promising power. Filling their heads with foolish dreams.
I stepped closer. "Why?"
"Your curse is your weakness," he said, smirking now.
My eyes narrowed. Where did he get that confidence from?
"Is that so?"
"This pack needs an Alpha who doesn't look like he might tear it apart under a full moon," he continued.
Luke growled, taking a step forward, but I raised a hand. No need to get worked up over a pawn.
"I see," I said with a slow nod. "I accept your challenge, pup. If I lose, the pack is yours. And if I win…" I tilted my head, watching him swallow nervously, the spark in his eyes dimming just a little. "I don't need to say it, do I?"
Without a word, his eyes shifted color and he transformed—fur sprouting, limbs stretching—until a large grey wolf stood before me. About average size for young alphas. He snarled and lunged.
I didn't shift.
Instead, I drove my fist into his side, sending him flying across the training ground. A sharp, painful whimper echoed as he hit the dirt.
I smiled.
"Get up, pup! Come at me again!" I shouted.
He staggered to his feet, determination flaring as he charged once more—this time aiming for my arm. I let him bite down, his canines sinking into flesh. I could've dodged, but I wanted to offer him the illusion of victory.
The wolves watching knew it too. Their shocked expressions said it all.
I grabbed his neck and hurled him into the brick wall. The crack of impact was followed by another whimper.
He tried to rise, legs trembling.
Then I shifted.
Slowly.
Purposefully.
I stalked forward, letting my bloodlust rise. He needed to remember who the real Alpha was.
With a vicious snarl, I lunged, sinking my teeth into his shoulder. He screamed. Warm blood filled my mouth. The other wolves had shifted too and were now howling around us.
The defeated wolf trembled in my grasp, whimpering.
I released him and stepped back, looking down at his crumpled form.
That look of fear—I thrived on it.
I knew this wouldn't be the last challenge. The council of old fools would keep testing me, trying to unseat me. But I would never fall. I would never give them that satisfaction.
Then, I felt it.
A stare—sharp, piercing, familiar.
Her.
I turned to her cell, and there she was. Watching. Shifted. Her blue eyes locked onto mine. For a second, something flickered in them.
Is that…
But she turned away too quickly.
If my senses hadn't been so honed, I would've missed it.
That woman unsettled me. Confused me. Made me wary.
She needed to speak soon. Or I'd have no choice but to execute her. Trespassers and spies are not permitted in my territory.
Still in my wolf form, I turned and left the training ground. Luke followed behind, but not without growling at the injured wolf still cowering on the ground.