The fight had stopped.
Their pride damaged, Sebastian and his fighters had withdrew, their Alpha embarrassed. I had seen him. And I had prevailed as well.
But something within of me told me this was not done.
Power changes never occurred as naturally. I knew I had identified myself as a threat when I turned away Sebastian, therefore declaring something more than just my freedom.
And challenges to threats constantly arose.
There were still voices in my head. Actually, they had gotten louder and more forceful.
You have decided on your road. Proof yourself now.
Standing at the brink of Shadow Moon's realm and peering into the black forest, I tightened my fists. Though my whole body still hurt from the fight, the actual struggle was just starting.
I had turned Sebastian down, but that meant I had to welcome something else.
Ability.
And power always came with expenses.
As I entered the council chamber, things were tight.
Kai stood at the front of the hall, his silver eyes fixed on me carefully. Sitting in a semi-circle, the other high-ranking wolves in the pack wore faces ranging from intrigued to dubious.
Arms crossed, Raine leant against the stone wall, grinning as though she had been waiting for this.
Of the senior fighters, Tobias spoke first. You left your old Alpha walking away. That much we observed.
His black eyes grew narrow. That does not mean you belong here, though.
I raised my chine. I never asked to fit in.
The chamber hummed with a whisper cascade. My phrases had weight. an obstacle. Declaration.
Kai's lips drew into a smile. "Good reply."
Tobias groaned. The group need strength, not strays.
Kai let out a deep breath, never turning away from me. "then let's settle this the old way.."
I groaned. "The old manner?"
Kai's smile tightened. "An obstacle."
My pulse screamed.
He was not pulling a joke.
Tobias opened a deadly, cutting smile. "You believe you are sufficient to be among us?" Then demonstrate it. For your spot, challenge.
I made myself cool under pressure. Respect was not something they were going to give me; I had to grab it.
I looked at Kai's direction. "Perfect."
His eyes lit up. Then allow the challenge to start.
The pack had assembled tightly around the sparring area.
The regulations were basic. Should I win, I would be known as a Shadow Moon warrior.
Should I lose, well, that was not an option.
Tobias moved forward and knuckles started to crack. "Mine first from the first round."
Though my muscles still hurt from my struggle with Sebastian, I rolled my shoulders and forced the aches aside. I had battled for survival elsewhere before. I would go back to battle.
Kai folded his arms while seated on the side lines. Though I could sense his intensity, his silver eyes were invisible. He wanted to see my actual capacity.
Tobias started first with a lunge.
I hardly made time to dodge. He was faster than I had anticipated, his physical power in sharp contrast to my agility. Still, I had spent too long undervaluing myself.
I migrated. steered away. counting.
My elbow smacked against his ribs, throwing him staggered back. The assembly murmured in astonishment.
Tobias let out a snarl, eyes blazing. " fortunate shot."
I gave no reply. I didn't need to.
He came back, but this time I was ready.
I spun behind him, dipped under his hit, and smashed my knee into his leg in the rear. He staggered and lost his equilibrium. I let him fail to heal.
I turned sharply and swept his legs outside from under him.
Tobias dropped to the floor. Rigid.
The gang broke out in whispers.
Breath steady, chest rising and falling with an adrenaline surge, I stood over him.
Tobias moaned and then gently raised himself. Though his pride was damaged, he was not stupid enough to carry on the struggle.
He looked at me, dark eyes reflecting reluctant respect. You look speedier than you actually are.
I graced. You are slower than you believe.
A small number of wolves laughed. even Raine smiled.
Kai moved forward, laughter blazing across his face. "One fight down."
Still pounding, I turned to him. "Who's next?"
His smile become more subdued.
"I am".
My breath froze.
I had battled right next to Kai. I had practiced under his wary eye. I had never, however, challenged him.
The assembly grew quiet. This was not only a test now. This was something more than that.
Kai gave his neck a crack. "Don't hold back.."
I sneered. Not dreamed of it.
Second, the words left my mouth, he moved.
Quick.
I had hardly time to react. Closed the distance in a flash, his strike deliberate and exact.
I avoided, turning aside, but not quickly enough. His fist touched my ribs, strong enough to wipe out the breath from my lungs.
My wolf snarling inside me, I staggered but recovered.
Kai was not trying my capacity. He was trying to gauge my instinct.
I closed my mouth. Okay. He would gain my whole strength if he so desired.
I feinted left, then whirled low to slash at his legs. He avoided, only barely.
I sensed surprise flickering in his silver eyes.
decent.
I pushed ahead, hitting more quickly. My fists closed first with his shoulder then his ribs. He picked up the strikes quickly, but his posture changed.
He was not engaged in play anymore.
He rebounded, forcefully.
I hardly stopped in time. His blow shot a shock through my arms, but I stayed on ground.
The audience listened in shocked quiet.
These days, this was no straightforward fight.
This was different.
Something basic.
I knew only that every hit felt like a challenge, a demand; I had no idea how long we fought. Check yourself. Show me your side of things.
And I also did.
I battled as if I belonged.
For the same reason I did.
Kai finally moved back, labouring heavily. His glittering eyes flicked with something unreadable.
Then he grinned.
"Enough".
The conflict snapped.
I straightened, my lungs blazing, my body vibrantly awake.
The audience let forth a roar.
Turning to them, Kai spoke clearly. "She remains."
Rising through the ranks were cheers.
I let the moment settle in slowly and breathed gently.
I'd done it.
I had demonstrated my own ability.
I fitted here.
Kai turned back to me, his eye lingering for a beat more than required. He no longer had his smile. replaced with something far more grave.
An indisputable fact.
Then he used the words that stopped my heart.
"This was never only about proving yourself, Zaia."
My breath seized. "What are you implying?"
His sparkling eyes grew black.
"It's about getting ready for something next."
A shiver slid down my back.
Because I already knew.
This marked only the start.