Chapter 248
Lynette's POV
The training yard was packed.
Word had spread fast. Half the pack showed up to watch the crazy new Luna get her ass kicked.
I stood in the center of the ring. Barefoot. Hair pulled back.
Three warriors entered the ring. All male. All built like brick walls. All looking at me like I was insane.
Drake stood at the edge. Acting as referee. "Standard combat rules. Fight ends when one side yields or can't continue."
I rolled my shoulders. Cracked my neck.
The warriors spread out. Flanking positions.
Smart.
Through the bond, I felt Kael's tension. He was standing with the elders. Watching. Trusting me.
Don't fuck this up, Lynette.
Drake's hand dropped. "Begin!"
The first warrior lunged.
I sidestepped. Grabbed his arm. Used his momentum to flip him over my hip.
He hit the ground hard. Air whooshed out of his lungs.
The second warrior came from my left. Fast. Aiming for my ribs.
I blocked. Countered with an elbow to his jaw. Followed up with a knee to his gut.
He staggered back.
The third warrior—the smart one—waited. Watching my style. Learning.
Too bad I didn't fight fair.
I went low. Swept his legs. He went down hard. I was on him in a second. Knee on his chest. Hand at his throat.
"Yield," I said quietly.
He nodded. Gasping.
One down.
The first warrior was back up. Pissed now. He came at me with a roar.
I let him get close. Ducked under his swing. Drove my fist into his kidney. Once. Twice.
He dropped.
Two down.
The second warrior circled me. Wary now. He'd seen what I could do.
"You're good," he said. Respectful. "But not good enough."
He shifted.
Oh, he wanted to play that way.
Fine.
I shifted too.
My wolf form erupted. Silver-white fur. Massive frame. Easily bigger than his brown wolf.
The crowd went silent.
Yeah. That's right. I'm not your average alpha.
The warrior hesitated. Just for a second.
I didn't.
I hit him like a freight train. We went down in a tangle of fur and fangs. He tried to go for my throat.
Amateur.
I twisted. Got my jaws around his shoulder. Bit down. Not enough to seriously injure. Just enough to prove a point.
He yelped. Went limp.
Submission.
I released him. Shifted back to human form.
All three warriors were down. Breathing hard. Staring at me with something between respect and fear.
The training yard was dead silent.
I looked up at the elders' platform. Found James. "Good enough for you?"
He didn't answer. Just stared.
Kael stepped forward. His eyes glowing with pride and something hotter. "I believe that settles it."
The crowd erupted. Howls and cheers.
I walked toward Kael. Every muscle in my body screaming. Adrenaline still pumping.
He met me halfway. Pulled me against him. His hand cupped the back of my neck—right over the mark.
"You're terrifying," he murmured. Low enough only I could hear. "And I'm so fucking proud of you."
Through the bond, I felt his desire. His barely-restrained need to drag me somewhere private and show me exactly how proud he was.
Heat flooded through me. "Later."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
---
Later, in Kael's private study, the pride had worn off.
Now I just felt exhausted.
I collapsed onto the couch. Let my head fall back. "Your elders are assholes."
"Some of them." Kael handed me a glass of water. Sat beside me. "But they respect strength. You gave them that."
"By beating the shit out of their warriors."
"Exactly." He smiled. "Very alpha of you."
I snorted. Drank half the water in one gulp.
Kael's hand found my thigh. Squeezed gently. "There's something we need to discuss."
His tone made my stomach drop. "What?"
"The Wild Hunt knows about us now. About the bond." His eyes were serious. "They won't ignore that."
I'd been expecting this. Still didn't make it easier to hear.
"When?" I asked.
"Soon. Drake's been monitoring border activity. There's been increased movement. Coordinated. Professional."
"Good." I set down the water glass. Met Kael's eyes. "I'm tired of waiting."
"Lynette—"
"I mean it." I leaned forward. "I've been running from them for weeks. Hiding. Playing defense." My voice hardened. "I'm done. Let them come. This time, I'm ready."
Through the bond, I felt his conflict. He wanted to protect me. Lock me away somewhere safe.
But he also understood. This was my fight. My past to settle.
"We do this together," he said finally. "No more solo missions. No more secrets."
"Together," I agreed.
A sharp knock interrupted us.
Drake burst through the door. His face grim. "Alpha. We have a problem."
Kael stood. "What is it?"
"Border patrol found tracks. Multiple wolves. Moving in formation." Drake's eyes flicked to me. "They're not trying to hide anymore."
My pulse kicked up. Not from fear.
From anticipation.
Finally.
I stood. Walked to the window. Looked out at the forest beyond.
Somewhere out there, Wild Hunt were closing in.
Let them come.
I had a mate now. A pack. People I actually gave a damn about protecting.
And I was done being prey.
I turned back to Kael. Found him watching me with those intense amber eyes.
Kael crossed to me. Took my hand. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking it's time I reminded the Wild Hunt why they used to fear my name."
Through the bond, I felt his fierce agreement. His absolute certainty that we could face this.
Together.
"Let's end this," I said.
Kael's hand tightened on mine. "Let's end this."