Chapter 25: The Last Battle - Callista's POV

Riven shook Marcus off, but he was limping now, clearly hurting worse than before. Marcus circled, sensing victory in his grasp.

Then I saw it, the moment Riven’s eyes went completely black with only a little red-gold in them. No, the demon had taken over.

Riven's wolf moved with inhuman speed, no longer hindered by pain or exhaustion. He was on Marcus before the other wolf could react, his jaws closing around Marcus's throat with crushing force.

Marcus struggled, clawing desperately, but Riven's grip was iron. The demon was going to kill him. I could see it in the way Riven's wolf held on, the way his eyes showed no recognition and no mercy. Marcus had pushed him past the point of no return.

"Riven!" I screamed, breaking free from my father and running into the circle again. "Riven, stop! Please!"

The demon's eyes found me across the distance. For a heartbeat, I thought it wouldn't recognize me. Thought I'd lost him to the darkness.

The bond flared, bright and hot, cutting through the demon’s hold. Riven’s eyes flickered between black to red-gold and back again. He was fighting so hard to get control over him and wanting to come back to me, but the threat Marcus posed was just too great.

"I'm here," I said, walking slowly toward them despite every wolf in the clearing shouting at me to stay back. "Riven, I'm right here. Come back to me."

His jaws loosened slightly on Marcus's throat. Marcus was barely conscious, his wolf whimpering in submission.

"That's it," I encouraged, moving closer. "You haven’t lost me. I’m still yours.”

With a visible effort that made him shake, Riven released Marcus completely. The Stonecrest heir collapsed, shifting back to human form, barely breathing but alive.

Riven shifted back too, falling to his knees. His eyes were still dark but clearing gradually, shadows receding. I reached him and dropped down beside him, wrapping my arms around him despite the blood and the watching crowd.

"I've got you," I whispered. "You did it. You won."

"Almost lost control," he said against my shoulder, his voice rough. "Almost killed him."

"But you didn't." I pulled back to look at him. "You heard me. You came back."

The Alpha King's voice rang out. "Marcus Stonecrest has submitted. The third challenge is answered." He paused, surveying the remaining three challengers. "I would advise the remaining wolves to reconsider. Nightshade has proven his claim three times over."

The fourth challenger, a younger wolf I didn't recognize, immediately shook his head and stepped back. "I withdraw my challenge."

That left two.

I watched the fifth challenger, but he was quick to withdraw as well.

An older wolf, maybe nineteen or twenty, with silver-streaked dark hair and calculating gray eyes was the last one. He didn't look afraid. He looked thoughtful and analytical.

"Adrian Moonridge," he announced. "I challenge, but I propose different terms."

The Alpha King's eyebrow raised. "Explain what you mean by that. This is how we do all challenges for teenagers.”

“He’s clearly exhausted after fighting three fights back to back. No wolf can maintain peak performance and it would be a disservice to fight him like this.” Adrian’s voice was reasonable, almost sympathetic. “I propose that we postpone the final challenge until tomorrow night. I want him to rest and heal, then we will fight at full strength as it should be.”

It was a trap. I could sense it, but I couldn't figure out the angle.

Riven tried to stand, to protest, but his legs gave out. He'd pushed too far and fought too hard. The demon's influence combined with the physical toll had drained him completely.

"Riven needs medical attention," my mother called out. "The challenges can wait—"

"No," Riven ground out, trying again to stand. "I can fight. One more—"

"You can barely stand," I said quietly. "Please. Let them postpone it."

"If we postpone, it gives them time to strategize and to find weaknesses." His eyes met mine, and I saw the fear there. "And it gives the demon time to recover too.”

"Or it gives you time to rest and regain control," I countered.

The Alpha King surveyed the scene. Riven was bleeding and barely hanging on by a thread. Marcus was being carried away. The other two were nowhere in sight. The crowd was restless, some calling for the fight to continue.

"The postponement is granted," he declared. "The final challenge will take place tomorrow night, one hour after moonrise. Nightshade will have time to recover. Both challengers will fight at full strength." His eyes swept the crowd. "This gathering is concluded. All wolves are dismissed to their territories."

Relief and dread warred in my chest. Relief that Riven had time to heal. Dread about what tomorrow would bring.

My father and Riven's father both approached, helping Riven to his feet.

"Get him to your pack healer," Dad said. "Those wounds need treatment."

Riven's father nodded grimly. "Come on, son. Let's get you home."

"Callista—" Riven reached for me, his hand bloody and shaking.

I caught it, squeezing gently. "I'll see you tomorrow before the fight. I promise."

He nodded, too exhausted to argue, and let his father lead him away. I watched him go, my heart aching. Three fights down. Two withdrawn. One to go.

And tomorrow night, under the full moon, when the demon would be at its absolute strongest, we’d have to do this all over again one more time.

"Come on," my father said gently, his hand on my shoulder. "Let's go home. They can enjoy the rest of the night, but you need a moment to gather yourself for tomorrow.”

I let him guide me back to our car, Sabine silent beside me. The drive home was quiet, everyone lost in their own thoughts.

When we finally reached our house, I went straight to my room, collapsing onto my bed still in my ceremony dress. The silver jewelry felt heavy against my skin. It was a reminder of what we'd just endured.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from Riven.

I'm okay. Healing. Don't worry about me.

I typed back with shaking fingers.

Too late. Already worrying.

Get some rest. Tomorrow we finish this.

Together.

I stared at that single word, feeling the weight of everything it meant. Tomorrow night, under the full moon, we'd face the final challenge.

And somehow, we had to win.