Chapter 90 Combat for the Crown
LIRA POV
But did I? Eldric pressed his advantage, driving me toward the edge of the ring.
One more step and I'd be out of bounds, it was time to change tactics.
I shifted back to human mid-dodge, catching him off guard. Moonfire erupted from my hands, slamming into his wolf form.
He shrieked, fur smoking. The scent of burned flesh filled the air.
He shifted back, naked and burned across his chest. "Silver fire is illegal in challenge combat!"
"It's moonfire." I corrected, flames dancing between my fingers. "And there's no rule against it."
"Selene?" He appealed to the council.
"Luna Lira is correct." The old woman's voice was neutral. "Moonfire is a bloodline ability, not a weapon. It's permitted."
Eldric's face darkened with rage. "Fine, then I won't hold back either."
He pulled something from behind his back—a silver blade he must have hidden at the ring's edge.
"That is illegal!" Thomas shouted.
"Prove it was mine." Eldric grinned. "Maybe it was already here."
"Clever." I advanced despite the silver. "But silver doesn't scare me anymore."
He slashed. I dodged, moonfire countering the blade's edge. Where silver and fire met, both hissed and sparked. We moved in deadly synchronization. His blade seeking my flesh, my fire seeking to burn him.
The crowd was silent now, transfixed.
"You can't win." Eldric panted, sweat mixing with blood. "Even if you beat me, the pack won't follow a female alpha."
"Then they'll learn." I drove him back with sustained fire. "Because I'm not asking permission anymore."
"You should be." He feinted left, went right. The blade caught my shoulder, silver burning deep.
I screamed, moonfire flaring out of control as it hit him full force. He flew backward, slamming into the stone barrier. His body smoked, his skin blackened.
"Eldric!" One of his supporters tried to enter the ring.
"Stay back!" Selene commanded. "No interference!"
I staggered, clutching my shoulder. The silver was working into my bloodstream, burning from inside.
"Selwyn?" I called internally.
"I'm here." Her voice was strained. "But the silver is spreading, you need to end this now."
She was right. Every second the silver remained meant more damage. Eldric pushed himself up, looking worse than I felt. But still conscious. And dangerous.
"Just yield." I forced the words out. "This doesn't have to end in death."
"Yes, it does." He charged, silver blade raised for a killing blow.
Time seemed to slow. I saw every detail—the blade's arc, his exposed throat, the desperate rage in his eyes. Selwyn moved for me as instinct took over.
I shifted partially, caught his wrist in jaws that were half-human, half-wolf as the blade clattered away.
Then I shifted fully, my wolf pinning his human form. My teeth found his throat. One bite. That's all it would take.
"Yield." I growled through the pack link.
"Never." His voice was defiant even with death inches away.
"Lira, finish it!" Someone shouted from the crowd.
"Kill him!" Another voice.
But I remembered the warrior I'd burned yesterday. His screams, the weight of taking a life.
"I don't want to kill you." I spoke through Selwyn's jaws. "But I will if I must."
"Then do it." Eldric's eyes blazed with hatred. "Because I'll never stop coming for you."
He meant it. I could feel his absolute conviction through proximity.
If I let him live, he'd become a constant threat. Would undermine every decision, challenge every order.
But if I killed him, I proved I was just another violent alpha. No different from those who'd destroyed my family.
"Lira." Kael's voice through the bond. "Whatever you choose, I support you."
The words steadied me, it gave me clarity. I wasn't like the alphas who'd murdered my parents, i didn't kill for power or pride. But I would kill to protect those I loved.
"Last chance." I increased pressure on his throat. "Yield or die."
"I" He choked, blood bubbling. "I yield."
The words were barely audible but Selene heard them.
"Eldric Ravenscar yields!" She announced. "Luna Lira Ashborne is victorious!"
The crowd erupted. Half cheered as half protested.
I released Eldric's throat, stepping back and shifted to human form, standing over his broken body.
"Luna Lira has claimed alpha position by right of challenge!" Selene continued. "Does anyone dispute this claim?"
Silence. No one wanted to fight a Moonblood who'd just defeated Eldric.
"Then by ancient law and pack right, I declare Lira Ashborne Alpha of"
"I dispute it." A voice called from the crowd.
My stomach dropped. I knew that voice. Marcus, Beta of Ironwood Pack, stepped forward, he was one of Eldric's allied alphas.
"She's female." He announced. "Pack law is clear only males can hold alpha position."
"That's archaic bullshit." Aria shouted.
"It's tradition." Marcus countered. "And tradition matters."
"Selene?" I looked to the council. "Is that true?"
"Ancient law allows female alphas." She said carefully. "But modern interpretation has been... inconsistent."
"So I can win the challenge but still be denied?" Anger burned through my exhaustion. "That's the law?"
"That's politics." Darion stepped forward, his warriors behind him. "And politics can be negotiated."
"This is pack business." Marcus's hand moved to his weapon. "Rogues have no voice here."
"These rogues are here by my invitation." I moved to stand beside Darion. "And they'll stay as long as I need them."
"That's another problem." Marcus smiled coldly. "An alpha who relies on rogues instead of pack strength? That's weakness."
More murmurs of agreement from the crowd.
"I rely on allies." I corrected. "Something Eldric understood. He had three allied packs supporting his treachery."
"Alleged treachery." Marcus's expression didn't change. "He was simply making strategic alliances."
"He planned to murder me." I yelled out. "I have witnesses."
"Rogue witnesses." He dismissed. "Not credible in pack law."
"Then what about pack witnesses?" Thomas pushed forward. "I heard Eldric's plans. As did Aria and did a dozen others."
"Wolves loyal to the former alpha." Marcus waved them away. "Biased testimony."
"This is absurd." I advanced on him. "What would it take for you to accept my claim?"
"A male alpha." He said simply. "Partner with one through claiming ceremony, let him take the position and everyone is happy."
"Except me." I growled. "Because I won this, I bled for it."
"Then you bled for nothing." He turned to address the crowd. "Pack law is clear. Without a male alpha, Darkfang has no legitimate leadership. Which means any wolf may challenge for position."
"No." Selene's voice cut through. "There's a twenty-four hour grace period. Luna Lira has one day to solidify her claim before succession challenges begin."
"Fine." Marcus smiled. "Twenty-four hours then we'll see how long the little Luna lasts."
He left, taking his supporters with him. I stood in the fighting ring, victorious but not.
"Lira." Kael approached carefully. "Let me help."
"How?" I gestured at the dispersing crowd. "Half of them just watched me win and still won't accept me. What are you going to do about that?"
"The claiming ceremony." He said quietly. "It's the only way."
"No." I stumbled, the silver finally overwhelming my system. "I won't"
"You're poisoned." He caught me as I fell. "The silver's spreading, you need a healer."
"I need a miracle." I closed my eyes, exhaustion and poison pulling me under. "Because twenty-four hours isn't enough to fix this disaster."
"Then we'll work fast." His arms tightened around me. "Whatever it takes."
The last thing I heard before darkness claimed me was Aria's voice giving orders. And the crowd's continued arguing about whether I deserved the position I'd just won.