Arya.
As I stood over Ethan, his defeated form sprawled on the blood-soaked ground, there was no triumph in his eyes, only a begrudging acknowledgment of his failure. I was surprised at my boldness as I watched Ethan try to scramble to his feet.
This man rejected me without hesitating. His mate. Didn't even bother to get to know me. Well, good riddance to that. A second chance was not happening. I'd rather die than be his mate.
He stared at me. I didn't like the look he had on his face, like he wanted me more and this wouldn't stop him from trying harder.
"Retreat!" he bellowed. "Fall back, Crest pack! This battle is lost!"
Reluctantly, his pack members retreated, casting wary glances my way. The weight of their acknowledgment pressed on me, and the air crackled with a newfound energy. I felt their eyes on me, sensing their collective realization of my powers.
Now, about these powers. My wolf form felt somewhat stronger. The strength of my wolf coursing through my veins. And I was able to assess these powers—bringing out my claws and fangs, without transforming. It also felt strange. I needed an explanation for what was happening to me. Fast.
And for some weird reason, the Rogues were watching me with respect.
That was new.
With my heightened hearing senses, I could hear whispers of the daughter of the moon goddess.
Ethan, rising to his feet, met my gaze. There was a strange intensity in his eyes, a mix of defeat and attraction. "You're a formidable opponent, Arya. Stronger than I expected," he admitted, the words begrudgingly leaving his lips.
"This isn’t over. We'll meet again. This time, it won’t be so easy." He lowered his tone like his voice were meant only for my ears. With that he turned and joined his retreating pack.
Turning to face the Rogues, my heart fell into my stomach when I saw that they were on their knees. Bowing before me. I recognized some of them from the protest that almost took my life.
"You saved us,” one of them spoke. "You saved our city. We ask for your forgiveness. We were made to believe that you would be our ruin. Please accept us as your loyal subjects."
I sighed. If I were being honest, I didn’t want to think about that now. What I wanted was Tyler. I searched the crowd for him. I caught his smiling eyes. Even in his worn state, he still looked ravishing. Completely mine.
I turned my attention back to the wolves. In the midst of the chaos, the magnitude of my powers had shifted their perception. They no longer saw me not as a threat but as a force to be revered, a leader to guide them.
The realization of this responsibility felt really overwhelming.
A loud clap drew my attention.
"Not again." I subconsciously said to myself, rolling my eyes as Lauren’s angry expression came into view.
"You suddenly revere her because of some parlor tricks?" She said to the kneeling wolves with disgust written all over her face as she stared down the wolves in front of me.
***
Tyler.
The rogue wolves who had attacked Arya during the protest approached her before I could reach her. Growling, I almost charged at them until they knelt at her feet in submission.
Lauren, on the other hand, with a venomous expression etched across her face, reprimanded them.
She was beginning to feel more like a pesky housefly. A disturbance. I chuckled at her foolish antics. At this point, she wasn't worth killing. It was downright pathetic.
"You fools. She's not special. Don't act like she's some kind of ruler material," Lauren scoffed.
One of the rogue wolves spoke up. "You're the one acting foolish, thinking you can rival Arya. She's stronger, and you're just a coward."
Lauren’s gaze snapped to the wolf that just spoke. “Shut up!”
Hearing her words, I couldn't contain myself any longer. Seething with anger, I lunged at Lauren, grabbing her by the shoulders painfully, a low growl escaping my lips. "Watch what you say next, Lauren. Your father's status is the only reason you're still breathing."
"Look around you. Lauren. Our wolves are dead because you couldn't control your jealousy. How many wolves would you sacrifice for your selfish greed for power?"
"My fault?" Lauren, caught off guard, glared back at me. She yelled angrily as I held her down. "None of this would have happened if you hadn't let Arya worm her way into your heart."
She looked at me, almost pleading. "Why won't you just accept me as your mate? We're a good match. Everyone says so. I relish every second I spend with you Tyler because I love you."
"Love?" I laughed looking at her with disgust. "Is that what you call your hunger for power?"
"Your fucked up 'love' cost me a house, almost killed my staff and my fucking mate, Lauren!" I released her roughly. "Get over yourself. You're becoming very annoying and if you're not careful, I'll forget your status and deal with you myself. I don't want you and you will never have me, Lauren."
My words must have stung as she almost broke a sob. Glaring defiantly at me, she replied. "You can't silence me, Tyler. She's not fit to be Luna."
"And you are?" I laughed at her ridiculous reply. What on earth was going through her head? "Look what your short-lived leadership got us."
"Once more of your stupid antics and you’re done. You will be banished from the pack, Lauren. You and your puppets.” I snarled at her, recalling Arya's unconscious form in my burning house.
"You can't do that." Lauren sputtered.
"Try me."
I let her go and turned to Arya as her felt her presence behind me.
"Tyler," she whispered.
"Hey, Little One." My gaze softened as I recalled how she defeated Ethan and saved my life. "I missed you. I'm sorry for putting you in danger. They'll face the music now."
"Pardon them, Tyler. They were misled."
"Misled?" I frowned. "I hardly think so. Banishing them is the only reasonable thing to do." I insisted affectionately. "Unless you want them killed, Little One. Just say the word."
She smiled ruefully, in spite of my slight threat and Lauren's actions. "Let them stay, but they'll be in charge of rebuilding the city. If they behave, no banishment."
Was she compromising? Trying to help them? After they tried to kill her? I gazed at her in amazement. This woman was amazing.
I couldn't deny her what she wished. I just hoped for her sake, that they do behave.
Killing them would no longer be an option if they didn't. And not even Arya would stop me then.
I reluctantly agreed, pulled her into a tight embrace. "I was so worried, Arya. I thought I lost you," he confessed, his voice filled with raw emotion.
She chuckled. "You can't get rid of me that easily, Tyler."
I kissed her passionately, silently promising her more of this when everything was settled. "I love you, Little One. And hell would freeze over before I let you go."
"Oh...And I'd kill you first before you do," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes as she kissed me back.