137

Scarlett

The wind howled across the training grounds, carrying the scent of damp earth and sweat.

My muscles screamed in protest, my breaths coming in desperate, ragged gasps, but I refused, refused, to stop.

I had always been weak in the past, trapped, humiliated, cast aside. But not anymore. Never again.

Finn's voice filled the air as he shouted, "Again."

I swallowed down my exhaustion and lunged forward, aiming at him.

He dodged with infuriating grace, but those deep blue eyes gleamed with something I craved more than air-approval.

"Faster," he commanded. "Faster."

I gritted my teeth and pushed harder. I threw another punch, pouring my rage and pain into it, but he easily caught my hand in his.

In the blink of an eye, Finn flipped me, landing a crushing blow to my belly before throwing me to the merciless ground.

A scream tore from my throat, raw and primal, as I clutched my middle.

"Are you okay, love?" he asked as he hurried to my side. "Honey."

I clenched my teeth so hard I thought they might shatter. This wasn't the time for weakness-I'd been weak for too long.

I needed to be stronger, and to do this, I had to push beyond breaking. I closed my eyes, summoning every ounce of power within me, and forced myself to rise.

"I'm good," I replied. "Again."

Becoming the Luna I was meant to be, not a fragile, discarded woman, but a warrior. A leader. Someone Finn could stand beside, not behind.

"We should st-" Before he could finish his statement, I lunged toward him with everything I had in me.

This time, this time, I didn't miss. After months of brutal training, always falling short, always feeling his blows while landing none of my own, I finally struck true.

"That is brutal," Finn gasped, clutching his face, eyes wide with shock and something like pride. "At least not my face, darling."

"Again." I lunged again. The training was intense.

The training consumed me, becoming my everything.

Even as I trained, as I fought to grow stronger, one thought never left my mind-Nina.

I let Stone Ridge punish her, but that wasn't enough. Not for what she had done. The betrayal still seared like a fresh wound. She had taken everything from me, and I wouldn't be satisfied until I repaid her in full.

But revenge wasn't my only focus. I had more to fight for now. A pack to protect. A mate to support.

Finn grabbed my wrist mid-attack, twisting me effortlessly. I tried to counter, but he had me pinned before I could react.

"Your stance is stronger, mate," he murmured, his grip firm. "But you hesitate."

I let out a sharp breath, frustrated. "I was thinking."

"That's your mistake." His gaze softened, though he didn't let me go. "In battle, there's no time for second-guessing."

"I wasn't second-guessing," I countered. "I was planning my next move."

Finn smirked, leaning in slightly. "Then plan faster, mate."

Heat curled in my chest, but I shoved the feeling aside. This wasn't the time to get distracted. Instead, I dropped my weight, forcing him to release me as I flipped backward. He chuckled, clearly pleased with my progress.

"You're not bad. I'm sure with more training, you'll be a great warrior," he praised, eyes alight with pride. "The more you train, the better you become, Luna."

I was getting better. Stronger. But I still had a long way to go.

When training ended, Finn ran his fingers through my sweat-dampened hair, his voice softer than before. "You did well today."

I nodded, wiping my face. "Not good enough yet."

"Not yet," he agreed. "But soon."

I believed him.

"Let's continue tomorrow," he whispered. "Luna."

"I'm sure." My gaze met his. "I won't disappoint you tomorrow."

*

Queen's Training

The next morning, I arrived at the packhouse for my training with Madam Jennifer.

She was one of the elders of the Crescent Pack, a woman of wisdom and strength.

The moment I walked into the hall, she stood with perfect posture, her silver hair pinned tightly in a braid. Her eyes, sharp as a hawk's, studied me.

"You're late," she said flatly.

"I-"

"No excuses." She motioned for me to sit. "A Luna should never be late. Punctuality reflects discipline, and discipline reflects leadership."

I bit back a sigh and nodded. "Understood."

"Good." She placed a scroll in front of me. "Tell me, Luna, what is the most important duty of a Queen?"

"To protect the pack," I answered immediately.

She shook her head. "Incorrect. That is an Alpha's duty. Try again."

I frowned, thinking. "To lead?"

"A piece of it, yes. But leading is not just giving orders. A Queen does not simply exist beside her King. She strengthens him, elevates him, and through him, strengthens the pack."

Her words sat heavily on my chest. I had always thought my strength would come from fighting, from proving myself on the battlefield.

But being a Luna wasn't just about battle. It was about wisdom, guidance, and the quiet, unseen strength that held everything together.

"You were born into nobility, Scarlett, but you were never taught how to rule," Madam Jennifer continued. "That is what I will teach you."

She gestured to the scroll before me. "Read this. Every law, every tradition of our pack. Learn them, memorize them. If you do not understand our history, you will never be able to shape our future."

I opened the scroll, my eyes scanning the intricate script. It detailed Crescent Pack's hierarchy, the responsibilities of a Luna, the bond between an Alpha and his Queen.

I read in silence while Madam Jennifer watched. When I finished, she leaned forward. "Tell me, what did you learn?"

I hesitated, absorbing the words I had just read. "That being a Luna is more than just standing beside Finn. I must be his strength where he is weak, and his calm where he is storm."

A rare smile touched her lips. "Good. You are learning faster than I expected, Luna."

For the rest of the lesson, she drilled me on diplomacy, negotiation, and the intricate politics that came with ruling.

"You should always keep this in mind, Luna."

"Yes, ma'am," I replied. "I will always keep every word in mind."

By the time we were done, my mind was as exhausted as my body had been last night.

"I will be on my way now, Luna."

"Okay, ma'am." I also left for the Queen's office.

"My Queen," Alisha greeted me as soon as she saw me. She bowed her head.

"You don't have to do this, Honey," I whispered. "You're pregnant, and I don't like you doing all this. Call me sister."

She smiled, her eyes filled with joy as she spoke. "Sister," she called out.

Alisha's fate had changed ever since she was fated to Beta David. He had been taking very good care of her, and the fact that Finn recognized her as the female Beta of the pack made me happy.

What else did I need? My only sister was right beside me in my pack.

"Let's go in."

"No, sister," she replied with a blush. "I'm on my way to David's office."

I smirked. This show-off! This must be what David felt when Finn and I showed our love in front of him before he was mated.

"Sure, sure. You should be on your way."

"Okay, sister."

I watched as Alisha left. When I was sure she was out of sight, I opened the door to my office. I sighed as my assistant greeted me.

"Rise," I said before walking to my seat. I gently took my seat. I was tired, but I still needed to do my duties.

"You need to check this document, Luna," Bella announced before passing the papers to me.

I collected them and started working on them. Time passed by quickly as I was so fixed on my work. I was still working when Finn came in.

"Luna, time to eat," he announced before pulling me up. "You must have been working again without bothering to eat."

"I did," I said, but he could tell I was lying.

He teased me, tapping me gently on my nose. "Whatever. Let's go and eat, honey." He grabbed my hand before leading me out.

Finn and I arrived at the dining place. I took my seat beside Finn as the maid started serving us.

I took my spoon and started eating. When we were done, we headed back to our bedroom.

Finn and I were talking when David suddenly mind-linked him.

"I'm on my way, Beta."

After cutting off the mind-link, he turned his attention back to me before addressing me. "I will be back soon, love."

"Okay. Take your time."

After he left, I sat alone in my room, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My muscles ached from training, my mind swirled with the lessons I had absorbed, but all I could think about was Nina.

She was still out there. Living, breathing, existing after everything she had done to me, and my people.

Finn had told me to focus on the present, on my growth, but the past still clawed at my skin.

She had betrayed me. I would do anything to see her cry. I would pay her back multiple times over.

This new me; I wasn't so forgiving.

I didn't just want to be strong for my pack. I wanted to be strong enough to never let anyone hurt me again.

The next time I faced Nina, I wouldn't hesitate.

I wouldn't show mercy.

Because this time, I wouldn't be the one bleeding.

She would.

And when that day came, I would make sure she regretted messing with me and my people.

I smiled bitterly at my reflection.

"Enjoy your peace while it lasts, Nina. Because soon, I will be coming for you."