Chapter 32 A Rogue Challenge
A snarl ripped across the clearing as a massive gray wolf lunged straight at Tiara, claws skidding across the dirt. She twisted to the side, catching the movement before the others did. “Fall back!” she shouted.
Her command struck the SilverShield pack like lightning. They scrambled out of the way just as the wolf shifted mid-air, landing in human form—a tall, scarred male with NightFang tattoos clawed across his neck.
“I challenge you, Tiara Blackmoon!” he roared, chest heaving. “By rogue law. By Alpha law. By the moon.”
Gasps spread. Several wolves instinctively bowed, their wolves trembling at the dominance rolling from him. But Tiara? She didn’t blink.
She stepped forward, calm but burning. “Name yourself.”
“Ravik. Lieutenant of NightFang’s battle unit. And the one who’ll rip your crownless head from your shoulders.”
Tiara smirked. “Get in line.”
A few of her wolves laughed but fell silent instantly when Ravik moved. He charged again, aiming straight for her throat.
Tiara didn’t wait. She slammed her foot into the ground, boosting herself upward. Ravik’s claws swiped inches beneath her, slicing wind. She landed behind him and shoved her palm into his spine, sending him stumbling.
He turned slowly, eyes widening.
“You’re faster than they said.”
“I’m everything they feared,” Tiara replied, a low growl building under her words. “And I don’t lose.”
Her wolf pulsed inside her—silver, powerful, thirsting for dominance.
Damien, standing at the far edge of the training grounds, stiffened as he felt the shift in the air. Shadow, his wolf, pressed against his skin. Help her, Shadow urged.
No, Damien whispered internally. She needs this win. But stay ready.
Ravik lunged again.
This time Tiara met him head-on.
Their bodies collided with a crack. He threw a heavy punch; she ducked and delivered an uppercut that snapped his jaw sideways. Ravik shook off the pain and swept his leg under her. She jumped over him, spinning mid-air, landing lightly.
“Fight me properly!” he snarled. “Shift!”
Tiara’s eyes flashed red. “You want my wolf?”
Every wolf in the clearing instinctively lowered their heads. Her aura poured over them—Alpha strength, pure and suffocating. The air felt thick, vibrating with power.
Ravik hesitated.
Just one heartbeat.
Just long enough.
Silver light erupted from Tiara’s skin.
A massive wolf burst forward, silver-coated, eyes glowing like molten stars. The ground trembled with each step.
Ravik’s bravado crumbled. “T-That’s not possible. You’re…”
Tiara didn’t let him finish.
She lunged, jaws snapping. Ravik dodged left, but she was already there. He tried to slash her side; she tackled him into the dirt so hard the earth cracked beneath them.
Ravik gasped for breath as she stood over him, teeth inches from his throat.
“I…yield….” he croaked.
Tiara’s wolf leaned closer, growling deep enough to vibrate every bone in his body.
Then she stepped back.
Ravik collapsed, clutching his throat. Her wolf shifted again, returning Tiara to her human form. Silver energy still danced across her skin. She looked down at him, voice steady, powerful.
“You’re lucky I spared you.”
“You… shouldn’t have,” Ravik muttered bitterly. “NightFang will repay mercy with blood.”
Tiara crouched, her expression cold. “Tell your leader I’m not hiding. Tell him I will end this war before it begins.”
Ravik spat blood on the ground, but lowered his head. Submissively. Respectfully.
The SilverShield Pack erupted in cheers behind her.
“Alpha Tiara!”
“Silver wolf!”
“She defeated a NightFang lieutenant!”
But Damien didn’t cheer. His eyes burned darker—fear. He crossed the clearing as the pack dispersed, his steps fast.
“Tiara.” He grabbed her shoulders, voice rough. “That was reckless.”
She raised a brow. “You doubt me?”
“I fear losing you.” His confession slipped out before he could stop himself.
Her eyes softened. “Damien”
Shadow, Damien’s wolf, pushed forward again. Mate strong. Mate Alpha. Mate ours.
Damien swallowed hard. “Ravik wasn’t here to win. He was here to measure your strength. NightFang is planning something.”
Tiara looked toward the forest where Ravik disappeared. “I know.”
“Then why did you let him go?” Damien demanded.
She stepped closer, her breath brushing his jaw. “Because fear spreads faster than war. And I need NightFang to fear me.”
Damien’s jaw clenched, half anger, half desire. “You drive me insane.”
Tiara smiled. “Good.”
Before he could answer, a scout raced into the clearing, panting hard.
“Alpha Tiara—Damien—there’s… there’s news.”
Damien stiffened. “Speak.”
“It’s NightFang.” The scout’s voice trembled. “Their leader… he sent a message.”
Tiara’s heart thumped once—heavy. “Read it.”
The scout held out a blood-stained strip of cloth. “He said: She dares claim the Blackmoon bloodline? Then I will carve the truth into her myself.”
Damien growled, eyes glowing red. “He threatens you?”
The scout shook his head. “Not just a threat. A vow.”
He swallowed hard.
“He said he’s coming for you, Alpha. Personally.”
Silence cut through the camp.
Damien stepped in front of Tiara instinctively, Shadow pushing against his skin. “He will die before he touches her.”
Tiara slowly took the bloodied cloth from the scout. Her fingers tightened around it until her knuckles whitened.
Her voice dropped, low and icy.
“Let him come.”
But Damien wasn’t reassured. His wolf paced violently. “Tiara, NightFang’s leader isn’t like the others. He’s….”
A deep growl echoed through the forest, shaking leaves from the trees.
Wolves froze. Beta Rowan’s ears shot up. Another scout stumbled into the clearing, face pale with terror.
“Alpha…” he whispered.
“He’s already here.”
Every wolf pivoted toward the treeline.
And there silhouetted in the shadows stood a towering figure with burning amber eyes. The NightFang leader. His aura swept through the clearing, cold and murderous.
His voice boomed like thunder.
“TIARA BLACKMOON! FACE ME!”
Damien stepped forward protectively but the NightFang leader’s next words froze the entir
e pack.
“You took my lieutenant.”
He pointed at Tiara.
“Now I take you.”
Tiara exhaled once, slow, steady.
War had come early.
And it had come for her.