by G. K. DeRosa
“Hunter, there are much worse things that could befall that little she-wolf. For once, let her decide her own future.”
I chewed on his words, allowing their weight to sink in. Everything had become more complicated now. When I met Sierra all those years ago at the academy, I had no idea who she was. No idea she’d end up in the trials with me—against me.
Was Vander right? Was I condemning her to a worse fate by not completing the mate bond?
Chapter Ten
Sierra
“It’s no use, Vander.” I sank down on the mat and buried my head in my hands. “I’ll never be as strong or fast as you and especially not the other Lunar Pack males.” Sweat slickened my palms and I drew my hands back, staring up at my training partner. We were a week into the trials and the only one I hadn’t completely failed at was the one that Hunter had gifted me the win.
He offered me his hand and hauled me back to my feet. “You can’t give up, Sierra. Just remember the goal here isn’t to win, it’s to survive.”
“Right,” I growled. The week had brought more feats of strength and physical endurance against all the competitors. But today was a special event, the last of the week, featuring the sparkly unicorn packs. Unlike our last competition, this one entailed hand-to-hand combat at the arena in front of hundreds of spectators. I was going to get my ass handed to me.
“Remember, you’ll get real points for today’s event since it’s against the Lunar Packs so just try to stick it out as long as you can. But don’t do anything stupid.”
“Believe me, it’s not like I’m looking forward to a total beatdown.”
Two males sauntered into the gym, and their eyes flickered in my direction. One smiled and the other nudged him in the gut, dragging him in the other direction. I strained to hear their muttered comments, but I was too far. Coming to the university training center before the sun rose ensured we had the place to ourselves most mornings, but lately, more students were showing up earlier.
The two guys continued to stare from across the space until Vander shot them a warning growl. He turned back to me, his lips twisted into a scowl. “We may have to move our training sessions to Silverstalker Lair.”
“Seriously?” My brows popped up. I hadn’t seen Hunter outside of the trials all week, despite his promise to start working together. “I’m not sure I want to run into Tyrien in his pajamas before dawn.”
Vander chuckled. “The training center is located in the lower levels. In all my years, I’ve never once seen our supreme alpha wander that far beneath the mountain. You have nothing to worry about. Besides, it was Hunter’s idea.”
“It was?”
“Yup.” He grabbed a water bottle from his duffle bag and tossed me one.
“What is up with our great beta?” I asked around a big gulp of cool water. “He hasn’t spoken to me much all week.”
“He’s been busy between the trials and his duties as supreme beta. His father has been increasing his responsibilities in preparation for stepping into the high alpha role.”
I scoffed. “So Tyrien’s that sure he’ll win, huh?”
Vander ticked his head at the exit and motioned me toward the door. We passed another group of males on our way out, their hungry stares roaming over my body. What is up with these guys lately?
“She’s taken,” Vander growled as they continued to ogle.
My head snapped back, and I whirled at my wolfy trainer. “I am not taken. Last I heard, I was a free wolf to do as I pleased.”
He shot me a good eyeroll. “If you believe that then you’re as blind and stubborn as Hunter.”
We stepped out into the quad as I contemplated a witty comeback, but I never got it out because Ransom appeared toting my best friend behind him. “Cass!” I raced to her, a huge smile splitting my lips. Between the early morning training and the day long trials, I’d barely seen her. Plus, she’d been busy caring for the injured and wounded in battle. Our conversations had consisted of quick waves and greetings in between events at the arena. “Sorry I’m so sweaty,” I said as I released her.
“No worries, girl. I’ve seen much worse in the past few days. Right, Van?”
I was a terrible friend. I’d been so caught up in my life I hadn’t even asked her how she was liking her new job with the Royals.
“Yeah, that guy yesterday…” Vander chuckled. “He looked like he’d been dunked in the Manta Sea.”
“I know right? Who sweats that much?” She moved closer to Vander, a flirty gleam in her eyes.
How had I missed that? Was my friend crushing on Vander?
Ransom grunted, drawing my attention back to the scowling Royal. “It’s disgusting really. I keep telling father the competitors should be evaluated before being allowed to compete in the trials. They should at least be in peak physical condition before entering.”
I jabbed my elbow into his side. “Don’t be such a snob. Not everyone can be blessed with your perfect vampire stamina and endurance.”
“I’m not saying they should. They simply shouldn’t be allowed to compete.”
“Well then by your logic, I shouldn’t be allowed either.” I slapped my hands on my hips and glared up at him. “And we all know whose fault it is that I was forced to.”
His tight jaw softened, the darkness in his eyes fading. “You’re different. You belong here with us.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into his side before grimacing. “Ugh, you are wet. Go take a shower.”
I wriggled free of his embrace as heat blossomed along my cheeks. “Thanks a lot, friend.”
He waggled his fingers and shot me a wicked grin. “I’ll see you at the trials, Violet. I entrust Cass to you for now. I have to help my father set up the morning’s events.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” I pulled Cass into my side as Ransom sauntered through the gathering crowd at the quad. Lately, it seemed like the wolves circled every time I was around another male. Something weird was up.
Vander nudged Cass in the shoulder and gave her a smile. “Do you want anything from the café?”
“Yesss. Iced caramel latte stat. This week has been brutal. I’m so glad we have a few days off before the next round.”
He eyed me then turned his attention back to Cass and palmed the back of his neck. “If you have some free time, I can show you around Moon Valley.”
“Sure, just text me after tomorrow. I plan to spend the whole day in bed.”
A mischievous smirk lit up his face as he pivoted toward the café.
“Hey, what about me?” I called after him. The jerk didn’t even bother turning around. “I wanted a coffee too,” I grumbled as I folded onto the picnic table outside the coffee shop. “So are you and Van a thing, or what?”
Cass sat across from me, and a yawn spilled out. She gave me a dismissive wave and started digging through her bag. “He’s sweet, but nothing’s happened. We’ve texted a few times since we spent the night of the gala searching for you in the woods, but that’s it. I just got here; I’m not planning on tying myself down to anyone yet.” She winked.
“Same old Cass.”
“What about you?” She lowered her voice. “Anything new in the Hunter curse department?”
I shook my head. “Not a word from my mate for days. Just when I thought we were making progress.”
“Maybe it’s time you started looking into this curse thing. You’ve got lots of connections from Arcane. Someone might be able to help.”
The idea of going to someone like our headmaster or worse Davina or Marrick made my skin crawl. But if it meant saving Hunter, I’d have to suck it up. “Yeah…” I murmured. “The problem is I don’t know anything about the curse. Hunter’s got to open up to me about it before we can go any further.”
“Well, you have a few days in between the next round. Sounds like the perfect time to me.”
Vander appeared from the café with three iced coffees on a tray. He dropped them on the table and shot me a grin. “You
really think I would forget about you?”
I grabbed my iced coffee and gave him my best smile. Once I’d taken a big gulp, I let out a long sigh. “You are the best, Van.”
A group of males sitting at the next table turned at my dramatic groan. Searing gazes razed over me as I sipped my drink. I leaned closer to Vander and ticked my head at the wolves. “What is up with that? I’ve been getting weird stares like that for days.”
Vander cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably.
“What?” Cass asked.
“Vander…” I poked him in the chest. “Don’t you think I’ve been kept in the dark for long enough? Please, tell me what’s going on.”
He dropped his gaze to his hands wrapped tight around the iced beverage. “Uh, well, you see—” His cheeks reddened, and my eyes bounced back and forth from him to Cass and back.
“Just spit it out, Vander!”
“It’s your wolf,” he said without looking up. “She’s putting out certain vibes. It’s typical for a new unmated she-wolf.”
Heat filtered up my neck and settled across my cheeks. “What?”
“Like wolf pheromones or something?” Cass supplied.
Oh gods, kill me now.
He looked up at her and pointed, a look of relief unfurrowing his brow. “Yes, exactly.”
“So how do I stop it?” I squealed.
“It should pass in a few weeks on its own. Or bind yourself to your mate.”
I grunted. “If it were only that easy.” Wait a second. I thought back to Hunter’s sudden disappearing act. It all started that night when our wolves got a little too frisky. “Is that why Hunter’s avoiding me?”
Vander dipped his head, focusing way too intently on his iced coffee. “I have no idea,” he muttered.
Liar. I needed to have a word with my mate ASAP.
Mother shifter this was so embarrassing. I trudged through the arena with my head down as piercing male gazes bored into the side of my face. My blood boiled as my wolf skimmed the surface. Now that I knew why they were staring, it seemed to have gotten worse. Cass had quite a laugh of it on our way over here and for once, I’d been relieved to drop her off with Terra and the other healers when we’d arrived at the arena. I’d had about enough of her teasing.
A low whistle rang out through my troubled musings, and I pivoted toward a passageway to my right. Zuriel, the Celestial beta, leaned against the earthen wall, a devilish grin pulling at his perfectly angelic lips. “I thought that was you.” He pushed off the wall and strutted toward me. His light blue suit clung to every cut and bulge of his body. My mouth went dry at his relentless stare, raking over me like a heat-seeking missile. This wolf hybrid was definitely more warrior angel than guardian angel. His nostrils flared as he neared, and I wrapped my arms across my chest. So wolfin’ embarrassing.
First my she-wolf refused to show herself and now she was strutting her stuff like a lady of the night, waving her tail in front of every eligible male.
“Ready for today?” Zuriel finally spoke after dragging his gaze up and down my body for the tenth time.
“Of course,” I snapped.
“I hope I’m the lucky wolf that gets paired with you.” He shot me a wink, and I resisted the urge to snarl.
“In combat,” I growled. “You’d be paired with me in combat.”
He waved a nonchalant hand. “Just a little song and dance for the audience. They’re here for the show after all.” A pair of majestic silver wings unfurled from behind his back. They spanned at least a few feet from his shoulders, bathing the dim tunnel in an ethereal glow.
“Wow…” I couldn’t help the breathy word from popping out. Shaking the awe off, I steeled my tone. “I thought we still weren’t allowed to use our special powers for this.”
“Technically, we’re not until the second round, but since it’s only Lunar wolves in this trial, I doubt anyone will mind.”
Great. Too bad my magical powers still refused to make a cameo. Was it even possible to be a Mystic without any mystical abilities? Another question to add to the never-ending list.
He inched closer and his soft feathers brushed my shoulder, sending goosebumps spilling down my arm. I backed away slowly and ticked my head down the tunnel. “Gotta run, don’t want to be late for the big event.” Spinning on my heel, I darted through the passageway toward the Lunar Lounge as I’d affectionately dubbed our VIP changing area.
I barreled through the double doors and slammed into a wall. Nope, not a wall, a wall of flesh and blood and unyielding muscle. Hunter’s hands gripped my waist to steady me and the heat from his fingertips seared my skin, even through my tee. I glanced up to meet a pair of fiery golden orbs.
“Sorry,” I muttered and pushed free of his hold.
“Don’t be. I smel—sensed you coming. I wanted to talk to you before the trial.”
Embarrassment burned my cheeks, warmth billowing across my face. There had to be a way to get these wolf pheromones in check. I couldn’t live like this for weeks. I could feel heated gazes razing over me from across the room. The males were circling like piranhas, and I had zero intention to become their tasty fishy treat.
Slapping my hands on my hips, I glared up at Hunter. “Okay, what’s up?”
He wrapped his fingers around my arm and led me toward my personal changing room.
“Hi, Violet.” Ransom’s voice echoed behind me, and I shot him a quick wave over my shoulder as Hunter tugged me forward.
The Mystic pack crest emblazoned across the dark timber greeted me, reminding me why I was here. To fight for my pack. Along with everything else going on, I couldn’t forget why I was doing this. Somehow, I needed to make Tyrien pay for killing my father, destroying my pack.
“Sierra, hello?”
I refocused on Hunter, on the grim set of his jaw, the worry lines across his forehead. Could I steal the high alpha title from my own mate for revenge? I shook my head out, letting my thoughts of vengeance drift away for now. “Yeah, what did you want to talk about?”
He shut the door behind us and pointed at the small bench leaning against the wall. “Sit?”
Well, this couldn’t be good. I slumped onto the seat and watched as he paced the small square room. “What’s going on? You’re making me nervous.”
“Promise me you’ll be careful today,” he finally whisper-hissed.
“Okay…”
He bent down, kneeling before me and a rush of excitement spiked through my veins. He pressed his finger to his lips and murmured, “I can’t help you today. This is one on one combat, and I’ll have zero control over what happens. You have to promise me that if things take a turn for the worse, you’ll back down.”
“You want me to forfeit?”
“Better out than dead,” he growled.
The force of emotion surprised me, snapping my head back. “I thought today was just for show.”
“It is, Sierra, but I told you from the beginning, you can’t trust these guys. None of them. Do you understand?”
I nodded slowly. After a long pause, I quirked a brow at him. “Except you, right?”
“Of course.” He squeezed my hands between his, staring at my fingers. “You’re my mate, in spite of everything. I could never hurt you—” He cut himself off.
It was a good thing because I was about to yell at him for how stupid he sounded. He’d been hurting me for years. Maybe not physically, but emotional wounds cut the deepest.
“Sierra, I need you to swear you won’t do anything risky. I know how you are. You’re strong and stupidly brave. I know you want to prove to everyone you belong here, but please don’t let that need put your life in danger.”
His words tugged at my heart, steel bands lacing around my broken organ. It was only the wolf that loved me, not the man. I needed to keep reminding myself because he made it so easy to forget. “Okay, I won’t do anything stupid,” I finally answered. “Who do you think I’ll be up against?”
He loosed a shak
y breath. “I have no idea. Pairs have been chosen in different ways through the years. Just remember to use your natural advantages against the males. You’re smaller and faster than most of them. Stay on your toes and avoid direct contact as much as you can. No shifting for this match either, which will actually work in your favor. During the break, we’ll train in your wolf form as well. Hopefully by the second round you’ll have better control.”
“Right. Now if only my magic would make an appearance.”
His fingers tightened around mine, reminding me he still held my hand. “Terra’s fairly certain it’s only a matter of time. We just have to hope it’ll kick in before the third round. That’s when things get more—”
“Hairy?” I cut him off, unable to suppress the cheeky grin.
Hunter rewarded me with a lopsided smile. “I was going to say intense.” He rose to his feet, pulling me up with him. My body hummed at his proximity. When had he gotten so close? The air crackled between us, my nerves dancing like live wire. He dipped his head, and my chin automatically lifted. His nostrils flared, and he inhaled deeply.
Son of a werewolf! I jumped back and wrapped my arms across my chest. Not that it did anything to hide my wolfy scent, but somehow it made me feel better. “I almost forgot,” I shouted before remembering the males outside the door and lowering my voice. “Why didn’t you tell me I was giving off some weird she-wolf pheromones? The guys have been on me like peanut butter on jelly.”
His growing murderous expression twisted into a grin as I finished. “I—I wasn’t sure it was happening. And it’s sort of an awkward conversation.” He palmed the back of his neck, his eyes darting around the small room.
“Did our little romp in the woods trigger it?”
He nodded. “Most likely. Your wolf is ready to mate, and she’s making it apparent that if mine isn’t, she’ll find another option.”
A burst of laughter erupted from my lips. That’s my girl.
“She’s an alpha all right.” He gave me a rueful grin.