Fated by Blood and Moon

Chapter 20: Bonds Strengthened

Leo's POV

The tension in the air was thick as the Silvermoon Pack trained tirelessly, preparing for whatever the Bloodfangs had planned next. Our victory in the last battle had been hard-earned, but we all knew it was only a matter of time before they struck again. Maya's presence among us had brought a new strength, but it had also drawn attention-attention that could lead to danger.

I watched from the edge of the training ground as Maya sparred with Kira, my Delta. Maya's moves were fluid, quick, and instinctual, but she still lacked some of the experience that Kira had earned over years of fighting by my side. Kira was relentless, testing Maya at every turn, pushing her to the limit. I could feel the tension in the pack-some still questioned Maya's place, but they respected her strength.

As I observed, Fenrir stirred inside me. She's growing stronger, but she's still holding back, he rumbled. She hasn't fully embraced what she is yet.

I nodded internally, agreeing with my wolf. Maya's power as a hybrid was something she was still learning to control, but I knew it was there. I could feel it in the bond between us, a current of untapped energy that made her unlike anyone else. And yet, she hadn't opened up about the full extent of her abilities.

"Do you think she knows?" I asked Fenrir through the mind link. My wolf's growl of uncertainty was my answer. I couldn't link directly to Maya yet-she hadn't undergone the Luna coronation, and the bond between us wasn't fully sealed. But I could feel her emotions, and I knew she was still holding something back.

A low growl sounded beside me, and I turned to see Jaxon, my Beta, approaching. His eyes flicked toward Maya and Kira before he met my gaze.

"She's strong, but the pack is still wary," Jaxon said, his voice low but respectful. "They know she's different. Some are afraid of what that might mean."

I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest as I watched Maya dodge a swipe from Kira's claws, narrowly avoiding a blow that could have knocked her off her feet. "They'll come around," I said, though I knew it would take more than words to convince them.

"They'll have to," Jaxon replied. "Especially if the Bloodfangs strike again. We need every bit of strength we can get."

I nodded, my mind turning to strategy. The pack's morale was solid, but the threat of the Bloodfangs lingered like a dark cloud on the horizon. My Gamma, Bruno, had reported strange movements on the borders, but nothing definitive. The Bloodfangs were smart-they were waiting for the right moment to strike.

Kira lunged forward again, catching Maya off guard and knocking her to the ground. A murmur rippled through the pack members watching the spar, and I could see Maya's frustration flaring in her eyes as she scrambled back to her feet.

I felt a surge of protectiveness rise within me, but I forced myself to stay back. This was Maya's fight. She needed to prove herself, not just to the pack but to herself as well.

Maya's POV

I gritted my teeth, my body tense with frustration as I picked myself up from the ground. Kira was fast-too fast for me to keep up with, and I could feel the weight of the pack's eyes on me, judging every move I made.

Lyra growled in my mind. "Focus, Maya. Stop holding back."

"I'm not!" I shot back internally, my heart pounding with the effort of the fight. But I knew she was right. There was a part of me that still hesitated, that still feared what would happen if I let go completely. The hybrid part of me-the vampire side-was still something I wasn't fully comfortable with. And until I embraced it, I couldn't reach my full potential.

Kira didn't give me any time to breathe, charging at me again with a swift, powerful strike aimed at my midsection. I barely dodged in time, feeling the rush of air as her claws grazed my skin.

"Let me in," Lyra urged, her voice stronger now. "We're stronger together. Trust me."

I took a deep breath, centering myself as I called on Lyra's strength. I felt her power surge through me, sharpening my senses, heightening my speed. When Kira came at me again, I was ready. This time, I moved with purpose, ducking under her swing and using the momentum to flip her onto her back.

A gasp went through the watching pack, and Kira stared up at me, surprise flashing across her face before she grinned. "Nice," she said, breathless. "About time you stopped holding back."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, stepping back as Kira got to her feet. The murmurs from the crowd had shifted-there was still uncertainty, but now there was also respect.

"You're getting there," Kira said with a nod of approval. "But you've got more to give. Don't be afraid of it."

I glanced toward Leo, who was watching me intently, his silver eyes glowing with something I couldn't quite read. He gave me a nod, and I felt a sense of pride swelling inside me. Maybe I was getting there. Slowly but surely.

Leo's POV

I felt a surge of pride watching Maya take Kira down. She was learning-adapting. But there was still more she needed to unlock, and I could feel it in the air between us.

I opened a mind link to Jaxon, Kira, and Bruno, my Beta, Delta, and Gamma. "She's getting stronger. But she needs more training. We all do. We can't afford to be caught off guard by the Bloodfangs again."

"Agreed," Jaxon replied, his mind voice steady. "The pack is with you, but they'll need to see more from her. She's not one of us yet."

"She will be," I said firmly. "But we need to focus. I want everyone on high alert. If the Bloodfangs make a move, we need to be ready."

Bruno's deep voice chimed in through the link. "I'll keep the patrols tight. We can't afford any slip-ups."

"Kira, take charge of Maya's training. Push her harder."

Kira's response was swift. "I've got it covered, Alpha. She's strong, but I'll make her stronger."

The bond between us was tight, our minds linked as one. The pack would hold. It had to.

As the mind link faded, I looked at Maya again, determination swelling inside me. The Bloodfangs were out there, waiting. But they had no idea what was coming for them.

Maya's POV

As the day wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming-something big. Leo hadn't said much since my training session with Kira, but I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. I knew he wanted more from me, and I was determined to prove myself worthy-not just to him, but to the entire pack.

Lyra stirred within me again, her presence stronger than ever. "We're ready, Maya. Let's show them what we can do."

I nodded internally, feeling the power of our bond. Whatever came next, I knew we would face it together-me, Lyra, and Leo. And we would not back down.