Cursed

Luna

Scarlett

I barely slept that night. My mind was reeling over the possible outcomes of today's events and those of last night. I could still feel the warmth of Cole's touch, how gently he held me. But I couldn't let this distract me. I had faith in myself and my wolf, but what I had heard of Jenna she was an exceptional fighter, and if Cole chose her, then she must be good. Yet, she hasn't been involved in pack training or any form of pack defence, which means she isn't at her prime. A shame for her but a benefit for me.

I left my house just as the sun began to rise above the treeline. The soft melodic sound of bird songs filled the air. I let my eyes close, enjoying the peace as it lasted. Which wasn't long, as a Cole's scent filled my nose. I snapped my eyes open to find him towering above me, and my heart lurched.

"Since when were you so stealthy?" I stepped back from him, giving myself some space to catch my breath. Only for it to leave me again when Cole laughed. It was only short, but it happened. I felt my wolf melt at the sound, any anger towards him disappearing instantly. 

"I've always been sneaky, little wolf." Cole taunted as he stared at me. I nodded, not needing to argue with him anymore, so I turned to leave. But Cole's hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me. 

"Scarlett." I turned to face him, allowing him to keep holding of my wrist as he swallowed. 

"If I allow you to challenge Jenna, you have to win. I cannot and will not lose you again." Cole tugged me towards him, his strong arms wrapping around my waist as he held me against his solid chest. My whole body was rigid, unsure whether to feel comforted or disgusted by his embrace. After a minute, he released me.

"I will win, Cole, but this doesn't fix what you've done." Sadness tinged my voice. Cole nodded, not trying to argue his side for once.

"Just tell me, little one, have you shifted?" I didn't want to tell him. Didn't want him to know my true strength, the strength he never saw. Yet, he stood there, staring at me like I was so fragile I would just break. It angered me. I was more than he had decided I was, stronger than he deemed me to be. 

"Yes, Cole, and my wolf is beautiful." It was then that a single tear rolled down his cheek, disappearing into the stubble on his face. My heart clenched as I reached to wipe the second tear that was about to fall.

"I knew she would be," Cole whispered as he stepped back and walked away. I watched him disappear into the pack grounds, his head held high and his back straight. My wolf pushed herself forward. 

He will change. But now we prepare. The softness of her voice eased my aching heart as we went to prepare. 

It was midday when I had asked Chelsea to call the pack together. They needed to be here to witness what was about to happen, every single member. I had to prove my worth to them all. They deserve nothing more than the best, and that was what I was going to give them. 

I stepped into the main pack area, dressed in leggings and a loose t-shirt with my hair tied back. All eyes turned to me before they fell to the floor and bowed. Everyone here will remember me as the weak girl who left her pack to die, but they could sense the change. They knew I came here to claim my title back, and for that, they respected me. I kept my gaze straight, smiling at Chelsea as she came into view. 

My wolf sat eagerly watching, her chest puffed out at the respect she was commanding. We stopped just before Cole and Jenna. A small smile graced Cole's face as he looked at me. I nodded and turned to Jenna who scowled. I turned my back on them and addressed the crowd.

"I am here today to challenge for the position of Luna. Do you, Alpha Cole Black, accept my challenge against your mate?" I swivelled to face them both. Jenna turned her nose up as Cole nodded. He removed himself from Jenna's side, planting a small kiss on her temple before whispering in her ear. If it weren't for my enhanced hearing, I would have missed the small apology he muttered before standing beside me. 

"I accept this challenge. Both wolves, please enter the sparring ring. The rules are simple: you either win the title by killing or forcing submission on the other wolf." Cole said nothing more as he glanced at me. The pack cleared the sparring circle as we approached. Jenna stood to one side, and I took the other. 

"Submit now, weakling, and I won't have to kill you before your family." Jenna's eyes darted to my younger brother, who was standing at the very edge of the circle. I shook my head, allowing my eyes to become pitch black as she did the same. 

Jenna shifted first, her wolf a stunning light brown. In fact, it was so light it would be considered more the colour of sand. I smiled before allowing my wolf full control. As every bone snapped, I grew more ready, the need to prove myself getting stronger. But as soon as I was fully shifted, the pack fell silent, hushed whispers echoing around me, and Jenna's jaw hung open.

I turned to look at Cole, who stared at me blankly, his eyes pitch black. I nodded and turned to face Jenna again, ignoring the shocked mumbles from my pack. My paws dug into the dirt as Jenna charged forward. She was quick; every step she took was calculated like a true warrior. I was sloppier, untrained. There was every chance she could beat me, but there was no chance she could beat my wolf. I did not fight for any form of control, allowing my wolf to do as she needed. 

I will try not to kill her. My wolf spoke as she side-stepped Jenna's first advance. I didn't reply to her. It was not my intention to have Jenna killed, only to win my title as Luna. The best case scenario is that she would submit, hand over her title willingly, but based on her desire to fight me, that felt unlikely. 

Jenna dove for me again, but this time we didn't move quickly enough, her sharp claw catching the back of my leg. My wolf snarled, her hackles rising as she turned toward Jenna. As our anger grew, so did our powers; lightning struck a nearby tree as thunder rumbled above. She held onto what little control she had as she launched at Jenna, causing the warrior wolf to stumble aside. It was only momentarily that Jenna was off guard, but it was enough for my wolf to pin her. For our sharp claws to be pressed into her throat. My wolf growled, telling Jenna to submit. Instead of baring her neck, of giving up her title, Jenna sliced a free paw along my stomach. My wolf howled out and backed away from Jenna, who regained her footing. 

A deep growl echoed around the circle as our attention turned to where it had come from. Cole stood there, his whole body shaking and his eyes pitch black. Dax and Justin stood on either side, trying to hold him back. My wolf winked in Coles' direction, causing another growling to rumble from his chest. This time, she went for the kill. If Jenna didn't submit, then she would die.

My wolf was quick as she ran across the circle, barreling into Jenna. The sany wold flew across the grass, landing at Scott's feet. My brother stepped back, unsure of what to do. Jenna noticed his presence and turned to him, her teeth bared. My wolf snapped, power coursing through her as lightning struck right next to Jenna, taking her attention off Scott. Our presence was stronger as power poured from every fibre of our being. I gave my wolf the permission she needed to finish the job. We push forward, our paws tearing up the grass. Within seconds, our teeth were latched onto Jenna's throat. 

The wolf in my grasp squirmed, writhing uncontrollably. But we bit down hard, hearing my canines puncture her skin and then her arteries. Blood spilt around our teeth, filling our mouths as we held on. Jenna whined beneath us, her body shaking slightly as she bled to death. Our eyes shut, and we dropped her body onto the blood-soaked grass. Our white fur was also stained with the blood of a pack wolf. Instantly, my wolf gave over control, coiling herself far away in my mind. My body shifted back. 

Even in human form, I was covered in blood. I watched as Cole approached, his eyes stuck on the lifeless body of Jenna, who was shifted back into her human form. Her stormy eyes were open, staring at the ground, her throat was mangled, and blood continued to pump out of it. I looked up at Cole as I accepted a blanket from Dax. He quickly worked to have Jenna's body removed, only for Cole to remain where he stood, staring at the bloody grass. 

"Cole," I gently touched his arm, "I am sorry." I meant those words. Cole's green eyes found mine, and he nodded. Then his hand covered mine, holding it to his arm. 

"Welcome back, Luna." The smile he sent me did not hold any joy, only grief.