Page 42

Cassandra’s POV

I stood in the center of the arena, my chest rising and falling as the announcer’s voice boomed across the field.

“Luna Cassandra has won the final trial!”

The crowd erupted.

Jack was the loudest. “That’s our girl! Someone paint this moment—I want it framed!”

I huffed out a breath, turning just in time to see Elias staggering to his feet.

He wiped blood from his lip, eyeing me carefully.

Then, to my surprise, he smirked. “Well, damn.”

I raised a brow. “No snarky remark?”

Elias rolled his shoulders, grimacing slightly. “Would it kill you to let me have a moment?”

Jack, from the sidelines: “Yes.”

I snorted.

But then, Elias’s smirk faded. His green eyes flickered—just for a second—with something serious.

Then he nodded.

Just once.

And walked off.

I blinked.

That… wasn’t what I expected.

I didn’t have time to dwell on it because the crowd was still going insane.

The announcer lifted his hand again. “With that, the official games have come to an end!”

The cheering grew louder.

Then I felt him.

Alec.

Before I could even turn, he was already behind me.

I barely had a second to react before his arms wrapped around my waist—strong, warm, possessive.

His breath brushed my ear. “You looked good out there, sweetheart.”

I smirked. “I always do.”

His grip tightened. “Mmm.”

Then he leaned down, lips ghosting over my throat. “But don’t think I didn’t notice you tackling Elias again.”

I froze.

Oh.

Alec felt that.

The crowd was too loud to hear our conversation, but I could feel the heat rolling off him.

He was jealous.

I grinned. “Alec.”

“Mmm?”

I turned, facing him fully. “Are you pouting?”

He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t pout.”

I reached up, tracing my fingers along his jaw. “No?”

He caught my wrist, holding me firmly. “Sweetheart,” he murmured, voice low and dangerous, “if I were pouting, you’d know.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

I opened my mouth to respond—

“Luna Cassandra! King Alexander!”

I turned sharply as the announcer called us forward.

The official crowning moment.

Alec’s grip on my waist didn’t loosen. If anything, he held me closer.

Then, slowly, he smirked.

“Enjoy your moment, love,” he murmured. “Because when this is over?”

His lips brushed my ear.

“You’re mine.”

Oh, hell.

I stood next to Alec, the entire pack watching as the final ceremony took place.

A crown—lighter than Alec’s but no less significant—was placed atop my head.

The official mark of my title.

“Your Luna!” the announcer declared.

The crowd roared.

And Alec?

Alec just watched me, silver eyes burning.

I had won.

The games were over.

But something told me…

The real battle was just beginning.

____________________________

The sun had barely started to set when the feast began.

After days of trials, fighting, pain, and Alec’s endless smugness, the pack had decided that the only appropriate response to the end of the games was to throw a massive celebration.

Bonfires lined the courtyard, tables were piled high with food, and warriors were already laughing, drinking, and telling exaggerated stories of their own victories.

I sat at the head table, next to Alec, still getting used to the weight of my new crown.

Jack plopped into the seat across from me, grinning. “So, how does it feel, Your Majesty?”

I groaned. “Don’t start.”

Jack smirked. “Oh, no, no. This is what you signed up for, Cass. You’re officially royalty now, and I, for one, will be extremely annoying about it.”

Alec sighed beside me. “That’s nothing new.”

Jack raised a glass. “To our Luna!”

The crowd cheered, raising their drinks in response.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips.

Then Sophie appeared, grabbing my arm. “Dance with me.”

I blinked. “What?”

She huffed. “I sat through every second of these games watching sweaty men try to kill each other. Now I want to dance, eat, and ignore Damon for a few hours.”

Damon, standing behind her, raised a brow. “I can hear you.”

Sophie smirked. “Good.”

Jack howled. “Damon, you are so whipped.”

Sophie grabbed my hand, yanking me out of my chair. “Come on, Cass. Before your overprotective husband decides to keep you all to himself.”

I smirked. “He’s not my husband.”

Sophie winked. “Yet.”

Alec sipped his drink, watching me over the rim of his glass. His silver eyes held something dark, something knowing.

I swallowed.

Because Sophie wasn’t wrong.

Sophie dragged me into the center of the courtyard, where warriors had started to dance. The music was fast, loud, chaotic.

Exactly how I liked it.

We spun, laughed, and nearly knocked Jack over when he tried to join us.

I was mid-spin when suddenly—

A strong, familiar grip caught my waist.

I gasped, twisting right into Alec’s arms.

He grinned down at me. “Having fun?”

I narrowed my eyes. “You planned this.”

He hummed. “Maybe.”

I opened my mouth to respond—

But he spun me.

Hard.

The world blurred before I landed right back against his chest.

I gasped, my fingers gripping his arms for balance.

Alec smirked. “Careful, sweetheart.”

I scowled. “You’re impossible.”

He leaned in, lips brushing my ear. “And yet, here you are.”

My pulse skipped.

Damn him.

He held me close, leading us across the courtyard effortlessly. I had seen Alec fight, but I had never seen him dance.

It was unfair.

I tilted my head. “Where did you learn this?”

His smirk widened. “Surprised?”

I scoffed. “A little.”

His fingers brushed my waist. “What else surprises you about me?”

I swallowed.

Because a lot of things did.

The way he was gentle when he wanted to be.

The way he watched me like I was the only thing that mattered.

The way he was completely and utterly obsessed with me, and didn’t even try to hide it.

I licked my lips. “I haven’t decided yet.”

Alec’s silver eyes darkened. “Let me know when you do.”

I shivered.

He pulled me closer, his breath warm against my skin.

The music slowed.

I could feel the weight of the entire pack watching us.

Because this?

This wasn’t just a dance.

It was a claim.

Alec had waited. He had let me fight my own battles, let me win. But now?

He was making it clear that I was his.

And the worst part?

I didn’t want to fight it.