Chapter 16

🌘Kate's POV

The morning of the duel dawned with an unsettling calm, the kind that always comes before a storm. Sunlight spilled across the Eclipse Pack's dining hall, warm and golden, but the air was thick with anticipation. Every scrape of a chair and clink of cutlery seemed louder than usual, as if the pack itself was holding its breath.

I took my seat beside Ryker at the long central table, my fingers curling around the mug of tea I'd barely touched. My heart wasn't racing — surprisingly — but my mind was sharp, every sense tuned to the slightest shift around me. The duel wasn't until later, yet it felt like everyone's eyes were already on me.

Across the table, Aria sat with perfect posture, her hair glinting under the light. Her lips curved into that same sugary smile she always wore before striking. I'd been expecting something from her — I just didn't expect her to pounce before breakfast was even halfway done.

"So," she began sweetly, slicing into her fruit with deliberate precision, "I hear tradition demands our Luna be… well, exceptional in every way. Strength, beauty, breeding…" Her gaze flicked over me, lingering on my simple cream blouse and black trousers. "Though I suppose exceptions can be made when the Alpha's personal tastes… run unconventional."

A few chuckles rippled down the table, and I could feel Ryker stiffen beside me. His hand twitched like he was ready to speak, but before he could, I caught his wrist under the table and gave the faintest shake of my head. This was my fight.

"I suppose you're right, Aria," I said lightly, keeping my tone even. "Tradition does demand a lot. But it also demands a Luna who can stand beside her Alpha without having to tear down others to feel taller."

The smile froze on her face. Around us, the chuckles died instantly.

"You should be careful," she said, voice sharper now. "After all, there's still a chance you might not wear that Luna title for long."

"Oh, I'm counting on wearing it," I replied, meeting her eyes directly. "And when I do, you'll be the first to bow."

The tension snapped like a bowstring. I thought Aria might leap across the table, but someone spoke before she could — a firm, clear voice cutting through the quiet.

"Enough," said the female warrior who'd stood up for me before. Raven hair braided down her back, her dark eyes were steady and unflinching as she looked at Aria. "This duel is supposed to prove worth, not settle petty grudges over breakfast. If you can't wait until the arena, then maybe you're not as confident as you claim."

Murmurs swept the hall. The woman's name was Lila — I'd learned that from one of the kitchen staff weeks ago — and she had a quiet reputation among the warriors for her fairness and skill. Seeing her step in again made a small warmth bloom in my chest.

Aria's jaw tightened, but she turned back to her food without another word. I caught Lysandra's gaze across the table, and she gave me the faintest nod. I returned it, silently promising myself that her loyalty wouldn't be forgotten.

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🌘Ryker's POV

By midday, the weight in the air had only grown heavier. The duel was set for late afternoon, when the pack's arena would be bathed in the golden haze of sunset. It was tradition — the time of day when disputes were settled before the night claimed the sky.

I walked beside Kate toward the arena gates, the sound of our boots crunching over the gravel path. The pack gathered along the way, some offering respectful nods, others whispering behind their hands. I could feel the current of curiosity, skepticism, and outright awe that surrounded her.

Kate was dressed simply — dark trousers tucked into knee-high boots, a fitted white shirt that moved easily with her frame. She wasn't dressed like a Luna stepping into ceremony. She was dressed like a fighter who wasn't here to impress anyone.

But waiting at the arena gates was something far more ceremonial — a heavy black cloak lined with deep crimson, the mark of the Eclipse Luna. The rule was clear: it could only be placed on the shoulders of the victor. It would stay folded neatly on the stand until one of them won.

We stopped at the threshold. Inside, the wide circle of the arena gleamed under the sun, the packed earth marked from countless battles before this one. Wooden stands rose around the perimeter, already filling with pack members. The scent of anticipation was thick.

I turned to her, lowering my voice so only she could hear. "You don't have to prove yourself to them, Kate. You're already mine."

Her eyes lifted to meet mine, bright and unwavering. "Maybe. But today isn't just about being yours, Ryker. It's about being theirs."

She stepped past me into the arena, her head high, and the low hum of conversation rippled through the crowd. Every movement she made was deliberate, calm — but I could feel the quiet storm building beneath her skin.

Aria was already inside, leaning casually against the far rail, her smirk in place. The two women locked eyes, and the entire arena seemed to go still.

The announcer's voice carried over the stands, formally declaring the challenge for the position of Luna. The rules were repeated, the stakes laid out clearly. Win, and Kate was Luna. Lose, and she would reject me and leave the Eclipse Pack forever.

The final words hung in the air.

The crowd waited.

The moment had come.