Chapter 3 Three

Jessica's POV

Darius was making his move.

That realization sent a wave of ice through my veins, even as Ryan's grip tightened around me.

The pack council.

The same council that had the power to strip Ryan of his title and put Darius on the throne.

"He wouldn't dare," Ryan growled, his entire body vibrating with anger.

But the way his jaw clenched told me he wasn't sure.

He knew Darius. And Darius never made a move unless he knew he could win.

I forced myself to stand, my legs still shaky. "We have to go there now."

Ryan shook his head. "No. I'll handle this."

His voice was firm, protective.

I understood. He wanted to keep me out of it.

But I wasn't just a bystander in this war.

"Darius is my problem too, Ryan," I said, lifting my chin. "I'm going with you."

Ryan's hazel eyes locked onto mine, conflicted. But he must have seen the determination on my face because, after a tense moment, he sighed.

"Stay close to me," he murmured.

I nodded. Then, without another word, we left for the council hall.

The Council Meeting

The hall was packed when we arrived. The entire pack council was already seated a mix of old and new leaders, their faces stern and unreadable.

But it wasn't them that made my blood turn to ice.

It was Darius. He stood at the center of the room, completely at ease like he already knew how this was going to play out.

His brown eyes flicked to me instantly, amusement curling at the corners of his lips.

"Ah," he mused. "The lovebirds have arrived."

Ryan growled slowly, stepping in front of me like a shield. "Get to the point, Darius."

Darius smirked but turned back to the council.

"I've called this meeting," he said smoothly, "to discuss the future of our pack."

My stomach twisted.

"I believe," Darius continued, "that Ashmoon Pack deserves a leader who can actually protect it. One that hasn't weakened himself over a woman."

My hands clenched into fists.

The insult was clear. Ryan's wolf growled, his rage barely contained. "Say what you mean, Darius."

Darius tilted his head slightly, pretending to consider. Then his smirk sharpened.

"I challenge you for the Alpha position."

The room erupted. Gasps. Murmurs. Shocked voices overlapping.

Ryan's entire body stiffened beside me.

"You son of a"

"Enough!" One of the elders, Councilman Graves, slammed his cane against the floor. "This is no place for brawls."

Darius didn't flinch. "This isn't a brawl," he said smoothly. "It's tradition. The strongest leads. And right now, that's me."

Ryan was shaking with fury.

I grabbed his arm, my heart pounding. "Ryan, don't"

But I already knew. He couldn't back down.

Not without losing everything.

The council exchanged glances before Graves sighed. "The challenge is valid. If both parties agree, the battle will take place at dawn."

Ryan's muscles tensed.

Then he spoke.

"I accept." That Night

I couldn't sleep.

I sat at the edge of Ryan's bed, staring at the moonlight spilling through the window.

If Ryan lost tomorrow...

No.

I couldn't even think about that.

The door creaked open, and I turned to see Ryan step inside, his shirt discarded, revealing the powerful muscles of his torso.

But all I saw were the bruises and scars from past battles.

Battles he had won.

Battles he might not win this time.

He walked over, kneeling in front of me.

"You're worried," he murmured.

I swallowed hard. "Of course I am. Darius is... strong."

Ryan lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"So am I."

I shook my head. "But you're different now, Ryan. The blood bond"

He tensed.

I felt the moment the truth hit him.

His wolf was weaker.

After marking me, after taking the risk to claim me despite my curse... he had lost a part of himself.

And Darius knew it.

"Ryan, please," I whispered. "We can find another way."

His expression softened, but his resolve didn't break.

"I can't let him take everything, Jess," he murmured. "Not you. Not the pack. I won't."

A lump formed in my throat.

I hated this.

Hated that I was the reason this fight was happening.

"Then let me fight with you," I whispered.

Ryan exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "No. Absolutely not."

"Ryan"

"Jessica." His voice was firm. Final. "I will handle this."

Tears burned my eyes.

"But what if" His lips pressed against mine before I could finish.

It wasn't a desperate kiss.

It wasn't goodbye. It was a promise.

"I'll win," he murmured against my lips. "I have to."

I held onto him like I could hold onto time itself.

Like if I just stayed here, in his arms, the battle would never come.

But it did. Dawn The Fight Begins

The training grounds were packed with wolves.

They stood in a large circle, watching as Ryan and Darius faced each other.

The energy in the air was thick with anticipation.

I stood at the edge of the circle, my hands trembling as I watched Ryan roll his shoulders, preparing for the fight.

Darius stood opposite him, relaxed, confident. Too confident.

He smirked at Ryan.

"You sure you want to do this, brother?" he taunted.

Ryan didn't answer. His wolf growled slowly, muscles flexing.

Graves stepped between them, raising a hand.

"The battle for Alpha will be fought until submission or death," he declared.

I flinched.

"Begin." Darius attacked first.

The moment he lunged, Ryan moved fast, precise, dodging to the side and aiming for Darius's ribs.

But Darius was faster. His elbow snapped out, slamming into Ryan's gut.

Ryan grunted, staggering back.

I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood.

Ryan recovered quickly, retaliating with a powerful swipe to Darius's jaw.

The crack of bone echoed through the clearing.

But Darius only wiped the blood from his mouth and smiled.

My stomach dropped. Something was wrong.

Darius shouldn't have been able to recover so fast.

Then I saw it. A faint glow beneath his skin.

Magic. Dark magic.

He had cheated. Ryan didn't see it.

But I did. And by the time I opened my mouth to warn him

Darius struck. His claws slashed across Ryan's chest, deep and brutal.

Ryan's body hit the ground with a sickening thud.

I screamed. Ryan didn't move.

And Darius? Darius turned to me Smiling.