"That sounds like a challenge," I mutter, finding my position on the mat. "When have I ever gone easy on you?"
"When have I ever fully been difficult onyou?" He taunts.
I scowl. "Seriously? You could just admit that maybe I'm a little special. After all, unbeknownst to us I was a future Luna. It was always in my blood to be strong."
"An attitude like that is what has been your downfall, Stevens. Never get too cocky. That's how people take advantage."
Across the room, Alpha Daxton gives the signal, the sound of bodies crashing into each other and mats ricocheting. We take our time though, circling each other with our eyes locked.
I'm not attacking first. If he wants to see what I can do, he'll need to move first.
Beta Alix watches me closely, eyes narrowing as we size each other up. Finally, he concedes, suddenly launching forward and aiming his fist straight for my head. I duck out of the way with practiced ease, muscle money kicking in.
Distance between us again, he laughs. "We told you before—you can't run forever."
"I'm not running this time," I grin.
He moves quickly again, feigning a punch before his leg swings out toward my thigh. I'm ready though, already anticipating his strategy. My arm loops around his leg as I side-step him, using the momentum to throw him across the mat.
Beta Alix lets out a staggered breath as he gets back onto his feet, nodding in approval. "Good, Stevens. Keep going."
Without breaking a sweat, he charges again. And again. And then again.
Possibly another fifty times. I lose count.
Somehow, I manage to block him at every step, calculating his moves and blocking his advances.
I'm not sure how I do it, whether I actually do have some luna superpower now or if I'm just finally ready. But with each movement, I can already see it playing out before it happens.
By the end of practice, I'm panting but still on my feet. Around me, people are struggling to regain their breath, some limping a little as they start to exit the facility.
"Good job, Stevens," Alpha Daxton says by the door. "Much better."
"Odd way to say congratulations on kicking the beta's ass, but thank you."
"Don't push it," he snarls. "Your alphas aren't here to save you if you give me too much sass."
I wave him off, smiling. "Who said I need saving?"
“Nyx!” A frightened familiar voice screams through my head, startling me.
I nearly fall off the bed, surprised that Reese is mind linking me.
Gathering myself, I quickly answer. “Reese? What’s wrong?”
The panic in his tone does not placate me, his words spilling out fast as his voice cracks.
“Sarah’s in trouble! She’s being attacked along the North boundary.”
I move before his words can fully register, my bedroom door opening at such speed I’m fairly certain either it or the wall is now broken.
Sprinting down the stairs, I’m unfazed by the darkness. My parents are obviously asleep, probably equally startled by the banging as I fly out of the house into a run.
“Mira,”I command, and she’s already two steps ahead of me.
We shift immediately, the sound of fabric ripping in the quiet street before the thundering of my paws against the road creates a fast rhythm.
I act entirely on instinct, barely registering the fact I’m heading straight into danger.
