BATTLE FOR THE LORD'S SEAT

Celine's pov

I walked closer to the fallen werewolf, he was the same one I ran after but lost, now lying on the ground motionless, gravely wounded.

But then, something gleamed beside him, I knelt reaching for it.

“Mooncrest Pack”. I murmured, as I read the engraving on the tag. My thoughts already spinning.

Before my eyes, the wolf began shifting as its bones began cracking and fur retracting into a naked human form. My brows furrowed.

“Oh… it might still be alive”. I muttered under my breath, instinct urging me to step forward.

But then sirens wail cut through the air, freezing me mid-step. An ambulance screeched to a halt. Medics spilled out, I moved backward joining the crowd, as I watched, they bent over the body, swiftly wrapping him in white sheets and lifting him onto a stretcher.

They pushed him inside the ambulance. I couldn’t let this trail slip away.

I darted forward toward one of the nurses. “Please, where are you taking him? What hospital?”. I demanded, but she didn’t spare me a glance. Instead, she turned away, making her way to the vehicle.

No. No, no, no. I need to know where they’re taking him.

“Please, ma’am!.” My voice rose, sharper now. “I’ve seen him before, he was with a friend of mine…”

The words caught her attention, as she stopped abruptly, turning to face me.

I took the opening and rushed forward. “My friend knows him. If I inform him, he'll insist on coming to see him at your hospital. What’s the name? The address?”.

Her eyes flickered with hesitation before she said quickly, “We’re in an emergency. I advise you to come along with us.”

I shook my head. “No, I can’t. I have to tell my friend first.”

She didn’t argue further. Instead, she tossed something at me; a small rectangular card. I caught it instinctively, gripping it tightly as she walked towards the ambulance. The doors slammed shut behind her, and they drove out of sight.

I glanced at the card, it wasn't just a business card, but more like a hospital credential, complete with the address I needed. I slid it into my pocket before turning back toward the street.

Damien was already waiting in the car, his gaze met mine as I hopped into the car. My mind itched to tell him everything; that I had the hospital’s lead, and could follow this trail, but something in me hesitated. Damien might overreact, might make a big deal out of it. I couldn’t risk him interfering yet.

“What’s next?.” He asked, starting the engine, his voice casual but laced with curiosity.

“I’m done with this place,” I said coolly. “First, I need to put Sam in his place. Then…” My gaze shifted to the window, my tone dropping to a blade’s edge. “…our revenge begins. For now, take me to the Moretti Empire. I need a word with that silly bastard.”

Damien’s lips curled faintly as he drove.

The gates of the Moretti Manor loomed ahead, which was opened and the car rolled into the vast courtyard, soon we were inside the grand hall. Ten of the new recruits were sprawled across the furniture, their laughter sharp and grating, among them was Sam.

The moment his eyes landed on me and Damien, his expression curdling into pure hostility. He shot to his feet, and the others followed.

“How dare you set foot in here!”. Sam snarled, stepping forward, with his voice dripping venom.

I stood my ground, letting my cold gaze lock onto him. He's very silly to ask me such a question . I could take them all down if I wanted to, but the image of that werewolf, slaughtering warriors stronger than me, hovered at the back of my mind.

I rubbed my chin slowly, letting the gesture draw out. “What exactly do you think you’re doing, Sam? And who do you think you are?.”

He smirked like a man who thought he’d already won. “Which question should I answer first? I’m Sammy, well known as Sam, I’m the new Lord and leader of the Moretti Empire.”

The arrogance in his tone made my blood heat as I twitched my fingers with the urge to wipe that smug look from his face.

“Fine. Fine…”. My voice was steady but deceptively calm. Damien shifted beside me, tapping my arm in a silent warning, but I ignored him.

“I challenge you.” I said flatly. “The winner becomes the leader.”

For a fraction of a second, his smirk faltered, but then he scoffed. “No.”

I tilted my head, my voice sharpening into mockery. “Scared to fight daddy’s little girl? I thought you were a Lord. But I see now, you’re nothing but a coward. You're worse than a weakling. You can’t even face a child, and you call yourself Lord?”.

That hit him hard. His jaw locked, eyes blazing. “Shut your crap! I accept your little challenge. And when I’m done, I’ll send you straight to your father.”

That last line was a knife in my chest, making my fists curled and my body ready to explode forward, but Damien caught my arm, dragging me toward the door before I could unleash hell.

Behind us, Sam’s voice rang out like a war drum. “ Tomorrow, 10 am.! Get ready to be killed!.”

The words burned, but I didn’t look back.

We reached the training room, and I sank onto the bench, my breathing sharp with fury.

Damien crouched in front of me, his grip firm as he took my hands. “I know how you feel, Celine. But you need to stay calm. This wasn’t in the plan, but now… you have to win. You’ve already lost your father, you can’t lose his empire to some stranger. This is your moment, maybe it’s the test to prove you’re truly fit to lead.”

I swallowed, my voice low. “Thank you.”

A smirk coiled in his lips. “Then get your ass up and start training. It’s tomorrow.”

I rose, my anger hardening into focus. The punching bag swung under my strikes; slow, deliberate hits that quickly escalated into rapid, punishing blows. I kicked it, picturing Sam’s face under my heel. Sweat stung my eyes, my muscles screamed, and still I pushed until my legs gave out and I dropped to the floor.

The next day

“Celine.” Damien’s voice woke me up, cutting through the haze, “it’s time. They’re waiting.”

I groaned, rubbing my face. “It's morning already?.”

Dragging myself to the bathroom, I splashed cold water over my skin. My reflection stared back at me; tired, yes, but carved with resolve.

“You’ve got this.” I told myself, voice steady.

When I stepped out, Damien was ready. Together, we walked toward the main hall.

The crowd parted when we entered, their whispers fading into silence. Sam stood at the center, smirking like the fight was already his.

We circled each ot

her, with our steps slow and eyes locked.

Then, a single voice shattered the silence.

“Fight!.”