Chapter 17: The Challenge of the Moonborn

Faye’s POV

The young Alpha stepped into the center of the courtyard.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried the kind of confidence that came from being raised to believe the world belonged to him.

His name was Adrian Blackwood.

I remembered him from my previous life.

Back then, he had been one of the wolves who openly mocked me during the council meetings.

He had once told Sebastian that keeping a human as his mate was an insult to the Silver Moon bloodline.

I had forgotten his face.

But I had never forgotten his words.

Adrian crossed his arms.

“You don't even know how to shift.”

“How can you possibly challenge an Alpha?”

I looked at him calmly.

“I didn't say I was challenging the Alpha.”

His expression changed.

“Then what are you doing?”

“I'm challenging your belief that strength only comes from a wolf.”

A murmur spread through the courtyard.

Sebastian stepped toward me.

“Faye, you don't have to prove anything.”

I looked at him.

“I know.”

“That's why I'm doing this.”

Adrian laughed.

“You think a few words will scare me?”

“No.”

I held out my hand.

“I think the Moon Goddess already answered that question.”

The silver crescent on my wrist began to glow.

The courtyard fell silent.

Adrian's confidence faltered.

But he still stepped forward.

“Fine.”

“I accept your challenge.”

Sebastian's aura immediately surged.

“The challenge will follow pack law.”

Adrian nodded.

“Of course.”

The council elders gathered around us.

An ancient stone platform was brought into the center of the courtyard.

I remembered that platform.

In my previous life, it was where Sebastian had been formally recognized as Alpha.

Now I was standing on it.

The irony almost made me laugh.

The elder raised his hand.

“The challenge will test strength, control, and bloodline.”

“No killing.”

Adrian stepped onto the platform.

“Ready?”

I nodded.

The moment the bell rang, Adrian shifted.

Bones cracked.

Muscles expanded.

Within seconds, a massive black wolf stood before me.

The crowd gasped.

Adrian's wolf lunged.

I didn't move.

At the last second, the silver crescent on my wrist flashed.

A wave of force exploded outward.

Adrian's wolf was thrown several feet backward.

He landed hard.

Silence.

I stared at my own hands.

I hadn't touched him.

I hadn't even moved.

Adrian rose slowly.

His eyes were filled with disbelief.

“Again.”

He charged.

This time, I raised my palm.

The air itself seemed to bend.

Adrian was forced to his knees.

His wolf growled helplessly.

I heard someone whisper behind me.

“She controlled the Alpha aura.”

Another voice answered.

“No.”

“She absorbed it.”

Adrian returned to human form.

He was breathing heavily.

He stared at me for several seconds.

Then he lowered his head.

“I concede.”

The courtyard erupted.

Some wolves cheered.

Others remained stunned.

The council elder stepped forward.

“By ancient pack law, the challenge has been decided.”

He looked at me.

“The Moonborn bloodline has been recognized.”

The crowd bowed.

This time, I didn't feel uncomfortable.

I simply stood there.

Not because I wanted power.

Because I finally understood that I had spent my previous life believing I was powerless when I had never truly been given the chance to know myself.

Leo ran toward me.

“Mom!”

I caught him in my arms.

He laughed.

“You won!”

I smiled.

“We won.”

He frowned.

“We?”

I touched his nose.

“You're my son.”

“Your victories are mine too.”

His eyes brightened.

Behind him, Sebastian stood silently.

His gaze never left me.

After the crowd dispersed, he finally approached.

“You were incredible.”

I smiled faintly.

“I know.”

He actually laughed.

It was the first genuine laugh I'd heard from him in years.

Then his expression became serious.

“Faye, there's something else.”

“What?”

He glanced toward the council hall.

“The elders weren't the only ones searching for the Moonborn.”

My smile disappeared.

“Who else?”

Sebastian lowered his voice.

“The Nightfall Pack.”

My heart sank.

He continued.

“They've been watching the Silver Moon territory for months.”

“They know you're here now.”

I looked toward the dark forest beyond the estate.

A strange chill ran through me.

Sebastian's eyes hardened.

“And their Alpha has already crossed our borders.”

I looked at him.

“Why?”

His answer was quiet.

“Because he believes the Moonborn belongs to his bloodline.”

The celebration in the courtyard suddenly felt very far away.

My second life had begun with me walking away from Sebastian.

Now I had returned to the world I had tried to escape.

And somewhere beyond the forest, another Alpha was coming for me.