Chapter 43
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Chapter 43
It was the day of the general workout, a pack wide session held once every week whers wolves of every rank came together to sharpen their skills, hone their bodies, and prove their discipline
Already, the clearing buzzed with energy Pairs of wolves grappled on the packed dirt at the center, their snarls blending with the barked instructions of higher–ranked warriors. To one side, the younger recruits were running laps under the supervision of the Beta, sweat pouring down their brows as they strained to keep pace.
Others drilled in smaller groups, sparring in twos and threes, or practicing synchronized maneuvers with wooden staffs.
But Luna Faye was not yet among them…hurrying across the field with her training clothes hastily thrown on, she felt the weight of many eyes turn in her direction. Conversations faltered and movements slowed. It was subtle, but noticeable–the way heads tilted, the way gazes followed her.
“Here she comes,” one of the pack members whispered.
Faye straightened her back, forcing her expression to be neutral. She would not appear flustered. She was Luna, after all.
The warriors returned to their drills, though Faye could feel their silent judgment prickling against her skin.
Bella noticed her. “Of course…the almighty Luna,” she said to herself.
Standing near the sparring ring, Bella was already flushed from exertion, her dark hair tied back in a high tail, strands sticking to her face from sweat. She had been paired with another warrior, but the moment Faye walked in, Bella’s focus shifted. Her lips curved into a sly, mischievous smirk…one that carried the edge of hatred.
She stepped back from her sparring partner, loud enough for her voice to cut through the training noise.
“Well, well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” Bella called, her tone filled with mockery. She crossed her arms deliberately, her voice pitched just right so that the surrounding wolves would hear. “Tell me, Luna Faye, what are you doing strolling out at this time? Did you get lost on the way to the grounds p>
A ripple of laughter…not loud, not bold, but stifled, moved through the gathering. Heads turned openly now, curious, waiting to see how Faye would handle it.
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Faye’s gaze flicked to Bella She had seen enough of her attitude to know what this wan–an ambush, dressed as casual banter Bella wanted to provoke her, to draw her ints a public
misstep
Instead of lashing out, Faye drew in a breath and answered evenly. I didn’t get much sleep last night,” she said, her voice calm, carrying across the training ground without strain t woke up later than intended. That’s all”
Bella tilted her head, feigning sympathy that was anything but. “Oh, I see The Luna was tired.. tired from doing nothing.” She clucked her tongue, her eyes glittering as she took a step forward. “How unfortunate. Meanwhile, the rest of the pack has been sweating here
since sunrise, imagine that p>
Faye did not rise to it. “I’m here now, Bella,” she replied. “And I’ll join in p>
But Bella wasn’t finished. She sniffed disdainfully, letting her gaze sweep across the other wolves as though inviting them to share in her opinion. “You know, a Luna is supposed to lead by example. Not show up when she pleases, not make excuses.” Her voice hardened, her smirk widening. “The pack is already wondering if you’re even qualified to wear that title. And this…” she gestured broadly at Faye’s tardy arrival…“isn’t exactly helping your case p>
The words landed like stones in a pond. Faye felt the ripple of reaction around her, subtle but biting. Some shifted uneasily, unwilling to meet her eyes. Others kept their faces blank, though the disdain lingered in the air.
She had known, of course, that many doubted her. She was not blind to the whispers that floated through corridors or the sidelong glances cast in her direction. But hearing it voiced aloud, with such open disrespect, made her blood burn.
She took a step closer to Bella, her voice was sharper now. “What exactly is your problem
with me p>
Bella’s grin widened. She rolled her eyes with deliberate insolence, stepping forward until only a few feet separated them. “My problem?” She let out a short laugh. “My problem is that you walk around with a title you haven’t earned. My problem is that you think being Luna is about excuses and sympathy when it’s about strength and command. And if pointing that out makes me the villain in your story, so be it p>
The crowd around them had stilled, the training temporarily forgotten. Tension hung thick in
the air.
Faye’s jaw tightened. “You’re trying to create a problem where there doesn’t need to be one,” she said calmly.
Bella leaned closer, lowering her voice into something intimate yet venomous, though loud
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enough for these nearby to hear “Or maybe I’m prat saying what everyone else is thinking but top straid to admit ”
The remark stung not because it was true, but because the half–truth within it was
undeniable.
And then Bella straightened, rolling her shoulders with a mock–casual air “But you know what?” she said, her tone turning falsely light. “Maybe we can settle this in a way everyone understands p>
Her eyes gleamed.
“Since you don’t like the way I’m talking to you, why don’t you kick my ass in a fight?” Bella said.
The words dropped like a gauntlet between them.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the pack. A challenge, clear and direct.
Bella’s smirk turned razor–sharp. “Come on, Luna. You’ve got the title, but do you have the teeth? Or are you afraid to spar with me because you know you can’t match up p>
She took a deliberate step back, spreading her arms slightly, as though already preparing herself for the fight. Her eyes never left Faye’s, blazing with anticipation.
All eyes turned to Faye.
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