Chapter Three: Crimson Eyes, Crimson Fang
POV: Aria (Selene Reborn)
The pack smelled of wet stone, blood, and sweat.
I stood barefoot on the cold earth of the Pit a circular stone arena etched with ancient runes and ringed by roaring wolves. They jeered, snarled, whispered. The moon glowed low and fat above, casting silver light over my bare shoulders. I wore nothing but a white tunic, soaked through with nervous sweat, clinging to curves I couldn't hide.
Lucian stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, a dark god watching his newest toy dangle above the fire.
This was the initiation trial a ritual for rogues who wanted to be accepted.
Except I didn't want their trust.
I wanted their secrets.
I wanted their blood.
But to get it… I had to survive this.
A massive male bronzed skin, silver tattoo spiraling down his arm stepped into the arena with a growl.
Cain, the Beta.
"Trial by teeth," he barked, voice like a drumbeat. "No weapons. No rules. Only dominance."
He stared straight at me. There was recognition in his eyes. Not of me but something… older. Like he'd seen the crescent mark under moonlight before.
The crowd howled.
Then they released the first challenger.
A wolf a real one this time charged from the shadows. Fur black, teeth bared. Fangs dripping with hunger. I barely had time to sidestep before its jaws snapped at my thigh. The crowd laughed. Cheered.
I fell to one knee, rolling, catching dirt in my mouth. The beast lunged again. I kicked out, heel slamming beneath its jaw. It staggered but only for a second.
My heart pounded.
I wasn't Selene not fully. My magic hadn't returned. My strength was only human.
The wolf came again, faster this time.
But rage rage was divine.
I caught it mid-lunge, twisting its body midair, and slammed it to the ground. Its breath left in a wheeze. I straddled its chest and screamed as I drove my fist into its throat.
Again.
And again.
Until it whimpered.
Until it stopped moving.
Silence.
Then cheers.
Not for me. For the violence. For the show.
Blood soaked my knuckles. My tunic clung to me, now transparent, nipples stiff beneath the sheer fabric. My thighs trembled but I stood tall. I raised my chin toward Lucian.
His eyes glowed red.
And he smirked.
Another wolf was thrown in this time in human form. A young, broad-chested man with wild hair and feral eyes. He stalked me, licking his lips.
"She's soft," he growled. "Bet she squeals pretty."
The crowd roared with laughter.
He lunged, and I met him head-on.
We collided with a grunt, and I drove my knee into his groin. He howled and struck me across the jaw. I spun, tasting blood, and landed on all fours. He was on me before I could breathe.
He shoved me into the dirt, pinning me with one hand and grinding his hips against my ass.
"Pretty little rogue bitch," he snarled. "Maybe I'll claim you before the Alpha gets his turn."
Wrong move.
Power surged in me like a scream from the grave. It cracked my bones, turned my vision white-hot. I reached back, clawed his face with fingernails glowing faintly silver.
He screamed.
I flipped beneath him and slammed my forehead into his nose.
Blood sprayed.
I straddled him, choking him with one hand, and whispered:
"Touch me again… and I'll rip off your cock and feed it to your wolf."
He passed out.
Silence returned.
Then came the final blow.
Cain stepped into the ring.
"The Alpha demands final submission," he growled. "To earn the pack's protection… you must yield."
My breath stilled.
Yield?
To him?
The crowd parted, and Lucian descended the stairs.
He didn't run. Didn't roar.
He walked.
Like he already owned me.
He entered the arena. His body a wall of menace. His eyes locked to mine, burning with hunger and something colder.
"On your knees, Aria," he said.
The crowd hushed.
Every pair of eyes watched. Every heartbeat waited.
I stood tall, bloody, breathing hard. My tunic clung to my wet body like a second skin.
"I fought," I said. "I won. I don't kneel for anyone."
Lucian's smile was slow. Lethal.
"Then I'll make you."
He surged forward. I blocked his punch barely. Our bodies collided, fists, elbows, knees. I struck his ribs. He twisted behind me and pinned me against the stone wall. His hand gripped my throat not tight enough to choke. Just enough to own.
My nipples brushed the stone. I gasped, hips rolling against his.
"You're trembling," he growled.
"I'm burning," I whispered. "You'll never tame me."
"I don't want tame," he said, pressing his mouth to my ear. "I want you wild and writhing."
His hand slid between my legs.
I bucked.
"Don't"
"Submit," he whispered. "Or I'll take it."
The power shifted.
And I let it.
I dropped to my knees.
But not in defeat.
In strategy.
He came around me. Stared down like a king before a war bride.
He cupped my jaw.
The crowd didn't cheer.
They didn't breathe.
And then
He bit me.
Right over the mark. Not a full claiming. Not yet.
But a promise.
Pleasure exploded in my core. My back arched. My mouth opened in a silent cry. The bite pulsed like fire and honey through my veins.
He pulled back, licking the blood from his lips.
And whispered, "You belong to me now, Aria. Body. Blood. Soul."
The crowd howled.
The ritual was complete.
And I knew then I was inside the beast's den.
But this time?
The beast was in me, too.