Ana's POV
Three days had passed since I last shared a meaningful conversation with my mate, Xavier. The silence between us stretched like a taut wire, heavy with unspoken words and lingering tension. My mind, however, refused to let go of the memory of that searing kiss we shared. It wasn't my first kiss, not by a long shot, but it was the kind that set your soul ablaze, the kind that left you craving more. Every night since, I'd lain awake, my thoughts tangled in the intensity of his touch, the way his lips had claimed mine with a hunger that mirrored my own. Deep down, I knew something was shifting inside me. A spark of feeling for Xavier had ignited, and no matter how much I tried to dismiss it, my heart had taken a stubborn interest in him.
Today, I decided to channel my restless energy into something productive. The pack house kitchen became my sanctuary as I whipped up a hearty breakfast for everyone. Lizzy, my ever-reliable best friend, was by my side, her cheerful chatter filling the air as we worked. Flour dusted our aprons, and the scent of sizzling bacon and freshly baked biscuits wafted through the room. In just a few hours, we'd crafted a feast worthy of a pack of ravenous werewolves.
"Daniel, hurry up and get Xavier down here!" Lizzy called out, her voice carrying a playful edge as she arranged plates on the long oak table. We set the table with care, piling it high with fluffy scrambled eggs, golden hashbrowns, and stacks of buttery toast. Soon, Daniel sauntered in, Xavier trailing behind him, his expression unreadable as always. We all sat down together, the clink of cutlery and the hum of light conversation filling the room.
Halfway through the meal, Daniel leaned back in his chair, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Xavier, you taking the Luna to the training grounds today?" he asked, his tone casual but pointed.
Xavier's fork froze midway to his mouth. His jaw tightened, and his stormy gray eyes flicked toward me for the briefest moment before narrowing. "What's she going to do there?" he said, his voice low and edged with irritation. "You seem to forget she's human." The word dripped with disdain, each syllable like a jab to my chest. Without another word, he shoved his plate away, the scrape of the chair against the floor echoing as he stormed out of the house, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
I stared at the door he'd disappeared through, my fingers tightening around my fork. "What the hell is wrong with him?" I muttered under my breath, my voice barely audible but laced with frustration.
Daniel sighed, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. "Don't take it personally, Luna. Xavier's... complicated. He's struggling to wrap his head around the fact that his mate is human. Give him time. He'll come around and accept you for who you are."
I nodded slowly, but his words sparked something fierce inside me. Human. The way Xavier had spat the word made my blood simmer. If there was one thing I despised, it was being underestimated, dismissed as weak or incapable. I'd spent years training, honing my body and mind in ways most people couldn't imagine. Human or not, I was no damsel in distress.
Lizzy, ever the voice of caution, must have sensed the storm brewing in my eyes. "Ana, don't even think about it," she said, shaking her head as she stacked empty plates. "These people are werewolves, werewolves. Not some street brawlers or dungeon thugs. You're tough, I know, but you don't have to prove anything by picking a fight you can't win."
I grinned at her, a spark of defiance lighting up my face. "Oh, Liz, you know me too well. And you also know I'd rather die trying than sit here doing nothing." I turned to Daniel, who was watching me with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Daniel, let's go."
His eyebrows shot up, but a slow, amused smile spread across his face. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"Dead serious," I replied, already heading to the sink to stack the dishes. "Let's get to the training grounds."
The training grounds were a sprawling field bordered by dense woods, the air thick with the scent of pine and sweat. Werewolves of all ages milled about, some sparring in human form, others shifting into their massive, furred forms to practice combat maneuvers. The energy was electric, charged with raw power and the primal intensity of the pack. As I stepped onto the field, heads turned, and whispers rippled through the crowd. I could feel their eyes on me; some curious, some skeptical, others outright dismissive. The human Luna, they were probably thinking. What's she doing here?
Xavier was already there, his broad shoulders tense as he barked orders at a group of younger wolves. He didn't so much as glance my way, his focus deliberately fixed elsewhere. Fine. If he wanted to ignore me, I'd give him something impossible to ignore.
I strode to the center of the training grounds, my boots kicking up small clouds of dust. "Daniel!" I called, my voice cutting through the murmurs. "Give me your best two warriors."
Daniel hesitated, his eyes darting between me and Xavier, who still refused to acknowledge my presence. "Ana, you sure about this?" he asked, his tone cautious.
"Never been surer," I said, crossing my arms. "Do it."
With a reluctant nod, Daniel signaled to two towering figures at the edge of the field. "Lucoles! Marcus! Front and center!"
The crowd parted as the two warriors approached. Lucoles was a mountain of a man, his dark hair tied back and his eyes glinting with a predator's confidence. Marcus, leaner but no less intimidating, had a smirk that screamed arrogance. They sized me up, their gazes dripping with disdain. To them, I was just a human; a fragile, insignificant thing daring to step into their world.
"You can shift if you want," I said, my voice steady as I met their eyes. "I'm not afraid."
Lucoles let out a low chuckle that turned into a guttural growl as he shifted. His body rippled and contorted, fur sprouting as he transformed into a massive black wolf, his eyes glowing amber. Marcus remained in human form, cracking his knuckles as he circled me, his smirk widening. The crowd drew closer, their murmurs growing louder. I caught Lizzy's worried expression out of the corner of my eye, but I pushed it aside. This wasn't about her or even Xavier. This was about proving I belonged.
Lucoles lunged first, his massive paws thundering against the ground as he charged. I stood my ground, my heart pounding but my mind sharp. Years of training in the dungeons; dodging fists, knives, and worse had taught me to read an opponent's movements. As Lucoles closed the distance, I feinted left, then spun right, ducking under his snapping jaws. With a swift pivot, I drove my fist into his side, aiming for the soft spot just below his ribs. The blow landed with a satisfying thud, and he let out a startled yelp, stumbling slightly.
Marcus didn't give me a moment to breathe. He came at me with a flurry of punches, his fists a blur as he aimed for my face and torso. I danced back, my body moving on instinct as I dodged and weaved, my agility keeping me one step ahead. He was fast, but I was faster. When he overextended on a particularly aggressive jab, I seized my chance. Grabbing his wrist, I twisted hard, using his momentum to flip him over my shoulder. He hit the ground with a grunt, and I followed up with a sharp kick to his midsection, sending him skidding across the dirt.
Lucoles recovered quickly, his growl rumbling like thunder as he charged again. This time, he leaped, his massive form sailing through the air, claws extended. I dropped to the ground, rolling beneath him as his claws grazed the air above me. Springing to my feet, I grabbed one of his forelimbs, using every ounce of strength to yank him off balance. With a heave, I swung him around, sending him crashing into Marcus, who was just scrambling to his feet. The two collided in a tangle of limbs and snarls, and the crowd erupted in gasps and cheers.
The fight stretched on, each moment a test of endurance and skill. Marcus landed a glancing blow to my shoulder, and Lucoles's claws raked across my arm, drawing a thin line of blood. But I gave as good as I got. I ducked under Marcus's next punch, driving my elbow into his jaw, then spun to face Lucoles, who was charging again. This time, I leaped onto his back, wrapping my arms around his thick neck and squeezing with all my might. He thrashed, but I held on, my legs locked around his torso as I forced him to the ground.
After what felt like an eternity but was probably only five minutes, both warriors were panting, their bodies bruised and battered. Marcus raised his hands in surrender, and Lucoles, shifting back to human form, nodded in defeat. The training grounds fell silent, the weight of their shock palpable. Then, like a dam breaking, the crowd exploded into cheers, their claps and shouts ringing in my ears.
Lizzy was practically bouncing, her voice carrying over the noise. "That's my best friend right there!" she yelled, her face split into a grin. Daniel's jaw was practically on the ground, his eyes wide with disbelief. Even Xavier, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't hide the flicker of surprise in his expression, though he quickly schooled his features into that infuriatingly neutral mask.
I grabbed my shirt from the ground, slipping it on as I caught my breath. My eyes locked with Xavier's for a fleeting moment, and I couldn't resist. I winked at him, a slow, deliberate gesture that said, See that? I'm not going anywhere. Then, with my head held high, I turned and strode off the training grounds, the cheers of the pack echoing behind me.
For the first time since I'd arrived, I felt like I belonged, not just as Xavier's mate, but as someone who could stand toe-to-toe with the strongest of them. Human or not, I was Ana, and I was here to stay.