Pollux and I fell into silence after our little conversation, the sounds of the fight beyond the tent the only sounds between us. I stayed in tune with Phoenix's emotion for what felt like hours, but I knew it was barely ten minutes. I couldn't believe I was missing the fight because I had to have a transfusion. The bag was nearly empty, and I felt a lot better, so I stretched out my back paw in hope.

I was pleased when it stretched with me, clicking slightly but manageable. I gave a soft bark to Pollux and he looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I raised my head and rolled onto my stomach the best I could which made him stand to his feet.

"What are you doing?" He wondered.

I'm healed. I want out. I barked.

He narrowed his eyes, assessing me with disbelief. He checked the blood bag before sighing and nodding. He disappeared through the curtains for a moment before coming back with Kate in tow. She smiled at me, although nerves were settled within her; I could smell them. Cel's nose was a particularly strange object, able to smell even the slightest bit of unusual emotions.

"Looks all good Nova, are you sure you want to shift back?" She smiled.

I nodded and she smiled once more before pulling the needles from my skin. I growled at the gross feeling and eyed the bald patch on my leg. I stood to all fours on the bed before gently jumping down onto the ground. My back leg shook a little, the rapid healing making it slightly unsteady, but it felt okay enough to walk.

With a deep breath, I bowed my head and willed the shift forwards, pushing Cel to the back of my mind to rest in peace. She only settled slightly since her mind was set on seeing our mate. I caught my balance once I shifted, regaining my breath as my chest screamed in agony. I was nude, of course, but I did not find it in myself to care right now.

I scanned my naked body, finding healed over, still scarring claw marks and teeth marks. My hip looked normal, only slightly bruised. Lycan blood truly was amazing; I could bear slight weight on it fine. Kate checked me over once more before agreeing I was fine and discharged me from the tent. I was buzzing with anxiety and nerves; I wanted my mate.

Pollux handed me some clothing and I thanked him before pulling them on, hyper-aware of the growling behind the tent. It was a thigh-length dress, white of course since I was the victor I was meant to wear this when I shifted back. A sign of purity and wealth, but of course Phoenix had other plans.

Once I was dressed I gave Pollux a nervous look and he smiled softly at me, his hand coming to touch my waist. He pulled me into a hug, something he had never done, and at first, I found it strange. But the longer he held me, the more comforted I felt and I soon found myself relaxing into his touch, my arms around him too.

I sighed, "Thank you for helping me."

He was only around an inch or two taller than me and pulled away with a grin. "I have my benefits. Besides, you were amazing out there."

"It'll go down in history that's for sure," I muttered.

"Come on, the fight is ending."

"How do you know?"

"I just can feel it. The King is weak, tune into your wolf and you will notice it too." He shrugged.

His hand lingered on my back as he leads me out of the tent. I wobbled at first but soon found a rhythm, albeit a limped one. I focused on my wolf as we walked our way through the grass and gathered people. I sought out the King, my lips pursed in concentration. Once I found him, I allowed Cel to focus just like she had with Calida, and beneath the surface of his bravado; I found the shaky breaths of pain. He was weakening, he was giving up.

We broke the final line of wolves surrounding the historical fight, many of them bowing in submission as we passed. Pollux held his head high, not returning the smiles but nodding gently at them. Higher species.

My attention snapped to the fight and I cringed at what I saw. Phoenix was winning, that was for sure, but he still had some good wounds. The King was the King for a reason; his bloodline was strong. Phoenix was merely a dilute of the first werewolf line.

Phoenix had a few claw marks down his chest that disappeared to his underbelly. His front legs were bloodied and torn but it didn't seem to affect him. From where he stood, I couldn't see many injuries just a lot of blood darkened by the sky and his fur. I wasn't sure who it was.

Phoenix's black wolf was as large as the King's black wolf. However, where Phoenix's fur was glossy and thick, the King's was beginning to grey at the paws and snout. Phoenix's muscles bunched as he locked his jaws around the King's snout and dragged him to the ground. The King twisted and jumped behind him, so now I was face to face with his ragged wolf.

His neck was bloodied and torn, his back covered in huge, long claw marks. His hips were punctured, and he limped when he moved. Even part of his tail had been injured, the skin at the end of it torn and furless. He was also bloodied, but seemingly worse and slower.

His eyes were also black; must be a genetics thing, and they found me instantly. He snarled, his eyes narrowing in on me. Ares must have noticed as his large form backed and moved closer to cover me from the angered elder wolf's eyes. He let out a low growl; a warning to back off. But the King huffed and charged, right towards us. He was furious, but not as angry as Phoenix was at this very moment. His heart thrummed in his chest, his fury like poison through his veins. He intercepted the King, locking his jaws around his throat and knocking him to the ground. The sound of bones snapping had me wince and I watched in muted horror as Phoenix snapped the old wolf's neck, before tearing his heart out of his chest with his claws. It fell to the floor, muted thumps until it too, died.

I swallowed, and looked away from the vacant eyes, focusing on my powerful mate. He rose his head and puffed his neck and chest out to look prideful. Everyone felt the shift in the air, everyone smelt the change as the magical power left the King's dead form and flooded into Phoenix. He absorbed it with every breath, his entire form becoming something I had never sensed before. A force to be reckoned with; he was the most powerful wolf here, possibly on the entire planet.

I heard the wailing cries of the Queen as she came to collapse over her mate's dead body. Her hands clutched at his fur, her face buried into his neck as she sobbed. Ares released a low grumble that caused her to shiver and look up to him with distaste. But she didn't say anything, merely glared with all the hatred of a broken woman.

I shifted, uncomfortable with the scene before me; was she going to challenge him too? For revenge?

Her eyes darted to me when I had moved, and they widened at my appearance. I was pretty sure she did not expect me to look so good; especially since I was a slow healer. I kept my gaze level as she scanned my body before meeting my eyes. They narrowed, a threatening challenge as endless thoughts ran through her head. I clenched my jaw, a low growl escaping my lips which seemed to snap her out of it as she blinked and dropped her gaze back to her mate.

The snapping of bones had me look back to Phoenix to find him as naked as the day he was brought into this world. Although it was normal to be nude, merely a wolf thing, I couldn't help but feel jealous. I didn't want him to be eyed by all the women that came here to fight me for him. Their eyes lingered too long and I wanted him all to myself.

"I Phoenix Titan, have officially won the title of King. Submit, or come forward to challenge me." He announced, but no one spoke. "Thank you, you are all dismissed for the night. What you have witnessed this evening is a remarkable moment of history; things are going to change from now on."

The wolves began to mutter at their dismissal, some dispersing to walk away from the area. Others stayed, talking gently or showing their submission to their Alpha. Phoenix had turned, his head spinning around to find me after another Alpha showed his submission and gratitude.

His dark eyes eyed me, much like the Queen and Pollux did. A low rumble left his lips as he looked me over, scrutinising the way I held myself to one side or the bloodied stains that still coated my skin. I took my time to take him in. Dirty, sweaty and dishevelled, yet so beautiful. Stood beneath the moon, everything seemed so...primal.

His wounds were healing, blood flow had stopped pouring from the claw and teeth marks, faint bruising covering his ribs and stomach. But he was alive, he had won. We were both victorious tonight.

"Phoenix," I whispered.

His eyes shifted, fighting between a dark hazel and black until they settled on the treacle colour I was so used to. He took steady steps towards me, his body not protesting at his injuries. I gasped when he pulled me into his embrace, his warm body and touch igniting the feral desires I held deep inside. I held him, for all I had. I had been scared, nervous, anxious...but he was okay. He was strong, and he won.

"Nova," He breathed. "You're okay."

I let out a light laugh, "I am. You won."

He pulled away to cup my jaw in his hands and place a gentle kiss on my lips. I melted at the brief moment of bliss, all my worries falling away as he held me. He was okay, and finally, finally, he was mine.

"I am so proud of you." He whispered when he pulled away.

"I am proud of you, my King." I teased.

He chuckled and shook his head, "Between you and me, I am the proudest of you, my little luna. You did so well."

I smiled at him, no longer shy, accepting the compliment by kissing his wrist. His eyes lightened slightly, his gaze still locked on mine. I thought about what Pollux had said; about him allowing me to do this where others wouldn't.

"Thank you, for letting me fight. I know it must've been hard to let me do that, and hurt myself..." I mumbled.

His thumb rubbed reassurances into my cheek, his eyes darting between mine as he thought. "I will always be here for you Nova, even if it is from the sidelines. I do not like seeing you hurt, but you had to show yourself worthy, without me. It is what you deserve, to be your own person, not just a mate."

I felt my jaw wobble as fresh emotions washed over me. My chest clenched, my stomach twisting with each and every one. Thankful for his actions, humbled by his words and loved by his attention.

As Pollux said, the sun only sets so the moon can rise. And Phoenix was my sun.

•••••

Surprise update!!

Hi!

:

What is a movie that shaped your childhood?

I love Disney movies and still do haha

Because I updated today, tomorrow's may be late, or I may post Saturday instead. Don't be disheartened, it's coming! I'm just busy because... I have a secret... I HAVE A PUPPY.

He's on his way from Romania, and is due to arrive early hours Saturday! After losing my BFF last October, I felt like a piece of me is missing. And I found Murphy, and he's sweet and so desperate for a home. There are so many scared and lost dogs and puppies out there in the rescue world, keep your eyes and heart open and I hope one day they can all have the love they deserve 🥺🥺

I miss you Dil, you are never replaced.

Sloppiness over. Sorry. I got carried away. I'm an emosh ball of mess...

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