Maya stared at Elara, her heart pounding. The moonstone glowed between them, casting eerie shadows across the clearing.
"What choice?" Maya whispered, her eyes fixed on the sinkhole that had swallowed both Liam and Caleb.
Elara's smile widened. "Save one, lose one. Or walk away from both and claim your freedom."
Before Maya could answer, a howl echoed from deep within the earth. Someone was alive down there.
"I need to help them!" Maya moved toward the hole, but Elara blocked her path.
"Think carefully," Elara warned. "This decision will shape your destiny."
Maya pushed past her. "I choose both."
With that, she jumped into the darkness.
Three days later, Maya limped across the training grounds. Her body was covered in scratches and bruises from rescuing Liam and Caleb from the cave beneath the sinkhole. Both wolves had survived, though neither was speaking to her now.
The pack whispered as she passed. Everyone had heard how she'd rejected Liam twice, how she'd been caught kissing Caleb, how Alpha Marcus was furious.
"Look who decided to show her face," a sharp voice called out.
Maya turned to see Kira strutting toward her. With her perfect blonde hair and flawless fighting skills, Kira had always made it clear she thought Liam deserved better.
"Not now, Kira," Maya sighed.
Kira circled her like a predator. "The girl who rejected the future Alpha. How's that working out for you?"
Other warriors-in-training gathered around, sensing drama.
"I'm here to train," Maya said flatly. "Nothing else."
"Really?" Kira laughed. "Because I heard you're dying. Rejected mate bonds do that, you know. Makes you weak."
Maya's fists clenched. "I'm not weak."
"Prove it." Kira stepped into the training circle. "Fight me."
Maya hesitated. The pain in her chest hadn't faded since that night, and her strength wasn't what it used to be. But backing down would only make things worse.
"Fine," she said, stepping into the circle.
Their trainer, a gruff older wolf named Dominic, approached with a frown. "Maya, you're in no condition—"
"I can fight," Maya insisted.
Dominic looked dubious but nodded. "First to pin wins. No claws, no teeth."
As they took their positions, Maya spotted movement at the edge of the grounds. Liam stood there, arms crossed, his face unreadable. Their eyes met briefly before Maya looked away, her chest burning.
"Begin!" Dominic shouted.
Kira attacked immediately, aiming a kick at Maya's weakened left side. Maya barely dodged, stumbling backward.
"Not so fierce now, are you?" Kira taunted, pressing forward.
Maya blocked the next punch but missed the sweep that knocked her legs out from under her. She hit the ground hard, rolling away just as Kira's foot came down where her head had been.
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Maya was never this slow.
Getting to her feet, Maya tried to focus, but the world seemed to tilt. The pain in her chest flared as she caught another glimpse of Liam watching intently.
"He deserves better than you," Kira hissed, coming in for another attack.
This time, Maya caught her arm and used Kira's momentum against her, flipping her over. But Kira recovered quickly, hooking her leg around Maya's ankle and pulling.
As they grappled on the ground, Kira's nails suddenly extended, raking across Maya's arm.
"No claws!" Dominic shouted.
But the damage was done. Blood welled from the scratches, and Maya's vision blurred with anger and pain.
Something snapped inside her. With a surge of strength she didn't know she still had, Maya twisted, pinning Kira beneath her.
"Submit," Maya growled.
Kira struggled but couldn't break free. "Fine! I submit."
Maya released her and stood, swaying slightly. The crowd murmured in surprise – no one had expected her to win.
"That was luck," Kira spat, climbing to her feet. "You're still pathetic. Rejecting your mate for what? To date that traitor Caleb?"
Maya's patience shattered. "You know nothing about me or my reasons!"
"I know you're a fool," Kira stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Liam may act tough, but you broke him. And now Alpha Marcus is looking for a replacement – someone worthy to stand beside his son."
"Someone like you?" Maya asked, suddenly understanding Kira's hostility.
Kira smiled coldly. "I've always been the better choice."
From the corner of her eye, Maya saw Liam push off from the tree he'd been leaning against. He was walking away.
"Liam doesn't want you," Maya said, though the words twisted something inside her.
"Maybe not yet," Kira replied. "But unlike you, I wouldn't reject him. And a loyal mate is what an Alpha needs."
Before Maya could respond, a shout cut through the air. Everyone turned to see Darren, Liam's friend, running toward the training grounds.
"They found them!" he yelled. "They found Luna Evelyn and Serena!"
Maya's heart jumped. Her little sister and Liam's mother had both been missing for days.
"Where?" several voices asked at once.
"Alpha Rowan's territory," Darren panted. "Alpha Marcus is gathering warriors right now."
The training grounds erupted in chaos as everyone rushed to prepare. Maya's mind reeled. Serena in enemy territory? How was that possible?
As she hurried toward the main grounds, a hand grabbed her arm, pulling her behind a storage shed. Maya found herself face to face with Liam.
Up close, he looked terrible. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his face was gaunt with exhaustion. The scar from the cave battle with Caleb ran along his jawline, still raw and red.
"You can't come," he said, his voice rough.
"Serena is my sister," Maya replied, trying to pull away.
His grip tightened. "You're too weak. The bond—"
"I just beat Kira, didn't I?"
Liam's eyes flashed with something like admiration before hardening again. "This isn't training. This is war. Alpha Rowan will kill you on sight."
"I don't care," Maya insisted. "I'm going."
For a moment, they stood locked in a battle of wills. The bond between them hummed painfully, drawing them together even as their words pushed them apart.
"Why did you jump?" Liam finally asked. "Into the sinkhole. You could have died."
Maya swallowed hard. "I couldn't let either of you die."
"Even after what Caleb did? After what I..." Liam trailed off, his eyes dropping to the ground.
"I made a mistake," Maya whispered. "With both of you."
Liam stepped back as if she'd slapped him. "Then make a different one. Stay here while we rescue your sister."
Before Maya could argue, he was gone, melting into the crowd of warriors preparing for battle.
Maya stood frozen, torn between following him and respecting his warning. As she debated, a shadow fell across her face. She looked up to see Elara standing on the roof of the storage shed, the moonstone glinting in her hand.
"Decisions, decisions," Elara said softly. "But did you know, dear Maya, that your sister didn't wander into enemy territory by accident? She was looking for something – or should I say, someone."
Maya's blood ran cold. "What are you talking about?"
Elara's smile was like a knife. "Why don't you ask Kira about her real father? I think you'll find the answer... illuminating."
With that cryptic message, Elara vanished, leaving Maya with a terrible suspicion blooming in her mind.