I paced the entrance anxiously waiting for a glimpse of her. The crowd was going frenzy with excitement as the time passed. Claire stood sullenly a little distance away, refusing to look at anyone. I didn't know if she was feeling guilty or not, and frankly right now, I didn't care.

I check my watch for the thousandth time in the last one hour.

Two more minutes to go...

She would be able to make it, wouldn't she? The knife and the rope I had planted there would help her out, wouldn't it? But if she hadn't noticed the knife? What if the python had...?

Shut it, Ash. I told myself.

I couldn't continue my thoughts fearing what conclusion I would come to. I shut my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose, hoping that when I opened my eyes again, she would appear instantly.

I heard the rustle of leaves and footsteps draw closer. My eyes snapped open at the familiar scent and my heart beats slowed down in relief.

She was nearly there... She had done it... Proved them wrong.

But then the footsteps slowed down and came to an abrupt halt. My heart pummeled once more.

Ignoring the curious stares aimed at me by my pack members, I hurried towards the exit and peeked in trying to see if she was alright.

She wasn't.

She was leaning against the hedge, her eyes tightly shut while one hand supported her head. The other hand held a silver knife, and I noticed it was stained with blood.

I felt a strong wave of anger towards Jared, Claire and all the others who had underestimated her and had driven her to such recklessness. It was their fault. It was because of them, that she has stubborn to prove herself, and was in this heart wrenching state now. Despite standing merely metres away from her, I couldn't do anything to help her out, and that thought made me feel twice as guilty.

Her eyes fluttered open and she straightened up, swaying slightly. She must have noticed my shadow, for her neck instantly jerked up towards me.

The smile that lit up her face then, was blinding.

It was a miracle, she could still smile while she was going through such pain. What was she? Happiness personified?

She mumbled something which made no sense to me, because her voice was scratchy and hoarse. I looked on, trying to encourage her to come on. She could do this... Just a few steps more...

Ten seconds to go...

She limped towards me consuming every ounce of strength she had in her. My eyes brimmed with unshed tears of pride and joy for her as I watched her undying spirit.

They say men don't cry. Instead, they conceal their emotions and display a tough exterior. But right now, I had no control over the traitor tear that ran down my cheek.

Just looking at her limping form, clothes smeared with blood, her forehead still bleeding slightly, I could do nothing but gape at her.

She was courageous. She was brave beyond words. She was determined, and she had proved them all wrong. She was the perfect choice for the Luna.

Her feet tripped against a log just at the exit and my eyes widened when I saw her about to fall.

Instinctively, my hands reached to steady her, and instead of falling on the ground, she fell against me.

Her body rested against the crook of my neck, while I patted her hair gently. "You did it!" I told her, unable to contain the overwhelming sense of awe and pride I felt for her, "You proved them all wrong!"

Her violet eyes met mine and she smiled faintly. But then, her eyes began to droop, and it took me a second to realize what was about to happen.

Her body went limp in my arms and her eyes were tightly closed. Her pulse was slowing down.

Damn. She had fainted.

Without a second thought, I scooped her up in my arms and turned around.

My gaze fell on my pack members, who were looking at her unconscious form in shock. Instead of explaining anything to them, I motioned towards Dylan to come and help me.

"Call the hospital." I told him urgently, "Tell Marcus we're bringing her right now."

He fished out his phone from his pocket and speed dialled. His gaze fell on Kiara while the phone still rang, and he paused for a moment, "We are proud of her," he told me, "we are honestly proud to have a brave Luna like her."

She was lying on the bed, sleeping soundly. It had been a while since she was brought here and had been injected with painkillers.

She let out a soft snore and I chuckled. She mumbled something about a Miss snobby bitch and a jerk. I wondered if she was again dreaming about her horrid mate. Even the thought of him made my blood boil after what he had done to her.

She stirred at the sound, and I immediately fell silent hoping I didn't awaken her.

Too late...

Her eyes fluttered open and they met mine.

Her lips curved into a sweet smile when she saw me.

"You were here all this time?"

Yes.

"No," I reassured her, "I just came in. The doctor was checking on you, while you were asleep."

She nodded her head. "Good. There's no permanent damage, is there?"

"Luckily no. The effect of Wolfsbane must be wearing off by now. It's nearly ten hours."

"Ten hours? I've been sleeping for ten hours, really?" She asked me in disbelief.

"More like snoring for ten hours." I told her smirking.

She looked away, blushing. "Nonsense. I don't snore! That's a very unladylike thing to do!"

I rolled my eyes, "Oh yeah, sure you don't. It was just my ears ringing!"

Our conversation was interrupted when Dr. Marcus entered with a nurse tagging along. He had a small sterilised knife in his hand, and I didn't miss the frown on Kiara's face when she saw it.

"What's that for?" She asked him eying the weapon warily.

Marcus drew nearer, but she leaned further back. "Maintain a distance, mister, if you are coming with a knife!" She squeaked nervously.

"Come on Ki!" I told her, "It's just going to pain for a second. Just like injections."

"Who said I liked injections?" She snapped. "When has any sane person ever liked injections?"

I rolled my eyes. "It doesn't hurt! Stop making such a big deal!"

"Oh yeah?" She said and turned her head towards Marcus, "Why don't you show me a demo on him first?"

Marcus looked at me while I shook my head vehemently. "DON'T even think about it."

So he did the most sensible thing a person in that situation could do. He spared me and turned back to Kiara.

Marcus gave her a reassuring smile, "It won't hurt you, Kiara." Then he halted for a second with a thoughtful expression on his face, "On second thoughts may be it will."

Poor Kiara's eyes resembled the size of saucers now.

"Hell, no freaking way!" She yelled and turned towards me with a cute puppy eyed face, "Tell him to spare me, won't you?" She fluttered her eyelashes for more effect.

I snorted. "That puppy eyed, cute flirty look isn't working on me."

She snapped out of it the next second. "I wasn't flirting! This is me playing 'damsel in distress'!"

"Well that isn't working either." I said, folding my arms and looking at her with a smirk. Well okay, maybe it's working a bit, but I'm not going to say that aloud.

She glared at me. "You, Alpha Ashton Derek Taylor, are complete good-for-nothing, pain in the ass!"

My eyes narrowed at her insolence. "Just because -"

"Cut it out Ash, I know you're scared!" She taunted me, sticking her tongue out like a little kid.

I crossed my arms refusing to retaliate. There's no way, I'm falling for these old school taunts. I know what she's trying to do and I'm above this.

"I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm not."

"So are!"

"So not!" I snapped.

"Liar, liar, pants on fire!" She sang.

"I'm not lying!" I growled, gritting my teeth.

"De-Nile ain't just a river in Egypt." she pouted in mock sadness.

Marcus chuckled at our little war. "No need to go all hyper, Kiara. It will be just a small wound to see if your wolf as recovered yet."

She turned to him, "How will we know that? What if it doesn't?"

"If your wound heals quickly, that means the wolf in you is responding. If not..."

"I'll have to bear the damn pain." She muttered sullenly.

Marcus scratched his head. "Well yeah, but I hope it won't happen like that. It's been ten hours already."

She took a deep breath and nodded, "Alright. Let's get this over with," she swallowed nervously. "If I die today, tell the world I killed the Thanos with my pinky finger."

I could only snort incredulously.

Marcus leaned forward and made a minor cut with the knife. A drop of blood trickled from it, while she cursed and hissed in pain.

We stared at the wound with bated breath. Werewolves heal ten times faster than humans, so it should start healing already.

Three...

Two...

No difference. Shit.

No wait! I see something.

One...

The wound began to fade as new skin began to replace the old one. The traces of blood vanished before our eyes.

Kiara let out a squeal. "Zara's back!" She sang delightfully. "Goddess. I'm so happy I didn't bleed to death!" She looked over at me and gave me a wide grin, "Did you see that, Ash? I'm healing!"

I smiled at her happiness as even Marcus next to me laughed. "Thank goodness." He said, "I was scared she'd have my ass handed back to me on a plate if it didn't heal."

"Mine too, probably," I said still looking at her, who gave me a broad grin. "But luckily it didn't come to that."

A soft smile curved my lips. Something tugged at my heart as watched the joy on her face.

The phone in my hand rang just then and I looked at the caller ID.

I had to stifle an exasperated groan when I read the name. I hated this girl for tricking us this way. But confrontation was unavoidable.

Time for the talk.

As much as I wanted to sit next to Kiara, I had to go and give that traitor a piece of my mind.

I slid the phone back into my pocket and turned to Kiara. "Who was it?" She asked me softly. She had already noticed the scowl on my face when I saw the name and knew whoever it was, wasn't someone who I was eager to see.

"Claire." I said shortly, keeping my anger in check.

"Oh." The smile on her face faded. "That can't be good."

It isn't. My eyes softened as I looked at her, "Hey, don't worry. It's going to be okay, Ki. I'll be back before long."

She nodded, her face clearly hinting disappointment, "I know. I'll be fine." She said looking away.

I cupped her face gently with my hands. "I will be, Ki. It's just for the next challenge. I'll be back soon."

A small smile traced her lips, "Promise?" She asked me, lifting her pinky finger.

I laughed as I was instantly reminded of our five year old selves. "Promise," I answered wrapping her pinky in mine.

I opened the door of my office, only to find Claire already seated. Her eyes were filled with guilt and unknown emotions flickered through them as she turned to me. For a split second, I thought of forgiving her, but what she had done to Kiara deserved punishment. I folded my arms across my chest and watched her stoically.

She better have a damn good reason for what she did today.

"Alpha," She began, wringing her hands nervously, "I really had no idea it would be so dangerous."

I snorted. Yes, that was so believable.

"Claire, I suggest you cut the crap and get to the truth." I told her coldly.

She flinched at my hard voice. "I'm speaking the tru-"

In two long strides, I was in front of her pining her to the wall. The fury in my eyes was burning holes into her, and she cowered, scared.

"I... I.."

I let out a growl to silence her. If she wasn't going to say the truth, I would have to force her to.

"I know the truth, Claire." I told her calmly, "You are jealous. She is like a thorn in your way, isn't she? You want to get rid of her, so you can become Luna. You were the one who sided Jared's plan; got my sign on the papers, and put Kiara through everything. But this is the end Claire. I won't let you hurt her anymore."

Tears welled up in her eyes, while she held back her sobs. My gaze fell on my tight hold on her wrist, and I let go of her.

Her tears made me feel sorry for her, but that didn't lessen my anger.

"I'm watching you." I said. "I'd remember that if I were you."

She wiped her fake tears looking anywhere, but at me. Part of me wanted to believe she was the same sweet Claire who laughed and was loved by everybody. The same Claire who had joined our pack three years ago when we moved here. The same Claire whose eyes burnt with undying determination to prove she was worthy to join our pack.

Yes, she was the same Claire, except now, her eyes burnt with determination for the wrong things.

Revenge and power ran in her head now, and I was frustrated I could do nothing to make her see sense. She would be the ruin of herself as well as the pack.

I stepped back and warned her, "Tomorrow is the final challenge. Play fair, if you know what's good for you."

for the first time ever, I wrote in the POV of my favorite character. Comment your thoughts, please! I'd love to read them!❤❤❤