I swallowed hard, blinking more tears away. We were outside now, as the pack members gathered around in a large field, a circle surrounding us.

The challengers stood proud and tall, full of pride that they'll win. As my eyes drifted towards them, Kronos gripped my chin, pulling me back to look at him.

He grasped the sides of my face, caressing my cheeks. "Shhh... I'll be fine. I promise."

"You swear?"

He nods, leaning in and kissing me in the corner of the mouth.

My cheeks heated up, but it immediately faded as he stepped away from me. Sparing me one last glance of sadness, before his eyes turned cold. There was no emotion, there was no love, no compassion, and no room for anything but the look of death.

It was as if the man I grew to love no longer existed.

As mutters from the pack members increased, I noticed that they seemed surprised I was crying.

I assumed that this was from where they thought any wolf with a position that rules all cannot cry, that they have no space for emotion.

Well, they're wrong.

Tilting my head up higher, confidence swelled up in me as I stood tall, my power oozing of belief in my mate, myself, and that everything will be okay.

The pack can see me cry all they want.

Because showing my emotion for my mate, is not considered a weakness.

Blinking once, I resume my position as Luna.

The mumbling quieter down, as a horn was blown. Azrael stood beside Coco, his lips planted tightly in an emotionless gaze. Coco, herself, had a blank look.

"Today, we have 6 challenges. Challenges from six other individuals, who wish to earn the title of Alpha of the Xerxes Moon pack. The rules stand, such as: no wolf bane, no steroids, no potions, or any sorts of cheats that give you the advantage of winning. There cannot be any interference from outside the challenges. If there is, the challenger or the current alpha will face penalties of elimination." Azrael paused, inhaling deeply before releasing.

"Are there anymore challenges, questions, or concerns?"

Not a hand raised up.

Nodding once, Azrael introduced the first challenger.

His name seemed irrelevant to me, since I didn't even hear it. It came from one ear and out of the other, as my attention was more focused on Kronos.

His stance was ready and not a smile rose on him.

The challenger smirked as Azrael started the countdown.

3...

2...

1...

And then the growls and beatings begun.

***

"Yes, go ALPHA! GOOO!" The pack members cheered, howling.

It has been several hours since the challenges have started, and Kronos has killed every single one of them, except for the remaining two.

One of them stood, waiting his turn.

While the other, was in his chokehold by my mate. He started losing color in his face, as tears pricked the edges of his eyes. Blinking once, I turn my head to see a woman holding a two pups to her closely. The pups held their mother by the legs, eyes scared.

It was the mate and pups of the challenger.

Kronos, who seemed to have read my mind, loosened the hold on the man.

"Do you wish to surrender?"

The man shook his head, "I rather die than suffer humiliation!"

Kronos growled loudly, "What about your mate and pups? They're watching you right now. They need you, and I need you. As you are a pack member, you are like family to me. Just as you seen before, the previous challengers refused to submit, and I had no choice but to end them. Whatever you have against me, please let it go. It will hold you against your happiness, just as it will to your family."

The man stopped struggling and went limp, pausing for a moment before baring his neck to my mate.

"I submit." He feebly whispered.

Kronos got off the man and extended a hand to him. The man took it, smiling gratefully before running to his mate and pups.

The pack cheered, pleased that their alpha would do such a thing.

As the next challenger entered the ring, a dreadful feeling entered me. One that didn't sit right with me, and one that had a cold shiver run down my spine.

The man stood tall, and oozed of power.

Glancing over to my mate, he too had the dominance of a grown male. His power slightly more powerful and deadly. However, due to his current state, the challenger had a slight advantage.

My mate was covered in blood, claw marks streaming down his chest.

He was already bleeding heavily yet he stood tall.

The challenger smirked, and cackled, "I would give up now, Kronos. The title will belong to me!"

And I had a feeling...

He was right.

***

Unbelievably, Kronos smirked and chuckled lowly, "Over my dead body. It's either I submit, or you kill me. I do not plan on giving up the title or my Luna to someone like you. The pack will not survive under your rule. So enough of this chit chat and fight me."

Rain howled happily at Kronos's statement, 'Mmm, after this, let's give him a head. He deserves it for treating us so well. Maybe Netflix and chill too?'

I rolled my eyes and focused on the match harder, Rain's pleads of thirstiness was getting to me.

The man Kronos was currently dueling growled loudly in annoyance, his words fully having effect on him.

"Fine, you bastard. Bring it!"

3...

2...

1...

And the man shifted, snarling for Kronos's neck.

Kronos, who was surprised by the sudden change, quickly moved out of the way as the man hurled for him. It was ridiculous, seeing a grown man and a slightly smaller wolf compared to an alpha fight one another.

The fear stayed, as the match continued on.

I couldn't shake the feeling off, that this wasn't going to end well.

Overtime, both Kronos and the man were panting, blood lazing from their bodies. It was shocking to see my mate being able to stand up tall and still fight with all the blood he was losing.

At this point, I could barely recognize him.

The man, on the other hand, had several gashes on his thigh. Shoulder dislocated and his eye had a cut cross it, as half his face was bleeding massively.

Suddenly, a growl of pain escaped from Kronos.

It was so fast that not even I could comprehend what happened.

A petrified cry leaked from me, as I watched in horror. The man's claws slashed across Kronos's chest. He then kicked Kronos's leg into another direction, bending it into an angle where it shouldn't be.

The bones showed, as tears pricked the edges of my eyes.

Before the final blow, Kronos looked directly in my eyes sadly, his whisper of, "I'm sorry, I love you." leaving his bloody lips, as the man used his other free hand to knock Kronos out cold.

I watched the love of my life slowly fall on his knees, face down.

A loud thud echoed across the area, the pack quiet.

My ears rang loudly, heart beating at an strange rate. Rain's howls and whimpers drowning out my screams and cries. I reached over to my face, my hands trembling. The ground beneath me gone, as I felt the tears finally flowing.

And before I knew it, I found my voice.

"Get up, Kronos! Get. Up!!" I shrieked, tears streaming down my face.

He wasn't moving, as his injuries were too great. Piles of bodies of the people Kronos defeated laid beside him, but one victor stood over him.

Waiting for those to bow to him.

And it would have to include me.