"Are you out of your mind? You're aquaphobic, and you're making a bet on a dive?" Sanskar's voice was forceful as he held Swara's shoulder firmly against the wall.

He was livid at Swara's foolish bet, and her defiant demeanor only added to his frustration. That's why he stormed into the ladies' room before the bet commenced to confront her.

"Sanskar, you're causing me pain," Swara protested, attempting to free herself from his grip, but he held on firmly.

"Just back off," Sanskar ordered sternly.

'Sanskar has always been domineering and quick-tempered, but deep down, he cares. I'm sorry, Sanskar, but I must tame you and expose your enemies,' Swara thought resolutely.

"Why should I heed your advice? It's my life," Swara shot back sharply, stunning Sanskar.

'She seems really upset with me,' Sanskar thought, realizing his own rudeness when she had approached him, yet unable to admit his mistake.

"You've been acting out ever since I turned you down, but your behavior was uncalled for and not my fault. Out of respect for our friendship, I've been polite, so stop this rebellion," Sanskar asserted again in a commanding tone.

"Friendship?" Swara scoffed, her tone laced with sarcasm. "The day I confessed, I crossed the line of mere friendship. Let's not pretend otherwise, and your rejection shattered any illusion of friendship between us. So stop pretending and release me."

Swara wrenched herself away from Sanskar's grip and stormed out of the restroom, only to be met with a large group of students staring at her with disdain and mockery, their eyes filled with disgust because she had been alone with Sanskar in the ladies' restroom.

She tightened her fists to contain her boiling anger and marched through the sea of onlookers, brushing off their scornful remarks with determined indifference.

'Swara, you're putting on a bold front, but you're just being reckless. Risking your life to prove yourself against Kavita? It's like you're asking for trouble. Although I shouldn't be concerned, I can't ignore you because of the debt the Crescent Moon pack owes to your late mother,' Sanskar thought, watching Swara standing on the platform, ready to begin the diving competition against Kavita.

Meanwhile, on the opposite platform, Kavita noticed Sanskar's unwavering gaze on Swara and simmered with jealousy. 'Swara, how dare you try to catch Sanskar's attention? I'll make sure you regret it. You brought this upon yourself.'

'Yes, I was aquaphobic in my past life, but out of love for Sanskar, I embraced every aspect of his life. It took immense effort to match Sanskar, the state champion swimmer, but I've done it,' Swara thought with a hidden smirk.

With the referee's whistle, they both dove deep into the water, and Swara surfaced in no time. She swiftly swam to the end point, while Kavita struggled to break the surface.

"Help her!"

"She's going under!"

The loud clamor jolted Sanskar out of his thoughts. He was stunned and amazed by Swara's swimming abilities. He was about to leap into action, but the lifeguard made a swift move and had already rescued Kavita.

"Sanskar, sweetie, why didn't you jump in to rescue me? Were you too shocked?" Kavita said coquettishly, leaning against Sanskar with her head resting on his chest while their friends gathered around, feigning concern.

"Sort of..." Sanskar replied, still baffled by Swara's unexpected performance.

As he pondered over Swara's feat, Sanskar gently comforted Kavita, who had just narrowly avoided a perilous situation. Meanwhile, Swara watched from a distance, shaking her head at Kavita's melodramatic antics.

She tied the silk robe of her swimwear around her waist, strode over to them, and asserted, "Well, Kavita, I've won. So, as we agreed, it's time for you to withdraw from the inter-athletics meet." After delivering her message and enduring the hostile stares from the crowd, Swara turned to leave. However, Sanskar stood up and grabbed her arm.

"Swara, how can you be so heartless? Can't you see she's still shaken up from what just happened? Have some compassion," Sanskar reprimanded.

Swara yanked her hand from Sanskar's grasp and replied bluntly, "If the tables were turned and I lost the bet, would she even consider that I was just saved?" She raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with Sanskar, who was rendered speechless. "No, she wouldn't, would she? She'd already be flaunting her victory. Sanskar, it's one thing to be blinded by love, but spare me your theatrics."

"I won't relinquish my position; it was and will always be mine." Kavita stood up and shouted, gripping Swara's arm to prevent her from leaving.

"Shaken up, heh?" Swara arched an eyebrow at Sanskar, pushing aside Kavita's hand from her arm with her other hand.

Sanskar ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Despite knowing deep down that Swara had been wronged, he couldn't help but overlook it in favor of Kavita, his beloved and indulged girlfriend.

Observing Sanskar's silence, Kavita motioned to her omegas, who promptly rallied to her side, verbally assaulting Swara.

"Swara has no right to take Kavita's spot. Kavita is the only one deserving to represent our club."

"That's correct. Swara isn't suitable to be the face of our club in the athletic meet."

"We'll all stand against it. Who knows what tricks she used to win this challenge."

As protests erupted around her, Swara remained unperturbed. Locking eyes with Kavita, she spoke firmly, "Kavita, tell your entourage to quiet down, or admit to everyone here that you're going back on your words. After all, it was you who issued the challenge, not me."

"Sanskar, please, you have to help me. I need to compete in the athletic meet," Kavita pleaded, tears welling in her eyes as she tugged on the sleeve of Sanskar's robe.

"I warned you about making foolish bets. I'm sorry, but I can't assist you," Sanskar responded in his usual cold tone, gripping her shoulder briefly before releasing it with a sharp jerk.

Kavita squeezed her eyes shut, allowing tears to cascade down her cheeks as she began to cry. "Sanskar, please don't do this to me. It's like this wizard must have cursed me; how else could a champion swimmer lose to her, someone who's aquaphobic?"

"What?" Swara furrowed her brow in confusion.

Despite being supernatural beings and the humans around them being aware of their identities, she had never resorted to using her powers for malicious intent.

"Kavita, don't be absurd. Wizards don't resort to nefarious deeds, and Swara is still a novice," Sanskar asserted sternly.

"Honey, you can't be lenient with her just because she's your friend. As the future Alpha King, this will tarnish the reputation of our community and club, a legacy that has been upheld since your great-grandfather's era."

"Enough!" Swara's voice thundered, a sharp contrast to her usual demeanor. "I've had it with your nonsense, Kavita. It seems you've banged your head somewhere."

"You witch!"

Kavita was about to retaliate with a threat, but Swara cut her off.

"You clueless fool! If I could win anything with magic, I wouldn't waste it on a trivial swimming bet. I'd have already won over your boyfriend. Better luck next time."

With her final words of warning, Swara spun on her heels and strode away from the crowd, parting it like Moses parting the Red Sea.

The following day, Swara entered the Monte Carlo club gate and was greeted by a cheerful voice.

"Hey, Swara, check this out!"

Swara looked up to see a familiar face—Nikhil, a dear friend from her past. 'Nikhil? He must still be alive by this time of the year.'

Nikhil had been one of her closest companions, remaining by her side after Sanskar's rejection. Despite being an omega of the Crescent Moon pack, he was a formidable fighter. However, his untimely demise had been shrouded in mystery following their victory in the battle against Sanskar for alpha status.

"What's up, Nikhil?" Swara inquired after greeting him with a warm hug.

"The latest buzz on the Monte Carlo club forum. Kavita Miller, the swimming champion, challenged Swara Cooper and lost in a swimming bet," Nikhil revealed, showing Swara a video of the heated exchange between her and Kavita that had been uploaded to the forum.

Swara was momentarily stunned, but soon she erupted into laughter. "Who's behind this? Did you have a hand in it?" She asked Nikhil.

"Definitely not me. Kavita's arrogance rubbed many the wrong way. Someone must have seized the chance."

Sharing a laugh and exchanging a high-five, Nikhil and Swara walked away from the scene together.

Kavita and her sycophantic friends overheard their conversation, seething with animosity.

"Kavita, Swara's getting too big for her boots."

"Yeah, she needs to be taken down a notch."

"Don't fret, girls. Next week is Sanskar's birthday, and I'll be announced as his mate by the Moon Goddess. As Luna to the future Alpha King, my first order of business will be to rid ourselves of the witch, Swara."