Moonborn Heir Novel Chapter 11 – The training ground is silent, the air thick with tension as every eye fixes on me.
The Darkfang wolves form a loose circle, their faces set with curiosity, skepticism, and a trace of something darker. They want to see me fail.
I swallow hard, the gravity of what’s at stake pressing down on me. Lucian steps forward, his powerful frame casting a long shadow over me. His face is a mask of cold authority, his gaze hard and unyielding, but I sense the intensity beneath it — the tension simmering just beneath his composed exterior. He can’t afford to show any hint of favoritism, not here, not now. A
nd though I know he wants me to succeed, he won’t — he can’t — make this easy for me. “This is your final drill,” Lucian announces, his voice cold and unyielding, echoing across the training grounds, meant as much for the pack as for me. “Combat against Darkfang’s fiercest fighter — me.”
His words settle heavily over the crowd, a murmur of surprise and anticipation rippling through them. He steps forward, his gaze hard as steel, unflinching. “Your task is to last five minutes against me without yielding. If you fail…” His gaze flicks to Rhea, who stands beside Cade, her face pale but resolute, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “If you fail, you and your companion become prisoners of Darkfang.”
The weight of his words presses down on me, and I feel the intensity of the challenge. This isn’t just a test of strength; it’s a trial by fire, a final, brutal demand for proof of my worthiness. “But if you can last five minutes against me…” he continues, his tone commanding and unyielding, “you and your companion will be granted freedom.
” My heart lurches, but I hold his gaze, refusing to flinch. He’s giving me no choice but to fight with everything I have — and I can see in his eyes that he expects nothing less. His tone sharpens, sending a ripple of unease through the onlookers. “And finally, to pass this drill, you must land a hit on me. If you succeed, you’ll be admitted into the Darkguard — as our top-ranking warrior.”
A murmur of surprise spreads through the crowd, their eyes darting between Lucian and me, calculating, assessing. Cade’s expression hardens, his jaw tightening as Lucian’s words sink in. He’s clearly taken aback, a flash of anger darkening his gaze — Lucian has just offered my success as a direct challenge to his own position.
I glance at Rhea, catching the flicker of hope in her eyes, but Cade’s hand tightens possessively on her shoulder, his grip firm and unyielding,
reminding us both of what’s at stake. I take a steadying breath, feeling Eira’s presence within me, her strength bolstering my resolve. “Are you ready?” Lucian’s voice pulls me back to the present, his tone sharp, leaving no room for hesitation. I nod, every nerve alive with tension. “Ready.”
“Begin.” He moves first, fast as lightning, his powerful form a blur as he closes the distance between us. I barely dodge his strike, feeling the rush of air as his fist grazes past my face. Each movement is precise, calculated, and relentless. I can feel his strength in every swing, every step that forces me back. He’s testing me, pushing me to my limits, and I know he won’t hold back.
The seconds tick by, each one stretching out as I evade his strikes, my body reacting on pure instinct. My muscles burn, my breath comes in ragged gasps, but I refuse to let him overpower me. If I don’t succeed, if I falter even for a moment, Rhea and I will be trapped here, prisoners to Lucian’s pack. And my child — Kael’s child — will be born under Darkfang’s control.
Lucian feints to the left, then sweeps low, his leg aiming to trip me. I jump back just in time, barely avoiding his strike, but the exertion sends a sharp ache through my legs. I grit my teeth, forcing myself to keep moving, to stay light on my feet. I glance at Rhea, her expression a mixture of fear and hope. Cade’s grip on her shoulder tightens, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, as if he’s already relishing our defeat.
The sight stirs something fierce within me, a protective instinct that steels my resolve. This isn’t just for me. I’m fighting for Rhea’s freedom, for my child’s safety, for the life we all deserve. Lucian’s voice cuts through the fog of exhaustion, low and taunting. “Is that all you’ve got, Talia?” His tone is sharp, a calculated provocation, challenging me, testing my endurance and my resolve.
Anger flares within me, fueling my determination. He’s pushing me to prove myself, to rise above the odds stacked against me. But there’s something else in his gaze, something he’s hiding — a flicker of pride, a hint that he wants me to succeed, that he believes I’m capable of it.
I launch myself at him, my fists flying, but he deflects each strike with maddening ease, his movements fluid, almost effortless. Pain radiates through my shoulder as his palm connects, shoving me back, but I plant my feet, refusing to let him break me. My vision blurs with sweat, my muscles scream in protest, but I force myself to keep going. I can’t afford to fail. Not now. Not with everything on the line.
Lucian circles me, his gaze predatory, assessing, but there’s a spark in his eyes — a silent challenge, a wordless encouragement. He wants me to hit him. He needs me to prove to the pack that I’m strong enough, that I’m worthy of their respect. But he won’t let me win easily. He can’t afford to, not with everyone watching. I catch a glimpse of Rhea’s face, her eyes wide with fear, and the weight of her trust presses down on me, urging me forward.
I can’t fail her. I can’t fail any of us. This fight is more than a test; it’s a chance to secure our freedom, our place in Darkfang. And I’ll fight with everything I
have to make that happen. With a surge of energy, I shift my stance, drawing on every ounce of strength I have left. I move faster, my strikes sharper, more precise, each one aimed at finding a weakness in Lucian’s defense. But he’s relentless, his attacks coming harder, faster, forcing me to stay on the defensive.
Then, I see it — a small opening, a split-second where his stance shifts, his guard lowering ever so slightly. I lunge forward, throwing my weight into a strike aimed at his ribs, but he twists, deflecting my blow with a quick swipe of his arm. Frustration gnaws at me, but I can’t let it distract me. I have to stay focused. Lucian steps in close, his face mere inches from mine, his eyes dark and intense. “Is this all you’ve got?” he murmurs, his voice low, challenging, a taunt meant only for me. “Or do you have more fight in you, Talia?”
I meet his gaze, refusing to back down, my voice a fierce whisper. “I’m not fighting just for me.” His expression shifts, a flicker of something almost like approval crossing his face before he masks it, stepping back, resuming his relentless attack. But his strikes are harder now, more forceful, as if he’s giving me everything he has, demanding that I rise to meet him.
My body is screaming, every instinct telling me to stop, to yield, but I push through the pain, drawing on reserves I didn’t know I had. I think of Rhea, her freedom hanging in the balance, and of my child, whose future depends on my strength, my resolve. I won’t fail them. I can’t. With a final burst of energy, I move in, faster than I thought possible, each movement a calculated risk.
I duck under his swing, twisting to the side, and then, with all the strength I have left, I drive my fist upward, catching him just below his jaw. The impact reverberates through my arm, a shock of pain mingling with triumph as I watch his head snap back, his eyes widening in surprise.
I stumble back, breathing hard, every muscle trembling, but I’ve done it. I’ve landed the hit. The crowd falls silent, the murmurs fading as they process what they’ve just witnessed. Lucian straightens, his hand brushing over his jaw where my punch connected, and for a moment, he simply stares at me, a faint, grudging smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
He turns to the pack, his voice calm but firm. “She has proven herself,” he declares, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “Talia is one of us now. She has earned her place in the Darkguard.” A ripple of approval runs through the crowd, the wolves nodding, murmuring in respect. I glance at Rhea, who is staring at me with a mixture of relief and pride, and Cade, whose expression is a grudging acknowledgment of my victory.
But it’s Lucian’s gaze that holds me captive, his eyes dark and unreadable as they meet mine. He steps closer, his voice low, meant only for me. “You did well,” he murmurs, his tone softer now, almost…proud. “You’ve earned this.”
The intensity in his eyes sends a shiver through me, a silent acknowledgment passing between us, charged with the weight of everything unspoken. I know he wanted me to succeed, that he pushed me because he believes in my strength.
And though he can’t reveal what lies between us, I feel it in his gaze — a promise, a bond that neither of us can deny. As he turns to address the pack, I stand tall, exhaustion mingling with a fierce pride. I did it. I’ve secured Rhea’s freedom, my place among the Darkguard, and a future for my child that’s safer, stronger. And though the fight is far from over, I know that I’m ready for whatever comes next.
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