Chapter Three – Playing with Fire
Dawn
I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I walked into the gym, no longer sneaking to my hidden spot behind the bleachers. It felt surreal – being able to sit right there in the front row, watching Raven practice without having to hide.
"You know," Raven called out as he dribbled the ball, flashing me that heart-stopping grin, "if I'd known having you watch openly would improve my game this much, I would've caught you spying sooner."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "I wasn't spying! I was... observing. For academic purposes."
"Oh? And what academic purpose required you to watch me shirtless during summer practice?" He wiggled his eyebrows playfully, making several nearby players snicker.
"You're impossible," I groaned, but couldn't help smiling. Everything had changed so fast in the past week – from being a nobody to being the Alpha's mate and newly appointed cheer captain. Sometimes it felt like a dream I might wake up from at any moment.
"Impossible, but yours," he winked, then turned serious as he noticed my expression. "Hey, you okay?"
I nodded, touching the mate mark on my neck self-consciously. "Just... still getting used to all this. The whispers haven't stopped."
"Let them whisper," he said firmly, jogging over to plant a quick kiss on my forehead. "They're just jealous."
"Or maybe they're right to talk," a bitter voice cut in. Dimitri stood at the edge of the court, his practice jersey already soaked with sweat. "After all, it's not every day an Alpha stoops so low as to claim a rejected mate."
Raven's body tensed, but his voice remained calm. "Careful, Dimitri. You're already on thin ice."
"Am I?" Dimitri's laugh was harsh. "You know what I think? I think you're getting soft. First taking in a weak Omega, then letting her parade around as Luna? The Raven Stone I knew would never—"
"Challenge accepted," Raven cut him off, his eyes glinting dangerously.
"What?" Dimitri blinked.
"You want to prove something? Let's do it. One-on-one, right now. Unless you're all talk?"
The gym had gone silent, everyone watching the confrontation. My heart pounded as Dimitri's face split into a mean smile.
"Stakes?" he asked.
"When I win, you never speak about or to Dawn again. You leave the pack."
Gasps echoed through the gym. Banishment was serious – it would mean Dimitri would have to find a new territory, a new pack willing to take him in.
"And when I win," Dimitri countered, "you admit this mate claim is fake. That you only did it out of pity."
"Raven, don't—" I started, but he was already nodding.
"Deal."
The game that followed was unlike anything I'd ever seen. Both wolves moved with supernatural speed and grace, but where Dimitri was all aggressive force, Raven was calculated precision. The ball became a blur between them as they fought for dominance on the court.
"Come on, baby!" Nikki's voice rang out, and I turned to see her standing with a group of cheerleaders. "Show him who's boss, Dimitri!"
The sight of her cheering for him made my blood boil. My wolf, usually so quiet, growled.
"You've got this, Raven!" I called out before I could stop myself. "Show him what a real Alpha can do!"
Raven's eyes flashed gold at my words, and suddenly his game shifted to another level entirely. He moved like liquid lightning, faking left before spinning right, leaving Dimitri stumbling. The ball arced through the air in a perfect shot, swishing through the net.
Game point.
The gym erupted in cheers, but Dimitri wasn't finished. He charged at Raven, his eyes glowing beta-gold with rage. "This isn't over!"
Raven caught him by the throat, lifting him off his feet with one hand. "Actually, it is. Pack your bags, Dimitri. You have until sunset to leave our territory."
"You can't do this," Dimitri choked out. "My father—"
"Your father agreed to these stakes when he heard what you did to Dawn," Raven's voice was ice cold. "A wolf who would fake a mate bond just to hurt someone has no place in this pack."
He dropped Dimitri, who crumpled to the floor, gasping. As he slunk away, his eyes met mine with such hatred that I shivered.
"Hey," Raven was suddenly there, pulling me into his arms. "It's over. You're safe."
But somehow, I didn't think it was over at all.
"Alright ladies, let's see what you've got!" Nikki's saccharine voice carried across the volleyball court later that afternoon. As new cheer captain, I was required to participate in all athletic events – including the dreaded volleyball tournament.
"Try not to embarrass yourself too much," Nikki whispered as she passed me. "Though I suppose you're used to that by now."
I gripped the volleyball tighter, drawing strength from the mate mark that still tingled on my neck. "Game on, Nikki."
To everyone's surprise – including my own – years of watching sports from the sidelines had taught me more than I realized. I might be a weak Omega, but I knew angles, knew timing, knew exactly where to place the ball to score points.
"Holy shit, Dawn!" Vanessa cheered as I scored another point with a perfectly placed serve. "Where did this come from?"
"Beginner's luck," Nikki snapped, but I could see the fury building in her eyes as more and more girls began cheering for me instead of her.
The game went on, point after point, until we were tied at match point. Nikki served, the ball rocketing toward me with supernatural force. Time seemed to slow as my wolf stirred, lending me just enough strength to jump, twist, and spike the ball straight down.
Game over. We'd won.
"That was amazing!" Kel rushed to hug me, along with several other girls from the team. "Our Luna's got game!"
"Luna?" Nikki's laugh was brittle. "Please. She's just Raven's latest charity case. Speaking of which..." Her smile turned predatory. "There's a party in the woods tonight. All the cheerleaders are required to attend."
My celebration died in my throat. "The woods?"
"Scared?" she taunted. "Don't worry, I have a special surprise planned just for you. Unless you're not up for it?"
I could feel everyone watching, waiting to see if the Alpha's mate would back down from a challenge. "What time?"
"Midnight," she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Don't be late... Luna."
As she sashayed away, Vanessa grabbed my arm. "Dawn, you can't go. It's obviously a trap."
"She's right," Kel added. "The woods at midnight? This has bad news written all over it."
But my wolf was tired of running, tired of being seen as weak. "If I don't go, she wins. Besides," I touched my mate mark again, drawing comfort from the bond I could feel humming beneath my skin, "I'm not alone anymore."
"No," a deep voice agreed, and I turned to find Raven leaning against the gym door, his eyes dark with concern. "You're not alone. But Nikki's playing a dangerous game, and I don't like you being her pawn."
"Then what should I do?"
He pulled me close, pressing a kiss to my temple. "We play her game – but we play it our way. Tonight, Nikki learns what happens when you threaten an Alpha's mate."
I
gulped, not sure if I should be more afraid of what Nikki had planned... or what my mate intended to do about it.