I crossed my arms, glaring at him despite the chaos unfolding around us. “I’m not a baby, Logan. I can handle myself.”
His silver eyes flashed with equal parts fury and disbelief. “This isn’t about handling yourself, Audrey! It’s about staying alive. Now get out of here before you become their midnight snack!”
“But I am a Luna. I bet I am stronger than you.”
Logan’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as the words hung in the air. “Oh, really? You think just because you’re a Luna, you’re suddenly invincible?” He took a step forward, his posture challenging. “Be my guest, Audrey. Show me how strong you really are.”
I met his challenge head-on, not backing down. “I don’t need your protection, Logan. I’ve got this,” I shot back, my voice firm and resolute.
He let out a sharp breath, clearly not convinced. “Fine. Go ahead. Try to take them down on your own, but don’t come crying to me when they rip you apart. You think a title makes you immune to getting hurt?” He stepped aside with an exaggerated gesture, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “By all means, show them what a ‘Luna’ can do.”
The wolf in front of us growled low, its golden eyes glowing as it shifted its weight, preparing to lunge. Logan stayed tense, watching me carefully, but he made no move to stop me. He was giving me the space to prove my point-or fail miserably.
I held my ground, eyes locked on the advancing threat. “I can handle myself,” I muttered under my breath, gripping the shard tighter, a surge of power flooding my veins. I was a Luna. I had to be strong, even if it meant proving it to him.
With a sudden movement, the wolf lunged, but I was ready. I sidestepped at the last second, slashing the shard in a swift arc, catching the wolf across its side. It yelped in pain but didn’t back down.
Logan’s lips twitched at the corners as he watched, though his eyes never left the wolf. “Impressive. But you might want to avoid getting that close unless you’re looking for a new pair of shoes.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I snapped, stepping forward again, now fully in control of the fight. “I’m not some helpless girl waiting to be rescued.”
Logan’s smirk flickered briefly, and then his voice dropped, laced with a hint of both amusement and truth. “Says the girl who knew nothing about this world until a few months ago,” he shot back, his eyes still watching the wolf with a predator’s focus.
I gritted my teeth, narrowing my eyes at Logan. “I’m not some newbie anymore,” I muttered under my breath.
The wolf lunged again, and this time, I didn’t hesitate. I dropped the shard, letting it clatter to the ground, and felt the familiar rush of power surge through me. My bones ached, my skin tingled, and before I could stop myself, I shifted. The world around me blurred as my vision sharpened, my senses heightening.
I was a wolf.
Logan, without missing a beat, followed suit. In a swift, fluid motion, he shifted too, his massive form towering over mine in the blink of an eye. The silver of his fur gleamed under the moonlight as he growled low, and his eyes-those piercing silver eyes-locked onto mine.
The wolf in front of us snarled, snapping its jaws. We both moved at once. I was faster than I remembered, my limbs strong and controlled. I darted in, claws extended, teeth bared. I collided with the attacking wolf, pushing it back with a sharp growl. It skidded across the floor, but it wasn’t down yet.
Logan was right beside me, moving with lethal precision. Together, we circled the intruder, eyes never leaving it. The air was thick with tension, the sound of growls and claws scraping against the floor echoing in the room.
“You’re not so bad, Luna,” Logan’s voice rumbled in my mind, his presence shifting beside me. “But don’t get cocky.”
“I can hold my own,” I shot back, my voice low and growling with the power of the wolf.
The other wolf charged again, but I was ready this time. With a snarl, I lunged, catching it by the throat with my teeth. It howled in pain, but I didn’t release. I could feel its body tense as it struggled, but my grip held firm. With a final, crushing bite, the wolf collapsed under me, defeated.
Logan stood by, watching, his body tense but not moving to interfere. When the battle was over, he let out a slow breath, his form flicking back into human shape.
“Impressive,” he said, his voice a mix of admiration and grudging respect. “But don’t ever doubt that I’m still the alpha here.”
I shifted back, feeling the strength in my human body return. “Keep telling yourself that, Logan,” I smirked, though my heart was still racing from the fight. “I’ll just be over here, being a ‘helpless Luna.'”