Chapter Eighty Six - The Challenge - Damian's POV

I push myself out of bed slowly, so I don't wake her up and look at both of them standing in the doorway. Neither looks happy to be here and I'm not sure why. As I creep across the floor, they both continue to stare at me. Then Simon shifts his gaze toward the bed, something flashing in his gaze. As soon as I'm close enough, I brush past them, catching the doorknob on the way out and softly closing the door. 'Should I say good morning or what is it?" I ask, my tone sarcastic. 'Well, I guess it is a good morning for you," Simon whispers. 'You have her sleeping in your bed." 'It's getting us closer to ending this wretched prophecy," Evelyn snaps at him. 'Shut up about it and tell him what you need to do." I glance her way, noticing the tangle of gray hair and how sleep still clings to her eyes. 'Did he wake you up?" 'Yes, and no. I came by to check on you two, only to find him about to barge in like a loose cannon. The idiot." Evelyn shoots him a straight look as if she might hit him. Simon's gaze shifts to the side, studying her. 'It's important or I wouldn't have barged in." 'Well, what is it?" I ask, my tone demanding. 'It's Luce. Tiffany is doing her best to keep her from losing her ever loving mind, but it's bad. She's mad." 'When is she not?" I ask, scoffing. 'She's always upset about something." 'No, you don't understand. She doesn't think Maya is fit to be Luna and wants to issue a challenge. You know this can't happen." Evelyn makes a sound between a groan and a growl, dragging one hand down her face. 'That woman is asking for another go around with me. I'll take care of this. She has a head harder than a silver-barked oak, and twice the poison." I rub at my temples, the weight of everything pressing in from every side. 'Why now? We haven't had time to breathe with everything going on and I've just now gotten Maya to trust me more. She's barely hanging on and now Luce wants to add fuel to the fire?" Simon shrugs, his expression calm. 'Because she feels threatened. You've claimed Maya in the eyes of the pack and then kept it mostly quiet. They're unsure of everything. And now, they know she's in your bed, which makes it more final. But you haven't bitten her, so it's wide open. You know if they think the alpha's potential mate could be weak, they're allowed to challenge to find a better mate to secure the pack." 'Maya can't fight," I say, quieter now. 'She's human and would get killed." 'Maybe not," Evelyn whispers. 'She's stronger than she thinks and she's not alone in this. You gave her your word, and I have given her mine. I will fight in her place. It should be allowed because of the circumstances. If she wants blood, I'll give Luce blood." Simon crosses his arms over his chest, clearly upset with everything, but I'm not sure why. 'You need to shut this all down before it becomes public with the rest of the pack. If she challenges, it'll divide the pack. Some of them have started to like Maya, because they see how happy she makes you. But there is a part of the pack that loves Luce. They'll side with her and once a challenge is issued, there is no taking it back." 'I'll talk to her," I mutter, jaw clenching. 'No, you'll more than talk to her," Evelyn cuts in. 'You'll remind her who the alpha is and why Maya is important. She can't die or we are all doomed. This isn't the time for pack politics. If she forces your hand in front of the others, you do what it takes to ensure you keep Maya safe. Or I will." The thought makes my stomach twist. Maya just started accepting things, so if Luce tries to fight, it may scare her away. 'Right now, it's contained to her and Tiffany. She won't do it right now. I know how she thinks. It will be in the moment that will cause the most damage, where you're forced to accept it." 'Of course she will," I mutter. 'Because Luce never does anything without thinking about two moves ahead to get what she wants." The hallway falls silent. I press my back against the door and look at the opposite wall across the hall. Maya is still sleeping peacefully from what I can hear, unaware of the brewing storm. 'We need to keep Maya safe and diffuse the situation before it gets worse." Simon glances over at Evelyn. 'Then I suggest you go see her now." I let out a low growl as I think about leaving Maya alone and unguarded. What if Luce did this to get me away, then attack while I'm not here? Evelyn steps forward, brushing her long gray hair away from her face. 'I will stay here to defend Maya. You know she's safe with me." I glance at her, knowing she'll keep her safe. She dealt with the rogues and even killed both wolves. I know she's more than capable, but I still hate leaving Maya. 'Fine. I will only be gone a few minutes and bring back breakfast for her." With those words said, I walk off and head down the hallway. My footsteps are barely audible against the hardwood as I stalk closer to the dining hall. When I enter the room, silence falls. All eyes on me and then I see Luce, standing off in the corner with Tiffany. There is a wicked gleam in her eye as she takes me in. Then something shifts as Tiffany pulls her attention elsewhere. I don't stop moving. Instead, I head straight for her and stop when I'm a few feet away. 'What do you think you're doing?" I ask with a growl. She looks at me, batting her eyes as if she's innocent. 'I don't know what you mean." My jaw tightens. 'Don't try to play games with me, Luce. You've been stirring the pack up. I hear you want to issue a challenge." Her lips curl into a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. 'Is it stirring the pack, or simply reminding them that they deserve a strong luna? They need a luna who understands them. Who belongs here. Not some fragile outsider with no ties. She can't even survive in our world." The air thickens with tension. Even the clatter of cutlery has gone quiet. Tiffany steps back slightly, her expression pinched with unease. She knows better than to interfere, especially when I'm radiating with my alpha command. I take a step closer, lowering my voice so only Luce can hear the next part. 'Careful. You're standing on the edge of something you won't come back from." Luce doesn't even flinch. 'You're making decisions with your heart instead of your head, Damian. It's going to get us all killed." I tilt my head. 'You think a public challenge won't? You want to question my choices? Fine. But don't do it by dragging Maya into it. You go through me. She is the answer to the prophecy and we can't kill her without killing ourselves." That finally makes her blink. She wasn't expecting me to tell her to go through me. 'I've already made my choice," I say, louder now, letting the pack hear me. 'If anyone wants to question that, do it openly. But don't pretend your ambition is a concern for the pack. I see right through it and you will be brought down before any more harm befalls this pack. Murmurs ripple through the room like wind across tall grass. A few wolves shift uncomfortably. A couple nod in quiet agreement. Luce's jaw works like she's trying to find a response that won't hurt her further. But the fire in her eyes hasn't dimmed. She's not backing down. Not yet. 'I'm not afraid of you, Damian," she says, voice low. I lean in just enough for her to feel the threat behind my calm. 'You should be. Because if you come for her again, I won't just shut you down. I'll remove you from this pack. Permanently." Then I turn, not waiting for a response, and walk back out the way I came. Let her stew in that. Let the pack see it. War doesn't always come with claws and teeth. Sometimes, it starts with words.