His Abandoned Luna Chapter 158

|| Lilac's POV ||

The torches flickered, casting long, dancing shadows across the sacred fighting circle. The air smelled of crushed herbs and sweat, thick with anticipation. My pulse hammered in my throat as I watched my brother—my little Ezra—stand bare-chested across from Elias, his muscles coiled like a spring.

Elias cracked his knuckles, the sound like dry twigs snapping. "Don't take it personally, pup."

Ezra said nothing. His face was a mask of calm, but his eyes—gods, his eyes—burned with a fire I'd never seen before.

When did you grow up?

Alpha Darius raised his hand. The crowd stilled.

"Begin."

Elias lunged—

And stumbled.

My breath caught.

His foot caught on nothing. His balance wavered like a drunkard's. His eyes, usually so sharp, glazed over as if he couldn't quite focus.

Ezra didn't hesitate.

One strike to the ribs. A sickening crack echoed through the clearing.

Another to the jaw. Elias's head snapped back, blood spraying from his lip.

The crowd roared.

But I wasn't watching the fight anymore.

My gaze locked onto Madeline, standing at the edge of the circle. Her fingers twitched, tucking something into her sleeve—a small, glass vial. Empty.

Oh, you clever, reckless witch.

She'd drugged him.

Elias staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth. His movements were sluggish, his punches telegraphed. Ezra danced around him like a shadow, landing blows with precision that stole my breath.

Since when did you learn to fight like this?

I whirled on Alexander, my voice a hissed whisper. "Did you plan this?"

He didn't flinch. "We suspected Elias might challenge Ezra."

"Dad knew too?" My stomach twisted.

"Kind of. Ezra was prepared either way, but Madeline... well, you see how she is." He nodded toward her, where she stood grinning like a fox among chickens.

Madeline caught my stare and winked. "Come on, Ezra's like my brother. I couldn't let him lose!"

"What did you give Elias?" I demanded.

"Just a little something to slow his wolf instincts," she said breezily. "He’s still fighting at full strength—just slower."

Alexander snorted. "Doesn’t look like Ezra needed the help."

"Look at him go!" Madeline crowed as Ezra dodged a sloppy swing. "Alaric’s training worked miracles."

My heart stuttered. "Alaric trained him?"

"All night," Madeline confirmed. "Kid picked it up scarily fast."

My gaze flew to Alaric, who stood apart from the crowd, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—gods, his eyes—held something fierce. Pride.

You did this for me.

"Why didn’t you tell me?" I hissed at Alexander.

"We needed some genuine reactions," he said simply.

"So I was your scapegoat?" I glared.

"Remember when you made us yours?" Madeline poked my shoulder.

I sighed. I couldn’t argue on that. I created a circumstance where they would meet, and acknowledge as mates. Moreover I dragged Alexander to be a contender of the alpha king election. Maybe I deserved that much.

I opened my mouth—then snapped it shut.

Touché.

The fight ended as swiftly as it began.

Ezra feinted left, then swept Elias's legs out from under him. The older warrior hit the dirt with a grunt, and before he could rise, Ezra's knee pressed into his spine, his arm locked around Elias's throat in a chokehold.

"Yield," Ezra growled.

Elias thrashed, his face purpling—but the drug made him weak. His fingers clawed at Ezra's arm, then went slack. Elias tried to fight back but he couldn't. .

"I said yield," Ezra growled lounder. Elia couldn't keep up. His face went red and finally he gave up. No, Ez made him give up.

"I yield," he choked out.

The crowd erupted.

Alpha King Darius stepped forward, his voice booming. "Since Elias cannot continue, I declare Ezra Blackwood our Royal Beta. By the Goddess's blessing, we will hold his ceremony and bestow his power at the next full moon!"

Applause thundered through the garden.

But my eyes were on Elias as he staggered to his feet, his face a mask of humiliation and fury. His gaze locked onto mine, blue eyes burning with betrayal.

You did this, they accused me.

I lifted my chin.

No. You brought this on yourself.

Then my eyes met Coco’s. Her smile was gone. Was she planning this challenge too? My breath hitched! Elias was sent by her? How did she pull out this mate bond trick?

As the crowd dispersed, I caught Alaric's arm, pulling him into the shadow of an oak.

"You trained him," I breathed.

His fingers brushed my wrist, sending sparks up my arm. "I did."

"Why?"

"Because you would have torn the world apart for him," he said simply. "And I couldn’t let you get blood on your hands."

My throat tightened. "Elias will know it was rigged."

Alaric's smile was sharp as a blade. "Let him try to prove it."