The Alpha's Forbidden Mate.

center, her heart pounding in her chest. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, the anticipation thick in the air. Every muscle in

t, heavy and pressing. He said nothing, merely observed. He was the judge, the one who would decide if she w

ensity, predatory and cold. His muscles rippled beneath his skin as he flexed his hands, preparing h

se to the surface, threatening to overwhelm her. But she swallowed it down. She coul

, smooth like velvet, but there w

her mouth dry

couldn't afford to hesitate. The pack's approval was on the line. If she failed, if she show

sidestepped just in time, feeling the rush of air as his fist missed her by inches. Her heart pounded ha

but he easily deflected it, his arm blocking the strike with a force that nearly knocked her off balance. Rhea

could see through her every movement. She could feel the press

She barely managed to dodge, the blow grazing her cheek, leaving a stinging pain in its w

een trained for years. Each movement was calculated, each blow aimed to incapacitate. Rhea felt her

ugh. Every time she thought she might land a hit, Kael was one step ahead. He

ide. She couldn't fight him head-on. She wasn't strong

hidden beneath the grass. Kael, ever the predator, took the bait.

m. Kael staggered back, surprised by the move, but Rhea didn't wait for him to recover. She pressed the advantage, her

d. Her breath was ragged, her body shaking with exhaustion, but h

angerous smile. "Impressive," he said, his voice

her ribs with a sickening thud, and Rhea gasped, pain exploding through her side. She stumbled, trying to catch he

n protest, every muscle aching, every bone bruised. She could hear the pack murmuring, their voi

ng. She didn't know if he was rooting fo

e was bleeding, bruised, and close to collapse, but she couldn't give up. Not

ng beneath her. She faced Kael again, her eyes

udying her. "You're stronger than

ea shot back, her voic

widened. "

ide. She grabbed another branch from the ground, swinging it at him with all her strength. The branch connecte

o land a powerful blow to his stomach with her knee. Kael grunted, the wind knocked o

to break free, but Kael's grip was too strong. H

this," Kael snarled, hi

ng for a way out. This couldn't be ho

neath her, grabbing a jagged rock. With all the strength

hea yanked her arm free, using the moment of his surprise to land a powerful pu

ment, neither

elieve she had actually done it. Kael was on the ground, groaning as he tried to re

asps, and turned toward Darius. His gaze was un

shed. They had seen her fight, seen her

"Enough," he said, his tone cold b

ath her, but she stood tall. She had w