Second Chance Luna
Chapter 99

As Jason removed his jacket and shirt Phoebe felt their mindlink open, "Angel, I am going to do everything to win sol can't let myself to be distracted. I love you with everything I have."

Phoebe struggled to hold in a gasp as his love poured through their bond until it practically pulsed. It radiated through her like a warm light before suddenly shutting down. She could feel nothing through their bond. It was like a door suddenly slammed shut and now an insurmountable wall separated them. Phoebe wanted to reach out but Máni stopped her. 'No, we mustn't. Mate said he was going to do everything to win. We mustn't distract him!'

'I know, I just...hate feeling him shut himself off, Phoebe fought a shudder.

It wasn't just their bond he was suppressing. He was shutting down every emotion, every connection and she couldn't stand it. Jason was so warm, so caring. She couldn't stand him shutting everything and one out.

'It's okay, Máni whispered. 'Mate loves us. You felt it. He is doing this because he loves us and when he is done he will let us feel it again!

'Right.' Phoebe held onto that. Yes, Jason was only doing what he felt was needed to win the fight and after that he would come back to her.

"Luna," Luke gently directed her to her seat.

Phoebe sat beside Mona trying to keep herself calm but it was a struggle. Without a word, Mona gripped her hand and squeezed while they watched. "Nolan!"

Phoebe gave a startled jerk at the harsh shout. Her gaze fell on the king then to the second prince. Like Jason he was removing his jacket and shirt but much more deliberately and reluctantly. Despite the fact he initiated the challenge he clearly didn't want to be there. He looked up at his father's beckoning.

"Win this!" the king bellowed.

Nolan gave his father a short, curt nod. His gaze lingered on those in the royal box before he turned and entered the ring, the crowd's energy spiked in preparation. For decades everyone wondered what a fight between Jason and one of the princes would be and now they were finally going to bear witness. It was the Battle Royale they had all taken bets and discussed on more than one occasion.

Phoebe's attention remained on the royal family. The queen was pale and grim watching her son with a note of sadness. Beside her, the princess didn't spare her brother a glance and kept waving in hopes of attracting Jason's attention. The king, on the other hand, turned a venomous glare on her but she expected that and it didn't bother her as much as it once did. After hearing Christina and Emily's reports she thought she understood the king better. Now that she understood where his hate came from she could ignore it. The royal family really had no one to blame but themselves. For centuries they lived decadently, neglecting their fated mates with no remorse. What else could they expect? Did they really think the Goddess would ignore it? If they were worried about a prophecy why didn't they take measures against it? It was the definition of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Her gaze passed over him and landed on the first prince who smirked when he noticed her attention. He licked her lips and even kissed the air as if that was somehow appealing to her. She frowned and her gaze did not linger on him a moment longer shifting to the final presence in the box. He had a darker complexion and didn't seem to be a part of the royal family.

"Luke?"

"Luna?" he glanced at her questioningly not sure why she wanted to talk when the fight was about to begin.

"Who is that standing beside the first Prince?"

Luke glanced at the royal box, "Beta Corwin."

"Beta?"

"Yes. He's the son of the king's Beta. I believe he is one of the princes' assistants."

"I see." Phoebe nodded turning her attention to the ring as the second Prince stepped in. 'Máni, you felt it, right?'

'Yes. There is definitely a connection.'

'But I thought the prince hadn't found his mate.'

'Maybe that's what he wants everyone to think.

'And maybe someone found out that shouldn't, Phoebe's gaze flickered back to the first prince. Jason said he was conniving and dangerous."

'Mate is not wrong, Máni growled. 'His wolf is dead. He no longer has a sane mind. He is unhinged.

"Luna? Are you all right?" Luke asked sensing her anxiety spike.

"I think the Beta is the second Prince's mate," Phoebe said. "And I think the first Prince knows."

Luke's eyebrow shot up as did Mona's. For security, she and Luke maintained an open link allowing Phoebe's communication to reach her.

"That explains a lot," Mona said. "The king would never allow a union that wouldn't bear pups."

"They could adopt."

"According to law adopted pups can't be named successors or be included in the family lineage." "Why?"

"If I remember correctly, I think it was an issue several generations back with a half-sibling suddenly appearing to challenge for the throne. After that, the laws changed so only those borne of the king and reigning queen could succeed the throne, barring a challenge like this one, of course. It's a matter of historical record of course so Luna Kleio probably knows all the details."

"Mona is right, the only reason the king hasn't named a successor is because none of his progeny has produced a viable heir," Luke agreed. "Bloodline is all that matters. If he knew what you suspect he'd put the Beta to death right now." "What about the fact the first Prince killed his own wolf?" Phoebe asked.

"What!" Mona suddenly jerked to attention. "Are you sure?"

"My wolf is. She says he is unhinged."

"Shit." Luke cursed. They knew Achan was dangerous but this was a much more serious situation. If his wolf was truly dead than the prince no longer operate logically and he would not be easy to predict.

"It makes sense," Mona said. "Rumors have it he killed his own fated mate. The shock alone could have killed his wolf not to mention his nightly escapades. Only a wolf gone completely insane can do what he has done to so many." "He shouldn't even be functioning," Luke frowned. "Without a wolf he shouldn't be thinking rationally."

"You think he is rational?" Mona scoffed. "He's fixated but nothing he does is logical except to him. He is psychotic and he'll keep going until he reaches his endgame or he is stopped."

"What is his endgame?" Phoebe asked.

"Jason," Luke sighed, "if there is any wolf he is gunning for it is Jason and he won't stop until he takes everything away from him."

"We have to warn him."

"We can't," Luke shook his head, "he's in the ring. We can't reach him."

'Máni, can we?' Phoebe asked hoping their immunity to silver applied to mindlinking.

'Yes....but we can't distract him now.'

Phoebe looked to the ring to see Jason shift, becoming his massive, brown wolf. She felt Máni surge forward eager to see and appreciate her mate's physique.

On the other side of the arena the prince also shifted into a tanish-gray wolf. It was not nearly as large but had a wiry looking frame, which meant he was quick and agile. No sooner had their paws touched the ground they were leaping on the attack. Phoebe winced at the impact. The prince swiped a paw at Jason only for him to tear into his shoulder. It had only been a few seconds and already they were spilling blood, staining the dirt of the arena floor.

"We have to stop them!"

"We can't," Luke placed a hand on her shoulder.

"But the Prince is being forced to fight. His mate is being held hostage!"

"Phoebe," Mona gripped her hand. "The challenge was issued and accepted. It doesn't matter why. If we interfere Jason loses automatically."

'Máni.'

'She's right. We have to let this play out. Trust in Mate. He will win.

'But if he kills the prince...

'Trust in Mate.'