==Lila==
The vision faded but the fear stayed.
I stood in the bakery with the glowing amulet between us. Remy's fingers brushed mine. His eyes held the image of me dying in his arms. Raw. Broken.
Grandmother watched silently from behind the counter.
Remy dropped his hand first. "We're leaving. Now."
He did not wait for me to argue. He grabbed my arm and pulled me out the door. The amulet burned against my chest where I had slipped it under my dress. My soft curves moved with every hurried step. My wide hips swayed. My full breasts pressed against the fabric.
Back at the pack house the council waited.
The head elder stood when we entered. "The first trial begins at dusk. A brutal obstacle run through the deep swamp. All potential Luna candidates must compete."
My stomach twisted. I felt every generous inch of my body. The soft belly. The thick thighs. The heavy curves that had always been mocked.
Remy's jaw tightened. He did not look at me.
Dusk came too fast.
The pack gathered at the edge of the swamp. Lanterns swung from trees. Mud smelled thick and rotten. Thin she-wolves stretched at the starting line. Lean legs. Flat stomachs. They smirked when they saw me.
Sylvie bumped my shoulder hard. "Try not to sink, big girl."
Another girl laughed. "Her thighs will drag her down."
I ignored them. The amulet warmed against my skin. Grandmother's words echoed. Weaponize your softness.
The elder raised his hand. "Begin!"
We ran.
The swamp swallowed us. Water splashed up my thick thighs. Mud sucked at my feet. Branches slapped my full breasts and soft arms. My body felt heavy but strong. Each step sent ripples through my curves.
The sabotage started quick.
Sylvie tripped me from behind. I stumbled into the mud. My knees sank deep. Cold water soaked my dress. It clung to every curve. Heavy. Wet.
I pushed up. My soft belly dragged against the ground for a second. Shame burned but I kept moving.
Another girl shoved a branch into my path. I tripped again. Pain shot through my ankle. Still I ran.
The others pulled ahead. Their slim bodies cut through the swamp like knives. Mine pushed through like a storm. Slower. But unstoppable.
My lungs burned. Sweat mixed with mud on my skin. My heavy breasts bounced with each stride. My wide hips ached. But the amulet pulsed. Power flowed into my muscles.
I crossed the finish line last.
The pack stared. Whispers started.
"She finished."
"After all that sabotage."
"Maybe the fat girl is something more."
Remy waited at the end. His eyes tracked every inch of me. Mud covered my curves. The dress stuck to my body like a second skin. Showing every soft roll. Every generous swell.
He said nothing. Just took my arm and led me away from the crowd.
In a quiet corner of the pack house he sat me down. A basin of warm water waited. Clean cloths.
"Take off the dress," he ordered softly.
I hesitated. Then peeled the wet fabric away. My naked curves gleamed in the low light. Mud streaked my thick thighs. My soft belly. My full breasts.
Remy knelt in front of me. His hands were gentle. He wiped the mud from my skin. His fingers brushed my wide hips. My rounded belly. The curve of my breasts.
Each touch sent sparks through the partial bond. Electric. Tender. Dangerous.
"You should not have run alone," he muttered. But his voice lacked anger now.
"I had to," I whispered. "They need to see I can survive."
He cleaned the cut on my ankle. His thumb stroked the soft skin there. "They are starting to see."
The whispers outside grew louder. Respect mixed with shock. The fat girl had finished. Alive. Stronger than expected.
Remy wrapped my ankle carefully. His hands lingered on my thick calf. Then higher. On my thigh.
Our eyes met.
The bond pulled hard.
Before anything more could happen a bell rang. The victory feast.
We dressed quickly. I wore fresh clothes. The amulet hidden but warm.
The pack gathered outside. Tables loaded with food. My bakery contributions sat proud in the center. Beignets. Gumbo. Sweet cornbread.
I sat near the edge. Exhaustion pulled at me. My body ached but pride warmed my chest.
Someone handed me a water flask. Cool. Fresh.
I lifted it to my lips.
Remy appeared suddenly. He snatched the flask from my hand. His eyes narrowed at the liquid.
He took a swig instead.
His face twisted. Pain flashed across his features. He dropped the flask. It spilled dark liquid onto the ground.
One of the elders stood across the table. His face pale with shock.
Remy clutched his stomach. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His voice came out rough. "Poison."
The pack erupted into chaos.
He had drunk it to save me.