by J. E. Cluney
Jaye was the one who came and collected me for lunch, informing me that Nathan was still working so he’d made us some ham and cheese sandwiches.
We sat at the outside barbecue area, a cool breeze caressing my skin gingerly as I bit into my sandwich.
“I got the painting done. It was hard, forcing myself to finish it. I’m worried about tonight, about you,” Jaye said.
“So am I,” I admitted.
“I have faith in you, that you’ll give it your all. I just hope it’s enough,” he said softly.
I didn’t say anything as I stared out across the grassy area and down to the tree line. The pines towered all around, and it was a sight I wanted to imprint into my mind. The way the branches swayed in the midday breeze, the sounds of the birds calling out, a woodpecker drilling away somewhere in the distance. The nickers of the horses and the whisper of a breeze through the pines.
This was my home. A place I could always rely on to find comfort and love, safety and a sense of belonging.
We sat in uneasy silence, the weight of tonight sitting heavily on our shoulders.
I balled my hands up as I sat up front with my father in his black Jag. It bounced along, somehow managing to navigate the dirt tracks with little difficulty. Chris had gone with the boys in the Jeep behind, and Carlos sat in the back seat with us, silent and uneasy. The tension was thick in the air, enough so that it could make me gag.
“This is nuts,” my father scowled.
I didn’t say a word as I focused on keeping calm and steady. I needed to be prepared for this fight.
But as we drew closer to the meeting place, almost an hour from home, my stomach was curling in on itself and sweat was slicking my palms. I’d killed a rogue with my Aunt, hell, I’d killed more than one, at least a handful. And yet this battle had me on edge. Rogues were wild and driven by bloodlust, rather predictable in a wild, animalistic way. Fighting an Alpha? That was another story. They were calculating opponents, and I’d never bested my Dad when we’d trained with him as children. I wish he’d allowed me to spar with him, to give me the chance to see if I stood a chance. I was already regretting not asking him.
“You should’ve gone with your brother. You’d be safe,” my father muttered as we turned a corner.
A large cleared area set in the middle of nowhere was lit up by the headlights of a number of vehicles.
The vampire, Gadion, stood out like a sore thumb, his pale skin glowing under the moonlight.
My heart leapt to my throat as I spied the burly Alpha, built like a giant wrestler. His greying hair was crew cut, and he’d already abandoned his shirt, showing off his rock-hard muscles. He certainly was a terrifying sight indeed, and I sunk into my seat, wishing I could just disappear.
My father’s face only darkened at the sight of the rival Alpha, and for a moment, I wanted to hide behind him and allow him to deal with this, to protect me like he’d done when I was a child.
But I wasn’t a child no more. I’d decided to have my say in how my life went.
I drew in a deep, calming breath as we pulled up before the others, our headlights joining in lighting up the battlefield.
My father held a hand up, informing me to wait behind as he stepped out.
I watched with my lips pulled back in a snarl as Richard studied him carefully.
My father shared words with Gadion, flicking his eyes around the five other rival Pack ‘wolves before turning and beckoning for me to join him.
I swung the car door open, the crisp night air hitting me and sending a chill down my spine. I climbed out, standing tall and strong as I strode over to join my father, ignoring Richard’s ravishing gaze.
I could feel Carlos right on my heels, and my boys and brother hung back at the cars, awaiting the battle.
The moon doused the surrounding landscape in a gentle white wash, the stones jutting up from the earth and the scattered pines slowly thickening as they turned to forest further away. The clearing we stood in was large, and I imagine it was once a grazing field for wildlife or cattle.
Tonight, it was a battlefield.
“The rules are simple. The Alpha, Richard, will fight the Alpha’s daughter, Taylor, for the right to mate with her. No other ‘wolves may get involved. The fight will be done in human form. No weapons. Winner is decided by time out, or knockout,” Gadion’s lengthened canines glinted in the yellow light from the headlights, his bald hand shiny like a bowling ball. He was a tall and lanky man, but I didn’t doubt his strength for a second. I was grateful he was here, vampires were stronger than even Alphas, and I hoped he’d keep control of Richard if he tried anything dirty.
“Taylor, such a pretty name for a pretty little ‘wolf,” Richard’s gravelly voice rang out and I scowled as I turned to him. I was no little ‘wolf.
I took in the huge man standing a few feet from me, his devious brown eyes lit up with delight. Those muscles rippled as he shifted his weight, and I inwardly groaned. This certainly would be hard. But with that size, surely he was slower. No way he could carry his weight around as quickly as my father could.
“Do you both agree to these terms?” Gadion’s velvety voice rang out through the clearing.
“Yes,” I nodded sharply, hearing my father’s sharp intake of air.
“Of course,” Richard smirked, his eyes gliding over me in a way that made my skin prickle.
“Get ready then,” Gadion instructed as he ushered my father back to our cars where he joined my brother and the boys. Carlos looked quite distressed and out of place with this whole thing, and he leaned against the front of the Jag as he eyed my opponent uncertainly.
I gave my boys a soft smile in hopes of reassuring not just them but myself. Jaye nodded weakly, while Nathan’s mouth was set in a firm line, his arms crossed as he glared at Richard. Scott looked utterly perplexed as he scanned the other ‘wolves across from them, his eyes dropping back to Richard with worry.
Definitely the way to boost my confidence.
I rolled my eyes as I took up a stand, my boots crunching on the stoney earth beneath my feet.
Richard’s smug smile made me what to peg a rock at his head, but I focused, watching his movements carefully as he took up a stance as well.
This was it.
My heart hammered against my ribcage, every muscle tight and coiled, ready to unleash and propel me around.
I drew in a steady breath, wanting to calm my chaotic emotions. I refrained from looking to my father, although I could feel his burning gaze locked onto me.
I’d do him proud if I could. I’d give it everything I had.
“Begin.”
I didn’t budge as the words left Gadion’s mouth, instead watching Richard as he moved forward, his fists raised defensively. Judging by his movements, I was right. Speed was his weakness, but I wouldn’t want one of those huge fists colliding with me. Even in human form, he had all the added strength and power of an Alpha.
I had to pray that my speed and agility were enough.
Richard snarled as he darted forward, punching out at me. So he was an offensive man, wanting to attack rather than wait and bide his time. That was good too. He was too eager.
I ducked down to dodge the heavy swing, striking out with my fist and slamming it into his lower ribs as I twirled away and out of his reach.
He growled as he buckled and held his side, giving me a dazed look before it was overcome with glee. He hadn’t expected such strength from me, but he also loved the challenge.
Well, challenge accepted.
He rushed at me again, swinging with both fists this time, and I dodged them, stepping backwards and leaning to the sides, the whoosh of air past my face drawing my adrenaline forth. I was smart enough to have tied my curls back whilst driving here. No need to give him something to use against me.
I watched his movements, waiting for the right moment as I continued ducking and dodging his punches.
There.
His leg lifted, preparing to s
tep forward, and I dropped down, sweeping my leg out and catching him off-guard. He’d put all his weight onto his right leg, and I knocked it out from under him.
I leaped away as he clawed out, trying to bring me down with him.
I considered leaping on top of him and trying to pin him, to end this battle early. But I knew he’d get me off him with ease. I had to tire him out first. With all my training with Neema, I’d developed my stamina quite well.
He dragged himself to his feet, that smug expression replaced with frustration and annoyance, the lines marring his forward showing his age as he clenched his fists. I was young and quick, while he was getting older and slower with each passing day.
He steadied himself, watching me carefully for a moment, then shaking his head with a scowl as he started forward again.
He charged at me, ducking low, intent to barrel into my and lift me into the air. I dropped to the ground and shot off to the side, dodging him as he shrieked and lashed out at me.
This went on for some time, he changed up his tactics, kicking out of charging me, swinging punches and roundhouse kicks, trying to grab me and pull me into a lock. I dodged many of his attacks, but miscalculated his last punch, and it caught me in the side and sent me tumbling to the ground. I threw my hands out to catch myself, the wind knocked out of me, but I knew I had to keep moving, I couldn’t let him catch me.
I shot to my feet and stumbled away as he moved in, intent to keep me down.
I caught my breath, wincing at the pain under my left ribs as I brought my fists up.
It was all he needed though, the one hit to throw me off. He barraged punches and kicks against me in quick succession, and I struggled to block them and dodge them, stumbling backwards under the ruthless attack.
I could hear my family shouting out, but the blood pumping though my ears muffled them as I focused on the furious man before me, the whites of his eyes showing as he attacked me. I missed his cues, the little signals that would’ve told me what he’d been planning. I was too caught up in trying to protect my face and upper body from his attacks; I didn’t see the low punch until it was too late.
I twisted, dropping my arms to try to break the power behind his punch, but the fist slammed into my wrists and shoved them painfully into my stomach before hurling me backwards.
I hit the ground hard, dazed as I stared up at the moon overhead.
The cries and roars all around me were deafening to the point where I couldn’t distinguish anything. I gasped, struggling to draw in air, my wrists bruised and tattered. I tried to move them, to test if they were broken or just badly bruise and strained, but Richard pinned me down with his body, straddling me as he grinned down at me triumphantly.
The seconds ticked by, and I screamed and writhed beneath him, desperate to escape him.
No, this couldn’t be it.
I shrieked, tugging one hand free, ignoring the pain that shot through my lower arm as I slammed my palm into his nose. I felt the satisfying crunch under my hand, and he howled in pain as he tossed his head back.
Then a heavy fist collided with my head, and white danced before my eyes as I gasped, blood filling my mouth as I sputtered and choked. I blinked, trying to refocus my blurring vision, but it grew fuzzy at the edges.
No. Please, god no.
I heard the howl of my boys as they exploded in a rage, and all I hoped for before the darkness swallowed me, was that they’d not do anything stupid and get themselves killed.
Then I slipped into the suffocating darkness.
* * *
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