“You claim your daughter trained with wolves in training before,” Dane chimes in, his question directed at my father.
“Training is not the same as fighting for real,” I snap before my father can reply. My skin prickles with anticipation and dread. I’ve sparred with wolves before, but a real fight? That’s different altogether. In training they aren’t allowed to bite or rip me apart, it’s all strategic, not combat. I am not stupid enough to believe I would stand a chance against a wolf in a real fight, the rogue attack at the Council meeting was proof of that.
Dane just shrugs, his indifference stoking the fire inside me. “A fight is a fight.”
My father’s face is drawn tight, the weight of his position and the expectations of our pack etched into the furrows of his brow. He’s caught, trapped by his own pride and the pressures around us. I know he’s considering it, the possibility of letting me prove myself—or perhaps letting me be sacrificed to maintain peace and that infuriates me.
“Joseph, think carefully,” Samuel goads him. “This might be the solution we need.”
A solution that smells like a trap, one laid out by Lydia. Now, standing here amid the circling Alphas and their calculating stares, I know the truth.
This isn’t settling a tiff between me and Lydia. It’s Samuel trying to prove my father’s pack is better off in his daughter’s hands and not mine.
The tension in the air crackles like a live wire, every wolf’s gaze locked on the unfolding drama. Alpha Samuel’s voice slices through the thick atmosphere, Alpha Dane’s suggestion hanging heavily between us all.
“Let’s have a duel,” he declares, the words resonating. “A fair fight to submission, not harm. We all stand as witnesses—no death blows, no permanent damage. Let the young Alphas demonstrate their skills through strength and control.”
His eyes bore into mine, challenging, daring me to back down. And then they slide to my father, who stands rigid, caught between fury and the unspoken rules of our society and his need to protect his daughter.
“Joseph,” Samuel taunts with a smirk that sets my teeth on edge, “if Cleo is truly destined to be your successor, let her show her skills. Let her prove her right to lead, not by birth – but by worth.”
My heart thunders in my chest, anger and fear mingling with a fierce desire to wipe that smug look off Samuel’s face. I can feel the weight of my father’s stare, the silent plea for me to agree. Yet something inside me refuses to cower or to show any hint of weakness when regarding Lydia. If it’s a spectacle they want, it’s a spectacle they’ll get. If my father is willing to toss me to them, he can deal with the aftermath and live with the guilt because I know Lydia won’t listen to any rules put out.
“Fine,” I spit out, my voice ringing clear in the sudden hush. “Let’s just get this over with,” I growl.
Whispers ripple through the gathered packs, the scent of excitement and anticipation rising like a storm. While Alpha Greyson from the Lakeview pack seems to edge closer restlessly, his interest is piqued by the promise of a showdown.
“Agreed,” my father finally says, his voice steely. “But we do this our way, monitored closely. It ends at submission, Samuel!”
Alpha Samuel nods, a predatory gleam in his eye as if already savoring victory.
“Prepare the ring,” Samuel commands, and the space before us clears as wolves step back, forming a crude circle in the dirt.
Lydia strides forward with an arrogance that makes my blood boil, her confidence bolstered by Samuel’s conniving. She stares at me with distaste, as if I’m merely an obstacle on her path to power.
“Ready to lose, Cleo?” she sneers, relishing the moment.
I pay her no attention, trying to will myself to step into that ring knowing she’ll shift and rip me to pieces.
The Alphas take their positions around the ring, their sharp eyes missing nothing as my father opens the mindlink.
“No shame in submitting, Cleo, just submit the moment she shifts. Samuel knows this is an unfair fight, and is just being a prick. I will deal with the fallout. I don’t want you hurt.”
I scoff.
“No, if you didn’t want that you wouldn’t have allowed it to get this far. I’m not submitting to this bitch. She’ll have to kill me first.”My father gives me a panic-stricken look and he hesitates at the edge of the makeshift ring created by bodies.
“Remember, non-lethal, first round is hand to hand, second round anything goes, just no lethal force,” Samuel reiterates, though his tone suggests he cares little for my well-being.
I step further into the circle, kicking my shoes off, the dirt cool beneath my feet as I face Lydia. She’s already shedding her jacket, her eyes locked onto mine with a sly smile on her face.
“Begin!” Samuel barks, and with that single word, Lydia lunges.
Our challenge is one of violence and cunning, a physical debate where each blow will land. Her moves are sharp and ruthless, however I counter with the precision of one who knows how to use my hands and I can see Lydia fears catching one of them.
“Submit, Lydia!” I pant, my knuckles connecting with her jaw with a satisfying crunch.
“Never!” she spits, wiping blood from her lip. “I’ll die before I bow to you!”
