FIFTY-ONE

Billie

"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?" I mumble to Ethan through the side of my mouth, my heart racing as my mind and body are still trying to come back online from being more or less hijacked by Little Fox. The rage she felt when Hogan tried to force his will upon Bruce's wolf was like throwing a lit match into a pile of gunpowder. Explosive. Little Fox puffs a haughty breath and rubs a protracted claw under her nose, and scoffs, Ain't see nuthin' yet.

"Their wolves will fight for the right of the pack," Ethan answers. Wolves? They're fighting in wolf form? An image of X-Wolf's ice-blue eyes, surrounded by all that black fur, flashes through my mind, and Little Fox licks her lips as a full-body tremble has her fur rippling from toes to tail.

"Winner is determined how?" I croak, her desire drying out my throat.

"Since neither hold the title of alpha for this pack, either death, disqualification, or submission," he answers.

"When?"

"Now."

"Super," I draw out sarcastically while my stomach revolts, my heart sinks, my mind spins, and—well, you get the idea. My whole world is pretty much getting thrown into a tailspin with enough force that I'm no longer orbiting the path I once was. Now I'm floating in the blackness of the universe, hoping, and praying that my center point, my sun, his gravitational pull, will tug me back in line, that he'll be there when this is all over.

That's all I can really ask Ethan before the pack house erupts into chaos. Some of the members are cheering, hooting, and hollering, looking forward to watching a match. But not everyone is having that reaction. The elders went still behind us when the gauntlet was thrown down, shedding their personal thoughts and emotions to bear the heavy weight of their position as elders. The same could be said for their mates, who focus on the task of supporting their mates' needs to be the title, not their person. Meanwhile, all the wolves that are around our age or younger are looking around with faces stretched in shocked confusion, as if this is something unheard of, a tale coming true.

A high-pitched whistle silences the crowd, and we all turn to the stage—to Xander.

"Silence," he commands, the word rippling through me and everyone in the building. All goes quiet. Instantly and eerily quiet. After a prolonged moment, one that holds the power of the silence he's ordered, he states, "Wolves, there's protocol that must be followed for this type of occurrence. In order to ensure that the outcome is valid, I would ask that we all follow that strict protocol. So, take your seats and wait for our luna, Bruce, our pack elders, and their mates to escort you in groups to The Circle, where you'll wait under supervision."

The Circle? Is that the wolf-shifter version of the ring? I hope that's what it is and not some archaic magical ceremonial wolf-shifter sacrificial space. I shut down those thoughts and look around at the wolves, all of whom have listened to him and are quietly sitting down. I'm kind of shocked seeing how easily they, even Brian and Coco, obey his orders, treating him as if he's already their alpha. But I guess he will be after this because though I hate the idea of my mate being alpha to a pack that stood by while he was beaten, a pack where many want me dead, the alternative is far worse.

So much for us coming together as a pack and determining whether this is right for us, like I thought would happen. Maybe with him stepping up, it won't be so bad? I chance a glance around. I don't have to look too hard to catch others' glowering, scowling, sneering faces of disgust, distrust, and hatred—like, straight-up naked hatred. Can't wait to hang out with all of them. We're gonna be besties for sure . My attempt at sarcasm does nothing to alter the reality facing me. Dread pulls heavy on my insides, followed by a sharp twisting pain of distrust like that of a drill. Closing my eyes, I draw in a large inhale and envision myself putting caulking into that hole that's being created and then plugging it up with a bathtub stopper.

I can't let myself focus on my fear of him becoming alpha or my frustration over the decision being made so quickly. I can't get pulled into that downward spiral. Not now. I need to focus on the upcoming match. I need to be in Xander's corner, and most importantly, I want him to win. I have no doubt he can win, though I have absolutely no idea what exactly is going to happen, even with Ethan being so verbose in his description and all. Not. But Xander needs to know I support him and his decision, because I can't have him questioning himself when he's in the ring—sorry, The Circle.

When I open my eyes, they alight on my mate stepping down from the stage on his way to us. His jaw is tight. His body is rigid. His eyes are hard—at least, they appear hard. When his gaze finds mine, I see the uneasiness twitching at the corners of his eyes and the regret weighing them down. There's no room for those emotions in The Circle because I refuse to think it's a sacrificial ceremonial space or the like. No skinning of a hide or fur or anything like in Narnia. A shiver tickles my spine, and I shake my body out willing away that image. Some scenes just stay with you, waiting to be brought up to make terrifying situations even more so.

Not waiting, not caring if it's against protocol, I break from Ethan and Jax and run to Xander. With my arms reaching out, I jump, and he catches me. I band myself tightly around him, hugging him with the fierceness of my love. He returns my affection a hundredfold, squeezing me with enough force I feel his ribs bend, as if his own body is willing to collapse in order to make room for mine.

With my mouth at his ear, I snarl a whisper, "Rip his fucking tail off, stuff it down his throat, and tell him to be a good little lap dog and swallow." Wow. That was kind of graphically violent. Maybe that came from Little Fox, because I've been working on personal growth for over eight years, there's no way I can still—nah, not gonna even try. That was 100 percent me. Hey, work in progress, remember?

His body quakes with his startled laughter, and he puffs out, "My wolf and I were thinking of just going for the jugular."

Sighing, I pull back so we're forehead to forehead and roll my eyes. "I guess that would work too." Brushing my lips against his, I murmur, "I love you. I believe in you. Finish the fight, and let's go home."

His eyes pierce into mine, and I hold his stare unflinchingly. "I love you too, mate," he vows, his voice thick with emotion. Then his eyes glow, and his lips tug up on one side. He growls, "And my wolf is eager to show Little Fox the alpha she mated."

Heat blisters across my chest, and Little Fox starts rapping, "Ice in my wrists, ice in my veins... make a motherfucker bleed. He was raised by the wolves ."

Jaxson

Is this really happening? Is this really happening? I mean, seriously, is this really happening? I ask only myself and Blondie.

The night is bright, with clear skies letting the full harvest moon and stars shine down on us. The cool mountain breeze brushes at my back, a steady and calm presence, as Elder Eleanor escorts us down the tree-lined path from the pack house to The Circle, which I've only ever seen used as additional training space for betas and alphas. Xander stalks just behind us with Bruce behind him, then Councilman Hogan behind him, and Luna Ophelia bringing up the rear. The pathway curves and meanders through thick conifer forests bracketed by lines of miniature lanterns on either side lighting the way. The energy of the night and the forest, it all seems too perfect, too dreamlike; it's as if they've known the importance of this night long before us. Having known through some mystical power that we'd be here, and have set the stage.

Everything happened so fast, and decisions were made so quickly, that I'm still trying to come to terms with what is about to take place. When Xander shared with us what he found inside Bruce, the distressing condition of his wolf and his mental state, I understood the reason for his rapid decision.

I have no idea of Councilman Hogan's wolf's strength or experience when it comes to alpha matches. But he's got to be more than just strong in order to be a councilman. I know Xander's wolf is extremely powerful and fierce and that Xander can fight. I also know both are well versed in being able to experience pain and continue to fight to live.

This is happening , Blondie answers (finally). He will win.

Okay, I could question him, but I like his answer and the confidence in his voice, so no need to wonder how he knows.

We reach the end of the path that opens up into a large hard-packed dirt clearing that is half surrounded by tall pines, while the other half abuts an outcrop of massive boulders and rock over fifty feet high. That's where most of the pack have been guided to sit and watch. Some have changed into their wolf forms; some choose to stay in human form. Elder Eleanor leads us to the right, and we walk about a quarter of the way around the circle that spans about thirty feet in diameter. Glimpsing behind me, I watch Bruce guide Councilman Hogan in the opposite direction to where my mother is waiting. Seeing her has my head whipping away, as if her presence is a slap across my face. Xander follows us while Luna Ophelia makes her way to the center of the circle.

Xander comes to stand directly in front of us just inside the small stone barrier that delineates the boundary of the circle. With his feet set wide and his arm folded over his chest, he faces the center where Luna Ophelia is surveying the pack with glowing eyes. Keeping her hands clasped loosely behind her, she rolls her jaw a few times, her eyes flitting between Xander and Councilman Hogan, somehow maintaining a neutral expression even though her son is about to fight for the pack by fighting for his life in wolf form.

"Wolves," Luna Ophelia greets, throwing her voice as if she has a microphone. "We gather here at The Circle for the first time in my life to honor a scared tradition. As we're all aware, our former alpha, William Bryson Knight, was sentenced to death for the abuse he inflicted on his wolves, for his use of his position to drain the life force of the shifters, the wolves, he had sworn to protect." She pauses a moment and turns around in a tight circle, taking in all the wolves here, her brows creasing, and her lips twisting. She lifts a shoulder and sighs. "I cannot deny the effects my late husband had on our wolves, both while in power and now in his absence, for I was one of his"—she purses her lips— "willing victims. Only toward the end did I truly grasp the damage he and his wolf were having on me and mine. Without his presence, I can finally see the destruction he created." She raises her arms out and spins around.

"As Alpha Hogan mentioned earlier, a pack without an alpha is not a pack, and I know he must see that here with us, and I wonder. . ." She cants her head to the side and appraises Councilman Hogan. "I wonder, how long does it take for a pack to feel the effects of an absentee alpha? To see what they couldn't when their alpha was present?" Oh, luna, you are good. She continues, "As much as Bruce, our elders, and I are trying to fill the void, your wolves know we're not alphas. And because of the appalling condition of our pack, thanks to our late alpha, not just any alpha will do. We need a strong alpha, one that our wolves can recognize, one that can provide the feelings of security and safety to pick up the pieces, to fill in the yawning holes, and set down the solid foundation we need. I implore you to listen to your wolves, not to the doctrine, false truths, and propaganda that were fed to you by an alpha whose desire to be more than he was led him away from the divine, away from his wolf, and down the path of manipulation and abuse." At that, several of the wolves let out howls of agreement and support. I lift my gaze across the way and catch the crack in Hogan's pompous mask. His eyes go wide, and his head whips around the circle, taking in all the wolves that are howling for a new alpha, howling for Xander.

Luna Ophelia raises her hand, and the wolves quiet down. "Now, the rules are simple. The alpha wolves will meet and fight within The Circle. The alphas can use their own powers, but there will be no drawing on power from others. There will be no shifting back into their human forms until the duel is complete. The duel will end when one of the wolves is either dead, thrown completely from The Circle, or since neither is the current alpha of our pack, submits by freely rolling onto their back and staying there until the duel is called."

She turns to Hogan, then to Xander. "Alpha Gerard Stuart Hogan and Alpha Alexander Xavier Knight, please step out of the circle and shift into your wolves. The match begins when both wolves enter." Luna Ophelia keeps her head high and turns to the large rock formation on the edge of the circle in the middle of where the two alphas are.

Billie starts fidgeting at my side. I look down to see she's stepped back and is taking off her boots and socks. Xander turns, steps to where she was, and cocks his head to the side before bending over and doing the same.

"What?" she huffs, ripping her sweater off and throwing it at my face. "Little Fox is all like you get to be in the corner when Jimmy fights, so she deserves to be in the corner when X-Wolf fights."

"She wants to be in our corner?" Xander darkly purrs, pulling his sweater off and placing it in Ethan's awaiting hand, who immediately starts folding it.

"Actually, she wants to be in there." Billie groans, bending over and pushing her jeans down. Xander is doing the same. "But the corner is the next best thing, and"—again I'm hit in the face with her clothes— "I'm pretty sure she wants to, um. . ." She unsnaps her bra, and I reach for that. Gimme. Gimme. "You know what, she and X-Wolf can discuss how she wishes to celebrate his win."

All six of our brows raise at that, and she takes the moment of shock to grab hold of the sides of Xander's face and smush her lips to his. "I love you." She swallows. "O'Sullivan smart. Den strong."

Xander holds her to him, his arm banding around her back. He repeats, "O'Sullivan smart. Den strong." Then he nips her lips and lets go. Her panties are at her ankles when she shifts into Little Fox. Xander immediately follows, leaving Ethan and me standing on the sidelines holding their clothes, Little Fox sitting on her hind legs between us.

Ethan looks over at me and says, "We'll stay in human form, since—"

"—we're badass betas who crave fighting and battle, especially when in wolf form," I finish. He nods, then sets Xander's folded clothes down before grabbing Billie's from my hands and begins folding them as well.

Little Fox purrs while weaving between his legs, rubbing them in appreciation. My lips pull down in a frown. I wasn't aware folding her clothes would have gifted me with snuggles. Neither was I, Blondie pouts.