Chapter 31

As much as Ruby wanted to sleep that night, no matter how hard she tried, sleep would not come. She found a small staircase inside of her and Ryker’s room that led to the roof. After staring into the stars and watching the moon glistening in the sky, she wondered how exactly everything would go.

How badly everything could go…

Tyson had proved time and time again that he did not fight fair. Instead of facing Ruby, he sent two wolves after her to do his bidding. Instead of fighting Ryker one-on-one, he had others join in on the fight. Even worse, he had to tranquilize every wolf that opposed him to even win.

If he could do all of that, what else could he do?

After spending a year around Tyson, she thought she knew where his depravity would end. Sleeping around with the pack, implementing harsh rules and laws on his pack and the sanction, using her for her body and then rejecting her… and then trying to kill her. Oh, and let’s not forget… cheating on his mate, whenhe knew we were mates, and then lying to the entire Sanction about everything. She never witnessed under the surface what he was capable of until now. Ruby knew of the “dungeons”, but also knew they were never used. To know that he put someone in a cell and then beat them until they were unconscious, and kept that person broken and bloodied until he could face him in a fight to the death…that was a whole new level.

Ruby stared at the moon, entranced by how it sparkled in the sky like another star. She noticed a small twinkle, and it made her wonder if the Goddess was watching her at that moment, maybe even trying to tell her something.

Moon Goddess, please… help me and Ryker make the best decisions that we can tomorrow so we return safely to our pack.

Behind her, she heard the sound of the door leading to the roof opening and then footsteps. Ruby continued to stare at the moon as her mate walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She felt him move her hair aside and then his warm lips pressed against her neck over her mark.

“You woke me up with all the worrying you are doing.”

“Sorry. Tyson has already shown that he doesn’t fight fair. Did you really think I wouldn’t worry about it?”

“You haven’t seemed like the worrying type.”

Ruby tilted her head back to look at him, “what kind of type do I seem like then?”

“The kind to punch a guy first and ask questions later.”

Ruby threw her ass backwards and Ryker had to take a few steps back. “I have never punched anyone and then tried to ask questions! If I punched someone, it was for a reason.”

Ryker laughed until Ruby glared at him. “Fine. You are a firecracker of a woman who doesn’t take shit from anyone, including the previous Alpha to the Sanction. You’ve never hesitated to speak your mind when it counts. You even seem to have the patience to wait for someone to incriminate themselves enough for your verbal punches to be justifiable.”

Ruby blinked several times at Ryker. Her mate was many things, but she never thought he would be that observant.

Ryker continued, “it’s why, even though I tried to fight this bond, I couldn’t. You are an Alpha to your core, just like me. And to end my observations, I also know you’ll do just about anything to keep the people you love safe. Even if it means storming a castle to protect the Big Bad Wolf. Which I found incredibly sexy, by the way.”

That one caused her to crack a smile. “You would find it attractive that I did that.”

“Of course. A badass woman who doesn’t need me, but wants me? Even though my wolf and I are an Alpha, and we want to protect everything that is ours, we are downright proud to have someone that we don’t have to worry about all the damn time. Hell, you saved our ass twice within twenty-four hours.”

“You aren’t making me feel better that you can handle yourself tomorrow.”

“Don’t you worry about that. Tyson plans to fight me in front of the entire pack. He will have to fight fair, otherwise the rest of the pack won’t accept him as an Alpha.”

“Good to know.” She told him as she looked back up at the moon.

“Come to bed, Red. I can make you forget all of this so you can go to sleep.”

Ruby made a face, but he couldn’t see it. “Oh yeah? How do you plan to do that?”

Ryker sucked on the skin over her mark making her involuntarily moan while giving him better access. “I have some ideas.”

Mmmm. “Show me.”

Next thing Ruby knew, she was lifted off her feet, thrown over his bulky shoulder, walked through the door that led back to the bedroom, and then thrown on the bed.

I could get used to being taken care of.

* * *

Ryker didhis best to keep Ruby calm as they walked onto the sand in front of the West Coast pack house. He pushed his own confidence and sense of calm through their mate bond to keep her steady. Deacon and the five other top wolves that recently joined the pack stood alongside him when the West Coast pack formed a circle on the beach.

It was weird to see Tyson standing before them in a very calm manner considering, just yesterday, a decent chunk of his pack was asleep, and the prisoner that escaped was now standing before him. If anything, Tyson should have seemed irate that Ryker was here. Instead, he was beaming with happiness and holding his arms out like he was putting on a show.

“Welcome back, Ryker! Have you come here to challenge me for my title?”

“That was the plan, right? Or did I falter that a little by escaping from your so-called dungeon and healing from the beating you gave me while my hands were tied behind my back.”

A collective gasp told Ruby all she needed to know. The pack had no idea how far Tyson would go to make it seem like he was just an average guy who wants the title of Alpha. Tyson’s façade dropped, and the true him shined for the first time in front of everyone.

“You have proven once again that you don’t deserve to be King of the Western Sanction. Taking a whore as your Queen. What would the people of our nation think knowing that you have someone who will spread her legs for anyone to get to the top as the She-Alpha of this Sanction?”

Ruby could not stop herself. She was tired of this asshole trying to paint her as someone she was not. The words flew out of her mouth before she could even think twice about it.

“Hilarious that you choose to say that Tyson, when you decided to name a bigger whore as the She-Alpha of the Sanction after you decided to fuck me, reject me, and then try to have me killed.” Ruby noticed several people looking at one another as she outed their Alpha of what really happened. “Oh yes. Tyson here, after making me think he would mark me when we felt the Mate Bond form inside of a cave not far from here, decided that I was some whore that did not deserve to be his. I’m not sure why he seems to think I am someone who will spread her legs for power, when I’m actually a naturally born Alpha. Mackenzie, the she-wolf he did mark, was sleeping with not only Tyson, but with Ryker as well to try to become She-Alpha of this pack and sanction. I at least knew who I was and that I did not need to sleep my way to the top.”

“That’s rich considering you are now with Ryker, and you two decided to form a new pack inside of my sanction without permission. Seems to me that you slept your way into the She-Alpha position,” Tyson retorted.

Ruby let out a laugh while Ryker growled beside her. She reached out to him and Rainer through their bond and did her best to calm them. She wanted Tyson to get angry, that way he would become sloppy within their fight once Ryker challenged him. “That would be true, if it wasn’t for the fact that the Moon Goddess decided that she made a mistake naming you my mate and gave me another shot at this. Ryker Simmons is my Second Chance True Mate, and let me tell you… He is a better man than you in more ways than one.”

Tyson spat at Ruby, and his face became red with rage. “How dare you even speak the Goddess’s name! She should spite you where you stand with lies you speak in her name you filthy whore! You are a pitiful excuse for a mate and a She-Alpha and do not deserve both titles!”

That’s it! Fuck this guy!

“I, Ruby Simmons, She-Alpha of the Wolf’s Den Pack, challenge Tyson Barons for the title of Alpha of the West Coast pack and Western Sanction!”

Another collective gasp from everyone around her. Well, everyone but Ryker. Instead, her mate was staring at her with a smile on his face, which was not something she expected him to do.

You said Ruby Simmons, he told her through mindlink.

Nice observation, Alpha, but not the time.

“You think I would accept this challenge? Why would I allow a she-wolf to challenge me for the title? That is against Pack Law.”

“Wrong, Tyson. It is not,” Davis’s voice boomed through the crowd.

Ruby’s heart rate picked up at the sound of her father’s voice. The pack parted, and her father, mother, brother, and a few other Red Cove pack members walked to the front of the crowd. Ruby could not help but to smile at seeing her family completely unharmed. She did not want to admit it, but last night under the moon, she thought there may have been a chance that Tyson would hurt her family, and she would not know about it until after this fight.

“Pack Law has changed over the years and now allows she-wolves to also make Position Challenges. You would know that if you went to council meetings like you are supposed to as an Alpha of the Sanction.”

“I still won’t allow it,” Tyson spat.

“What’s the matter, Tyson? Afraid a girl is going to kick your ass?”

Tyson snarled at Ruby and then looked over at Ryker. The cruel smile that caused the hairs on the back of Ruby’s neck to stand at attention grew on Tyson’s face. “I guess it will be fitting if I accept this challenge.”

Ryker’s expression appeared bored, and Ruby had no idea how he was keeping his cool at the moment. “Why is that?”

“You killed my mate. Now I get to kill yours.”

Ryker flashed Tyson a smile, and it only seemed to piss Tyson off more. “I only wish I had a video camera so I could replay how badly she will wipe the floor with you every time I need a laugh.”

Tyson snarled and took a step forward. Davis cut him off, “with an open Position Challenge, the Challenged can not engage with another until it is accepted or declined.”

Ruby crossed her arms over her chest and waited for Tyson’s answer. Knowing that she had Ryker’s approval made it easier to stand there and look bored herself. His support meant the world to her, and made her even more confident that she was actually capable of winning.

“I accept.”

Ryker lightly put his hand on her face and guided her to look at him. His eyes beamed with pride before giving her a scorching kiss. She could feel the kiss throughout her body and involuntarily curled her toes as she scrunched his shirt in her fists.

“You aren’t angry that I challenged him instead of you?” she whispered.

“Hell no. If anything, it turned me on a little.” Ruby rolled her eyes at him, and he grabbed her face within both of his hands. “Make him regret everything, Red.”

A kiss on the forehead somehow calmed the nerves that were bubbling to the surface. Ryker walked off to the side with the rest of her pack and next to her family, who had walked over to their side of the beach. Ruby could tell it irritated the shit out of Tyson that they did this since it meant, according to Pack Law, that her family was aligned with Wolf’s Den and not West Coast anymore.

Scarlett pushed herself to be just under Ruby’s skin, completely ready to shift the instant that Ruby needed her.

You ready for this? she asked Scarlett, stepping a few paces forward as Tyson did the same.

Let’s show this asshole why it was a mistake to reject us.

Ruby replayed every memory since the moment she found out that Tyson was her Fated Mate. It fueled her hatred for him and gave her the courage that she needed to begin this match. Tyson cracked his neck on both sides and seemed to be trying to play it off like he was getting himself into some sort of martial arts position. Ruby wanted nothing to do with his intimidation tactics and decided to show Tyson why he should have never underestimated her.

Ruby rushed at Tyson while using her Shifter speed, leapt in the air, and threw the hardest Superman swing she possibly could. The moment that her fist connected with the side of Tyson’s face, and hearing the crack of her bones colliding with his, brought a sense of joy she never knew she could feel. Tyson staggered from the blow but recovered quickly. He turned as fast as he could and swung at Ruby. With a step in the same direction as the swing, Ruby was able to evade the punch and move in to make a move herself. Tyson anticipated it and stepped back to evade her throw.

The two of them completed a dance on top of the sand as they tried to land their punches on one another. Both of them were able to move with the speed that was needed to evade or block each punch that they threw. Ruby knew that she would not win if she continued with this tactic, so she changed it up. Ruby threw a right hook as a distraction, spun her body, switched to her other foot, and used the momentum to swing her other leg in a roundhouse kick. The side of her foot connected to the same spot her Superman punch landed and sent Tyson to the ground. Before Ruby could jump on top of him, Tyson popped back up and swung his fist so fast that Ruby did not see it coming.

Ruby went down onto the sand and was not fast enough. Tyson got on top of her and began to rain down blow after blow to her head. She was able to move her head quickly a few times to evade them, but the other few connected. Tyson grew cocky and started to laugh as Ruby spit out blood that had pooled in her mouth. As his attention was on the crowd as he spat out how this was why she-wolves should not do Position Challenges, Ruby lifted her legs, wrapped them around Tyson’s chest, and twisted herself sideways. Tyson crashed into the sand and wiggled himself to get free of her hold. Ruby managed to connect a punch with his nose, and she heard a crunch and then blood spurted onto the ground. Tyson squirmed again, and at first it did not work, but then Tyson elbowed her side and made her lose the grip she had on him. After they rolled away from each other and got onto their feet, Ruby already felt the ripple of Alpha Aura pulse out of him.

Aw hell.

Ruby knew what this meant. Tyson was going to shift. Scarlett could feel it too but was not able to shift fast enough. Tyson’s wolf tackled Ruby to the ground and had his jaw around her neck before she knew it. Scarlett’s shift was now complete, and the wolf lost his grip on her neck. Scarlett kicked out from underneath the wolf and managed to get a claw into his underbelly. She could feel blood drip onto her as Tyson’s wolf let out a howl of pain. He moved off her, and Scarlett got to her feet. Both wolves were already panting as they squared each other up.

How are we going to win?

I have a plan. Are you with me?

Scarlett quickly told Ruby the plan, and Ruby was nervous that it would not work. Before she could argue, Tyson’s wolf rushed at them. Tyson’s wolf leapt from the sand at them, Scarlett bent herself backwards and allowed her body to move with the momentum. When the wolf was on top of them, Scarlett continued to allow the momentum to keep going and twisted her body with Tyson’s wolf’s paws on either side of them and onto the ground. The final result was the wolf below them and Scarlett’s jaw around his neck. She bit down hard to break skin and lock him into place. The Alpha Aura rippled again, and Scarlett threw her head to the side as Tyson’s form returned to a human, where Scarlett’s teeth managed to tear out a chunk of Tyson’s neck and rip open his jugular vein.

How about that…my plan worked.

Tyson’s hand went to his throat to apply pressure, but it was already too late. With how fast his heart was beating, he was losing blood too fast. No matter how high someone was on the hierarchy, no one would be able to heal from the jugular being cut open fast enough to survive.

Scarlett watched as Tyson’s blood pooled underneath his body and the light inside his eyes faded. Part of her panged with loss as the rejected bond between them completely disappeared as if it never existed. There was no more hatred for the man that now lay dead at her wolf’s feet.

Ruby pushed for the shift and was once again on her feet. Before she knew it, she had Ryker’s large shirt over her head and his arms wrapped around her. He planted his lips on hers and kissed her with a fierceness that made her wish that she did not have Tyson’s blood in her mouth and no one else was on the beach.

After Ryker was finished praising Ruby for her success, he raised her arm high and turned to the packs to announce her victory. “I now present to you, Alpha Ruby Simmons!”

The beach erupted in cheer, and some began to chant her name.

Holy shit… I am now the Alpha of Western Sanction.