Chapter 9

M utters and whispers fill the air around me, and I hear mentions of ‘not allowed' and ‘guest.' Dread fills my stomach. I may not know much about how packs work, but even I know that formal challenges can't be turned down. If I forfeit, then I'm subjected to the same punishment as losing a challenge—death. That is not an option for me. I've overcome too much to get to this point only to have to give it up all because I have damaged some idiot's pride.

Seb pulls me from my thoughts as he pushes through the crowd and tries to stand in front of me.

"Marcus, you can't challenge her. She's a guest of the pack," he states, and I can hear the fury in his voice, which is very out of character from the usual fun-loving Seb that I've come to know.

Turns out that dickhead, or Marcus as he is apparently called, doesn't like being told what he can and can't do. Snarling, he leaps forward, slashing at Seb with his semi-turned hand, slicing his razor-sharp claws across his chest. I hear someone cry out—I think it's Gloria, but in my rage-filled mind I'm not sure, since my focus is entirely on Marcus.

Stepping in front of a crouched Seb, I move into a protective stance in case Marcus dares to attack him again. I have hurt many in the past, more than I care to think about, and I promised myself that I would never hurt anyone again when I left my old pack. I'm trying to make a better life for myself, to atone for the actions of my past, which is why I took a vow to do no harm when I trained to be a nurse and help people for a living. But right now, all I can think about is the fact that this bastard has hurt someone I care for. A little part of my mind is wondering how these people have wormed their way into my heart so quickly, so easily, but I push that aside, needing to concentrate on the dickhead before me.

My wolf rushes to the surface, and I feel her walking under my skin. We're in complete agreement for once, wanting to protect Seb and make the bastard that hurt him pay. Mutters fill the room again as our power fills it, pushing against each other. Some of the weaker shifters are forced to their knees, a few even bursting into their wolf form, and they crouch against the floor in submission against our warring energies. The power is so thick in the room, you could choke on it.

"I accept," I announce in a voice that I hardly recognise as my own as I take a step towards him.

"Ari, no. Don't do this!" I hear Seb's pain-laced plea.

I glance over my shoulder at him, not trusting Marcus enough to turn my back on him. Seb is leaning against one of the chairs, Gloria and a couple of other shifters with him. I can see that the wound isn't too deep, since it has stopped bleeding already. He should heal quickly, although, since it's been caused by another shifter, it will probably scar. My nursing side is satisfied that he'll be okay while I deal with this threat. I smile in what I hope is a reassuring way, but I'm pretty sure it appears as a grimace before I turn back to the problem at hand.

I'm still not fully healed from the attack last night, and here I am about to engage in a challenge to the death with a fully-grown male shifter. I must be out of my fucking mind.

I hear a commotion, and when I look over to where the sound is coming from, I see Alpha Mortlock moving through the crowd. Looking furious, he storms towards Marcus, grabbing him by the shoulders as if he's going to shake some sense into him.

"How dare you issue a challenge to a guest? You know the rules. Rescind your challenge immediately," he orders, the full power of the alpha evident in his command.

Man, I wouldn't want to be Marcus right now. I can see his face contort in pain as he fights against the order, his muscles trembling. He may be strong, but he's not alpha strong. A sliver of hope flares to life as I think there may be a way out of this. I'm not scared, but I'm practical, and entering into a fight you're not sure you can win is foolish. Wolf-Ari does not agree, and I know she wants to rip Marcus to shreds. But thankfully for me, right now I'm in charge of this shit show.

However, that sliver of hope is shot down by Marcus' next comment.

"Too late, Alpha. She already accepted," he grinds out, a grin of sick satisfaction across his smarmy face.

Alpha Mortlock turns to me, his face grim. "Is this true?" he asks, his voice resigned.

I nod. Some of the wolves who have gathered around Marcus are shouting out that now that I have accepted the challenge, the alpha has to honour it. I guess Marcus has his own cheerleaders. I nearly smirk at the image of the large, buff shifters in little cheerleading costumes. Come on, brain, not the right time. Focus.

Alpha Mortlock sighs and nods towards Marcus. He turns to address the crowd.

"Marcus of Moon River Pack has challenged Ariana, lone wolf and guest of Moon River Pack. As the challenge has been accepted, I have no choice but to allow this to proceed. But I do not condone this and there will be consequences," he says sternly to the watching shifters, a wave of his alpha power backing up his words.

The crowd erupts into shouts, many, I am pleased to hear, who are protesting the challenge.

"Enough! I have made my decision," he hollers before walking to me. Pulling me aside, he lowers his voice. "Do you know the rules? You know what you're getting into?"

I nod. Anyone in the pack can issue a formal challenge. Usually, it's used when a shifter wishes to change their station, because they want a higher role within the pack. Shifters can also issue challenges to someone they believe has wronged them, however, as a fight to the death, it's not something that happens often. You wouldn't challenge someone for crushing your roses, for example. Apparently, it's against the rules to challenge a guest, but once the challenge has been accepted, it cannot be overturned, not even by the alpha—who knew? No weapons are allowed other than claws or fangs. Most fights begin in wolf form, but some prefer to start in human form.

"Prepare yourself," he says loudly to everyone, but I feel like he's directing this comment at me.

The crowd steps back, creating a loose circle around us, with me at one end and Marcus at the other. A group of people has formed at his end. I assume they're his supporters, given the sneers and growls they're throwing my way.

I hear a commotion behind me and turn to find I have a large group of people who have come to support me or offer me words of guidance, some of whom I have never spoken to before. A small part of my heart hurts at this show of community, that people who I don't even know are willing to support me through this. I do notice Alex hasn't returned to the room, and a part of me is disappointed. Gloria pushes through and places a hand against my cheek.

"You show that nasty brute," she remarks, which brings a smile to my face.

I take a step forward into the makeshift ring and start shrugging off my top, indicating that I will start in wolf form. I don't trust myself to shift quickly enough if I need to later on in the fight. Alpha Mortlock barks out for everyone to turn while I shift. As one, the whole room turns, all except Marcus, who smirks at me, crossing his arms and daring me with his eyes to strip in front of him.

Fuck him. Standing tall, I remove the rest of my clothes, meeting Marcus' eyes as I do it. I will not let him make me feel ashamed or cowed into covering myself. I am not his victim. I am no one's victim. Once I finish undressing, I crouch and call my wolf to the surface. She rushes out all at once, ready for justice.

The shift takes longer than I would like, unpractised as I am since I'm still avoiding shifting unless absolutely necessary. Once I'm in wolf form, I get to all fours and snarl at Marcus, who smirks and bursts into wolf form within twenty seconds, not even bothering to take his clothes off. Show off. The crowd turns back around, and I feel the anticipation, which is thick in the air as they watch the two of us. However, I feel more nervous tension in the room than I was expecting, and I almost wonder if they are worried about my well-being.

I can hear Seb's voice as he demands to be let closer. I'm distracted, and I turn to look at him, my desire to check he is okay overwhelming my need for revenge. Marcus uses this moment of distraction to charge at me.

Fuck, he's big!

Thankfully, this should make him slower, and I dart out of the way, snarling at him as he flies past me. I lower myself into a defensive position as he circles me. He goes to attack my right, so I instinctively move to the left, unfortunately realising too late that he's tricked me, and I dive into his jaws. With a sickening crunch, his teeth sink into my already injured shoulder. I howl in pain as he shakes his head, his fangs ripping into the newly healed muscles and tendons. With a final shake he lets go of my shoulder, sending me flying into a table. Pain flares through my back at the impact, although compared to the agony of my shoulder, it's nothing.

I haul myself to my feet, limping as I try to avoid putting any extra weight on my injured shoulder. Distracted by the pain, I don't see Marcus until it's too late, and he bites down on my hind leg in the exact place where I had been injured the day before. I snarl as his plan becomes clear. The bastard is deliberately aiming for places he knows are going to cause me the most pain. He's playing with me, trying to maim me and cause as much agony as he can before he makes the killing blow. I turn, my leg slicing more in his jaws as I swipe at his belly with my claws. I also manage to bite down on his flank in the process, causing him to let go of me and retreat to the other side of the ring.

I try to back up and feel my legs give way. I shouldn't be fighting this soon after being injured. Besides, I'm not exactly the best at fighting in my wolf form. My wolf whines in pain, and I hear a scuffle behind me as Seb demands that this be called off. I hear shouts of agreement and calls of this being ‘inhumane.' Surprise shoots through me. This pack acts very differently from what I expected. Alpha Mortlock looks on, but he is unable to intervene now. He has to stay impartial, although I can tell he wants to wade in and stop this.

"Get up," someone commands.

I turn my head, my ears flat against my skull, my lips pulled back over my teeth in a snarl. If I wasn't in so much pain, I would be surprised that Killian is crouched next to me. He is sneering at me, looking at me like I deserve the treatment I'm receiving, but I see something like fear in his eyes. I must be delirious with pain. I growl at him, telling him to back off.

"Useless," he spits at me, causing anger to swell inside me. Can't he just leave me alone?

"Do you want to die? No? Then get. The. Fuck. Up," he commands, his alpha power flowing through me, giving me strength. I'm so tired, but he's right. That pisses me off. I am not going to die here today, especially not at the jaws of a scumbag like Marcus.

Pushing up on trembling legs, I turn to face Marcus. It was foolish letting my guard down. He could have attacked me. Luckily, he's struggling as well, but I'm losing energy fast and I need to end this quickly.

"Use your brains. You couldn't have survived this long as a Shadowborn without them," Killian chides.

I don't understand why he's helping me. I'm pretty sure he can't stand the sight of me. But the anger that fills me at his comments pushes away the fog of pain that is making it difficult to think. Perhaps that was his plan after all? I don't have time to think about it, though, as Marcus prowls towards me again. I start to analyse the wolf in front of me and play over the last few attacks. I need to look for his weaknesses.

"Show him what happens when you fuck with a Shadowborn," Killian whispers, and my wolf agrees with him.

I go into a defensive stance, favouring my uninjured leg. Marcus picks up his pace, running towards me with his jaws wide. I stay still. Just as he is about to attack me, I see it—he's left his neck undefended.

I pounce with a growl and lock my teeth onto his neck. Twisting, I pull him down, and with my fangs in his jugular, he has no choice but to follow me. I twist again so I'm on top. I have the upper hand. All I need to do now is squeeze, but I hesitate as a memory surfaces.

His eyes widen as my jaws tighten against his neck. So young. He doesn't deserve to lose his life.

"Ari. Do it. Now." A crack of a whip in the background makes me flinch, his voice echoing in my ears. I bite down, quickly and without mercy. I feel his neck break under my fangs and watch as the light leaves his terrified eyes. They stare at me, and his last word echo in my ears. "Why?" And I know this day will haunt me.

I hear him step closer, his shoes clicking against the floor, and I flinch as his hand falls on my shoulder .

"Well done, little wolf."

I shudder as the memory overcomes me. I hear my name being shouted and yells to end it. I glance down and see fear in Marcus' eyes. He closes them as he prepares to lose his life.

No.

My wolf fights against me, but in this I am absolute. I will not take another life. Closing my eyes, I summon my human body. Crouched and naked, I place my human hand onto Marcus' bleeding neck. I squeeze enough that he opens his eyes. They widen in shock. Before he can get any ideas, I call my shadow form, not to change fully, not enough for anyone else to see, but enough to scare the shit out of Marcus.

"Do you concede?" I ask, my voice more wolf than human. I shift only my hand so it sinks slowly into his neck, then I reform it enough so he can feel the pressure there.

He nods, eyes wide.

"Stay down," I command, putting my full alpha power into my voice.

He whines. I stand as well as I can on my injured leg, not ashamed of my nakedness.

"I will not kill him," I say to Alpha Mortlock, but also loud enough that the rest of the pack can hear me.

The alpha nods at me, announcing my victory. All of a sudden, it's over, and I'm surrounded by people congratulating me, checking my wounds, and admiring my decision. All of this passes in a blur as my mind is elsewhere and my body goes through the motions. I look through the crowd, searching for someone who wasn't there. It's not until I can't see him that I realise I am disappointed that Alex isn't here to congratulate me. It isn't until I'm escorted from the hall that I realise Killian is no longer in the room either.