Chapter 26
Well, the morning was a success. The negotiations with Alex and Amanada went as expected. Amanda was not a willing participant but Alex stood strong that no more blood would be shed. The negotiations had taken just over two hours. I was going to rest before my lunch date arrived at noon. I drifted into a deep sleep. I was woken by tingles of my skin when someone took my hand. The scent let me know it was Vincent. I smiled and turned my body towards him, opening my eyes. Vincent was looking down at his feet. He looked tired. "Hey there handsome." I said with a smile. His head shot up.
"You're awake," he said, smiling. "I was wondering if I should wake you up for lunch or let you sleep."
"I am glad you are here."
"Really?" He frowned. "You wouldn't like to have lunch with Eric as well?" I forgot I had canceled breakfast with him. I thought Eric would have told him the reason. I guess Eric can be trusted even more than I already knew.
"Mopey. I was not having breakfast with Eric. I had to talk with my cousin and his Luna."
"Alex is your cousin, and you were having lunch with him?" he responded, raising the dark eyebrow in my direction.
"Yes Mr. Jealous, I do not want you to fight Dane..." I started.
"I will end him. He will not have you as a mate or lay a hand on you again!" Vincent growled while standing up and pacing the floor. Marcus must have pushed through. "To think of all the things, he has done and would do to you." I shivered at the thought but put my hand up to stop Vincent from going on.
"Come here." I patted the spot next to me. He came close and held me. It felt good in his embrace like my body was healing from the heat of our bond. "I did not ask them here for Dane's sake but the packs. If it were up to me, you could end him. I meant it when I rejected him and although the moon goddess said we could make a good match, she also said it is my choice. I do not choose him."
"You get to choose?" Vincent corrected. "So, you choose me?" He smiled.
"Not exactly. I can also not choose or have a chosen mate that, once mated, will become a true mate." I said, knowing it would hurt him. "I think she gave Dane another shot at the mate because a true mate can help bring Sasha back. Sasha is one of her true daughters from her direct bloodline"
"I am sorry we are off topic. I do not want you to kill him if there is an opportunity. Show him mercy and let him decide that way no war will begin. Alpha Alex has already agreed to it." I looked at his shocked reaction.
"I think you are good at this Luna thing," he smiled. "Negotiating pack matters for the best results for everyone."Content © NôvelDrama.Org.
"I guess I am learning. Your mother has been a good teacher and I guess I have Alpha blood flowing through my veins as well." Vincent looked at me sideways. I had forgotten with all that had happened to inform him of all the details that had been revealed during my hostage situation at the Dark Moon Pack.
"Another time. I need to eat! What did you bring?" I looked over at the lunch he had brought. Burgers, fries, and shakes. "Did Katie tell you this was my favorite?"
"Actually Mrs. Loveta. She seemed to want to apologize for how she didn't step up in the past." He spoke.
"Well, after this evening I will have to go speak with her. I hold no ill will towards her."
"I don't know how you do that. Show caring when people have hurt or allowed you to be hurt for so long."
"I guess I look at it differently. When you know pain, you never want anyone to go through that. Whether it be physical or emotional."
"I love you more each day, Filli," he said, and I smiled while I took a big bite of my cheeseburger. I couldn't bring myself to say it yet but my heart did pull in that direction.
We finished eating and I asked if he would stay with me until the challenge was to begin. He agreed and crawled into bed to lay next to me. I drifted off into the best sleep wrapped in his arms.
I was awoken by Vincent giving me a light kiss on the forehead. "Filli, it is time for me to prepare," he said. I closed my eyes, not wanting this time to come.
"Remember your promise of mercy if possible." I looked at him. "Vincent, come back to me. Be as safe as you can be."
He smiled at me and said, "Eric will be here in 20 minutes to escort you to the arena. You will sit with your cousin and Eric will watch over you. If anything is to happen to me, Eric is supposed to take you away."
"Nothing will happen to you, it can't." It wasn't until he said that that is occurred to me, he could lose. Get injured, yes, but losing was not a thought. I pulled him close and kissed him. "I think I'm falling for you. Now you must come back to me."
He wrapped me in a big hug and kissed my lips so hard I could feel our teeth almost hit. When he broke the kiss, he disappeared through the door. I had 15 minutes to get ready before Eric showed up. There were some clothes placed in the hospital closet. I quickly showered, braided my hair, and changed. Just as I was pulling the sundress over me, Eric came in with Katie.
"Filli, you look lovely. How do you feel?" Eric asked as Katie came over to give me a hug.
"I am worried about today, but I feel some of my power is back." I told Eric.
"What about your wolf?" He questioned.
"Nothing yet. That takes some time." I said sorrowfully.
"OK, so plan B will be if this goes bad." I looked at Eric quizzically. "Alpha Vincent wanted to make sure you and Katie would not remain here if he loses he had three backup plans in place if it looks like he will not win." "He has to win" Katie said. "Momma loves him."
Both Eric and I looked at Katie. I guess she maybe right.
"And with that it is time to go. We will be sitting with Alpha Alex," Eric said. I nodded.
We left, walking across the Dark Moon Pack to the arena. Many of the other pack members were going to be attending as well. A challenge of this magnitude does not happen very often.
Once we got there, I nodded towards Alpha Alex and Luna Amanda. You could see the tears in her eyes. I saw Dane on one side of the arena preparing to shift. Vincent was on the other side with John, his Beta. He looked over at me and bowed. I closed my eyes, stood up and bowed as well in a sign of respect.
You could hear the crowd whispering. About how I could turn from my mate. Others were saying I used magic to trick the Alpha into loving me. Little did they know the truth.
Too soon Alex stood to speak.
"Today we are here to witness a challenge from Beta of Dark Moon Dane and Alpha of Violet Moon Vincent. This challenge will not only be for pack leadership, but to keep their mate. As you may already know, Dane was mated to my cousin Fillian. He rejected her and she accepted. The goddess provided a second chance mate of Alpha Vincent. For some reason, the goddess has allowed both bonds to remain intact. This fight will decide who is the true mate. Beta Dane or Alpha Vincent."
More whispering went through the crowd. I am not sure what surprised them most, that I was the Alpha's cousin or that I had two mates. I also heard the pack talk about how I was treated for being the niece of the previous Alpha. I guess more people didn't agree with him than I thought.
"The rules are easy. Both challengers will shift into wolf form. You fight until one surrenders or until one is killed." Alex said. "To surrender you will shift back into human form and issue a surrender statement."
Both men shifted into their wolves and the fight began. Vincent was larger than Dane, but Dane drew first blood. Dane's wolf bit into Vincent's leg. I could feel the pain in my own leg. Alex, who sat by my side, reached for my hand. He must be feeling Amanda's worry as well.
Vincent had quickly removed Dane by the neck, leaving a bloody gash. Katie was crying next to me. I looked at Eric. "Please take her out." I begged. He nodded and took her for a walk. When Eric had left, John came to my side. He whispered "I am plan C." I smiled at him "No offense, but I hope I don't need you." He looked at me and then back at the fighting.
It was hard to watch the fur and growling clashing of bodies and gnarling of teeth. The 5 minutes that had past felt like hours. With every new injury to Vincent, I could feel the pain. Alex was busy consoling Amanda, who was breaking down.
Dane now had a gash in his side from a claw of Vincent's. Vincent had his leg injured and a small cut above his eye. Dane made another lunge for Vincent and was knocked down to the ground, tearing the gash in his side even bigger. I could hear Amanda call out "Dane!" Dane looked at his sister. I could tell he was linking her. I was ready for his surrender. Vincent had slowed his attack to allow the surrender, as we agreed.
As soon as she came out of the link she cried "No. Pack kills the Alpha who would harm your Beta."
I looked at Alex. I had been betrayed, but he too had a look of fear on his face. Three other wolves moved towards Vincent, giving Dane the chance to bite his side. I felt the burning in my side and John shifted next to me. I could see all control of Vincent leave as Marcus took over. Marcus quickly knocked Dane off and tore his head off. Leaving Amanda wailing.
The three wolves still attacked Marcus was a skilled killer. John's wolf nudged me. He wanted me to get on to escape before full war broke out. I could not let this happen. Marcus was making quick work of the three attackers. Soon, others were shifting both the Dark moon and the Violet moon pack members.
I looked at Alex. "You are the Alpha, make them stop, or so help me, I will burn this place to the ground, scorching the earth." I brought blue flames to my hands.
Alex's eyes glazed over and soon a few were departing to their homes. "Fillian, I am sorry. They won't listen."
I looked at Vincent. He was overwhelmed. I could feel his pain. Suddenly, I could feel the wind pick up and I started to float. Not sure how long I could hold this, but knowing I must try. "STOP" I screamed. Everyone looked at me. "SHIFT BACK." Slowly the entirety of the Dark Moon pack had shifted back.
With their shifting so did Violet Moon. "There had been enough blood spilled. No more. Dark Moon and Violet Moon had an agreement. We allowed Dane to surrender but he refused. Your lives now are not worth his. As once the child of the ordained Alpha of this pack, I command you to return to your homes in peace. Mourn your loved ones the proper way, not with the blood of others. There may be another war, but it will not be today."
The Dark Moon Pack bowed in recognition of a new Alpha and slowly returned to their homes. I was exhausted and about to collapse. I took my seat as Vincent came running towards me. Alex was kneeling next to me. "Alpha," he said.