Fight For The Highest Wolf Rank

by Valery C. Kincade

  “I agree. But with Alpha Luke's help, your help and our best men, I know we are more than ready to take down Sang Noir.”

  “Alpha, I'll go inform all the Commanders and explain the plan. Alpha Luke's men will arrive shortly. Meanwhile, I suggest we all rest a bit until the Sentinels are back and we will find out where Sang Noir is hiding.”

  Everyone stands up, and Tyler approaches me with a grin on his handsome face.

  “Alpha, I do believe you promised me a pint at your pub.” He's doing again that awful and insulting British accent that I just can't help the laughter that escapes me.

  “Fine, let's go. I do want to introduce you to everyone.” I take his arm and before we can walk out, a loud growl makes the walls tremble. I look behind me and see Jason half standing up from his chair, hands grasping the edge of his desk way harder than necessary. I quirk a brow at him, getting annoyed with his possessiveness. I make a mental note to get this rejection over with as soon as we eliminate Marie. We can't reject each other before a fight, because the breaking of the bond will leave us way too weak.

  “Everything alright, Alpha Jason?” I spat the word Alpha way harsher than intended, but he deserved it. I'm quickly getting tired of this whole dance that we do.

  “All good, yes. I'll join you. I haven't seen Rudy in forever and I have a feeling Alpha Luke will be there too. I do this to talk to him, the sooner the better.”

  “Fine. Let's go.” I mutter at him.

  “Yay, threesome!” Tyler chirps, and I facepalm. Why the hell would he say that? I shoot him a death glare but he just smiles evilly. He is so dead! Jason wasn't pleased either with Tyler's choice of words, but this time he contained his growls.

  The Hound is exactly the same as it was when I left. Carla would be ecstatic to see the great job Rudy is doing. We walk in and immediately Jen jumps on me hugging me so tight that I feel my eyeballs pop out of their sockets.

  “I missed you too, Jen. Now let go. I need to breathe.” She chuckles and loosens her hold. Something is different about her, I can almost smell it. I push her at arm's length and look her over, scanning every inch of her body, from her sensible shoes to her blushing cheeks.

  “NO WAY!!!!!!” I scream getting everyone's attention. “No way, Oh my Goddess, Jeeeeeen!!!” Clearly Jason has no idea of what's happening or why I'm screaming like a crazy woman, but Tyler loves this kind of drama so he eagerly jogs over to us and holds his hand out for Jen to shake.

  “Finally, I get to meet the lovely and delicious beautiful Jennifer, face to face.” As if on cue, an irritated growl comes out of an equally irritated Ryan. Jennifer swats her mate away and just hugs Tyler. I am really glad they like each other. The last thing I needed is for Tyler and Jen not to get along.

  “OK, so why haven't I learned about this before?” I act all angry and upset at Jen and her quite obvious secret. She blushes and my frown melts.

  “It was meant to be a surprise for you. It was definitely NOT planned, but I'm almost finished with my medical training and we are over the moon to be parents.” She squeals and I notice Ryan looking lovingly at his mate. Once again, these two are goals. They found each other fairly early, are happy together and expecting a pup. He's the Beta of the pack, she's going to be the doctor. They are so fucking perfect that I'm going to be sick.

  “I'm really happy for you and Ryan. Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?” I ask, already picturing a little girl in a pink tutu running around with a stethoscope.

  “A baby girl. Ryan really wanted a girl and the Goddess has blessed us.” Tyler is already inching closer to Jen, ignoring the looks Ryan is giving him. I roll my eyes.

  “Can he rub your belly? He has a weird thing about pregnant women. I think he secretly wishes he was one.” My Beta shots me a glare.

  “You know it's not that.” I knew, but I like messing with him. Tyler has a special ability. He can sense the fetus in a pregnant lady's womb. He can see if it's a boy of a girl, if there are any issues, and other things like that. He doesn't like people to know about it, but sometimes the connection is too strong, like the baby is calling out to him and he can't help it.

  As he places his hand on Jen's belly, his face goes void of any emotion, scaring my friend.

  “What's wrong? Is my baby alright?” A panic stricken Jen asks.

  “Nothing's wrong, but you might want to find a new doctor.” Jen frowns not understanding what he means. In a second, Ryan is next to his mate. He too looks concerned.

  “Ty, you're scaring them. What did you see?” I ask, eager to get the drama over with. It can't be good for the baby to have Jen panic like that. I already noticed the others have stopped talking and are now paying attention to the commotion around the pregnant lady.

  “Well, it's a boy. Healthy and all that, but definitely a boy. So if you were planning on having a pink nursery, I can already tell you he will not be so happy about it.” Jen and Ryan's jaws hit the floor, but they are not taking it as badly as I expected them to.

  “Well, babe. I guess that's why you shouldn't give yourself the ultrasounds. Even a doctor needs to go to a doctor.” Ryan kisses the top of Jen's head lightly. Her cheeks are crimson red as everyone that hears chuckles at the news.

  38 - Song

  Samantha

  Congratulations are flying everywhere for Ryan and Jennifer's baby news. For someone who doesn't know better, it may look like we are just a group of old friends that reunited and are happily sharing stories. I think we actually managed to feel that way for a few brief moments, until something triggered our brains to snap back to the ugly reality that we are in.

  It's already evening and more and more people are piling into the pub. Rudy left us a few hours ago to go tend the bar. Stubborn old man refuses to hire some more help. I found out that has a few teenage boys that usually come to help him on busy nights. They come to the pub at Ryan's strong suggestion. I didn't understand it at first, but Jen told me it's the way Blood Moon's Beta teaches misbehaving or entitled teenagers to be humble. He punishes them by sending them to work for Rudy. Most of them enjoy it and come to help at The Hound even after their so-called punishment is over. And that confirms it. Ryan is going to be a great dad. I'm so happy my friend found such a good mate.

  Alright, so I might have drank a bit too much, but hear me out. It's all Tyler's fault. He is NOT a good influence on me. At a certain point we made out a stupid little drinking game, just for the two of us. Every time Jason would send death glares to either Ty or Luke, I had to take a shot. I took a lot of shots. In fact, I could have just chugged the whole bottle of tequila without bothering with the tiny shot glasses. Alcohol seems to have done the trick even for the guys who earlier could barely stand each other. Before we knew it, we were all laughing and telling stories about the Alpha Academies we attended. I glanced at the large wall clock next to our table and noticed that that time flew by quickly and the drinks even faster.

  It didn't even occur to me that it's Friday, which means open mic night. My eyes sparkle and my ears perk up when I hear Rudy mentioning it. I've missed nights like this. This was the thing I look forward to the most when I was still living here and my life was not the greatest.

  “You have got to do it!” Tyler urges me. “Come on, I have never heard you sing! Do it for me, pretty please?” It's impossible to resist that handsome pout, so I excitedly stand up and make my way over to the small stage. I am being extra careful not to look drunk, feeling overly conscious of myself and the way I move. Yup, first sign that I definitely drank too much. I blame Rudy for allowing us to drink even if we're not 21 yet. Everyone at my table is whistling and encouraging me. Well, almost everyone, Jason is not showing any kind of emotion whatsoever. He is the only one being dead quiet, sipping away from his pint, looking unbothered. For some strange reason, that annoys me. I know it shouldn't but I can't help myself from wanting to get his attention, from wanting him to.. well.. want me. OK, that's it. I'm officially declaring myself drunk.

&n
bsp; Oh, Goddess, what have I gotten myself into? What if I can't sing anymore, or what if I really suck because I can't focus properly? Shit, I need to pull myself together and sing my heart out, or else I'm never going to live this down. It's impossible not to notice the massive phone Tyler is holding, most definitely recording me for posterity. Alright, here goes nothing.

  I try not to think about where I ended up the last time I sang on this stage and Jason heard me. As much as Ming begs me to be close to my mate, I can't do it. I can't get over those words of rejection. They echo loud in my head, over and over again.

  I take the mic from Rudy who is grinning like a proud father on the day of his daughter's graduation. I give him my best tipsy smile and turn my attention back to the crowd. There are a few regulars who I know and they recognise me instantly and nod their heads to welcome me back. I start to feel the excitement bubbling up inside me, and as soon as Rudy hits play on the instrumental I requested, it's like I came alive. It truly feels like shifting, but I don't change into my wolf, instead I morphed into the melody. I close my eyes as the music becomes me, and I become the music.

  Clipped wings, I was a broken thing

  Had a voice, had a voice, but I could not sing

  You would wind me down

  I struggled on the ground, oh

  So lost, the line had been crossed

  Had a voice, had a voice, but I could not talk

  You held me down

  I struggle to fly now, oh

  Taking a short breathing break, I focus on the next words that are already shooting from within me. This is so liberating, I feel so empowered, so free. I can do anything.

  But there's a scream inside that we all try to hide

  We hold on so tight, we cannot deny

  Eats us alive, oh it eats us alive, oh

  Yes, there's a scream inside that we all try to hide

  We hold on so tight, but I don't wanna die, no

  I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die, yeah

  I open my just for a quick fraction of a second to see Jason staring right at me, our eyes locking and souls connecting. Another surge of power rushes through me, and with all my might I start singing the chorus, feeling those goose bumps that are rising on my skin, and that are the testimony of the adrenaline coursing through my veins, urging me to give it my all, to make everyone that's hearing me tonight, feel what I feel.

  And I don't care if I sing off key

  I find myself in my melodies

  I sing for love, I sing for me

  I shout it out like a bird set free

  No, I don't care if I sing off key

  I find myself in my melodies

  I sing for love, I sing for me

  I'll shout it out like a bird set free

  As I finish the song, I'm left panting slightly, I feel I managed to completely pour myself into this one song. It was from my heart, from deep within my soul. I let out all the pain, anger and frustration that I hoarded inside for far too long. Opening my eyes slowly, not wanting the moment to end too soon, I take a look around the room only to see everyone present just staring at me. Way too many seconds later, they all erupt in cheers and a clapping frenzy, and I can finally breathe relieved that I didn't make a complete fool of myself.

  With shaky legs and an embarrassed smile, I make my way to the table where everyone was waiting for me, proud smiles plastered on their faces, making me giggle. I don't make it all the way to my seat, because Tyler jumps and engulfs me into a bone crushing hug, telling me over and over again how he loves my singing and how I'm much better than he expected. I peak at Jason and see that once again, he's barely keeping it together, his self control slipping through his fingers at the sight of another male hugging me and being so close to me. It might have been the drink I had earlier, and the last remaining adrenaline from singing, but for some reason, at that moment I thought it would be a good idea to push all of Jason's buttons. So I did a very stupid thing, I pecked Tyler on the lips.

  “What the fuck are you doing, Sam?” Ty whispers in my ear, obviously confused and taken by surprise, although he followed my lead and didn't let his discomfort for kissing a woman show. As soon as he sees the sheer fury in Jason's eyes, a smirk appears on his lips and he nods, enjoying the drama he's helping create.

  Thankfully the others were busy talking amongst themselves and didn't notice mine and Tyler's moments, nor Jason who is about to shift. I kind of froze when I saw my mate getting up and making his way towards the side of the table where Tyler and I are, but he seems to abandon his original plan of coming to us, and instead heads to the bar, signalling Rudy to pour him another pint.

  “Phew, I was certain he was coming here to kill me. So, cheers for getting to live at least another day.” I chuckle and shake my head at Tyler's way of interpreting this situation. He is a breath of fresh air and optimism. I'll give him that.

  “I'm sorry for earlier, I'm not sure what came over me, and I shouldn't have used you, put you in danger like that. It was stupid.”

  “Hey, a little heads up would have been nice, but it's all good. I am all on board for making you mate realise how stupid he was for trying to reject you.”

  “I'm never drinking again. If I go against that, please slap me, you have my full permission.” I groan making my way towards the office, hoping to use the staff toilet.

  “I'll hold you to that!” Ty shouts after me and I can't be bothered to turn around, I just wave my hand for him to see, acknowledging our new agreement.

  I have to pass by the bar in order to get to the office. Seeing as Jason is still there, I try to think if I really need to pee or if I can hold it for a little longer. My bursting bladder is quick to dismiss the idea of holding it in, so I resume my walking keeping my eyes on the office door as my ultimate target.

  The Moon Goddess must have not had a laugh in quite a while, because at the exact same moment I was trying to tiptoe my way to the toilet without Jason noticing me, he takes his pint and thanks Rudy, turning around to leave the bar and head back to the table. Poor Rudy tried to give him a warning, save him from what came next, but he wasn't quick enough. As soon as Jason turned, his right hand that was holding his beer, collided with me and made the spill on him.

  Song Credits: Sia - Bird Set Free

  39 - Moment

  Samantha

  “Oups.” I offer my best toothy smile, as I look apologetically at him, trying my hardest to look innocent. I would never want him to think I did it on purpose. I am honestly not that petty. My stupid idea of pecking Tyler's lips was as far as I would go, or as low as I would go, depending on who's point of view it is, on the pettiness scale.

  Jason does not look impressed by my apology, not by a long shot. I made the mistake of looking down at his trousers to visually inspect the damage I had caused, and sure enough, he looked like he was the one with the bursting bladder, and not me. He looked like he couldn't hold it in any longer and eventually peed himself. I swear, I tried my best to contain my laughter, but it just escaped my lips, causing him to grow even more annoyed than he already was. Double oups, I giggle to myself before covering up with a clearing of the throat.

  “You should dry that... It looks like...”

  “Yeah, I can imagine what it looks like. Thank you, by the way.” I ignore his sarcastic comments and decide to help him out. It is the right thing to go, especially since I played a role in this.

  “Come with me into the office, I'll help you find something to dry you off.” There's a weird sparkle of hope and maybe excitement that I think I noticed in Jason's eyes, but it must be just the lighting in here, so I just ignore it. It's best not to read into things too much.

  Without even thinking about it, I grab hold of Jason's hand and start walking towards the office door. Those intense sparks that erupted from our touch make me cringe. Shit, I'm holding his hand. Why do I keep doing this to myself? I'm his mate, he craves me, and if I give in, as soon as he has me he'll just dump me again like a
piece of used gum. I try not to seem affected and quickly let go of his hand as soon as we are at the door.

  Once inside the office I rummage through some drawers in the hopes that Rudy was too lazy to clear out all that Carla left behind in here. My scavenger hunt paid off, because I found the hairdryer I was looking for. I proudly show it to Jason and he grins like a toddler receiving chocolate, understanding that the little device will save his dignity.

  My need to go to the toilet is now long forgotten, my bladder seems to have somehow grown bigger and there's no need to relieve the pressure anymore. That sounds gross, but it's my way of distracting myself from the current setting of being alone is a closed room with Jason. I'm sure it's all sneaky Ming's doing, just because she enjoys being with her mate. I can still hear her soft purrs of contempt through the mental barrier I placed between us.

  With only the sound of the hairdryer being heard in the office, soon the silence between Jason and I becomes awkward and uncomfortable. It doesn't help that and I'm still a bit tipsy and overthinking this whole situation. I decide it is best to make small talk. Yes, that should work, right? Normal people make small talk and it's not weird at all, even if the one you're talking to is your fated mate, who tried to reject you after having sex and taking your virginity. Totally normal. I mentally roll my eyes.

  Since talking about the weather seems a little on the nose, I decide to ask him something I am genuinely interested in knowing.

  “Hey, how come I received an invitation to your Alpha ceremony?” I think I took him off guard. It's funny, really, because Jason was very concentrated on aiming the hairdryer at his crotch in an attempt to dry off his pants, and stopped to look at me after hearing my question. The heat from the hair dryer must have been focused on one spot for a second too long, causing the Alpha before me to jump, as in literally jump up and throw the hairdryer, while cursing that he might have overcooked his little friend. From what I remember, his friends is not little at all, just saying.