Rise of an Alpha Female (Two Moons Book 1)

by A. C. Gruptay

  "I'm happy you know your place. So what are you going to do about it?"

  "I may decide to give you a reason to see the fights."

  "Then I may decide to see a duel if a worthy challenger arises. Or not."

  "As is to be expected."

  "Indeed."

  "One more thing, Conall? Why did you..."

  "Because not all challenges should be faced in a single day, or before one is truly prepared to see them through."

  While heading back towards the duel area, Jena mulls over Conall's answer. At least before Lana interrupts.

  "We have to talk about this."

  "What's there to talk about?"

  "Our mate. And how he's there and we are here, and it's crushing our soul."

  "Why? What's the point? It won't help in any way. You know how I feel; I know how you feel and we both can do shit about it. You heard Sandra – we can never go back."

  "I hate it when you out-rationalize me!"

  "You hate it because of the same reason I hate it. The feeling that we are helpless to do anything about it. I don't even – I mean we didn't even get his name! How could we forget to ask his name? HIS FREAKING NAME! We have so little to remember him by! What if we forget how he looks?"

  "Impossible. That image of perfection is burned into our souls. And his touch... I so want more of his touch!"

  "Can you imagine it, Lana? How much more it would be hurting if we had gone through with mating with him? Or Moons forbid, marking him?"

  "You really think it's possible to hurt more than we already are?"

  "If just the touch felt so good, how do you think the rest would have? How do you think we could even go on after knowing what we were actually missing?"

  "In a way, you could say we were lucky."

  "I don't wish this luck on anyone."

  "So how do you propose we deal with this?"

  "Ignore it. Close it off. Build a wall around it."

  "Yeah, cause it worked so well so far. Maybe ask for help?"

  "Maybe. But right now, we need to focus on this situation and the packs. Both ours and the Oasis Pack. Can you do that with me? Can you help me?"

  "Don't I always? On one condition, though!"

  "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

  "Nope. When the dust settles, you ask for help. Bear in mind your other option is I take over and I ask for help."

  "You're not giving me much choice, are you?"

  "You know we need it."

  "Of course I do. And you're right as always."

  "Exactly."

  "And annoying."

  "OK, true. But only because I love you, and consequently, myself."

  "I love you too!"

  ***

  A few dozen minutes earlier, in the newly formed challenge circle:

  "BEGIN!" One of the Elders shouts and both Beta Lindator and Brayden, Alpha Sorin's eldest son, start circling each other.

  Both have started in their human form.

  "There will be no taking it easy from my part, pup. I don't mind you being my Alpha as long as you have what it takes."

  "Haven't been a pup in quite some time, Beta. Are you saying I have to wrestle my respect from you?"

  "Exactly. So show me what you got!"

  "Oh, I'm going to enjoy this. Beating my respect out of another wolf – what more could one want?"

  "You talk this much during training as well?"

  "Oh, you little..."

  Just then, Lindator changes to his wolf form, snarling his teeth in Brayden's face, forcing him to jump a step back.

  "OK, not so little. You look good on paper Lindator; I think I'm going to keep you if you fight half as good as your size."

  The Beta jumps forward, no longer willing to just warn his foe, aiming for Brayden's shoulder just below the neck, hoping to force a quick submission.

  But Brayden is fast. Instead of blocking or dodging, he does a backbend which has Lindator pass over and behind him by a good distance, with more than enough time for Brayden to twist and morph to his own wolf, taking a menacing pose.

  For a moment it appears that he is waiting for the Beta to recover, but he bolts after him almost instantly, barreling into his side and biting into the first thing that comes near his snout.

  Brayden judges the bone to be broken and knows the Beta will be at a severe disadvantage now.

  He disengages from Lindator and moves back to reassess the situation.

  Lindator has his radius broken on his left front leg and is limping obviously, unable to put weight on it any longer.

  No long-term damage; he'll be fine in a couple of days if he gets the bone set right, but he isn't using that leg for this fight anymore.

  Brayden's wolf bends his head to one side and throws a questioning look at the Beta as if asking if he would submit or continue.

  But Lindator just snaps his teeth at him.

  Fine, have it your way!

  Brayden rushes forward and starts circling the Beta, who jumps around awkwardly, trying to balance his front weight on a single leg.

  Yet the advantage is clear, with the Alpha's son scoring several successful bites on his opponent's haunch.

  Deciding to listen to his father and save his energy, Brayden switches from biting to head-butting the Beta's backside from either the left or the right and switching from hitting low to hitting high, causing Lindator to topple over after several successful attacks.

  With one paw on the Beta's broken leg and Brayden's teeth around his neck, Lindator submits, and the fight is over.

  "If you would please step back and allow our Beta to shift. You as well, please. Thank you, both of you, for honoring our pack with your valiant display of skill and dedication," Elder Qubdaig congratulates the combatants.

  "Thank you, Elder! Your words honor me! Beta Lindator, It's been a privilege to be able to fight against you, and I do hope that all our future fights will be side by side against a common foe," Brayden says smiling, pride spilling from the fact he is victorious.

  Amisha however, does not miss the glance Brayden gives Alpha Aaron as he says foe, and neither does the Mountain River Alpha.

  Lindator is stoic in his expression and only acknowledges Brayden with a bow of his head, both in submission and in recognition of his status as the victor of their duel.

  "If we could all reconvene here tomorrow for the next duel," Elder Qubdaig continues.

  "I'm sorry, but no. I'm Alpha Orint of the Burning Steppes Pack, and I issued the second challenge yesterday. I will give young wolf Brayden here two hours to rest before our duel starts. It's not like he is injured anyway!"

  "Very well," the Elder says. "Challenger Brayden, will you defend your freshly earned victory against Alpha Orint or..."

  "Or what? Forfeit my position? Like hell that happens! I'll see you in two hours, Alpha!" Brayden yells and spits at his newest adversary's feet.

  The Alpha lurches forward at the offense but is quickly blocked both by his Beta and Alpha Aaron, and he finally calms down after Aaron whispers several things to him, low enough so the others can't hear; Orint just nods and turns around, heading for his own tent.

  Two hours later, the second fight is about to start.

  As soon as the Elder gives the go-ahead, Orint morphs into his large, Alpha-sized gray wolf and charges forward.

  Brayden manages to shift in time, but only barely, dodging the attack by moving to the side, and Alpha Orint is left with a tuft of hair between his teeth.

  As time passes and both wolves circle each other, attacking and dodging in turn with some hits landing and some missing, it would appear they are almost evenly matched, though neither seems willing to risk committing to the fight more than his opponent.

  While Amisha can understand the reasoning behind Brayden's caution, as he is both fighting an Alpha and preserving strength for possible future fights, she can't really understand Alpha Orint, who would be expected to win the duel due to his actual age and implicitly, his expe
rience.

  On the other hand, no real conflict has taken place for almost a generation in the wereworld, and Orint may only have more years of training under his belt and not actual combat level know-how.

  A small murmur takes place in the crowd, as Conall comes to the front and takes a seat at a table that suddenly clears for him, though to be true most of the wolves there are finishing year students of the warrior training program in the Oasis Pack.

  Orint notices the change and keeps circling until he makes eye contact with Aaron, who gives him the slightest of nods.

  As if a switch has been activated, he attacks Brayden with renewed vigor, fully committing to the fight and definitely going for maximum damage, even though this leaves him exposed for counterattacks from his foe.

  While Brayden is indeed using the opportunities presented, inflicting some pain of his own, he is definitely on the losing side, giving the impression it is only a matter of time until he is forced to submit.

  "My son is asking for a five minutes break!" Alpha Sorin says coming forward.

  "Both parties have to agree. This is unusual though not unheard of," another Elder takes over from Qubdaig. "If you both agree, distance yourselves from each other by more than 20 feet."

  They both do, and a break is called, the wolves shifting back to their bruised and battered human forms. Oddly enough, Alpha Sorin goes to talk with Alpha Orint instead of his son.

  All too soon, the breather ends, and the duelists rejoin the fighting area, bowing to each other slightly.

  Brayden shifts to his wolf but Orint does not.

  "I wish to withdraw my challenge."

  "Are you sure, Alpha Orint? Once the challenge is withdrawn you will no longer be able to contest Brayden's claim to becoming or later being Alpha of the Oasis Pack, now or in the future. Do you understand all that I have said and still wish to proceed?"

  "Yes and I do."

  "So be it then! I declare Challenger Brayden to be the victor of the second challenge as well!"

  "Well done brother! Or should I call you Alpha Brayden now," Xavier asks his brother as he walks over, his father right behind him.

  "Not a bad idea son. Elder Qubdaig, perhaps you should conclude this challenge and make it official."

  "Certainly, Alpha Sorin!" The Elder bows with deference to the Southern Star Alpha, then climbs a chair nearby.

  "If I may have your attention, please," Qubdaig says and waits for the murmurs to quiet down.

  "The time has come to acknowledge the results of the challenge for the Alpha position in the Oasis Pack. Since there are no more challenges announced, it is time to declare Challenger Brayden as..."

  "And who says there are no more challenges?" A voice from the crowd asks. A female voice that has people gasping, turning to search for it.

  As before, people part revealing an emotionless looking Jena coming forward.

  "This is highly inappropriate..."

  "What I find truly inappropriate is the thought this wolf, this so-called Challenger, who would have lost his last duel if not for daddy's little intervention, would even be considered to take my father's place."

  "Young Jena, you know full well that the Oasis Pack does not adhere to the idea of a succession of the Alpha position by a female offspring. Doing so now would only further disrupt this pack, already heavily shaken by Alpha Magnus's all too early demise."

  "Nor do I wish to challenge tradition. Your choice of words, however, I will challenge, as you implying I'm inexperienced is an offense I do not take lightly. Though, I will let it slide this time on the count of your age and the services you've probably rendered to the Oasis Pack over time."

  The Elder pales at first, then starts turning beat red.

  "You have no right to voice concerns over this anyway. You are no longer a member of the Oasis Pack as everyone well knows, so your displeasure is irrelevant. Now as I was saying," the Elder finishes, turning to the crowd.

  "Oh, but you were wrong before. I challenge Brayden for the position of Alpha of the Oasis Pack."

  "That's preposterous! No female has ever been Alpha of the Oasis Pack! And we are not going to start with you!"

  "Elder Qubdaig, since when did you assume the role of representing the entirety of the Oasis Pack and by whose authority, because the Council of Elders bestowed no such role to you and Beta Lindator, as the only other person currently able to do so – did not," Amisha intervenes.

  "Elder Amisha, I'm sure everyone agrees..."

  "That Interpack law is to be respected before pack tradition," Jena cuts in. "And as such, I am first and foremost an Alpha, wanting to expand both my pack and my territories by issuing this challenge."

  "Still no Alpha can run two packs! You will have to renounce your current pack in order to take over the Oasis Pack. Think of your people Alpha Jena! How would they feel if you abandoned them?" Alpha Sorin cuts in, trying to persuade Jena to retract her challenge.

  "Worry not Alpha Sorin. After I win, I will merge both packs into one – problem solved. So Challenger Brayden are you ready to begin our duel?"

  "You should let him rest and recover first..." Alpha Sorin tries again.

  "Not really. There is no rule that says that."

  "But it's common courtesy," Elder Qubdaig says indignantly.

  "I shall show the same courtesy you have shown me, which is none. I want my father's pack in good hands. My hands. And the sooner, the better. Alpha Magnus was not given a break when he fought against the warhogs, and still, he fought on. If not for him being backstabbed by the enemy, he might be here today, with us. As I see it, an Alpha always needs to be ready to fight against overwhelming odds for the good of his pack, his family, and his allies. Now Challenger Brayden, since we have established that daddy won't be able to verbally win this battle for you, shall we begin? You do have the option to withdraw from the duel, unlike real combat, where no longer being able to continue means you die."

  "I will fight," Brayden answers immediately.

  "Clear the area! I have a pack to claim!"

  Brayden is tired.

  Very tired. Orint was good. Too good. How the hell didn't I know he was so adept at fighting? And I'm sure I could take down more than half the Alphas present at this damn funeral. And who does this girl think she is? It's not enough my father humiliated me by making it so obvious Orint backed down because of him, now I have to fight a girl?

  She didn't even get a support role from her warrior training. She got 'Diplomat' after all those years of training. Ha! Pathetic! I wonder if she even knows basic self-defense.

  But maybe this is the best time for me to save some face and teach this girl some manners.

  "How about this, Miss Jena? We will just fight in human form, so you won't have to shred your beautiful boy clothes, and I'll save myself the energy of the shift for the party later on," Brayden says with a cheeky smirk.

  "Wow! That is so gallant of you! Thanks a million! To tell you the truth, there are people expecting me to fight for my father's pack, and I couldn't let them down. Would you also be so kind as to let me give you the first slap? That would be awfully nice of you, and I could brag to all my friends that I managed to land a hit... if only that would happen more often," Jena says batting her eyelashes at him and modulating her voice to trail off dreamily.

  OK, this girl must suffer from a split personality or something. I actually thought she could be a threat earlier. Maybe she too is just trying to save face for her father's sake. Moons only know how fcuking hard it is to live up to an Alpha's expectations, especially when he is your father.

  "That is fine; then you must agree to be my date for the party later on. And watch those nails of yours! You wouldn't want your date to have a scratch on this beautiful face, would you now?"

  She is kind of beautiful. I wouldn't mind dancing with her between my sheets. Or hers, doesn't really matter. Maybe I can just win quickly and convince her I'm a worthy mate. That would solve all the problems.

&n
bsp; He smiles widely and steps forward. Jena smiles shyly and steps forward in turn.

  "Wow! You are so much taller up close! And I bet strong, too!"

  "And you are quite beautiful when you act like a normal girl, and not yelling at your Elder."

  "Really? Wow, nobody ever said that to me before! Not even my mate!" Sincere pain flashes through her eyes at the statement, Jena letting her feelings to the surface since sincerity is one of the better weapons in the diplomatic game of words.

  "Well, I don't smell another male on you. Are you mated?"

  "No, not yet."

  "Really? Mind showing me your neck? No, no, lower, where it meets with the shoulder. C'mon girl, where your mate's mark should be! Good. And the other side? Hmm. No mark."

  "Why did you ask?"

  "Well, I was thinking. Maybe you should forget that stupid mate of yours, who clearly doesn't know what he's missing!"

  "Wow, I actually agree with the pompous bastard for once," Lana tells Jena.

  "And after this silly little duel is over and I become Alpha, you could let go of that silly little Alpha title over a bunch of pussies, I mean cats and become Luna of the Oasis Pack by my side. I'm sure all your Elders would approve, and you could keep taking care of your father's pack, just like I'm sure he would have wanted."

  Say 'silly little' one more time, please! I dare you! Jena thinks.

  "You know? That sounds like a good, reasonable idea."

  "I knew you were smarter than you looked! I really liked how you found that little loop to be able to challenge me. Now how about we finish up this silly little duel, so we can all go change and relax. I promise to take it easy on you. Go on, hit me on my left side here and remember to be careful with the nails," Brayden says and lifts his left cheek towards Jena.

  Ha! And father said I couldn't handle becoming an Alpha on my own! And I even solved a big political issue with Magnus's daughter! Now all the wolves in the Oasis Pack are going to love me. Next is getting rid of that Conall character and Elder Amisha.

  "Ready?" Jena asks.

  "Sure babe, go for it!"

  He smiles once again.

  "Yay!" Jena claps excitedly.

  She pulls her hand back.

  "Ready Lana?"