by Crystal Dawn
“You can say that again.” T.J. chuckled as she whispered against my neck.
I helped her out of the shower, dried her off, and carried her to bed. “I could get used to this.” T.J. said sleepily as I placed her in the middle of the bed.
“Used to what?”
“Incredible sex and being carried everywhere.” She answered just before she was out like a light. I watched my beautiful mate sleep and I moved my hand lightly over her belly rubbing the spot where I imagined our pup lay. Right now I was the happiest wolf in the world. I curled up next to her thinking of sleeping until I remembered she needed to drink something. I went downstairs to the kitchen. I found a special drink usually used for sick babies left over from last time T.J. was taken. It wasn’t like anyone else would want it. It didn’t taste bad but it wasn’t really good either. I took it and a glass of milk to her. I woke her gently and she drank the milk quickly. She resisted the other drink but when she realized there would be no sleep until a glass of it was drank, she decided to drink it too. Now I was able to curl up with her and sleep.
Chapter 10
Win or Lose
We woke up hours later and I knew she needed to eat. The growling stomach was a giveaway. We dressed and I would have carried her but she wanted to walk. I stuck close to her side. Everything had not been dealt with yet, but it would be soon. Alpha James was still a problem, my problem. Once we had eaten we went for a run. It was a long run through the woods with half a dozen guards on the trail with us and more guards at each end of the route. Everything worked with no trouble.
We went back to our room to shower and I suggested she get some rest for the pup’s sake. I knew it was the only way she would agree. I was still surprised when it worked. As much as I wanted to rest by her side, it was time for me to get things dealt with. It was time to find my father and determine the fate of the James Pack. I went to his office and found him there dealing with the notifications arresting so many wolves would require. Seymour was with him. He hadn’t been taken but he had come along as our guest. As his father heir and second, he would represent his pack and therefore each of those captured as well. His father’s punishment was beyond negotiation but the others captured would be punished based on their participation and whether they could have avoided the situation or not. A wolf whose family is threatened by his alpha is rarely held accountable for his actions short of rape or murder. It is not acceptable to save your family by killing someone else’s.
Rape is considered heinous and often punished by death or life imprisonment. Because it is such a severe penalty and our nature tends to be brutal, rape is not defined the same way it is by humans. Matings can and have been forced even recently, by the council or the female’s or rarely the male’s family. Making rape even harder to prove is the fact that most wolves do not agree on what makes something rape. It also requires a unanimous agreement by the judging body. The judging body can’t include family or friends of the victim and there are other rules that must be followed. So many rules in fact, that it would make the human judicial system proud. You might think this means rapists never go punished. It just means that the old ways have to be used. A challenge has to be issued in the name of the victim by a male family member or friend. It isn’t against the rules for a female to challenge but there are few female wolves that would have a chance against a male one. It has to be someone willing to risk their lives to see justice done in the she wolf’s name. Unfortunately, this leaves those without families at greater risk. No system is perfect and ours is just as flawed in its own way as the human one is.
T.J. wasn’t raped, but the challenge can be used for any type of serious transgression. Alpha James would be answering my challenge. He had no choice. I was so infuriated I could do no less, but I had never seen him fight so I wasn’t one hundred percent sure I would win. He was an older wolf but that didn’t always mean a wolf lost strength. My dad was stronger now than when he was thirty. If he lived a hundred more years he would be twice as strong then. Some wolves lost strength with age due to genetics, poor lifestyle choices, and not keeping up their battle skills. Fighting wasn’t like riding a bike. If you stopped doing it your skills eroded away.
My dad helped me to write and send in my challenge for the council to address. They would send a judge to ensure all rules were followed. It wasn’t my first rodeo and I would bet it wasn’t that alpha’s first either. Hopefully I would be as much a mystery to him as he was to me. I would have to wait for the council’s answer to finish my business with Alpha James. The only thing left to do now was to determine what to do with the pack and its members. Seymour just got a promotion to pack alpha.
“Congratulations, Seymour.” I said with a smile as he squirmed.
“What do you mean?” He asked looking a little ill.
“You have just been promoted.”
“You can’t be serious?”
“I am. Even if by some quirk of fate he won the challenge, he would still be in prison for life. He had wolves killed, interfered with another alpha’s territory, and ignored a direct order from the council. He’s toast.” Win or lose, I knew my mate would never be bothered by him again. Seymour sank a little further into his chair.
“I didn’t want this. I knew someday ... but it’s too soon.”
T.J. had come in the door that we had left open. “Time to get put on your big boy britches, Seymour. If you had done it sooner, it would have never come to this.” She said unsympathetically. He hung his head in shame. “You don’t get a pity party. Just take charge now and give your wolves what they’ve needed. You have to become the leader that can save your pack.” She told him. He seemed to sit a little straighter. I knew he could be the wolf his father never was.
“Why aren’t you resting?” I asked my mate unhappy that she had come downstairs so soon.
“How long did you think I would sleep? You’ve been gone for hours.” It surprised me when I saw it was supper time. We had been busy and the time passed quickly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it had been so long. I would have quit and come back to take you to supper.” I moved to pull her into my arms. She always felt so perfect right there. I leaned down to kiss her losing myself as I always did. I forgot everything and everyone but the perfect mate I loved more than anything. When we finally came up for air, the office was empty.
“I didn’t mean to run them off.” She said with a chuckle. “I’m hungry, let’s go eat.” She headed to the dining room and I followed behind her. I was enjoying the view from behind. It made me want to eat quickly so we could go to our room. My speed wouldn’t matter though because it always took my mate longer to eat. It was alright. When her mouth was full I could talk and she’d have to listen.
We sat down at the table after we filled some plates with food. I ate quickly as I usually do and waited for her to finish. I decided we would talk when we were alone. She might not like the things I needed to say. We made it up to our room even though it was still early. I planned to talk to her then get her to sleep early to heal up from her ordeal. “We need to talk.”
“Scary words to hear from your mate.” T.J. looked at me with a hesitant look on her face.
“I just want to tell you what’s going on with the James pack. I want you to know everything being done because you have a right to know.”
“You mean you’re going to tell me what’s going to happen to them? I really would like to know.”
“We’re only going to punish those who deserve it. I know you worried about some of the pack members that seemed scared of their alpha. They won’t be punished. Alpha James is going to be mine. I’ve challenged him. I wanted to be sure you heard it from me first.”
“Now wait a minute! I know what a challenge is. You want to take over his pack?”
“No, that’s a pack alpha challenge. This is a challenge for justice. I will represent you interest in justice. I will fight him until he no longer draws breath.”
“What if you
can’t beat him? The what happens?”
“The challenge is to the death. Either party can show mercy, but I won’t and he has no reason to.”
“I don’t want you to do this. You keep telling me to rest and take it easy for the pup. What are you doing for the pup? Is it worth dying for revenge before you ever get a chance to see our baby?” Tears slowly rolled down her face. I felt cold deep inside knowing I had caused her so much anguish.
“I am sorry, my little mate. It is too late to back out. Someday I will run this pack and I can’t undo a challenge for justice if I want my wolves respect.” She turned away from me to get ready for bed as tears continued to run down her face. Once she was ready I took her in my arms. “I will defeat him. I have too much to live for. Please don’t cry, Sweetheart.” I kissed her gently and held her tight. I breathed in her wondrous scent and knew that no matter what I would always find a way to return to her. She finally stopped crying and we went to bed. I curled my body around her to offer all the comfort I could as we fell asleep.
The next few days fell into a routine as we waited for word on the challenge and the final judgment of the James Pack. It wasn’t like the council was known for taking swift or decisive action. No one expected the news to come as quickly as it did. My dad, his betas, Seymour, my mate and I all gathered in the meeting room near his office to meet with the messenger. Judge Yarbro had been on the council for many years as well as being a judge of good repute. It was clear to see that I wasn’t the only one glad he was the chosen one for this challenge.
He looked at my dad. “Is everyone here now?”
“Yes, all of those needed are now here.”
“The council wishes me to express their deep regret that this event transpired. We realize that mistakes happened and we will try harder in the future to prevent them. We are also investigating to find out who was not doing their job properly to allow this. The guilty party will be addressed once they are determined.” He looked around the table meeting each person’s eyes for a moment before moving on.
“We accept the councils regrets.” My dad said although I was sure he couldn’t have cared less.
“First, let’s discuss the challenge. The council had approved it and I will judge it. Tomorrow morning I will speak to the two parties alone together. We will go over all rules and each must understand what the challenge represents. It will be carried out the following day at the time and place that I and Alpha Strong arrange. Now we can discuss the prisoners.” He went on to explain that Seymour, as alpha of the James pack, would be in charge of carrying out all punishments except his father’s. He told us what the punishments would be and only two betas were receiving jail time. Two days and it would all be over. I looked at my mate but she looked pale and unhappy. I loved her but a pack alpha must have honor and respect. To back out now would leave me with neither.
T.J. managed to clear the room ahead of me and she was avoiding me. I knew she was worried but I had never failed to do what had to be done and I wouldn’t fail now. I just wanted to hold my mate. When I was with her I was stronger, when she fought me as she did now, I was weaker. I found her hiding in the doctor’s office. I finally broke down and tracked her like a fugitive or I would still be looking for her.
“T.J., are you alright?” She looked up at me with tears in her eyes.
“No, I’m not alright. I think I would die if I lost you.”
“If you run from me you take my strength. I need you to stay with me, to love me so that I will win and we can be together forever. Can you do that for me?” I asked her uncertain if she would do it or not. I hated being so unsure of anything but my life had changed completely the day I had met her. She was the only female that had ever made me feel like an untried school boy.
“Is that the truth? Don’t mislead me.”
“I couldn’t lie to you. I love you too much to give you reason to doubt me. Look into my eyes and see what you mean to me. See my soul bared for you. Believe me!” She stared intently into my eyes.
She could see me all the way to my very essence but I could see her as well. I had hurt her by taking a risk without asking her. Her pain was greater because I took the risk in her name for her justice. I wouldn’t do anything like this again if the goddess would just grant me victory so I could return to my mate. I knew she saw the truth of my words when she stepped toward me and threw herself into my waiting arms. I could feel and even taste her fear but she calmed as my arms enfolded her. “I’m sorry, my love. I’ve been a fool but I’ll do better. I should have discussed this with you. It was too important a decision to make by myself. Sometimes I forget that you haven’t been a wolf for very long and our ways are still new to you. I will win this challenge and think twice before making another one. I leaned down to place a comforting kiss upon her lips.
In the morning, the judge would lay out the rules. The next day I would fight for justice and hopefully represent my mate well. Once that was done life would settle down and I would do all that I could to make my mate the happiest female around. For now I would take her to our room and show her just how much I loved her. I took her hand and led her all the way needing her more than I could ever have imagined.
Today, win or lose, I would no longer have to worry about Alpha James. The pack would gather at the circle, a place that matters of importance had been decided since our pack settled here. The power of the place called to me and I could see no one was unaffected by that call. It was overwhelming to imagine the blood the ground here had soaked up from injuries as well as many fatalities. Certain types of battles usually ended in death. Challenges for position or minor offenses rarely did. Alpha challenges and those for justice almost always did because few wolves ever showed mercy. It was simply not in our nature to do so.
I saw this challenge had drawn an unusually large crowd. Most challenges were open only to the pack where they took place and sometimes a few witnesses. Even pack alpha challenges weren’t open to more than two or three witnesses from other packs. This fight was a circus. Several council members had come as witnesses, the warden Newton had stayed for it, and there was about half the James pack here as well. Seymour and the council members including the judge had been seated in a place of honor next to my dad. The atmosphere was almost the same as a grudge match you might see on TV. The only truly serious faces were those of my mate, my father, and Seymour. Several of the wolves closest to me like Kaleb, were not here. They were taking care of pack business due to their position in the hierarchy of the pack. Had this not been my fight, I would not have been here either because I would have taken my dad’s place to ensure the security and safety of the pack.
My opponent was brought out and once he was safely in the circle his bindings were removed. He was angry and he looked at me with the promise of death in his cold dark eyes. There would be no mercy from him. He was just a little shorter than I and his reach also was less. I’d say regardless of that he had at least twenty pounds on me but it wasn’t muscle. He was aging well enough since he looked only a few years older than Seymour. I knew he was a few hundred older. It wasn’t unusual for male wolves to go hundreds of years before finding their soul mate with many giving up to settle for another instead. Alpha James had found his soul mate but he had not been happy with her. Her absence indicated more than anything else that she may not have been happy with him either.
The judge began with the traditional opening of this type of challenge. He introduced both parties and explained why the challenge was issued. He described the history of these types of challenges and why they were necessary. He went on to explain the rules that he had already told us. He also assured everyone understood that Alpha James’s punishment would proceed win or lose. This would only determine if he died today by my hand and if he did it would give me and my mate closure. I looked at my mate and I think she was beginning to understand what I had hoped to give her when I issued this challenge. Maybe it would be easier for her to forgive me if I was seriously injured or
died. It was possible to both win and lose at these challenges. Just because you defeated you opponent didn’t mean you would walk away from the fight. This particular challenge had a high death rate because sometimes both parties succumbed to their injuries.
We were directed into our corners and when the judge signaled us, the fight would begin. Some of the crowd were shouting encouragement and wanted me to kill my opponent. He had done a great deal of harm to many wolves, his pack possibly receiving the greatest harm of all. Even his death wouldn’t undo or make up for all the atrocities he had committed but it was the highest price he could pay. Everyone was watching the judge waiting for the signal that would be the beginning of the end of someone’s life. There were few rules for this fight and we could switch forms at will. My morphing was exceptionally smooth given my age so I hoped he might think that gave him an advantage. It wouldn’t. It was also my understanding from talking to Seymour that his father hadn’t fought in years. He had his betas do all his fighting for him. I hoped that would give me an advantage because I trained regularly and fought often.
The judge looked at first me and then at my opponent. His hand raised in the air as everyone held their collective breaths. He had raised it slowly but it was a blur as it dropped. The fight was on. James shifted immediately and with good speed to a shaggy large black wolf. He leapt towards me with adrenaline fueled speed. I morphed with even more speed becoming a larger, sleeker black wolf. T.J. often told me my wolf was even prettier than I was. I objected to the term “pretty” but I appreciated the sentiment. Normally I would take the time to enjoy the expressions of awe that my wolf form often garnered, but this time I was fighting for my life. My actions were automatic as most trained warriors were. I leapt toward my adversary without thought.