“Ready,” they both responded. Alex was not going to be stuck naked after the fight, but she did not want to be naked right now either. She took of her shirt and pants and unclasped her bra, noticing that Moriah took off all of her clothes and strutted. Alex just shook her head at the antics. Pride goeth before a fall crossed her mind with gleeful determination to make it happen.
Kamiakin put his arm up, then dropped it. Alex changed while Moriah was still gloating. The look of surprise on her face fueled Alex’s anger. So she thought she was going to maul some human woman for the lupa position? No one like that needed to be in charge. She had lived too long with that kind of ruler under Roxy.
Moriah’s fur was a deep, rich gray and as sleek as her human body. Her own colorful cloak of fur made her feel cartoonish in comparison, but she shook it off. This werewolf needed to learn a lesson—a lesson she was happy to teach.
Their upper bodies tangled as both tried to get the first swipe in. Small scratches and nicks was all they accomplished for the first few minutes. Alex thought of the way this woman had treated her at the station, trying to stake a claim. Her low growl warned her opponent that she was angry, but the wolf was not intimidated. Alex got another swipe in, this time drawing blood as the gash tore open.
The gnashing of Moriah’s teeth in retaliation almost reached Alex, and adrenaline and excitement poured through her. She was free to fight. This one battle would prevent dozens of smaller fights with people who wanted to undermine her. Confidence flowed into her mind.
Her claws scraped at Moriah’s underbelly, causing the other wolf to yelp and jump back. They circled each other, and Alex reveled in the wary look Moriah was giving her. The years she had spent hiding her true self were over. She blocked out the shock and gasps from her pack. They hadn’t been present at the fight between Roxy and Nolan. Well, they would learn she was not a pushover by watching her fight.
“Not as easy as you thought,” she taunted.
“Still not an alpha, bitch,” Moriah replied.
Alex growled at the insult. Her sinewy muscles undulated as she gracefully avoided Moriah’s quick snips. On it went. Moriah nipping, Alex avoiding her, seemingly with little effort like a choreographed dance. Alex had seen many fights, more than most. First, as healer, she had been forced to witness any staged fights that Roxy had put on between Lupin’s up and coming young alphas. Second, as someone who was constantly hiding from the more violent members of her pack, she had witnessed many fights she was not supposed to be privy to. Knowledge of the moves poured through her as she took her mind back to the times she had practiced them when alone.
Her powerful body surged with energy, waiting for the right time to attack. Moriah was tiring and losing confidence. Alex jumped her, bit her ear, drawing blood, then sprang back. Moriah had twisted her head to get to Alex but missed.
After blood shed, the people in the warehouse began taking sides and yelling. The warehouse vibrated with the excitement of the fight. She felt the other wolves’ relief that the ulfric’s chosen mate was tougher than she looked. To the onlookers, it had taken on a rodeo atmosphere.
She growled again, warning Moriah off. Instead, Moriah attacked. They scratched and clawed at each other with their long, thick nails, Alex getting in the deeper cuts. She kept cutting open her opponent, focusing on the chest and forelimbs, deteriorating the wolf’s strength. Her wolf would pounce on the weakened wolf when she was ready for the kill. Blood dropped to the ground, forming a crude circle, showing Moriah’s path as she tried to find a chink in Alex’s armor.
There was a tiny primal part of her that wanted to kill, to let the wolf’s nature take control, to be definitively the alpha female to all, but her mind was still in charge of the jealous beast within her when looking at her rival. Moriah lunged again, and Alex took advantage of her challenger’s slowed physical state before her beast got the better of her.
She ducked lower and streaked forward, her head twisting as her jaw locked on to Moriah’s neck. She clamped down just hard enough to bring the she-wolf to her back and hold very still. Roars erupted around her, the warehouse stomping. Many of the former Lupin pack gasped in shock.
Kamiakin stepped into the circle, but she did not let go. “Winner, Alex George. Any other challengers?” he demanded as was his right if the opponent could not speak.
Reluctantly, Alex let go of Moriah’s neck. She cautiously backed up a couple of steps to allow the other wolf to get on her feet but refused to look away until Moriah had shifted to human again, the official sign the challenge had been won.
Slowly, the sleek wolf struggled to her feet, met Alex’s eyes, and nodded an acknowledgement of defeat. Another minute and Moriah knelt naked before her and the rest of the pack. “I submit to her authority in conjunction with her mate, our ulfric.” The formal words sealing her surrender.
Alex changed back as well, scrambling to put clothes over her private areas. She stood in her bra, one arm holding her other clothes strategically over herself since her underwear was no longer functional. She began to feel self-conscious now that the fight was over.
She thought she would have to get dressed with everyone staring at her. Nolan took her hand and raised it in the traditional human manner of winner. The pack erupted in cheers and howls of acceptance. She smiled. It was such a thrill to fight without fear or shame. Never again. She started dressing while Nolan spoke to the room. Thankfully, people quit staring at her when he talked.
“Meeting’s adjourned. We’ll have another one soon,” Nolan was saying.
He stepped down and pulled Alex with him. As soon as they found a semi-quiet spot, he kissed her soundly. “I’m so proud of you, my love,” he said.
Alex’s face lit up. “Thanks, but we’re about to be inundated with people,” she replied.
***
It took a moment for him to get past the smile to realize she meant people were bearing down on them. Turning to greet the approaching weres, he pulled her up close to his side. There would be no question she was meant to be there.
Moriah led a pack of women making a beeline for them. Sighing at the intrusion, he pasted a polite smile on his face. “Hello, Moriah,” he said, but he could not keep the underlying anger out of his voice. Although the results were favorable, the anger pulsated through him.
Her smile faltered. “I’ve come to congratulate you both and apologize for my assumption of your weakness,” she addressed the last to Alex.
“Thank you. I’m honored to be the ulfric’s mate.”
“We,” Moriah said, hands including those who had walked over with her, “are honored to have you. We will serve you as we serve the ulfric,” she said formally.
Alex stood up straighter. “And I will serve as healer to the best of my abilities to everyone in our combined packs.”
Moriah gave her a quick nod of respect and left.
“Are you ready for this?” he asked, moving his arm in an arc to encompass the milling Weres.
“More than ready. I finally feel like I belong,” she replied.
“You’ll always belong with me,” he growled low, going in for a kiss, his anger gone. “Let’s go home so I can show you how much.”
She laughed around their kiss. “Just show me the way.”
Biography
Leona Bushman can be found in Eastern Washington with her husband and children writing, painting, gardening, running, camping, or just reading or crafting. She also loves to swim but rarely gets a chance to as she’s busy chasing after three of five children still left at home. Sassy and saucy, she can be found writing about her trials and errors as a mom and writer at the following places:
Blog: http://lbushman.blogspot.com
The website: http://www.leonajbushman.com
And don’t forget Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLeonaBushman
If you want more of her, she’s found on twitter as often as not at @L_Bushman just follow and don’t be a spammer. She follows back if you look li
ke a real person. Besides werewolves, she also likes zombies, vampires, and fairies. You’re likely to catch her attention if you talk to her about any of the above. Or sports. She loves sports but rarely gets a chance to indulge in that love. So speak up!
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