by Riki Bishop
“I don’t care who you are! I have my mate and I would NEVER be with your son. Even if I was forced. As for my sister, she isn’t here. She’s gone.” I lied. Of course, she was still here, he just didn’t need to know that.
“I said to let her go! She is MINE!” Levi snarled. I could tell he’s starting to lose his cool. He’s fighting with his wolf and his eyes are almost black. He can’t go up against the King. Not yet anyway.
“Levi, calm down baby. I’m okay. We’re okay.” I said trying to tear myself from the King's grasp. It’s not helping. “Baby, I need you to calm down. Please. For me, for our baby! We can’t lose you!” I plead. I can see is starting to calm down some, but not much. He is glaring at the King like he is about to rip his head off.
Babe…I need you to keep a level head. We can’t defeat him if you get killed. If you die, I die. Baby trust me. I tell him through mind-link. I’m starting to formulate a plan and the last thing I need is Levi trying to go after him. The look in his eyes softens when he looked at me but hardened once again when he looked back to the King.
“You see, I know you’re lying about your sister. I have my men bringing her here now. Once she is here we have much to discuss.” He said. “You stand down Alpha before I rip your head off.”
“Let me go, please.” I pleaded again. He let me go but threw me into the arms of whom I assuming is Sebastian. “Don’t touch me.” I sneered.
“Feisty, I like a challenge. Come on now baby is that how you treat your soon-to-be beloved?” He asked.
“I’m nothing to you and I never will be. You are sick if you think I would ever go for someone like you. Taking by force will get you nowhere. NOW. LET. ME. GO!” I sneered. What is it with men manhandling women like ragdolls? I’m over being treated like shit.
“Oh, baby girl, I’d never let you go. You were promised to me and I get what I want. When I want something, I get it.” He said.
I’m going to be sick.
“Shay!” I heard Ryder shout. I turned around to see her being dragged to the arena and Ryder running towards her. She looks so scared and I can’t get to her to make her feel better. She’s my baby sister and I can’t do anything because I’m being tightly held my Mr. Cocky. The nausea isn’t subsiding and it’s only getting worse. I can’t move very well, but I manage to turn my head enough to let all the contents from my stomach up.
“What the fuck!” Sebastian bellows throwing me towards the ground. Did I mention that I couldn’t get my head turned completely so some of it landed all over him? I waste no time at all getting my balance and rushing over to Levi.
“Did you…just throw up on one of the Princes?” Levi asked with amusement in his eyes.
“The baby made me do it.” I said with a slight smile as Levi leaned down to my belly and told the baby good job.
“She’s pregnant too!” I heard the King bellow. “Now that both girls are here let’s get down to business. I will give you three days to collect your belongings and say goodbye to your loved ones before you come with me and marry my sons. We’ll deal with the problem once you are back in the Kingdom. If you refuse to come there will be a war and I promise that your Alpha lover will be the first to die.” He said. “I will be staying close, so don’t try anything stupid.”
“You will not touch my child or my wife! I will not allow it! I hereby challenge you for the title of King!” Levi spits out.
“Levi! No. You can’t!” I say.
“Trust me baby. I got this. I will not allow anything to happen to you or our baby. I will protect you with my last dying breath.” He says kissing me.
“You challenge me? Ha! I am the strongest wolf out there. You are a measly Alpha. Unfortunately, I must accept the challenge and don’t worry, Sebastian will take good care of your Luna when I kill you. You have three days!” He sneered as he turned to leave.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: STRATEGY
“What the fuck were you thinking Levi!” I yelled at him when we got back to the offices. The King gave us three days to go with him willingly, but that was before my pea-brained husband challenged him for the King title. “Do you have a damn death wish? What about me? What about our unborn child? Did you not use that thing that’s in your head called a brain?”
“Willow calm down. I’m doing this for us. Of course, I was using my brain. I can’t lose you or our baby. I was doing what I thought would be right. I can defeat him. I know I can. You have to trust me.” He replied.
“Calm down! CALM DOWN! You just signed a death ticket. How do you expect me to do this alone? I’ll be stuck with another man. What if you don’t win? You know he doesn’t fight to submission…only to death. Levi, if you die, I die. I can’t do this without you. I will support all the decisions you make, but I will fight you on them until you get my point. You should have discussed it with me!” He didn’t even think to let me in on this damn plan he had. He just signs a possible death sentence and he doesn’t understand what that does to me. I just want to slap him until he gets it through his thick skull.
“Baby…I know what I’m doing. I didn’t let you in on the plan because I knew you would be like this. We have three days to prepare. I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. I understand your point. You think I didn’t consider that? I love you and I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. You will NEVER be in another man’s arms. Only mine. He’s weak Willow. He’s dying. I can use that to my advantage. I knew he couldn’t decline a challenge even if he is in bad health.” He says.
“When were you planning on telling me this? We’re supposed to be in on this together. Not just you and your pals. When did this information come about? What’s wrong with him to make him so sick? What about his sons?” I have so many questions running through my mind. I can’t get them all out. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around Levi challenging the King. If he wins this will change our lives. “What do you have planned? You are not keeping me out of this or anything else Levi Andrews!”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Now, come here.” He says. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist and take in his scent that starts to calm me. He kisses the top of my head before resting his chin there. “I will always be with you baby girl. You are my one and only. This could stop a war that would happen if he didn’t get you and Shay in the three days’ time. Baby, if you were to be taken from me or worse, I wouldn’t be able to live. You are my breath. You and our family are all I think about. I do everything I do for us and our pack.
“I love you. Even though you are a blundering idiot sometimes and make rash decisions. You just must start talking to me. Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself. I may not be able to shift for another five months, but I can still fight.” I tell him and I mean it. If this is going to happen without me losing him, we’re going to have to talk. I move my head from his chest and look into his eyes. I stand on my tiptoes and plant my lips to his. He brings one hand to wrap around my hair and the other on my waist bringing me closer to him, deepening the kiss. I let out a soft moan and he takes advantage of the opening and slips his tongue in my mouth. “I’m still mad at you, but I’m also really horny now.” Levi just chuckles and kisses me again.
“So, what I’m hearing is my lovely wife wants it rough and quick.” I swear my panties just got soaked.
“Maybe. If you think you can deliver.” I say with a smirk. He throws everything from his desk and the next thing I know I’m naked laying on the desk.
“Oh, I can definitely deliver baby.” He says and in one swift movement, he’s buried in my wet center. “Damn…baby…still so tight.” He hisses.
“Levi.” That’s all it takes before he’s slamming in and out of me repeatedly. I can feel the muscles in my belly clenching already. “Don’t stop. I’m…going…to…” He goes faster and harder. My moans and his grunts are echoing throughout the office. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole town heard us.
“Cum for me baby.” That’s all it took, a
nd we come together not even realizing someone walked into the room.
“What the hell! My eyes!” Ryder exclaims.
“Get out!” Levi yells. I can’t help but laugh. I laugh so hard it hurts. “What’s so funny?”
“We just scarred our siblings.” I manage to get out. Levi starts to laugh as well pulling out of me and pulling his pants back up. I straighten out my skirt and pick my underwear up and put them back on before walking to the door. “Would you two like to come in now?” I say with a chuckle.
“Lock the door next time would ya?” Ryder says and I just laugh again shutting the door behind him and Shay.
“Knock next time.” Levi quips back. “What do you need?”
“We need to discuss a strategy on how to use the King's illness against him.” Ryder says. “We know that he is weak from his cancer and he is planning on passing the torch to Sebastian next week. That’s why they need Willow so soon. He will not pass the reins unless he is mated. So, knowing that he is weaker does mean you have an advantage whereas you are strong and younger, but that doesn’t mean he won’t put up a good fight. He is the King after all. You may be able to wear him down.”
“I can’t mistake his illness for weakness Ryder. I need to keep my family safe. He will not get Willow. The only way that will happen is over my dead body. I know you feel the same with Shay. We must keep a level head about this. I can’t allow myself to think that just because he is sick that he is not strong. He is the strongest wolf there is. So, my strategy is to preserve as much strength during the fight and wear him down before going for the kill. I can’t formulate a set-in-stone plan because nothing ever goes as planned in battle. We both know that. For now, we just need to get more information on his weaknesses and strengths.” Levi explains. I don’t like his ideas, but he is right. No matter how good your plan is, there is no guarantee that it will go the way you hope.
“I hope this is enough. We will discuss more the day of. Next time you guys decide to screw in the office make sure you lock the door. I will never get that image of your ass out of my head. Willow, however, I didn’t know she was that flexible.” Ryder jokes and I swear Levi burst a blood vessel. I just laughed.
“It’s my office. You should have knocked and waited for an answer. Don’t comment on my woman’s’ form Ryder. Get out!” Levi snaps. I knew the comment was coming.
“Levi. Don’t worry…you’re the only one that gets to test out my flexibility.” I say, running my fingers down his chest.
“Yeah…Let’s go before they start again Ryder. I don’t care to see just how flexible my sister can be.” Shay says and they walk out of the door.
“Is this going to work?” I ask Levi.
“Yes, babe…it will work.” He says kissing my forehead, bringing me into a hug. All I can think is ‘I hope so’.
CHAPTER NINETEEN: BATTLE FOR KING
These past three days have been the most stressful. I wasn’t this stressed going through college and that’s supposed to be one of the most stressful parts of your life. I have been running myself ragged, along with everyone else. Do I want Levi to go through with this challenge? Hell no, but he is and all I can do is pray to the Goddess that he wins and is safe. I can’t lose him, and I don’t want to imagine what life would be like without him. We have been in meetings for the last three days trying to come up with a plan, but honestly, there isn’t a point because no matter how many scenarios you go through, there is no guarantee that it will go the way you want it. All we can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
“Penny for your thoughts, beautiful?” Levi asks, wrapping his arms around my waist. I instantly lean back into him and relax as much as I can during this hell of a time.
“I’m just worried. I don’t want you to go through with this, but I know why you’re doing it. I’m just scared. He may be sick, but he is still the strongest wolf out there. Granted he is a bit weaker from his cancer, but Levi, what if we’re underestimating how weak he will be?” He’s silent for what seems like hours before he kisses the top of my head.
“Baby girl, I know there is nothing we can do to really plan for how things are going to go when we get into the arena, but I am going to do everything in my power to win the fight. You’re forgetting that I am strong as well. Who knows how strong he really is? We won’t know until we get there. Trust me, I’m going to come back to you and our baby. You are my reason for breathing.” He explains. He really is amazing. In this stressful situation, he is being strong and he’s the one that is fighting. I’ll be glad when all of this is said and done, but if Levi wins, hell even if he loses, there will be so many different things changing all at once.
“I do trust you Levi. I just worry and I always will. You are my rock and I don’t want to do this alone. How long do we have?” I ask.
“We need to leave now. I was coming up to get you before we started talking. He should be here any time now. I lean my head into his chest and inhale his scent. I look into his eyes and wrap my arms around his neck. This could be the last time I see my husband and I don’t want to let him go. I want to hold ourselves in this room and not leave until this all blows over. However, that would never happen, and the problem would still be there.
“Kiss me.” I tell him. “And you better come back to me. I’ll be there every step of the way on the sidelines.” His kiss is soft and gentle like he doesn’t want it to end and quite frankly, neither do I. “Let’s get this win. I want you to myself for at least a night after this is all over.” I said walking towards the door. I know he can feel my nerves and how anxious I am, but I’m still trying to be strong for him.
“Let’s get this win and you can have me as long as you’d like. Just know, you won’t be leaving that bed for the whole time. Well, except to eat and get something to drink. You know, the necessities.” My thoughts exactly, but I wasn’t going to let him know that. He’s going to have to work for it after putting me through this shit.
It doesn’t take us long to reach the arena and I can feel the panic starting to rise as the King is walking up at the same time. I’m beyond terrified and I feel useless. All I can do is be here to support my mate and hope that he is victorious. Levi gives me one last kiss before he heads to the middle of the field and I head to stand in the designated area for the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma pair. “He’s going to be coming back. He will win this.” Ryder whispers, reassuringly to all of us. I don’t know if he’s trying to convince himself or everyone else. Maybe both.
“He better because if he doesn’t I’ll be sure to bring his ass back to life just to kill him myself.” I said as the crowd grew silent.
“Welcome!” The King begins. “Your Alpha has challenged me for my position as the Werewolf King and we know I take these situations seriously. I have accepted his challenge and we will fight to the death. Also, if your Alpha were to somehow win, he would get the title along with keeping his mate and her sister safe from the deal that was made with me years ago. Now, once I finish this battle, we will find a new Alpha until the heir that your Luna is carrying is old enough to take the throne. This deal will also be in effect and your Luna and Beta Female will be going back to my area with me to be married to my sons as promised. Without further ado, let the battle begin.” He really is an arrogant son of a bitch. They will not take us for two reasons, one being Levi will win this battle and the second reason is over my dead body. My sister and I are not pawns to be auctioned off.
This is it. This is when the stress and concern begin. I must try to stay strong for my baby and Levi. He can feel everything that I feel through the bond and I don’t need that to distract this from him. The King begins the battle and both men shift to their wolf forms. The King is a raven black wolf and he is huge. He has a couple of inches or so on Levi’s wolf, but they are similar in height. I hope this works out for him though. They start of circling each other, sizing each other up and waiting for the other to make the first move. I know Levi is trying to find out a weaknes
s getting a feel on how the King will fight before making a move. That was the beginning of his plan. Observation. After a few minutes, the King gets tired of waiting and he lunges for Levi. Levy manages to dart out of the way, but not before the King’s claws went into his leg. Not deep enough to do any damage. Levi managed to get a swipe at his side before they both got back in their stances.
It was all a blur. Growls, bites, scratches, rolling around, yelps, and don’t forget about the blood. So much blood. They were both looking worse for wear, but Levi was still going strong. The King was starting to get weaker the longer it went on. This what we had planned for. It took longer than what we had anticipated, but it’s happening, nonetheless. The fight has been going on for around thirty minutes now and neither one of them wants to give up. Levi is fighting for his pack; his family and the King is fighting to keep his title and to keep the deal that my parents made a long time ago. Levi has the King pinned on his back trying to go for the neck, but the King kicks him off and lunges at him again, sinking his teeth into Levi’s hind leg. Levi lets out a wail and tries to kick him off. He’s not letting go. Levi must find a way to get him off or he wouldn’t last. He tries to curl into himself to reach the King and it doesn’t work. He kicks him with his other paw and that had him release enough for Levi to lunge at him and send him across the field. The King is getting weaker with each minute going by. Levi pins him again and can go for the kill shot. He latches his canines into the King's throat, going straight for the jugular.
He did it. He beat him. He is the new King and he’s still with us. He changes back into his human form and I run to him with his shorts. He puts them on, and I can tell he’s hurt bad, but he still scoops me up and kisses me like it’s the last time he ever would. “You did it. Baby…you did it!” I exclaim. “You need to go get checked out. That was a brutal fight.” The crowd seems to snap out of their confusion and erupt in whoops and applause. It has been centuries since we had a new King and my husband was it. It’s not going to be easy getting this changed and his sons looked like they could murder Levi right now, but we are going to face each of these challenges together. As a family. “I love you.”