Page 52 of Broken Souls

“I have to, don't I?” I whisper.

“I'll be right beside you,” Dash says calmly.

“I never thought it would come to someone challenging Axe, and having it be my mate...”

“You don't have to be scared.”

***

Here we are, the pack about to see the challenge. Some people did leave the meeting, mainly parents forcing their young teenagers to go home with them. The training arena is a clearing in the forest, the ground worn out from use. It's ancient, the circled stone seating area chipped all over. In the actual stadium-like arena there are two entrances where the fighters will come in. There is a little area that's higher than the seating part, which is where Dash, me, Brian, Axe's parents, and a few of his men are standing.

My heart is beating out of my chest. I know Axe has a plan but what if, what if Joel somehow wins? What does that entail? Joel will take me no matter who gets in his way. Will anyone stop him? If Axe... dies, will Dash step in? This has escalated worse than I ever thought it would. A part of me did think once the punishments were given out, everyone else in the pack would blindly follow Axe's laws. Maybe the great fear of the unstable alpha has died down. But the most logical part of me knew there would be a downfall somewhere.

“Everyone,” Dash shouts loudly, making me jump since he's right next to me. “We are here for a challenge. Joel Lewis has challenged the alpha. Once a challenge has been set, it's a fight to the death match. No one interferes. Any interference will be a punishable offence. Coming in from the east corridor, Joel Lewis,” Dash introduces him. Joel walks out and the fact that he doesn't look nervous is making me nervous. No one cheers for Joel. “And coming in from the west corridor, alpha Axel.”

Axe walks in nonchalantly. No one cheers for him either. The arena is deadly silent. Axe looks calm yet I see something in his eyes. I wonder if anyone else can see it. He has a bloodthirsty look. What if he's too confident? What if whatever plan he has fails? No matter how sure Axe is about winning this, what if his emotions get the best of him? Axe hates Joel. He might look cool and collected now, but once it starts, what if he goes unhinged? Axe has to have the control in this fight and I mean mentally more than physically. Once Joel gets the upper hand, Axe could possibly fall. Joel has a sound mind; Axe has a history of losing it. Would barbaric violence win over rationality, knowledge and skill?

Fuck, I hate all these what if questions. I'm just overthinking, I'm just overthinking, I chant in my head to keep myself from worrying. This is Axe. I'm just being paranoid. Axe will tear down anyone. I doubt Dash would even be able to take him on. So Joel has no chance.

“Before we start, you solicited this fight. You get the choice; do you want this to happen in human form or wolf form?” Axe asks. We all wait for Joel's response.

“Human form,” Joel answers.

“Smart choice,” Dash mutters beside me.

“If I die, in tradition, the next dominant male will take leadership. This would be Dashiell but if he gets challenged and defeated, that wolf will take leadership,” Axe explains. and Manson growls at that.

'Fucking asshole. I know he'll win but he better have a solid plan,' Dash mind links me.

I look at Dash; his face is stoic. Manson looks absolutely pissed. His wife is clutching onto his arm. I look down at where Axe is, but his eyes are on Joel.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Battlers, there will be no submitting. Whoever dies first, that will be their submission,” Dash informs them. “Ready?”

Axe nods, not taking his eyes off Joel. However, Joel stares at me, giving me an icy look while he nods, then he turns back to Axe.

“BATTLE,” Dash announces.

Axe and Joel slowly stalk each other in a circle until they both lunge and lock up. They lock up, then push each other but then Joel throws a punch hitting Axe right in the jaw. The hitting really gets started. Axe throws a hit, then Joel. They both try and dodge but some of the punches connect. It feels like a wrestling match you'd watch on tv. I didn't think it would be like this. I thought it would be more brutal.

'What's going on?' I mind link Dash.

'Looks like Axe is putting on a good show,' he replies.

The match goes on and soon it turns from wrestling to a bloody fight. Axe's shirt gets torn from his body, Joel's nose starts bleeding, and soon enough I see canines come out, them both growling trying to assert their dominance over each other. When they lock up again, they both crash into the ground. Joel pulls the most extreme dick move and knees Axe between the legs, making the crowd grimace. Axe gets crippled for a moment and rolls off Joel, which he uses to his advantage.

'Aren't there certain rules?' I mind link Dash.

'Not with a fight to the death match.'

Joel moves quickly, straddles Axe and lands blow after blow to his face, making me anxious. Dash holds my hand, crossing his fingers over mine. Is he trying to comfort me or is he worried that Joel has the upper hand?

'How long does a man stay down after being kneed there?' I ask Dash.

Every guy makes out it's so painful to be hit in the balls. Considering Axe lost his composure and now Joel has the upper hand, it must be the only way to make any man fall.

'You'd be surprised,' Dash replies.