AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ryker was right. After dinner, Walker had planned to host another challenge between a delta wolf and a very thirsty Aleks. That’s put on hold, though, the moment Theo challenges Ryker and my thick-headed mate accepts.
I know why he did it, too. No matter what, Ryker couldn’t really win. Either he accepts and there’s a risk he could lose his life, or he refuses and he definitely loses. Based on Theo’s challenge, the black-haired alpha is challenging him for his place.
He wants the Mountainside Pack, and he wants me. By defeating Ryker, he has a claim to both.
And I really should have seen this coming.
I didn’t do what Walker wanted me to. I didn’t fall for Theo’s good guy act, and I refused to invite him inside no matter how many times he walked me home or was suddenly hanging out around the cabin. When Walker told me I could have whatever male in the pack that I wanted, even I was quick enough to realize he was referring to Theo, but I refused, then spent the night fucking Ryker before showing up to the dinner with my mate.
Walker can’t challenge Ryker. At least, not in the first forty-eight hours. After, he could, but would he? When his whole act is predicated on me deciding to join him of my own free will? I don’t know about you, but murdering my mate isn’t the way to endear me to anyone.
But passing the job onto a loyal wolf who told me once that he was looking for a mate like me?
Yeah. I really should’ve seen this coming.
As soon as Ryker accepts the challenge, we’re forcibly separated. I’m ready to fight tooth and claw to stay with him; Ryker, knowing the proper procedures involved in an Alpha fight, kissed me quickly before disappearing with Christian and Brendan. Once he’s gone, I whirl on my bio-dad, who only smirks and tells me that I’m more than welcome to join him on the platform.
Though I’m furious, I tell him I’ll be there. After all, the platform has the best view of the pit.
I don’t even get the chance to take my rage out on Theo. The second he issues the challenge, he disappears, too. I don’t see him or Ryker again until I follow the crowd from the district square to the dirt pit where I watched Aleks fight four nights ago.
I’m one of the first to arrive, my wolf spurring me faster as if I can meet up with Ryker first and save him from his challenge. Though I could easily snag a spot along the edge of the pit to watch the fight, I stubbornly take the same seat I had last time. Walker wants me right there when Ryker goes into the pit?
Fine with me.
I’m not too worried about Ryker losing against Theo. I’ve seen him in action during a challenge where the other wolf thought they could steal his claim to being my mate, and though I’d be an idiot to underestimate the fact that this is a challenge to the death, I have faith in Ryker.
I don’t have faith that this fight will be fair, though.
It seems like forever before Ryker and Theo are led to the pit. Each one is in his skin, wearing the same clothes they had on when I saw them last. The only difference is that they’re barefoot which, yeah, doesn’t bode well. A barefoot shifter is a sure sign that someone plans on shifting, so just because they’re in their skin now, that doesn’t mean it won’t change.
Ryker jumps into the pit first, cracking his neck and rolling it around on his shoulders as he gets loose and limber.
Theo’s friendly, flirty expression is gone, replaced by a darkness that I have no idea how I missed before this. He drops into the pit, glaring at Ryker before he glances over at the raised platform where me, Elizabeth, and Walker are sitting.
Talk about déjà vu.
Like the afternoon when he hosted the brutal fight between Aleks and the wolf my vamp roomie easily destroyed, Walker is sitting regally in his iron-wrought throne. I’m to his left, Elizabeth sitting just behind me. I don’t know where she disappeared to during dinner, but when Walker showed up at the pit about twenty minutes after I did, she was trotting dutifully behind him.
She murmurs something to me as she moves to take the seat behind me, but it’s so low, not even my wolf catches it. I just nod, though, then give my complete attention to the pit.
Theo’s gaze finds me. I show him my teeth. His eyes go from gold to fiery orange and I have to work hard to hide my sudden disgust.
Ew.
He breaks the stare first, looking from me to Walker. Unlike when his eyes were completely focused on me, he dares a peek over at his Alpha, then darts away.
It’s enough. Walker nods royally at Theo, the benevolent lord giving permission to his subject.
And, just like that, the challenge begins.
Theo strikes first. Bounding on his feet like some kind of wannabe boxer, he moves into Ryker, slamming his fist into his cheek. Ryker takes the hit, using it to get a gauge on just how strong Theo’s wolf is. His forehead creases a fraction, and when Theo throws another punch, Ryker catches it.
A crack splits the air, a howl tearing its way out of Theo’s throat as Ryker squeezes, crushing his hand. Once every bone is pulverized, Ryker shoves Theo away from him, watching closely as his challenger hits the dirt.
A fight doesn’t have to be to the death. In a regular challenge, in a pack run by a non-psycho Alpha, to submission is an honorable end. Theo challenged Ryker, Ryker proved he was the stronger wolf. That could’ve been the end of it.
It wasn’t.
