Chapter 71- Challenge Accepted

Salara’s POV

I was walking back towards the training grounds with a now calm Arielle when I heard what that whore Daphne said about me. Anger swelled up inside of me and without thinking over what words were leaving my lips, I heard myself saying, “I’ll show you a weak Luna.”

Silence moves through the training grounds with everyone’s eyes glancing from where I stand right behind Derrick and over to where Daphne stands, abandoned by everyone around her. An amused smirk appears on the foolish woman’s face, her eyes sizing me up as she thinks over my challenge.

Anxious energy hums through my veins as I realize just what I have just done. I have zero combat training unlike Daphne who has clearly been training all of her life. It is not too far of a reach to expect that the bitch can take me down without much effort. All I can do now is pray that she will not answer my challenge and back down before her superiors.

A hope that is soon dashed when I hear her accept my challenge loud and clear for all to hear. “I will enjoy putting you in your place, little human.” A cocky smirk returns to her face as she speaks these words. Everyone clears out from the training grounds, leaving space for Daphne and I to duel.

I can feel the nervous energy through the mate bond that I share with Derrick, even though he appears as calm as can be on the outside. He turns in my direction, showing his inner turmoil for a moment before he clears the emotions from his features. His brow lifts in question, clearly giving me an out from this duel, but I know if I back out now I will always be seen as a weak Luna.

I nod my head in the affirmative, not missing the pained expression that appears on his face when I decide to go through with the duel. He turns back to the pack members that are gathering around, addressing them with his loud, booming voice.

“It appears your Luna would like to start your training off with a duel.” Cheers erupts all around us as the pack members go crazy over watching their Luna in action. Crowds of people soon appear, joining those that are here for training this morning. Their arrival either out of curiosity over the noise or because people are mindlinking about what is going on.

I take a steadying breath in and pray to the Moon Goddess that I will not make a fool of myself in front of the woman that covets my Alpha. A snorted chuckle reverberates through my mind, reminding me that I am not alone in this fight because I have a wolf that none of them are expecting.

‘It is all reflex, Salara.’ My wolf snickers in my mind. ‘Just like riding one of those bike thingies that I have seen your modern children riding around.’ I nod my head to my wolf, realizing how foolish I must look when I earn curious glances from those close by.

Derrick leans down to place a kiss along my cheek, causing murmurs to go up around us. Some of them are in favor of their Alpha’s new mate, but most of them (from the females) are unhappy about their Alpha’s new mate. “Be careful, my love.” He whispers in my ear, low enough so no one would be able to hear.

I look up to give him my most reassuring smile, knowing I missed the mark completely when more of his anxiety floods me from the mate bond. I lift my hand up to his cheek before placing my lips gently on his, earning cheers from the crowd. “We will show her who is boss.” Confusion appears on his features at my choice of words, but I quickly walk away from him to take my place in the center of the training grounds, in front of an inpatient Daphne.

“And here I thought you were backing down from your challenge.” Daphne sneers at me, dropping down into a ready stance with her feet spread apart and her hands raised in front of her.

My wolf moves towards the surface, providing me with a surge of confidence that I know I wouldn’t have on my own. Mirroring her stance, I drop down, setting my feet in a formation that feels natural, and tilt my head to the side. “I just needed to get my love from my Alpha before I kicked your ass for all to see.”

Laughter and cheers erupt around us, but I tune them out, keeping my full focus on the pissed off Daphne standing in front of me. I don’t know what made me taunt the already edgy wolf, but I can’t deny I like the way her nostrils flare in jealousy and anger. Derrick is mine and there is nothing she can do about it.

My eyes narrow, focusing on the slightest of movements from Daphne in anticipation of her making the first move. A grin forms on my face when I notice her eyes move from me, to over where Derrick is standing, and back to me again. Someone is super pissed over my words but trying to hide it.

Her face suddenly lights up, taking me by surprise as I try to figure out what has her so excited. It doesn’t take long before another of her annoying smirks spreads across her lips and she reveals what has her so happy. “I challenge you for the Luna position of this pack.” Gasps go up around us and I can feel the flood of anxiety coming from Derrick. “If I win, you disappear from our pack and Derrick is mine.”

I block out the mate bond that links me to Derrick, not needing his emotions to distract me in such a situation. It is clear that her words will only stand if I accept the terms of her challenge, and though I mean to laugh off her words, I find myself agreeing. “My Alpha will never be yours.” I roar out, causing silence to echo around us loudly.

Daphne stiffens in her place, the first tendrils of fear contorting her features before she is able to smooth them away. “I will rip you apart with my bare hands and then fuck my Alpha loudly for you to hear.” I have no idea where the hell those words came from, but the mention of fucking Derrick was enough to set Daphne into motion.

She flies through the air, attempting to land a punch on my face in order to knock me out with one hit. With reflexes that I didn’t know that I possessed, I dodge her attempt at punching me and laugh at her bewildered face when her hands reach nothing but air. She turns around to face me just as a vicious snarl leaves my lips.

“My turn.” I tell her before running at her with inhuman speed. My leg moves up seconds before I reach her, kicking her straight in the stomach and sending her skidding across the training field.

Her body lands with a sickening thud, causing me to believe that I had already won before we even got started. But soon enough she picks herself up from the ground, spitting out a river of blood before she turns her once pretty face in my direction.

Anger burns in her eyes when they connect with mine, a loathing that I have never seen before shining brightly in their depths. Road rash covers her face, making me wince at the sight of it.

“You will pay for that, bitch.” She spits out, charging in my direction once again.