Chapter 234
Kael's POV
The council hall felt like a tomb.
Elder Thomas raised the ceremonial staff. The wood was dark. Ancient. The kind of thing that had witnessed a hundred Alpha challenges before this one.
"According to Pinehollow tradition," his voice echoed off the stone walls, "the Alpha challenge begins now."
My father stood ten meters away. He was already pulling off his jacket. Tossing it aside like it was nothing.
I could feel my heart hammering against my ribs. Fast. Too fast.
I forced myself to breathe. Slow. Controlled.
This was it.
The guards and elders backed away. Formed a circle around us. Gave us space.
My father rolled his shoulders. Cracked his neck. He looked at me like I was a sparring dummy. Something to break.
"Kael." His voice was cold. Mocking. "You really think you're ready for this?"
I didn't answer right away. Just met his eyes.
"Today you'll see what I'm capable of."
My voice came out steadier than I felt. Good.
He laughed. It was a harsh sound. No warmth in it.
"Let's see then."
---
He moved first.
One second he was standing there. The next he was shifting. Bones cracking. Fur erupting. His wolf form was massive. Black as midnight. Eyes burning gold.
Fuck.
I barely had time to react. He was already coming at me.
I threw myself to the side. Felt his claws rake across my shoulder. The fabric of my shirt tore. Hot pain bloomed across my skin.
I hit the ground. Rolled. Came up on my feet.
My shoulder was bleeding. Not deep. But enough to sting like hell.
My father's voice rumbled through the hall. Half-human. Half-growl.
"Is this your strength? You can't even take one hit."
I gritted my teeth. Ignored the pain.
He was faster than I remembered. Stronger too. Twenty-three years of being Alpha had honed him into something terrifying.
I couldn't match him in raw power. I knew that.
But I didn't have to.
I just had to be smarter.
---
I shifted. Partial transformation. Claws extended. Teeth sharpened. My senses exploded.
The world sharpened. Every sound. Every smell.
I could hear his breathing. Heavy. Confident.
He lunged again. This time I was ready.
I sidestepped. Went low. Aimed for his joints. The weak points.
My claws caught the back of his knee. Not deep. But enough.
He stumbled. Just for a second.
I pressed the advantage. Spun behind him. Raked my claws across his back.
Three clean lines. Blood welled up. Stained his fur.
He roared. Spun around. His eyes were wild now.
"You dare wound me?!"
Yeah. I dared.
---
He came at me again. But this time it was different.
He was angry now. Really angry.
His attacks were faster. Harder. But sloppier.
I could see it. The way he overextended. The way his balance shifted wrong.
My mind flashed back. Childhood. The training yard.
My father standing over me. Screaming.
"Alphas don't have weaknesses. No mercy. Only strength."
I'd been eight years old. Bleeding from a dozen cuts. Barely able to stand.
He'd made me get up. Made me keep fighting.
"You'll never be Alpha if you're weak."
I shook the memory away. Focused.
That philosophy. That twisted belief. It had destroyed him.
And I was going to end it here.
---
He lunged again. Wild. Reckless.
I saw the opening. Left side. Ribs exposed.
I didn't hesitate.
I drove my fist into his side. Full force. Felt the bones crack under my knuckles.
The sound echoed through the hall. Sharp. Wet.
He staggered back. Clutched his side. His breathing was ragged now.
Elder Sarah's voice cut through the silence. Low. Almost sad.
"He's reached his limit."
My father's eyes snapped to her. Fury and shame mixed together.
But he didn't stop.
---
He came at me again. Slower this time. Limping.
But still dangerous.
I met him head-on this time. No more dodging.
Our claws collided in mid-air. The impact sent shockwaves up my arms.
I felt something shift inside me. Deep in my chest.
Power. Raw. Primal.
My Alpha blood waking up.
I pushed harder. Felt the strength surge through me.
He couldn't hold me back.
I grabbed his arm. Twisted. Threw him to the ground.
He hit the stone floor hard. The impact knocked the wind out of him.
I was on him in a second. Knee on his chest. Claws at his throat.
The hall went silent.
---
My father lay there. Breathing hard. His eyes were still burning. But the fury was fading.
Replaced by something else.
Humiliation. Defeat.
Elder Thomas stepped forward. His voice was solemn.
"The challenge is decided. Harrington, do you have any last words?"
My father's eyes locked on mine. He laughed. Bitter. Broken.
"Kill me then. That's what you want, isn't it?"
I pulled my claws back. Stood up.
"No."
His eyes widened. Just a fraction.
"I'm not going to kill you. But you're done. You're not Pinehollow's Alpha anymore."
I looked at the elders. At the guards. At Victoria standing in the shadows.
Her face was wet. Tears streaming down her cheeks.
"This is the best outcome," she whispered.
Maybe. Maybe not.
All I knew was it was over.
---
Drake was at my side immediately.
"You did it."
I didn't answer. Just scanned the room.
Looking for her.
I found her near the back. Leaning against the wall. Arms crossed.
Lynette.
She was watching me. Her expression was unreadable.
But her eyes. Those amber eyes. They were sharp. Assessing.
I walked toward her. My legs felt heavy. The adrenaline was wearing off. Exhaustion creeping in.
I stopped in front of her. I was still bleeding. Still covered in my father's blood.
"I won."
Stupid thing to say. She'd seen the whole thing.
But I needed to say it. Needed to hear myself say it.
Lynette nodded slowly.
"I saw."
Her voice was quiet. But there was something in it. Something I couldn't quite read.
Concern? Relief?
I wanted to say more. Ask her what she thought. If she was proud. If she was disappointed.
But the words stuck in my throat.
So I just stood there. Looking at her.
And she looked back.