Chapter 25 Mara's Challenge
Jolie POV
It takes me two days to feel human again. Two days of Doc checking my vitals, Luna bringing me meals, and Ryder hovering like I might shatter if he looks away.
On the third day, I insist on training. Knox looks skeptical, but he doesn't argue when Ryder gives him a sharp nod.
"Take it easy," Knox says as we face off in the training ring, his stance relaxed but ready. "We're just doing drills today."
I nod and fall into the familiar patterns. Block, dodge, counter. My body remembers even if my muscles protest.
We're twenty minutes in when Mara appears. She leans against the fence, watching with those cold eyes. Her arms cross over her chest.
"Touching," she calls out, her voice dripping with mockery. "The alpha's little pet gets special treatment."
I ignore her and focus on Knox's next move. Duck left, pivot right, strike at the opening.
"I'm talking to you, runt." Mara's voice sharpens, cutting through my concentration. "Or are you too weak to even respond?"
Knox stops mid-swing, his jaw tightening. "Mara, back off."
"Why?" She pushes off the fence and stalks closer, each step deliberate. "Because she's fragile? Because she might break?"
"Because she's recovering," Knox growls, positioning himself between us. "And you're being an asshole."
"Recovering from what? Days of getting exactly what she wanted?" Mara's laugh is ugly, bitter. "Must be nice, having the alpha wrapped around your finger."
Heat floods my face. Not from anger—from shame. Because part of me believes her. Part of me thinks I don't deserve Ryder's protection.
"That's enough." Knox steps between us, his shoulders squared. "Walk away."
"Or what?" Mara meets his glare without flinching. "You'll make me? We all know the only reason she's here is because Ryder can't control his dick."
The words hit like a punch to my gut. I flinch, and Mara sees it as her smile turns cruel.
"That's what I thought." She circles around Knox, moving closer to me. "You don't belong here. You're not strong enough, not fast enough, not anything enough. You're just a weak little bitch he'll get bored of eventually."
"Leave her alone." Luna appears from nowhere, her dark eyes flashing dangerously. "Before you say something you'll regret."
"I don't regret anything." Mara turns on her, voice rising. "But apparently you do. Coddling her like she's something precious when we all know she's dead weight."
"Mara." Doc's voice cuts across the yard, low and commanding. He walks toward us slowly, his massive frame casting shadows. "Stand down."
"No." Mara plants her feet, chin lifted defiantly. "I'm tired of pretending she's one of us. Tired of walking on eggshells because Ryder decided to claim a runt."
More pack members gather, drawn by the commotion. I see Cass and Knox exchange worried looks. See Phoenix watching from the porch.
And I see Ryder emerge from the clubhouse, his expression thunderous.
"What's going on?" His alpha command rolls over the yard like a physical force, making everyone straighten instinctively.
"Just making some observations." Mara doesn't back down, even with him towering over her. "About how your mate is dragging us all down."
"Watch your mouth." Ryder's voice drops to something dangerous, a barely leashed growl.
"Why?" Mara throws her hands up, voice sharp with challenge. "Someone needs to say it. She can't fight, can't hunt, can barely shift without collapsing. What exactly does she bring to this pack?"
The words shouldn't hurt. I've heard worse. Been told worse. But coming from her, in front of everyone, they cut deep.
"She brings loyalty." Ryder takes a step forward, his presence filling the space. "Courage. Heart. Things you clearly don't understand."
"I understand strength." Mara jabs a finger toward me, her face twisted with contempt. "And she doesn't have it."
"Then prove it." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. Everyone freezes. "Challenge me."
Mara's eyes light up with interest. "What?"
"You want to prove I don't belong?" I step around Knox, facing her directly. My hands shake, but I force them still. "Then challenge me for position. That's how packs work, right?"
"Jolie, no." Luna grabs my arm, her grip tight with alarm. "Don't do this."
"I have to." I pull away from her gently, my heart pounding. "I can't keep hiding behind Ryder."
"You're not hiding," Ryder says, but I cut him off.
"Yes, I am." I meet his eyes, hoping he understands, needing him to see. "And I'm tired of it. Tired of being protected. Tired of being treated like I might break."
"Because you might," he says bluntly, his voice rough with barely controlled fear. "And I won't watch that happen."
"It's not your choice." The words come out stronger than I feel than my racing pulse. "It's mine."
Silence falls over the yard. Everyone's watching now.
Mara recovers first. "You really want to do this?" She circles me, assessing, calculating. "Fight me? You will lose."
"Probably." I don't bother denying it, my voice level despite everything. "But at least I have tried."
Something flickers across her face. Surprise, maybe. Or respect. But it disappears quickly behind her usual sneer.
"Fine." She cracks her knuckles, the sound sharp in the tense air. "I accept your challenge. Tomorrow night during the full moon. The whole pack as a witnesses."
Pack challenges are brutal, bloody affairs. Winners walk away with honor. Losers.
I don't let myself think about that.
"Tomorrow night," I repeat.
Mara turns and walks away, her pack mates following. The yard empties slowly until it's just me, Ryder, Knox, Luna, and Doc.
"You're insane," Luna says, but there's something like pride in her voice, a reluctant admiration. "Completely insane."
"She's brave," Doc corrects quietly, his expression thoughtful. "There's a difference."
Knox just shakes his head, exhaling hard. "I hope you know what you're doing, kid."
I don't. But I smile anyway. "Guess we'll find out."
Ryder hasn't said anything. He stands there, jaw clenched, hands fisted at his sides. His eyes have gone amber, his wolf right at the surface.
"Can I talk to you?" He doesn't wait for an answer, his voice tight with controlled emotion, just turns and walks toward the garage. "Alone."
I follow him, my heart hammering. The others don't try to stop me.
The garage is empty, dim and cool. Ryder paces the length of it once, twice, before whirling on me.
"What the hell were you thinking?" His voice cracks on the last word, fury lacing through.
"That I'm tired of being the pack's punching bag." I cross my arms defensively, lifting my chin. "Maybe if I stand up for myself, they'll respect me."
"Or Mara will tear you apart." He closes the distance between us in two strides, his breathing harsh. "She's been fighting since she could walk. You've had just weeks of training."
"I know the odds." My voice comes out quieter than I intend.
"Then why?" His hands come up to grip my shoulders. Not hard, but firm, grounding me. "Why throw yourself into a fight you can't win?"
"Because I have to." The words crack on the way out, raw and honest. "Because if I don't, I'll always be Little Ash. The runt. The weak one. And I can't live like that anymore."
His grip tightens, fingers digging in just slightly. "You could die."
"I've been dying slowly for four years." I meet his eyes, letting him see the truth, all of it. "At least this way, I'm choosing how I go down."
"Don't." The word comes out rough. Pain flashing across his features. "Don't talk like that."
"Ryder" I start, but he cuts me off.
"And you still don't know how to control your healing power," he says, his voice dropping lower."That makes you vulnerable in ways you don't understand.”
I swallow hard. "I know."
"Do you?" He leans closer, his amber eyes searching mine desperately. "Because I don't think you realize what you're risking. The council—we're still avoiding them for now, but if you draw this kind of attention, if something goes wrong..." He shakes his head sharply. "You need to be careful."
"I am being careful," I say, even though we both know it's a lie.
"No, you're being reckless." His thumbs press against my collarbone, feeling my pulse. "There's a difference." He pauses, something shifting in his expression. "How do you feel?"
I blink at the change in subject. "What?"
"Down there," he clarifies, his voice going quieter, almost gentle. "I need to know if I was too rough. During." He trails off, jaw working.
Heat floods my face. A smile tugs at my lips despite everything. "Seriously? You're thinking about sex right now?"
"No," he says quickly, then exhales, looking almost embarrassed. "Yes. But not like that. I'm worried about you." His eyes search mine, vulnerable in a way I rarely see. "I need to know I didn't hurt you. That you're okay."
My expression softens. I reach up to touch his face, feeling the tension in his jaw. "I'm okay. You didn't hurt me."
He closes his eyes briefly, relief washing over his features. "Promise me."
"I promise." I stroke my thumb across his cheek. "Ryder, you've never hurt me. Not once."
He leans into my touch for a moment before opening his eyes again, and the fear is back.
"Then help me," I say, gripping his wrists, holding on tight. "Train me. Teach me. Give me a fighting chance."
He stares at me for a long moment. I watch emotions war across his face—fury, fear, frustration, and something that might be understanding.
Finally, he exhales hard, his shoulders dropping slightly. "You're really going to do this."
"Yes."
"Even if I forbid it as your alpha." It's not quite a question, more like he's testing how far I'll push.
"Even then." I hold his gaze, unwavering. "I'm not backing down."
Another long silence. Then, slowly, his expression shifts. The anger fades, replaced by something else.
"Fine." He releases my shoulders and steps back, rolling his neck. "But we do this my way. Starting now."
"Now?" I glance at the darkening sky outside, surprised. "It's almost dinner"
"Now," he repeats. His alpha voice leaves no room for argument,. "If you're going to fight tomorrow, we have twenty-four hours to make you dangerous."
He calls out the door, his voice carrying. "Knox! Luna! Get in here!"
They appear within seconds, like they were waiting. Probably were.
"We've got one day," Ryder tells them, his tone all business now. "One day to teach her everything she needs to survive a challenge fight with Mara."
"That's impossible," Knox says flatly, crossing his arms.
"Then we'll do the impossible." Ryder looks at each of them in turn, his jaw set with determination. "Because I am not losing her."
Luna steps forward, her expression determined, fierce. "Then let's get to work."
I look at their faces—grim, worried, but resolved. They're going to help me. Even though they think I'm going to lose.
Maybe especially because they think I'm going to lose.
"Thank you," I whisper, my throat tight with emotion.
"Don't thank us yet," Knox says, cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders. "By tomorrow night, you're going to hate all of us."
"I can live with that." I square my shoulders, ready for whatever comes next.