Chapter 24: The Fight for a Mate - Callista's POV

Riven saw the look in my eyes. “No,” he said, following my gaze to his throat. He knew too well what I was thinking. “We’re not doing that here. Not like this or under pressure.”

“But it would end the challenges,” I whispered, very aware of the five wolves waiting for their turn. “If we’re bitten, they—”

“It needs to mean something more than desperation,” he said, his jaw set stubbornly. “When I mark you, it’ll be because we are ready and love each other. Not because pack politics forced our hand.”

Part of me wanted to argue, because we shouldn’t be going through this at all. The practical part of me saw that five more fights loomed ahead and could see the demon just waiting to be unleashed. He was going to get harder to control with each challenge Riven faced.

That small other part, the part that was already falling for him, understood.

"Then what do we do?" I whispered.

"I fight." He stepped back, his expression hardening. "And you stay off the platform where you're safe."

"Riven—"

"Please, Callista." His eyes met mine, and I saw the fear beneath the determination. "I need to know you're protected. That's the only way I can keep control."

Before I could respond, the Alpha King’s voice boomed out. “The challengers will face Riven Nightshade one at a time. Same terms. First blood or until submission. No shifting to human form during combat.” The last part was directed at Derek, who was being helped away by his pack. He was still clutching his throat. “Do you understand?”

The red-haired wolf stepped forward first, already stripping off his shirt. He was leaner than Derek and built for speed rather than brute strength.

"Connor Silverpine," he announced. "I challenge."

My father guided me to the edge of the circle, but I couldn’t stop myself from looking back. It was at that moment that I realized Riven had been completely naked and I had been standing there eyeing him like he was arm candy.

“Oh…my…” I said, my voice trailing off.

My gaze dropped to his muscled backside, and I nearly gasped.

“It’s about time you noticed,” my father said, rolling his eyes. “You talked to him as if it was a normal day. Not like he was standing there naked with blood on him.”

I shook as I watched him prepare for the second fight. Exhaustion was already setting in and he had barely had time to recover from Derek. The wound on his shoulder was still bleeding.

"He can't fight five wolves in a row," I said desperately to my father. "It's not fair."

“Pack law doesn’t care about what’s fair,” Dad said grimly. “It’s about strength and if Riven can’t defend his claim, they’ll say—”

“Our traditions are barbaric,” I snapped. “We have our marks from the Moon Goddess, so he shouldn’t have to do this at all.”

"I don't disagree." His hand squeezed my shoulder. "But right now, we work within the system. Watch. He's stronger than you think."

Both wolves shifted again, their bones cracking. Connor’s wolf was smaller than Derek’s, with russet fur and those same sharp green eyes. He circled Riven warily, clearly having learned from Derek’s mistake of attacking directly and recklessly.

Riven's wolf was favoring his injured shoulder, I noticed with growing dread. And those shadows in his eyes were still there, the demon lurking just beneath the surface.

Connor attacked low, going for Riven’s legs to bring him down, but Riven anticipated it and leaped over Connor. He twisted mid-air to land on the other wolf’s back and his jaws found his scruff.

Blood poured down the sides of Connor’s neck. Another first blood.

Connor yelped and threw himself sideways, dislodging Riven. They separated, both breathing hard.

"Submit," Riven's growl seemed to say, even in wolf form.

But Connor shook his head and attacked again.

This fight was faster and more brutal. Connor was skilled, I’d give him that. He managed to get a few hits in, even though it should have been over with once Riven drew blood. Why the Alpha King was allowing this was beyond my understanding.

Riven's fur was matted with blood now—some his, some Connor's. But Riven was relentless in his attacks. Every time Connor got close, he nipped him and drew more blood. He was bigger, faster, and driven by something beyond his pride.

He was fighting for us.

Finally, after what felt like hours, but was probably only minutes, Riven caught Connor’s throat. He didn’t crush it or even attempt it. It was enough to make his point.

Connor went still, then shifted back to his human form. “I yield!” He yelled out.

Riven released him immediately, shifting back as well as he wiped his mouth. His chest heaved with exertion, blood dripping from multiple wounds.

“Two down,” he said, looking at the four other challengers. “Who’s next?”

The third wolf stepped forward. This one was massive, even bigger than Derek had been. And then…I froze.

“Marcus Stonecrest,” a man said from the crowd, who I gathered was his father.

My blood ran cold. Of course, Marcus would use this opportunity.

Even in wolf form, his nose didn’t look quite right. His eyes burned with the need for revenge.

“He challenges,” his father continued, his voice rough. “And this time, Nightshade, he’s not holding back.”

The Alpha King stared at them for a moment, clearly not expecting someone to already be in their wolf form before the battle, but he allowed it.

"Neither am I," Riven growled.

I could see the demon in Riven’s eyes even stronger now. It was feeding off the violence as if it was a full course meal. The shadows were spreading, consuming more of the red-gold. There were still three challengers left.

He would never make it at this rate.

“Riven,” I called out, unable to help myself. “You don’t have to—”

“Yes, I do.” He didn’t look at me, keeping his eyes locked on Marcus.

Riven shifted, and now there were two massive wolves facing off in the moonlight.

This fight was different from the start. Marcus wasn't testing or probing. He went straight for the kill, his wolf driven by humiliation and rage. He was bigger than Riven, heavier, and he used that weight to his advantage.

They collided with bone-crushing force, teeth and claws flashing. Blood sprayed. There was so much blood I couldn't tell whose was whose.

Riven was tired. I could see it in his movements and how they got slower. His reactions seemed too delayed. The previous two fights had taken their toll, and Marcus was fresher.

Marcus got his jaws around Riven’s injured shoulder, the same one Derek had torn, and bit down hard. Riven howled in pain, which cut through the night air. It made my wolf thrash against my control.

“No, my mate is hurt.”

I took a step toward the fight, but my father's hand on my arm stopped me.

"Don't," he said firmly. "If you interfere, the challenge will be forfeited. Riven will be declared unfit to defend his claim."

"He's going to die," I choked out.

"He's going to win." But even Dad sounded uncertain.