Chapter 248

Chapter 248
Hazel's POV

After dinner, Steven and I returned to our room, finally alone after a long day of explanations and preparations.

As soon as the door closed, he pulled me into his arms, his warmth enveloping me like a shield.

"Baby, before you face your father, is there anything specific you need to prepare?" he asked, his voice gentle yet serious.

I turned to face him, slightly confused by his question. "What do you mean? He can't possibly beat me."

Steven moved closer, pulling my hips against his, his forehead pressed against mine.

"Hazel, every Alpha at the championship witnessed your power. Your father won't face you fairly in combat. He's already lost before the fight even begins. So, what do you think he'll do?"

His words hit me like a bucket of cold water. I suddenly understood what he was getting at. If my father truly wanted to fight for the pack, he must know he couldn't defeat me in a fair fight.

"What do you think he'll try?" I asked, my fingers nervously playing with the hem of Steven's shirt.

"I think we need to ensure this challenge is as fair as possible. We'll bring pack members with us, but I also want to speak with Alpha Carter. He's on the Elder Council—if he's present, any attempt at cheating would immediately disqualify your father."

I agreed with his suggestion.

Alpha Carter readily accepted Steven's invitation over the phone, agreeing that my father would likely try to cheat. Having an Elder present would help ensure fairness.

The week flew by quickly. There was so much to do, and the construction work was demanding. Steven and I fell back into our routine of working long hours, collapsing into bed most nights too exhausted to do anything but sleep. The evening before the challenge, Steven insisted I rest early.

"You need proper rest," he said firmly. "I know you don't need practice to defeat your father, but you still need to recharge. You're not a machine, baby." He'd arranged for dinner to be served in our room, giving us some quiet time alone.

As we ate, he studied my face carefully.

"How do you feel about tomorrow?"

I shrugged, trying to sort through my jumbled emotions.

"I have mixed feelings. On one hand, he's my father, and I wish we didn't have to do this. But on the other hand, he brought this on himself. He banished me, hurt my mother, and married someone else." I paused, my throat tightening. "Whenever I start feeling sorry for him, I remember my mother clutching her chest, writhing on the floor in agony. Or that final moment when she seemed to realize something was wrong, and then her heart just... stopped."

I took a deep breath. "When I think about that, I know I'm the only one who can do this. That pack should have been mine. If he'd been a decent father, he would have passed it to me. But he's not that man, and I'm not that girl anymore. If he doesn't submit, I'll kill him."

"Can you handle that?" Steven asked softly.

"I can now. I couldn't have said that before. But when I put aside my anger and hurt, all I see is a man who abused his position as Alpha, desecrated the mate bond the Moon Goddess blessed him with, and failed as a father." My voice grew stronger with each word.

"He's just a man who doesn't deserve the power he holds."

"Whatever happens tomorrow, I'll be right there with you," Steven promised, pulling me into his embrace. I curled against his chest, letting him hold me as I silently contemplated what the next day would bring.

Carter arrived early the following morning, dressed formally for his role as notary.

"Alpha Carter, thank you for joining us today," I greeted him.

"Of course, Luna. I'm happy to help, and I think we all agree it's necessary."

"Yes, indeed. Please, call me Hazel."

"Then you must call me Carter," he replied with a warm smile.

At seven, our convoy departed for my father's territory, a three-hour drive away. As we passed through what had once been my home, I could hardly believe how much it had changed. Houses that had once been bright with fresh paint and blooming gardens now looked nearly derelict. Paint peeled from exterior walls, streets were riddled with potholes, and lawns grew wild and unkempt.

When we turned onto the road leading to the packhouse, the contrast was shocking. The packhouse exterior gleamed, surrounded by manicured green lawns and blooming flowers.

Steven glanced at me, shaking his head slightly.

After parking, we were greeted by my father's mate. She carried my half-brother in her arms, and I couldn't miss the fading bruise on her cheekbone.

I recognized that expression all too well—my mother had worn it for over a year after my father's beatings.

I approached her while cautiously scanning our surroundings. Someone should have been present, if not to welcome us then at least as a show of force. Where was everyone?

"Luna," she began softly. "I'm sorry I didn't get your name last week."

"Luna Hazel," I replied, studying her closely. "And you are?"

"Mireille. I'm no longer Luna of this pack. After last weekend, I rejected my mate."

I lowered my voice, gently placing my hand on her arm. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "Please believe me, I truly knew nothing," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"I know. As I said last week, you're welcome to return with us to our pack. Alpha Steven and I would both welcome you." I turned, gesturing for Steven to join us.

"As my Luna said last week, you'd be most welcome in our pack," Steven assured her.

"What's my brother's name?" I asked, looking at the sleeping toddler in her arms.

Her smile was genuine. "His name is Torin." I gently patted his back, then looked around again.

"Where is everyone?"

Her smile vanished instantly. "They're waiting for you out back." She lowered her voice further. "Please be careful. He knows he can't beat you in a fair fight."

"Don't worry, we've brought witnesses and an Elder," I said, nodding toward Carter. Her eyes widened in recognition.

"This way, please. I apologize for the mess."

'Mess' didn't begin to describe it. While the packhouse exterior was pristine, the interior was in shambles. It looked like someone had taken a sledgehammer to everything.

"Since seeing you last week, Alpha Hollis has been... unstable. And after I..." She trailed off, gesturing vaguely at herself. "He's not thinking clearly anymore."

We passed through the darkened packhouse toward the backyard. I saw that the entire pack had been gathered to witness the challenge. They stood in a circle, tension thick in the air.

"Finally, the unworthy bitch arrives to take what's mine." My father's voice, dripping with contempt, reached me as soon as I stepped outside. He was swinging a sword, apparently practicing for our duel. When he looked at me, his eyes reflected pure madness. I couldn't tell if discovering I was still alive and a Guardian had broken him, or if being rejected by his mate had pushed him over the edge.

Either way, my father appeared unhinged.

Steven stood on one side of me, Carter on the other.

"Alpha Hollis, you know weapons aren't permitted in challenges," Carter stated firmly. "You may choose to fight in human or wolf form, but using weapons will result in immediate disqualification."

My father's lip curled as he growled, shifting his gaze from Carter to me.

"You brought an Elder."

"I didn't trust you to fight fairly, Alpha. The terrible things you've done in the past aren't as hidden from your pack as you might think." Since stepping outside, my focus had been entirely on my father, but as I looked around at the pack members, I realized they were staring at me in shock. I didn't know what my father had told them about my departure, but he clearly hadn't informed them I would be challenging him today.

Looking at my former pack members, my heart broke. One by one, they stood in tattered clothing, gaunt faces, dirty and disheveled, clearly underfed for some time.

"Today, I've come to take back what's mine, Father. As the true heir to this pack, I formally challenge you, Hollis Phillips, for leadership."

I stepped forward as my father tossed the sword aside. I wore a sports bra and leggings, ready for battle. I'd chosen to go barefoot, prepared to shift at any moment. My father looked like a human soldier, wearing thick protective gear and clothing that would make shifting difficult. Pack members formed a circle around us as I took a deep breath, waiting. I knew it wouldn't take long, and I wasn't disappointed. He charged forward suddenly, swinging wildly. His clothing restricted his movement, making it easy for me to sidestep, landing a blow to his back that sent him stumbling to the ground.

I turned, waiting for him to rise. He was already panting as if we'd been fighting for hours. He stripped off his outer layer of clothing, his movements becoming slightly more fluid.

"You've always been worthless, just like your whore mother," he spat, charging again, this time aiming for my face. I blocked his punch, countering with an uppercut that snapped his head back. He staggered but remained standing.

"The only whore here is you, Alpha."

He roared at me, spittle flying, eyes bulging with pupils dilated almost completely black, resembling a rabid dog. This time he swung his leg, trying to sweep me off my feet. I jumped to avoid it, using the momentum to kick him in the head.

I stepped back, allowing him to rise again. He wiped his face with the back of his hand, then spat bloody saliva onto the ground. "You will not take what's mine." He growled, lunging at me once more. This time, he pulled a knife from his pants, driving it deep into my abdomen.

"Die, bitch," he snarled, his face so close I could smell his putrid breath. Behind me, I heard Steven cry out.

I grabbed him, preventing his retreat. "I'm a Guardian, immune to wolfsbane and resistant to silver, you pathetic excuse for an Alpha."

I drove my fist into his chest, Lupa's claws extending to wrap around his heart. I knew my eyes were glowing now. I could feel his heart beating in my hand as his eyes widened with the realization of his impending death.

"Do you feel it, Alpha? That sensation of your heart being ripped from your chest? That's what my mother endured every day for years because of you, you bastard."

With one swift motion, I tore my father's heart from his chest, letting his body crumple at my feet.