Chapter 12: The Challenge

“Thank you for telling us. We can see that you have great respect for your fellow wolf. We will stand beside you Kenda. I mean Athena.” Alpha Elijah said

“That means the world to me, Sir. I hope that I can find a mate who is like you someday and that we can have a strong united relationship like you. That will see me as the Alpha I am and stand beside me not want to control me,” Athena said to Alpha and the Luna

“Athena please be careful. But I have a question for you. How did Rami find you?” Luna Lucy asked

“I’m not sure but I have an idea about that. See from my understanding no one has seen an Alpha Female as strong as me in a lot of years. Plus, I want to help my fellow wolf out of danger and find a cure for a silver allergy. The biggest thing is that when there is an Alpha Female as strong as me or what I will become means change is coming and I am to lead that change and take a mate that will help me lead the change not try to take it over from me but do things with me. So when I took that step with my wolf, females and male wolves in need felt that and came looking for me. I think what made me think that is when Rami told me that her wolf led her to me even when my scent was masked. That they can find me if they are in need and have no other options so they come to me for salvation. That is the only thing I can think of. But I am up to hear other theories.” Athena announced

“Let me do some checking and see what I can find. I will even try to get the council to give the background on both of your parents and history so we can see what is there.” Luna Lucy said

“Sounds good. I want to go to the territory in the morning and try to see if I can build a packed house on a hilltop or inside of the mountain. Plus, we will have to see how many rogues are there and if any of them will be a problem with me taking over that area. Keme we need to talk in private when we can have a minute. There are things that we need to discuss that I should talk to you first about,” Athena was trying to get everything out at once.

“Ok, Kenda. We can talk but you will not disappear again out of my life so don’t think about it.” Keme told her flat out

“Call me Athena and that is for your safety. You know he will do whatever it will take to get at me and use you to do it. He knows how close we are. You have to be more careful about all of this,” Athena said with a lot of anger in her voice

“I am the one who is supposed to protect you, not the other way around. But I am glad that we look out for each other no matter what. So, What is it that you want to talk about?” Keme replied

“Not that same old argument again. Please, I am the one who will do the protecting here. I just don’t know what I would do if I lost you. I am glad you have a good pack that you can be a beta in. I will be close by if you need me. You just need to be careful and not let anyone know who I am. When it is the right time I will let everyone know who I really am. We will talk about that here in a little while.” Athena announced

They all were silent for a while and no one knew what to say. Everyone was just lost in thought when they heard that they had a visitor at the gate.

“Athena you and Rami need to go to one of the other rooms and stay there for a moment. It looks like we have a visitor and I am not sure who it is. I would rather be safe than sorry.” Alpha Elijah told them

“Is it my father?” Athena asked

“No, it is someone else that says he is looking for a young wolf who ran away from her pack and the mate that her alpha chooses for her. I didn’t think they were still practicing that anymore. Because too many wolves were beating on their mates and going crazy because it wasn’t their chosen mate or their mates would come and they would run off with them and remark to each other. It was a real mess.” Elijah was saying

“They are after Rami. They wanted her to be mated to this man so they could force her to have pups. They do that with all their pack women. I will not hide from this. Rami will stay inside. I will face him with you.” Athena said

“Ok, let them in but they wait outside in front of the packhouse.” Alpha Elijah told his men

It was Alpha Elijah, Luna Lucy, Aiden, Keme and myself that walked outside to wait for the visitors. It was no surprise that he came with about twenty men and all the big guys. I saw a few of them before and I knew of this Alpha. He tried to get me to be his luna once, and I was only fifteen then. I will have fun mopping the floor with him.

“Who are you asking to speak with me?” Alpha Elijah asked

“I am Alpha Marcus of the Night Beam Pack,” Marcus announced like he was God

“What brings you here Alpha Marcus to my Elite pack?” Alpha Elijah asked

“I came because one of my scouts saw a young girl that looked like the one who ran away from my pack and soon to be a mate.” Alpha Marcus said

“If she ran, then that means she doesn’t want to be a part of your pack any longer. So you really have no business here.” Alpha Elijah told him

“She didn’t ask to leave my pack. She left without permission. So I may seek her out and ask her to come back to my pack.” Alpha Marcus replied

“You would have to ask her new Alpha as well” Athena popped off

“Your right young lady. I was just about to ask Alpha Elijah if I could speak with her.” Alpha Marcus replied with a sick smile on his face.

“You would waste his time and yours by asking him. Since he is not her new Alpha.” Alpha Athena said with a growl

“Then may I ask who her new Alpha. I would like to meet him. So we can talk man to man.” Marcus spoke

“Rami please come to your Alpha’s side.” Alpha Athena yelled into the house

Rami came walking out of the house and stood right next to Athena. She gave a sick smile to Marcus, and he was looking shocked. Marcus would kill her if she didn’t come back and bring pups to his pack to help build his pack up so he could take over the smaller packs soon. I just can’t believe I am looking at a female Alpha. It's been years since I saw a girl who had some power. I will take it from this child and then find the one I saw almost three years ago and make that one my luna and have double the power.

“You wanted to speak to me?” Rami asked with her head bowed

“Yes, Rami. I came to ask you to come back to your pack. They miss you and want you to come home.” Alpha Marcus voiced

“I am not going back with you Alpha Marcus. I am happy with my new Alpha. Thank you for traveling this far to seek me out, but I will not be returning with you.” Rami replied

“You are coming home to your pack and to your soon to be mate. That is an order.” Alpha Marcus yelled

“You heard her. She will not go with you and you can’t give orders to my pack member.” Athena raised her voice but didn’t use all of her Alpha power just enough for him to feel it that she was stronger than him.

“Who are you?” Marcus asked

“I am Alpha Athena of the Moon Goddess Pack” Alpha Athena announced

“Then I challenge you for Rami. I want her back and if I win, you have to be my Luna.” Marcus spoke with a laugh.

“That’s fine but if I win, I get your pack and territory,” Alpha Athena replied

“Deal,” Alpha Marcus said

“Then we all bare witness to these Alpha’s fighting for pack member Rami and Alpha Marcus territory.” Alpha Elijah announced.

Athena walked down with her brother by her right side and Aiden on her left side. They would make sure this was a fair fight. Athena stepped into the fighting circle and so did Marcus. Marcus started to strip out of his clothing and Athena just stayed human and sat Indian style on the ground. The others have seen her do this move many times and knew that this Alpha did not understand what he was up against. Marcus was confused by what she was doing but figured it would be an easy win. Marcus then changed into his wolf which was big yet not as big as Morriganam. He was a dirty looking wolf gray and brown. I was not worried about this at all because he was overconfident in himself.

“Let the fight begin,” Alpha Elijah yelled

Marcus started running up on Athena and then the next thing he knew he was on the other side of the ring and she was standing up in the center. Marcus snapped at her and circled her then jumped at her and she kicked him in the stomach. She then walked over to him “Shift back now.” Athena ordered Marcus to try to go against it but couldn’t he had to shift as she told him too. He was now done for because he just submitted to another Alpha. His pack turned their backs on him. He lost to her, and he had to hand over his territory now and his pack.

“You lose Alpha Marcus. I will not kill you because I want you to be an example of what I am trying to show our fellow wolves. A female can lead and she can fight. She is your equal, not a doormat or a baby factory. Change is coming, and I just started the change with you. Leave now and do not return to your old pack. If you do, I will kill you. Do you understand?” Alpha Athena yelled

“Yes, Alpha,” Marcus said and took off running

The men that came with Marcus was scared and didn’t know what to do. They looked at her and bowed their heads.

“Stand up, please. Who is the beta of this pack?” Athena asked

“His name is Tony, and he is still at the packhouse.” one man spoke up

“Ok thank you. Who is next in charge here?” Athena than asked

“That would be me. A man stepped forward and bowed his head to her.” the man replied

“What is your name sir and what is your rank?” Athena asked

“I am Toby Alpha and I am the gamma of this pack or at least I was that is,” Toby replied

“Toby, don't fear change and I am not here to hurt you unless you are in the wrong. I am a fair Alpha. I have the good of our people in mind and heart.” Alpha Athena told him

“If you do not wish to follow me, speak now. I will give you two other choices that you can take if you do not wish to be a part of my pack. If you stay in this pack and follow me, then you will have to accept that change is coming and it will start with us. Do you all understand?” Alpha Athena spoke with her alpha power.

They all answer together and it was a yes Alpha all around. It made the others laugh.

“Alpha Elijah could you please join me.” Alpha Athena asked him

Elijah joined her down near the other wolves and his guards were unsure about that. They had faith in Athena to keep him safe.

“Alpha Elijah would you be willing to take any of them in if they choose to not follow me and do not want to live as a rogue?” Athena spoke to him softly

“Yes, I would do that Alpha Athena.” Alpha Elijah vocalized

“Thank you. Now who is staying and who is leaving? I will ask the same thing to the ones back home. So do not worry about them.” Athena spoke up

Four out of twenty wolves left her pack to join the Elite pack and asked if they still could visit their friends and family that stayed with her. Neither of the Alpha’s had a problem with that since they would have an alliance with each other and consider each family

“Well, it looks like we will not have to look over the rogue territory now. When do you want to leave to go straighten out that pack.?” Keme asked his sister

“We will leave in the morning. It’s an hour's drive or so from here and it’s three hours from our father. This will be interesting.” Athena spoke as she shook her head.

“Rami can you help Luna Lucy and show them where they can sleep for the night since Alpha Elijah is being so kind to let us stay,” Athena asked

“Yes, Alpha, and could I speak with you later?” Rami asked with caution

“Yes Rami, but please no worries. I still will protect you. You are part of my pack and like a little sister to me. Plus, I think Keme likes you.” Athena said and saw the blush appear.

Athena walks away laughing and runs into Aiden. Who is just looking at her with wonderment? He has been a good friend, he will make someone a good mate one day.

“Hello, Aiden, thank you for making sure that he fought fare. Are you going with me tomorrow to see if any of them will come back with you?” Athena asked

“Yes, I will along with your brother represent this pack at yours to help you with getting it straightened out. I hope you don’t mind the help.” Aiden said with a smile

“No, I enjoy the help, plus I am sure you still need to learn a few things before you become an Alpha. So I will be glad to help you with that.” Athena smiled back at him

“Are you two done flirting with each other or can we talk now?” Rami came in laughing

“We can talk now. Aiden and I were done with this so-called flirting a while ago.” Athena said as she turned towards Rami

“Can we go to the patio and talk to Athena?” Rami asked her

“Yes, Rami. What do you need to talk to me about?” Athena asked

“I am glad that you defended Marcus and all. Are you sure taking over his pack will be a good idea? He has a lot of men there who don’t like change or rules that’s why they liked him.” Rami explained

“They will get the same choice as this group. It gives us territory, and it helps us start the change that the Goddess wants. So I am not worried about those men. We will help all those in need and be strong while doing it. You will help these women now. To show them they can stand on their own. You will teach them as I taught you. You have a kind heart, use it to help others and don’t let evil rule you.” Athena voiced her.

“Thank you, Athena. You are a great Alpha and a very understanding person. I hope I can live up to your standards and my own.” Rami was stating

“Be true to yourself and you can’t go wrong. Stay loyal to me and your pack and you will go far. I am proud of the road you are taking and how far you have already come. Go get some rest we leave early in the morning.” Athena dismissed her and went to bed herself.

Athena got into her room and looked out the window at the moon. Morriganam do you think we will do all that the Goddess wants us to do? Athena, she chose you for a reason to do this. They gave me to you for a reason. The Goddess is there to help when you really need it. She puts the people who will be by your side in your path for a reason. You will go as far as she needs you too and they will remember you in our history for all that you do. It’s time again for the change to come about and you are the one to bring it. We will be fine. Get some sleep my Athena, we have to meet our new pack tomorrow. Morriganam was gone blocking their link so Athena would go to sleep. I have a lot to do in the morning and a lot more to get done over my lifetime. Goddess give me guidance and strength to see this through. Then she was asleep. They all woke up and got ready to leave to head to the pack of Night Beam which the name will change once they meet their new Alpha. I know what the Goddess wants me to do, I just hope I am strong enough to do as she asks of me. I never dreamed I would become the voice of our people, and now I am going to bring about change to my people.

“Let’s go and meet the pack everyone,” Athena announced