Chapter 73

James sat on the edge of the bed, turned to face Cassidy’s satisfied smiling face while their hands were held together. He could see she was tired. He probably shouldn't have taken the entire evening in bed with her but he could not resist his own mate when she had pulled him aside and whispered what she planned to do with him once they were upstairs. There were no excuses made to his parents. They just left. James was sure they would understand. He reached over and gently brushed his fingertips along her cheek affectionately. “You look tired. It wasn't too much was it?”

Cassidy turned her head and kissed those fingertips that were on her cheek. Tired wasn't a word for it. “I am tired. Don't worry, it was just right as always.” She said and grinned up at him. “Come to bed with me?”

James chuckled and shook his head, lifting her hand and kissing her palm. “I will later. I'm going to go and work out with the boys for a few hours. You lay here and sleep. I will have men outside and inside guarding you.” He told her before he stood up and went to the closet to get some sweats on.

“I don't know how I feel about men being near with you gone…”

James came from getting dressed and looked down at Cassidy. She did look a little worried. “Cassi…” he said and went to the bed, leaning down and cupping her face. “These are my most trusted friends and warriors. They will protect you with your life. I trust them with you. Sleep sweetheart. I will be back in bed before you even know it.” He told her, leaning down and giving her a loving kiss. “Max will be outside the door. Call for him if you need anything.” He said and waited for her to nod in agreement before he smiled and gave her a second quick kiss.

Her worry tugged at him as he left her, his wolf whining within his head about leaving his mate behind. Max was already outside the door, leaned up against the opposite wall. “She is going to sleep for a while. She knows you are here. Thank you, brother.”

“Anything for my little sister,” Max said and reached out, grabbing James before he could walk off. “She went into battle the other night. She and I both. She is fearless James. I am honored to watch over her.”

James sighed and grabbed Max by the back of his neck and pulled his brother in close, bringing their for heads together in a warrior's embrace. “I'm proud of you Max. More than you know.” He said in a low, gruff tone.

Max chuckled and pushed his older brother away and towards the stairs. “Yeah yeah. Don't let anyone see you getting soft old man. Good luck.”

James chuckled lowly at his younger brother and left. As soon as he was going down the stairs however James quickly lost his smile. Julian was waiting for his son and wordlessly followed the young Alpha out of the house. Both of the Blacks took off at a jog towards the direction of the prison.

Nash was the first to issue a challenge to James and James was sure he wasn't going to be the last in the years to come. Even if Nash was their prisoner, a challenge could not be denied by law. Nash was putting himself on trial. Either win or die. The pair got to the prison only a short time later and they check-in through the updated security. The only ones who knew about this were the Black family and the Betas. A few guards and the surveillance would be witnesses to the fight as well, just so no one could come and claim it was not a fair fight.

Alaric met James and Julian when they came down to the lowest floor of the prison where the recreation room was set up for the prisoners who got some time to stretch their legs. “Your mother and your mate find out about this and we are all dead,” Alaric warned as he walked with the two.

Julian grinned and James frowned at the warning from Alaric. “I dislike lying to her. Or going behind her back. It isn't something I am comfortable with doing.” James said and Julian patted him on the back.

“Do not worry my son. We have all been in the position where we have had to go behind our mate's backs. She will forgive you in the end. I say the rogue asking for a challenge is a blessing for her. You will be taking a fear she has away and she will sleep better knowing she is safer.” Julian reasoned with James. They came to a stop outside of the room where Hunter, Jaxson, and Jett were waiting as well as the few guards who were there to witness.

“You are right. How are you holding up Jax?” James questioned his brother. Jaxson would not lift his head or look at James but the stress on his face said it all. “We will find her. I promise it.” He said as he took off his shirt and started to undress.

Nothing more was said between the men. Nash had been given time to heal in the rec room so he was in top condition for the challenge. Two men would enter the room and one man would leave. It didn't matter how long it took. Nash had already shifted into his wolf and he was pacing the far side of the room. He was working himself up and knew it was likely he was going to die this night. That was the goal of it. He would rather die at the alphas challenge than spend months, years maybe wasting away until he would finally die in his enemy's hands. No, this was the way it should be, a fight to the death so he can die with honor and dignity. He stopped pacing and looked up when a speaker system switched on. “You will go to the far corner of the door. The fight will not begin until I said to begin. If you do not follow the rules you will be disqualified from your own challenge.” An older male's voice commanded.

Nash did as he was told and went to the corner of the room, patiently waiting until the door finally unlocked and in came the massive black wolf he fought at the packhouse. The wolf sat and glared at Nash with the promise of retaliation in its eyes. Revenge and hatred too maybe. Whatever it was, it made Nash want to cower like a pup. The door closed and locked again, leaving the two wolves alone in the large room. “May the moon goddess and the sun god give you both strength and courage. Begin.”

Nash was prepared for James to come at him in a rush, but the black wolf just sat there with the unmerciful glare, watching each movement from the rogue that had kidnapped the Luna of BlackStone. It became clear after a few minutes of pacing and growling at the other wolf, that Nash was going to have to be the one to make the first strike.

James was biding his time. Any other wolf he might have just went in as soon as possible but he couldn't afford to be stupid with Nash. He had to think and he had to observe the male. His opponent was reluctant to attack him and the way he danced closer and closer showed the fear of the other wolf. When James rose from sitting to standing with a low growl, Nash finally stopped showing his anxiety and face him head-on. Both wolves snarled and bared their teeth at each other before they each leaped at the other and slammed themselves against each other in a vicious fight.

Nash might have wanted to die and he might have issued the challenge without truly thinking but his wolf had no such desires. His wolf wanted to live and the instinct to survive was strong while he fought hard against the alpha of BlackStone. The fight went very much the same as it had behind the packhouse. Both males were powerhouses when they first collided together. Tooth and claws sank deep and slashed, fur and blood flying as the two bodies fought. They broke apart after several minutes of straight fighting, James allowing Nash to escape so they could both catch their breaths.

James was bleeding, blood dripping down from his torn ear that was trying to repair itself but Nash was the one in trouble, favoring what looked like a broken leg from James’ powerful jaws.

The men watched from a long, one-way window along the side of the room. They were yelling and cheering their alpha on, the sounds of their yells and roars for James were deafening to the ears. They knew James was winning and that the Alpha was just toying with the rogue who was Beta at best. Julian shouted for James to finish the job, knowing his son nor the rogue could hear him, but it didn't hurt to voice himself for his son's fight. He cheered again and stopped when out of the corner of his eye he caught movement down the hall stalking towards the rowdy group of men.