Chapter 45 THE CHALLENGE
RAGNAR'S POV
The roar still rings long in my ears after it fades.
The flames on the torches bend and blow wildly away from me as if even fire fears what I roared out.
It gives me a bit of satisfaction that Draven and Thorne are on their knees in the dirt and coughing blood on the sacred ground.
Their faces are contorted in pain and humiliation but it only makes me happy.
Lance is also down on one knee with his red eyes wide with genuine shock before he changes it immediately to that hated charming smile.
Kael stands rigid but steady in his place as the only one who didn’t drop.
Mira watches me with narrow cold eyes.
I let the silence stretch until it's thick and punishing for them all.
I let them feel every heartbeat of my dominance pressing down on them and warn them of what I'm capable of doing.
Yurik still paces inside my chest but he is mildly satisfied with the submission he’s forced. He is still ravenous for more though. He wants their throats torn open and blood washing away the sin they just committed.
I just want them to remember who's their leader and still holds the moon’s blessing.
Draven is the first one to stagger upright, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of a scarred hand. “You think one roar makes you right? His voice is now thick and ragged.
“This moon-blessed bullshit only works because no one’s challenged you properly in years Ragnar. So maybe it’s time someone did, someone who isn’t afraid of you.”
Thorne rises next, a little slower.
He's spitting a dark clot into the dirt with a feral grin and fangs still in display.
“He’s right, Ragnar. The title’s been yours for far too long. This realm needs fresh blood and not some Alpha who's too busy mooning over an Omega while Rogues chew at our borders.” His eyes are red with defiance.
Mira steps forward then, her boots tapping on the packed earth.
She doesn't even flinch or looks afraid -I’ve never seen her scared of anything, with a flint in her eyes.
“Enough posturing all of you,” she says, cutting through the tension.
“Draven wants the spot as Alpha of Alphas but that's not happening till next year’s fight to death duel so he's going to have to settle for second spot. Thorne wants a fight and Lance as stupid as he is, wants to carve holes in Ragnar’s reputation.”
She shrugs then continues. “Fine by me. So let’s settle it just like Alphas should, without tearing the entire alliance apart tonight.”
I narrow my eyes, already sensing the trap she's pulling all of us in. “No.”
She ignores me turning to address the rest of the circle. “A friendly challenge then. All of our warriors but no death blows and no permanent maiming. Just enough to prove who’s strongest right now. The winner claims second place under the Alpha of Alphas.” She shrugs one shoulder. “No one dies and everyone doesn't go home after coming here for no reason.”
Draven’s laugh in eagerness. “I like it. The Ironfang pack had been waiting to put MoonCrest in its damn place for far too long.”
Thorne’s eyes gleam with bloodlust and something that looks like… happiness? “Count me in. Winterwood’s tired of bowing to the same wolf every damn cycle.”
Lance straightens fully, wiping blood from his lips as he does. “A fine proposal, Alpha Mira. But if we're being fair, then we should include everyone. If we’re truly testing strength, then MoonCrest’s warriors should also compete as well. Let them prove their Alpha isn’t so distracted by… other pursuits that he can’t even train worthy warriors.”
The implication lands like a fist to my gut.
This is what this bastard has been gunning for all day.
Sebastian.
That's what he's truly after.
He's a personal guard.
And by virtue of recruitment, he's also considered a warrior.
Yurik snarls so violently I taste blood in my own mouth. He takes control so quickly I can't even stop him “No,” Yurik growls out with a low voice. “This is between Alphas and your packs. You will not be including my warriors.”
Thorne laughs a loud and mocking laugh.
He was starting to grate on my nerves.
“What’s the matter, Ragnar? Do you consider your warriors too weak? Or is that little Omega of yours the only one you trust to guard your back these days? Are you afraid he’ll get hurt in the dirt?”
Draven joins in with his ugly grin.
“If MoonCrest’s so strong then prove it and send your best. Or are you scared they’ll lose and everyone will see the Alpha of Alphas can’t even keep his own house in order? That his favorite bed warmer is his only real fighter?”
Mira tilts her head studying me with her cool detachment. “It’s only fair Ragnar. You always preach about unity through strength so show us yours. Or are you going to hide behind that blessing of yours and let them call you weak?”
I look around the circle in deliberation.
The last Alpha, Michael is still as silent as a ghost.
I can't even remember him talking but he doesn't object or agree to any of what we've been saying.
He doesn't even care why he's there.
Kael’s face is grim and he shakes his head once, barely noticeable but his message is clear.
He doesn't agree to this challenge.
The others though…
Draven is practically vibrating with anticipation with his eyes betraying his wolf's excitement.
Thorne still looks like a maniac with his fangs out and a bright smile on his face.
Mira’s the only one with a neutral expression on her face but she can't hide her anticipation with her heart rate going faster.
While the bastard that started all of this, Lance, watches me with that calm almost predatory look like he's waiting for me to refuse so he can twist it into something of cowardice or something to blame Sebastian for.
They’re all watching and waiting, minus Micheal. He doesn't want to be here.
If I refuse, the seed that Lance has planted will take root in all their hearts and they would all start to pay attention to Sebastian in their own twisted way.
They’ll whisper that I’m protecting my Omega and that I'm a coward who's afraid.
They'll blame the moon's blessing for making it easy for me and their wolves would criticize the wolves in my package and make the murmurings and rumors fester even worse.
If I accept… Sebastian might be pulled into danger.