Chapter 98: Fight Not Battle

Chapter 98: Fight Not Battle
Zoltan quickly shifted, his paws hitting the ground lunging in a clash of teeth and claws. Mason growled, Zoltan’s growl bellowed through the training ground. Fur and blood flew and splattered all over the place. Rage flowed through Zoltan. Mason lashed his razor-sharp claws catching Zoltan in the side, slicing his fur down to skin. Zoltan roared in pain but her didn’t stop fighting. Zoltan lunged at Mason catching his shoulder, slicing down to the bone. Mason rolled and kicked Zoltan off. This wasn’t a battle this was a fight for dominance. This was one fight that Zoltan would win, not just for himself but for the shifters and his beloved mate and pup she was carrying.

Mason came at his brother sinking low, snarling claws gleaming in the lights surrounding the field. Mason spun, allowing Zoltan to pivot letting Mason pass and sink his claws into his flank, pulling him off his feet. Mason howled and they clashed again, claws digging into flesh, teeth snapping Zoltan clamped his jaws around Mason’s neck and threw him like a rag doll. Mason hit a tree falling to the ground with a thud when he got to his feet, he shook his head and swayed slightly. They were both bleeding and panting from the fight. Zoltan was bleeding heavily from his side, but he wasn’t going to stop. There was too much at stake.

Mason lunged with a brutal slash of his huge paw sending Zoltan skidding to the side of the field. He dug his claws into the ground to stop himself. Mason had always been fast, but Zoltan was a whole lot bigger and stronger. He is the new Alpha King and that comes with some perks that he has been blessed with.

“Safyer will be mine!” Mason growled.

Zoltan snarled, “she’s my mate, my Alpha Queen and my wife! We got married las night and sealed our bond. No one, not even you, will take her away from me.” She was his and she’s worth every drop that flowed from his body.

Mason lunged and got past Zoltan’s claws curling into this leg, Zoltan roared in pain, but he wasn’t about to give up. Twisting his body, he lunged clamping his jaws around his little brother. He bit down until he could hear his bones snap. Mason yelped and thrashed around trying to get free. Zoltan dragged him, tearing through muscles and tendons. Zoltan was standing over him, Mason kicked upwards ripping Zoltan’s under belly flesh, cause him to bleed even more. Zoltan’s grip loosened on Mason’s should, allowing him to get free but Zoltan spun and knocked Mason to the ground. Mason got to his paws as Zoltan launched himself at Mason, the momentum slamming them into a tree. They both quickly shifted and got back to their feet, fists flying.

“Mason laughed, “you will never win! You stole what should’ve been mine.”

“It was NEVER supposed to be you; don’t you get it?” Zoltan growled.

“There’s nothing to get!”

“You were never meant to be King.” Byron said.

“Byron! How could you?” Mary yelped.

“Shut up Mary!” Byron snapped. “I never should’ve listened to you. My family was just fine and happy until you came along. Now my sons are fighting for their lives. One must kill the other.” He whispered the last part.

“So, now you’re blaming mom, for all this?” Mason growled at his dad.

“No, I am blaming Mary, your mother is Kristy.” Byron started. “You are my son and I love you.” Byron said as he walked over to Mason. “I’m so sorry for the way I let Mary raise you.” He sighed, rubbing his face. “I want you to know that I love you and your brother’s and sister very much. I hope that all of you can forgive me one day.” He said as he hugged Mason, “especially you, my son.” He said and quickly twisted Mason’s neck, breaking it.

“NNNNNOOOOOOO!” Amber cried, clutching her chest, falling to her knees.

“My baby!” Mary yelled rushing to Mason’s limp body in Byron’s arms. “How could you?!” She beat on Byron’s back. Give me my baby!” She demanded.

Byron held tightly onto Mason’s body. He sobbed hugging his son. Zoltan, Jordon and Lacey made their way to Byron.

“Why did you do that?” Jordon softly asked.

“I couldn’t allow my sons to kill each other.” He sobbed.

“Mason was going to be victorious!” Mary wept at Mason’s feet.

“NO! He wouldn’t’ve won,” Byron stated, looking at Zoltan. I now realize that Zoltan has always been meant to be something more that just an Alpha.” He looked at his eldest son and softly smiled. “He was meant to be Alpha King.”

“How could that be? He was first mated to Katie.” Amber sobbed.

“When she was killed, his destiny changed.” He said, “all our destiny’s changed.

“So, you’re saying, all this was the making of the Goddess?” Amber scoffed.

“Yes and no. We could’ve all made different decisions.” He said, “Safyer, could’ve just rejected Zoltan immediately when she realized that Zoltan was her mate. He was her first mate’s brother. She could’ve said no to helping find Sara. So many other options were out there that would’ve changed all our lives.” He said, “but Safyer gave Zoltan a chance to prove himself not to be like Mason.”

“You could’ve chosen NOT to kill my mate!” Amber yelled.

“It was either I do it or his brother, I can’t let Zoltan live with the memory of killing his little brother.” Byron stated.

“Guards, please take Mary and Amber to the cell’s family room. DO NOT leave them alone.” Safyer ordered. Two guards had to pull the crying females away.

“Dad... Byron, you need to let him go. We need to...” Zoltan started.

“Please,” he swallowed a sob, “give him a proper burial.”

“Of course, we will.” Safyer assured him with a smile.

Byron kissed the top of Mason’s head, “I’m so sorry, my son.” He whispered.

“Byron, we need to take his body.” Tarby said, gently putting his hand on Byron’s shoulder.

Byron let Mason’s body go. “Please, treat his body with respect, this was ALL my fault.” He admitted. “I’ll accept my punishment.” He said kneeling in front of Zoltan and Safyer.

“Austin, Rollins, take him to the top cells.” Zoltan ordered.

Safyer wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. “Are you going to be okay?” she asked.

“Yeah but, he didn’t need to do that.” He grumbled.

“No, but he did it because he didn’t want you to live with any guilt over killing your little brother.” Vega said. “I understand how he feels, if it were any of my boys, any of you having to take the life of one of your brothers. I’d do the same thing.”

“He’s already living with guilt so, I guess he figured this is just one more thing.” Elder Jacsyn said.

“Guards, take Byron’s people in custody and put them in the cells. We will allow Alpha Mason’s family to mourn his death tonight and tomorrow.” Vega ordered. “Tomorrow we will celebrate the crowning and ascension of Alpha King Zoltan and Alpha Queen Safyer Lutz.” He smiled.

The crowd cheered and went about the day Now that Mason’s challenge has been dealt with, they can safely roam the territory without fear.