\[Serenity’s POV\]
I stare ahead, taking in the bullets while I process what it is that Tristan and Jolene have managed to accomplish. With this, we could end the pain and suffering of those rogues and eliminate Ezekial’s army. Once there was no one standing in the way, we would be able to finish this.
Great. I think inwardly, feeling a wave of relief over there being a clear ending in sight.
“Now,” Uncle Jose says now, reminding me that meeting wasn’t over. “It’s time to come up with a foolproof plan.”
“Leave that to me.” My father announces. “I’ll get in touch with my beta and have him get a group of my finest men together.”
“And I’ll do the same.” Uncle William adds.
“Then I’ll do that as well.” Uncle Jose chuckles. “I’m certain with our joined forces we won’t be able to be defeated. It’s all looking so simple that I almost want to say that the children don’t have to be involved at all.”
“I’m helping,” I counter, unwilling to be left out. “This started because of me, and I want to be part of its ending.”
“I don’t…” My father begins, but stops as Maverick clears his throat, bringing everyone’s attention toward him.
‘“I’ll make a wager.” He announces once all eyes are on him.
“And what is that?” My father challenges, not bothering to hide his irritation.
“If I can beat you in a battle then you’ll allow Serenity and me to join the troop that will be going to Ezekial.”
At his words, I feel my eyes widen as both fear and shock rush through me. Is he really challenging my father like that? Was he out of his mind?’
‘No,’ Mahogany huffs in amusement. ‘He is proving his worth for your sake.’
As she speaks, I feel a wave of love rush through me, but it doesn’t make me feel any better.
“What?” My father asks, giving a look of anger. “Do you think that just because you can shift again, you are suddenly stronger than your alpha?”
“And if I am?” Maverick easily responds. “What of it.”
“Alright,” my father snaps, getting up from his seat. “Then let’s do this, but know that if you lose, you will no longer think that you deserve to be beside my daughter.”
“Dad!” I gasp, but don’t go further as Maverick shakes his head.
“Deal.”
Later, I stand on the grounds of New Moon with Uncle Jose and Uncle William on either side of me. Their faces both hold looks of amusement and excitement as my father and Maverick circle each other in the makeshift ring that has been formed. They wear mirrored images of determination as their auras trickle from them, mixing together and making the atmosphere that much more tense.
“Don’t worry,” Uncle Jose murmurs, bumping me. “If you don’t have faith in your man, that will only upset him.”
“Who says I don’t?” I ask, peeking at him.
If anyone had faith in Maverick, it was me. I had more faith in him and his abilities than anyone else, even my own father. How could I not when he was the one who protected me all this time?
“Your father’s cockiness will end up doing him in.” Uncle William chuckles, joining the conversation. “It always did when we were younger, but when push came to shove, he was the one that stood above all others.”
Nodding, I keep my gaze ahead, watching as Maverick finally moves, his body blurring before he slams into my father, locking hands as both men fight for dominance.
“The boy's strong,” Uncle Jose murmurs as those who have come to watch the show cheer. “But so is your father.”
As he says this, my father goes in for an attack, ducking and pulling in an attempt to throw Maverick off, but failing.
“Sometimes strength isn’t everything.” I point out, remembering that Maverick specialized in military tactics and maneuvers.
Even if he couldn’t take my father in terms of strength, I was certain that he would be able to outmanuever him since my father thought with his fists and not so much his head.
“You can do it, Maverick!” I call as the two men straighten out again. “I have faith in you.”
At my words, my father shoots me a look, one that he would end up regretting as Maverick moves in, wrapping his arms around his body and then flipping so that he can pin him.
“Dammit.” My father growls, working to break free of Maverick’s hold. “That was a dirty trick.”
“Whatever it takes to win.” Maverick chuckles, fighting against my father until he manages to buck him off. “And I intend to do just that.”
\[Maverick’s POV\]
“We’ll see.”
Rosco’s words echo around me as he jumps to his feet and tries to take advantage of me still being on the ground, but I roll out of the way and then get to my feet just in time to catch him rushing toward me.
Once again, we end up with our hands locked together and our legs pushing in an attempt to overpower the other, but our strength is almost on par with one another—a fact, I realize, causes shock to color Rosco’s features.
However, I didn’t want to be on par with this man, I wanted to surpass this man so that he would accept my relationship with his daughter. Even if I didn’t win now, I planned on challenging him again and again until I won and showed him that I was worthy of Serenity, even if I spent the rest of my life doing it.
“Focus!” Rosco announces, managing to pull me forward, causing me to lose my footing. “Or are you not taking me seriously?”
“Of course I am.” I chuckle, intentionally dropping and then flipping him so that I can jump on top of him again.
“Nice trick,” he chuckles, beginning to fight against me. “But that’s still child's play.”
“Oh?”
Even if the man beneath me wasn’t admitting it, he was enjoying this battle more than he was letting on. I guess that it has been a while since he has gotten to let off some steam.
Chuckling, I feel myself being kicked off, and as I crash to the ground, Rosco goes in for an attack, but I’m grabbing him, and we are rolling.
Together, we move across the ground, each of us fighting for dominance, and when I think that he is about to get the upper hand on me, I feel my body move on its own, kicking him away so that I can gain my footing once more.
“Oh,” Rosco laughs, getting up and grinning. “Now you’re starting to get serious.”
“I guess I am.” I grin back, extending my claws. “Shall we take things up a notch?”