Chapter 29

Bianca stood smiling, watching the trio as they played with some of the packs children.

“They’ll be great parents,” The Beta’s wife said from beside her.

“They will,” She smiled, agreeing. But her smile faded when she saw a sour face Jade walk over.

She couldn’t help a low growl escape her lips gaining her husband’s attention.

Jade had made no secret of her sexual exploits. Not that Bianca had anything against people who sleep around. It was common for shifters to do so before finding their mates. But the young red head was a thorn in the packs side. Unlike everyone else, she didn’t respect matings and saw men with wives or mates as nothing but a challenge. She had tried it on with most of the men in the pack, even the Alpha at one point but when the Luna had threatened the girl, she quickly ran off with her tail between her legs and never did it again. Though Bianca still did catch the girl sending him flirty looks.

But more recently she had set her sights on the Anders Brothers – Blaze and Garrek.

Why? Everyone knew Luna and Alpha would never have children – though most didn’t know why – and that meant the role of Alpha would fall to the next male in the blood line, Blaze.

The fact that he and his brother were on most of the unmated females to do list before they found their mate didn’t hurt either. But the brothers had made it a rule to only sleep with humans.

Neither wanting jealous ex’s ruining nor trying to when they mated their mate or mates.

“What-” James stopped speaking abruptly when he saw Jade stick out her foot then push the unsteady wolf with her hip. Vance, one of the pack fighters and one of the parents watching the small children, play shot forwards and caught Amy before she could hit the ground.

Pups and pregnant women were seen as sacred.

But Garrek wasn’t as lucky, he fell hard on a nearby chair and cried in pain.

What happened next happened so fast a normal human would struggle to see it with their naked eye.

Within seconds Jade was pinned to ground by Blaze’s teeth, she was crying and screaming for him to let go. The children were all quickly escorted inside and dozens of fighters surrounded them.

“Let her go boy or I’ll tear your throat out.” Blaze growled and tightened his teeth.

“No, you will not!” James growled out through clenched teeth, his eyes full of fury directed at the girl on the floor and her father, who issued the threat.

“Blaze,” He knelt down beside him. “Release her and I’ll make sure she pays.”

‘She needs to die. She hurt my mates.’

“Amy is fine, Garrek just banged himself.” He tried to calm the wolf knowing Blaze could be punished if he killed her. “And she will be punished, but not by you, not like this. Think of your pup, you don’t want it growing up without you.”

His jaw snapped open and he released the girl.

“Thank you, Blaze,” He leaned down and took hold of the girl by the neck, not caring about her open wounds.

“Oh God, oh God. Please, please, please, wake up.”

“What’s wrong with him? He’s had worse injuries than that and walked around without a problem,” He heard Amy and his father say.

“Chain her in the cells,” James yelled throwing the girl at a group of warriors and ignoring everything else rushed to Garrek with Blaze by his side.

“I don’t know. We need to move him to Medical so I can check him over and have him shift,” Tanya said with a worried expression.

Bianca was cuddling a crying Amy to her chest and looked close to crying herself.

“Do not touch him!” James growled when Vance – the same fighter who helped Amy – went to pick up the fallen Wolf.

But today was not his day.

“Oi, boy. Are you listening to me?!” Dane, thirty-two, a pack fighter and the male version of Jade said blocking Blaze’s path.

James growled curse words under his breath and nodded in the direction of Vance letting him know it was alright.

“Baby, take Amy inside while I deal with this.”

“No, she should be here for this,” Dane called before quickly adding, “Sir.”

“Dane, this is hardly the time or place for whatever stupid plan you have in your head,” James spoke through clenched teeth.

“I beg to differ, now it the perfect time to challenge Blaze for his mate, sister,” He smirked and Blaze growled bearing his teeth.

“You can’t challenge a mating when they have already completed it!” Someone yelled.

“I can actually and I have.”

“It’s true,” Former Alpha, Ray said with a glare in the younger man’s direction. “But you could have chosen a better time.”

“But I don’t want you. You don’t even know me and I’m pregnant. I just want Garrek to be alright,” Amy cried now pressed between her mother and Bianca.

“I heard you’re a dual wolf,” He said as if it explained everything. Surprised expressions on the pack members, who mostly had no clue of the girl’s ability. “As for the pup,” He spat looking disgusted. “We’ll get rid of it or give it anyway-“

He never had a chance to say anything. Before Blaze or James had a chance Bianca was going to the man in wolf form.

This is not only unusual because the Luna was not a fighter, but also because she rarely shifted in front of pack members in case they discovered her true gender.

‘Let her deal with it,’ James linked to everyone but was directing it to Blaze whose eyes were red with anger – figuratively speaking. Blaze growled and snarled at the man but didn’t a move from the spot he was now standing. Alpha and ex-Alpha both moved closer.

Amy tried to, but her mother and father were holding her back.

“What the hell? I have a right to challenge her mate. With all due you cannot stop me, Luna.” Dane gave her cocky grin expecting the black wolf to back off.

“He is right, Bianca. Only Amy’s mates can accept the challenge and fight him,” Again Grandpa Ray explained.

“Any of her mates, correct?”

“Correct.”

“But if anyone doesn’t mean I’m going to let him,” Bear showed himself and made a move forwards. But his son placed a hand on his arm stopping him. Bear growled at his son.

“Dad, trust my judgement.”

The older man agreed, but his glare held a silent promise of pain if she failed.

“Good.” The Alpha smiled and began scratching behind Blaze’s ear.

‘Go take Amy to check on Gar. We’ll sort out this.’

‘No! Kill, then love Gar,’ Tye replied in charge of Blaze’s body.

James said nothing knowing it was what his nephew would want.

True enough, Garrek would never forever him if he learned Blaze had left them to deal with the man alone.

“Right. Everyone listen up,” He raised his hand to silence the remaining group of adults outside which easily numbered over a hundred.

“As most of you I am sure heard, Dane has issued a challenge to my niece – Amy’s – mates.” A loud chorus of growls erupted.

“Coward! Waiting until one of her mates were down,” Someone screamed.

It was an unwritten rule not to challenge for the hand of a fully woman and seen almost as an offense to challenge for a pregnant one. But they were not official rules so legally he could. Dane didn’t if people disliked him. A lot did already because his callus using of impressionable young women, including those in the pack.

Grandpa Ray held up his hand, silence followed. He maybe ex-Alpha now but he still held a lot of power.

“Thank you,” James whispered in his direction.

“Do you still wish to proceed with the challenge?” He asked wanting the man hurt either way.

“Yes. I want it now!” The man was cocky. James wasn’t entirely certain why the man was doing it, but he had a good idea.

“In the case, I must do something first,” He looked to his niece and gave her a reassuring smile.

‘Garrek and Bianca will be fine.’

‘Swear to me?’

‘I promise you, my little love.’

Her cries stopped, but the worry was still clear on her face.

“Amy, come over here.”

She tried to move, but her parents held her in place.

“It’s alright. I’d never let anyone hurt her,” He reassured them. Grandpa gave them the nod and they reluctantly released her.

The dark haired girl walked over quickly to him, hissing at Dane on her way past. He simply laughed, mumbling something about liking challenges. Luna growled, stood in front of him waiting for the word to attack.

“Good girl,” Alpha whispered and the teenager almost instantly found herself sandwiched between him and his father – who stood close and protectively. Blaze stood in front of her in a similar fashion.

“I’m going to make this quick. You all know myself and Bianca have marked Amy to create a pack link. Well…” He glanced at the short girl and pulled her closer to his side. His father didn’t miss this and inhaled a breath of her scent.

“We also marked Blaze and Garrek and completely mated Amy.” Shocked silence.

‘We will talk about this later,’ His father linked sounding less than happy.

“They are our mates. Bianca has accepted your challenge, the battle will start on the count of ten.”

“Wait, no! I can’t-” He cut Dane off. “You will and you have to now, challenge rules, remember?”

‘Are you sure this is wise, son?’ Ray asked concerned about his daughter in laws wellbeing.

‘Amy isn’t the only special Wolf, dad.’

Whereas Bianca identifies as a female, her Wolf – Tal – identifies as male. That and the fact that her father was an alpha meant she/he was larger than males and females alike, only true Alpha’s rivalled her size.

Her extensive training and skill in fighting didn’t hurt his confidence in her either though she rarely fought anyone other than him in recent years.

‘Are you sure about this, baby? They will discover your secret.’

‘I am certain.’ Only her mates and a few people knew her true self because she was scared. He loved her how she is and would have broken anyone who said anything against her. ‘It is time the truth came out.’

“The battle will start on the count of ten, it will only end when one person is dead or unconscious.

Rules are – No weapons. Once you shift you must stay in Wolf form until the battle is over. No outside help or interfering without punishment. In the case you are the challenger and should lose and live or give up, you will become Omega,” Omega was a rank not used in most modern packs. “And pack slave for the period decided by a council of elders. Should you win,” He glowered at the younger man facing his mate and both Bianca and Blaze growled.

“You will respect your new mate and not hurt them.” He had no doubt his mate would win, but had to read the rules out as protocol.

“One…” Sometime during the countdown Dane shifted into his grey large – but still smaller than his opponents – Wolf. “Ten. Fight!”

A flash and Bianca… Well, Tal was tearing chunks out of the other wolf.

The crowd cheered and Amy had closed her eyes almost straight away and buried her face in James shirt while holding Blaze’s tail as if some kind of comfort.

Dane fought relentlessly, but Tal seemed to block his every move. The pack fighters and members alike seemed to be in awe of their Luna, cheering him – Tal – on.

‘You will never take my mate or hurt our pup!’ He growled through the pack link to his opponent.

If Dane was shocked by the Luna’s wolf’s deep tone, he didn’t show it.

‘It isn’t even your pup, what does it matter to you?’ He regretted it as soon as he said it.

The raven wolf’s eyes seemed to darken to a color almost indistinguishable from his coat.

‘Wrong answer.’

Within seconds, he had the other man’s smaller Wolf pinned to the ground by his neck.

The blood was pouring thick and fast from his wounds. He felt weak, Dane had no chance of winning. Shifting back into his human form it automatically showed in surrender and end of the battle. But Tal wasn’t done.

“Tal, release him! The challenge is won.” Cheering filled area.

Opening his mouth, he released the man’s throat but stayed standing over him growling. He was less than pleased that he wasn’t allowed to tear the man’s head off.

“Bianca?” Amy whispered opening her eyes. “No. It’s Tal, her Wolf,” James corrected.

“Tal?” She again said quietly, but he must had heard over the cheering because his head snapped to her instantly. “Please come here? You won.”

The wolf stared at her licking the blood off his muzzle before slowly strolling over while shifting into their human form, all the time Tal still in control.

Cheering slowly subsided, surprised gasped followed.

“That explains a few things.” Random chatter started, but they ignored it.

Grandpa Ray could be heard yelling out commands, having Dane taken to medical.

“Hello,” Tal greeted her, reaching over and picking Amy up.

“Wow, you sound different,” Amy said surprised bringing an arm around his neck.

“Tal is male, Bianca is female,” James explained placing his shirt on Tal’s shoulders, lifting his niece into his arms. “Grr,” Tal growled. “Shirt on and you can have her back,” James said flatly.

Tal grumbled glaring at him but pulled the shirt on before taking Amy back into his arms.

“I’m not a baby.”

“But you are a pup with a pup,” He said nuzzling her neck.

“Fine,” She huffed. “Can we go to Gar now? He needs us.” Blaze, who was shadowing his mate sat at Tal’s feet.

“Yes!” He said and went to move, but stopped.

“Blaze, you’ll have to move.” He stepped aside and soon they were heading towards the medical centre where Garrek was being treated.

But no surprisingly the Wolf was still shadowing Tal and Amy and getting under his feet.

“For the love of…!” Tal growled after almost tripping over Blaze again.

Thankfully James was on hand and in one swift move he picked the large Wolf up and began carrying him effortlessly.

The Wolf whined wanting to be put down, but James continued to carry him. “I’m not letting you down. Tal, Amy or you will end up hurt if I do and one hurt mate is too much, we don’t need another.”

Blaze seemed to think about it a moment before proceeding to lick James’s face.

“He likes you,” Amy said with a small smile watching them.

James tried to hide his smile but failed.

But arriving at the room where Tanya was treating Garrek all smiles fell.

Laid on a bed now in Human form with a drip in his arm and unconscious was the nineteen-year-old.

Amy took no time pulling herself from Tal’s arms and rushing to her brother’s side. The others quickly followed.

“Gar? Gar?” She whispered touching his face trying her best not to cry again. “Why isn’t he awake?”

“I don’t know what is wrong with him, but I know it is nothing life threatening. Try not to worry, Amy,” Tanya reassured her.

“Then why isn’t he awake?” James asked this time, placing Blaze on the ground. The Wolf quickly found his way next to Amy and rested his head on the edge of the bed looking at their brother.

“He did wake up but was frantic. I think he sensed his mate’s trouble with Dane,” Tanya explained having stayed long enough to hear that man issue the challenge.

“We had to sedate him in case he hurt himself further.”

“Is that why he has a tube in his arm?”

“No. He was showing signs of dehydration. It is simply a saline drip to help rehydrate him.”

The Alpha silently nodded, Bianca returned drawing to his side while Amy and Blaze sadly sat at their sick mate’s side.

“His health is your number one priority.”

“Yes,” Tanya nodded her head. “I’ll have someone else deal with Dane.”

They all agreed.

“I am going to continue my tests. I suggest Amy goes rest. It isn’t good for the pup-“

“With all due respect, it is not happening!” Amy interrupted her. “I am staying here.”