Page 43 of Claimed By the Alpha Pack

“My mate’s wolf bit me and saved me. He healed me and brought me back from the brink of death. If you wish to die, step in the ring.” My voice takes on the pitch and tone of my wolf as I feel and see my silver white fur racing up and down my arms. My finger nails turn to claws as I stare at Leah. One thing I am certain of, besides my daughter, my wolf will fight to the death to protect what’s hers.

“A turned wolf is never as strong as a born wolf. Prepare to die, thief.” Leah yells before security escorts her to the side.

Glancing over my shoulder, Ethan shakes his head no telling me her ranting was false. For whatever reason, she wants me scared. Psychological warfare only works on a weak-minded person. Unfortunately for her, I am not weak minded. Before I can say anything to Ethan, Griffin pulls me away from him and crushes me to his chest.

“Please reconsider.” He presses his lips to my temple and I feel my wolf relax in his embrace.

“Griff?” Gripping his cheeks, I make him look me in the eye. “I’ll be fine. Have faith.” I stand up on my tippy toes and press my lips against his. His arms band tightly around my waistline, crushing me to him.

“We just got you, and we’ve already almost lost you once.” Griffin holds onto me tighter and I feel his heart thundering in his chest.

“Walk me to the ring.” I stare into his eyes and hope that he sees I need to do this. As Luna, I cannot allow this level of disrespect to continue.

Heat appears at my back and I am sandwiched between the twins and my greedy core pulses to life at their proximity. “Griff, you know she can’t let Leah get away with what she’s done. She’s spoken out against the Luna, for the stability of the pack she needs to defend her honor herself.” Ethan’s large hands caress my ribcage, stroking my sides, trying to comfort me.

“I don’t like it.”

“None of us do, Griff,” Conrad chimes in, resting a hand on his shoulder.

Shaking my head, I break free of the testosterone fueled snuggle-fest. “I don’t want to fight, nor do I want to be viewed as weak or unworthy. If I don’t do this, it’s no better than it was in high school getting picked on because I was never a size two. At least now I can defend myself. I’m strong enough to protect myself.” Staring at my hand, I pop one claw at a time, looking at them as I flex my fingers.

“She has better control than most turned wolves.” Ethan motions to me, going through all ten fingers one at a time, making the claw pop out, then putting it away.

Barrett comes up alongside of me and rests his head against the top of my shoulder, standing there in silent support. “If I back out now, the leadership of this pack will be in question until someone challenges Griff for Alpha or me for Luna. I’m not concerned about Leah, if I’m being honest. She’s smaller than I am and yes, she’s a born wolf, but she’s cocky thinking I can’t fight.” Deep down, I’m hoping her mouth is writing checks her body can’t cash.

“I think Grace is onto something, guys. You saw how Leah walked around like a conquering hero. Her ego is going to be her demise.” Con says as he reaches out, offering me his hand. “May I escort you to the ring?” He bows slightly and I accept his hand and follow him down the trail.

Conrad gives my hand several pulsing squeezes as we walk. I think more about his security than mine. “Leah circles her target excessively, so turn with her and never give her your back. She enjoys going for hind legs to cripple her opponent.” My mate thoughtfully goes over her typical attack patterns, preparing me for the fight ahead.

As we approach the ring, I can see what looks like damn close to the entire pack has gathered for this fight. No pressure. My wolf is prowling under the surface as we approach. She’s itching for a fight. I’ve never been violent, but the beast within me wants her head on a pike for what she said about Griffin.

“You’ll be fine sweetness. Besides, with the way your wolf was created and who sired you.” Shaking his head, he laughs. “Only an idiot would enrage your wolf.” Conrad pulls me in for a hug and his comforting scent of brownies soothes the savage beast by making me hungry.

“Ethan isn’t so bad. Why do you guys make it out like he’s a monster?” No sooner do the words leave my lips than a male goes flying past me with Ethan hot on his heels. “Oh … I see.” Conrad and I share a laugh just as one of the Betas reads of the rules for the fight.

“Most of all, no outside help is permitted.” Jake says as he stares pointedly at Leah. I can only assume that she has cheated in the past.

Barrett comes up alongside us with a thermos in hand and offers it to me. “With as much as you have been shifting back and forth, you need to eat. I made a high protein drink for you. It may not taste the best, but it’s what Ethan drinks before he fights.”

It’s always concerning when you can’t see through the tumbler when drinks are being offered to you. “Thanks Cutie.” Leaning forward, I kiss his lips softly before chugging the disgusting contents. “Uggg, what was in that? It was horrible.” Furrowing my brows, I stare at Barrett.

Just as Barrett is about to answer, Ethan walks up flushed from fighting. “Liver, heart, some animal blood, and vanilla protein powder.”

Mentally my stomach turns, hearing its contents. But for whatever reason, my stomach doesn’t react. “It sounds so disgusting. Why would you make it?” I stare at Ethan, since it seems to be his secret blend.

“You’re thinking like a human. Wolves eat the organs of their kill and absorb their nutrients the fastest from the high concentration in the liver and heart.” He raises his eyebrows at me, trying to get me to understand. Glancing at the others, they nod in agreement with him.

He’s right, I’m still thinking like a human and what a human would do. I stare at the tumbler again and knock back what’s left in it. This time it’s not so bad. Perhaps I just had to realize I’m not human and my animal needs different things than I do.

“Luna, if you’re ready, please get in the ring.” Jake stands about eight feet away, keeping a respectable distance.

“I’m ready.” I reach out and touch each of my guys and take Ethan’s shirt off and shift on the spot. It still hurts like a bitch, but it’s not as bad as the first few times. The major disadvantage I have is if she wounds me, the blood is immediately visible because of the silver fur.

Leah’s wolf is pacing like Conrad said. Her nervous energy is palatable on the air, and my wolf is getting excited about the battle ahead. Mentally, I focus on calming down before she makes an irrational decision and attacks first.

“Bide your time.” Ethan’s voice echoes in my head. “Let her make the first move. You have size and strength over her. Let Leah wear herself out.” His soothing tone settles my wolf and I no longer feel like my body is a live wire.

“Fight!” Jake yells and Leah charges immediately.

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