Page 81 of One True Mate

“It's tonight, E. Since he didn't actually fight last night, the Council bumped it up to tonight.”

Elise started crying. “I'm sorry. I don't know what's come over me lately. I just feel so off and out of it. I don't know how to explain it. I should have been there with you guys last night. I didn't know he'd have to fight today.”

I smelled something strange waft through the house, and my shoulders stiffened. I knew my hackles would be standing tall if I were in my fur. It was a foreign smell. No, a foreign wolf. Jason Westin poked his head in and I was briefly confused.

“Ah, good, Kelsey, just the gal I was looking for. I'm afraid, you have a visitor.”

I let out a low growl of warning when Andon appeared behind my Alpha.

“Kelsey, you won't be alone with him, but as a challenger and therefore a potential mate to you, he has the right to request your audience. Don't worry, I'll be with you the entire time.”

I know my eyes begged and pleaded for him not to make me do it. But there was no getting out of it as I was escorted past my enemy and into Jason's office. Andon entered and closed the door behind him. I had to fight to maintain control of my powers as I suddenly felt caged in with this man.

He eyed me suspiciously, and my eyes never left his. I knew he was an alpha in his own right, but when he tried to power play me I simply held my ground and bit back the release of my own alpha powers.

“There is much spirit and stubbornness in you, little one.” He said in an accent so thick I could barely discern he was speaking English. “But fear not, for I am quite powerful and need a strong she-wolf to stand by my side. You will take some breaking in, but I am confident you will do nicely.” He gave me an eerie smile of sorts that sent shivers through my body and as I was about to show him just how powerful he wasn't, Jason stepped in and intervened.

“That is enough, Andon. You will not upset the girl any further. You have met her, now I must ask you leave my home.”

I felt the wall of alpha power against alpha power and gave a small boost to Jason's thinking they wouldn't notice. The quirk of an eyebrow from Andon made me momentarily fear I had been wrong in that assumption.

“You intrigue me greatly, little wolf. I shall have more of you tonight, after my victory.”

He turned on his heels and exited as Jason physically held me back from attacking him.

“Kelsey,” he demanded, pouring his power over me. Even though I knew I was stronger and could take him, I respected him too much to ever use my powers on him again, so I settled. “You know you can't afford to lose control like that. Especially with the likes of the Bulgarians. I don't know if he felt your additional power as I tried to make it appear I was pushing mine stronger against him, but please, do not intercede again.”

“I am sorry, Alpha.” I said formally, baring my neck to him.

He hesitated briefly before pulling me into his arms in the biggest fatherly hug I could ever remember in my life. I embraced him back, only withdrawing when Mary entered the room to check on us, ranting over the rudeness of the Bulgarian.

The Westins kept me close by their sides, and I was struck by how much they had become family to me. It wasn't just me and Kyle. I had a mom, and a dad, and sisters and brothers. My life mattered to them and theirs to me. Chase and Liam took on a particularly protective role that day, even going so far as to escorting me to the pavilion above the arena where I would stand and wait and watch.

The Council had decided not to stand with us there once again, but it wasn't just me and Jason this time. I was surrounded by my family. I was surrounded by love. It felt good and terrified me all at the same time as it signified the true importance of this challenge.

I'm here, my mate. Be strong, and fight hard.I paused.Cause there's no way I'm waking up to that dog breath every morning.

He laughed and then growled.Did that dog come near you today?

Only formally and your father would not allow him alone with me. It was fine. Just, just kill him quickly.I nearly spat out the words in my head and I felt the truth of them strengthen Kyle.

Things moved fast after that. Jason called the contenders out. The formalities were given. And they stripped and waited for the signal to shift. Unlike Matt Snyder who took forever and a day to shift during his challenge, Andon wasted no time and was stalking towards Kyle as he shifted. His wolf was big and powerful looking. Bigger even than Kyle's. But bigger didn't always mean better. I quickly noted he wasn't as quick and that he was slower on his left side than his right when he attacked. I wished I could communicate with Kyle to give him the heads up.

Heard ya loud and clear, babe!An excited voice came through our bond.

I gasped a little in shock, but Andon had snapped close to one of Kyle's legs at that exact instant so no one thought anything suspicious of it.

Stay to his left. I don't think his peripheral vision is very strong on that side. He's going to try and force you to his right though.I directed him.

Okay, okay, I got this, now let me fight already.

I laughed wanting desperately to cheer him on for all to see and hear but knowing it wasn't allowed during the challenges for me to show favoritism. I started to cheer in my head instead, but then I didn't want to distract him so I tried to just send calming vibes through our bond or nothing at all. This was such a new development I didn't know what to make of it or what to do.

I stood there helplessly watching as Andon jabbed at him and he jabbed back. Kyle got a few good bites in and Andon was bleeding now, his fur caked in blood down his left hind leg, but he fought on, perhaps more violently seemingly angered by the bite.

Kyle kept pursuit. He smelled blood and I felt his wolf dominate control. His alpha powers flowed freely demanding the other wolf submit to him. But Andon was an alpha in his own right and fought back with his own powers. It was unlike either of the previous challenges I had fought or observed.

When Kyle got the upper hand, and began making advances on him, I squealed in my head in excitement. The energy and the rush of the victory in sight was contagious and our entire pack was on its feet cheering him on, but he faltered when I squealed. I hadn't meant to distract him. It was the last thing I ever wanted, but it was just enough for Andon to take advantage and suddenly he had Kyle pinned on his back snapping his massive jaws at him.

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