Page 35 of Challenged Mate
Straddling his hips, I used one hand to grip Chase’s shirt. I pulled the other back into a glowing fist, aiming right for his pretty face.
“Yield!” I snarled, letting some of my wolf’s bloodlust into my voice.
From the ground, Chase looked up at me with a wide grin. “I knew you could do it.”
My forehead furrowed.
He shot a pointed look at my fist.
I followed his gaze and my eyes widened as I truly acknowledged the power surrounding my hand. I followed the golden glow, noticing it encompassed my entire arm.
Almost as soon as I made the connection, the light flickered out, and I felt the adrenaline it elicited leave my body. The pain from my injuries hit me like a freight train.
I sucked in a breath, bracing myself as I got to my feet. I kept as much weight as possible off my bruised kneecap.
Chase got to his feet, rolling out his shoulders and neck.
Before he could speak, a series of claps reached our ears.
Both of us startled, we whirled towards the alpha’s house, shocked to find a small audience had gathered there. And that they’d seen our fight.
Kayla and Jenny stood in the front of the group. Both of them grinned and clapped with enthusiasm. I recognized the faces of some of the other shifters, but I only knew the name of one.
Stanley stood in a rigid stance. Even from a distance, I could see the calculating gleam in eye.
I didn’t know what it meant, and I decided I didn’t care.
Turning away from the crowd, I looked at Chase, surprised to see the beginning signs of bruises covering his arms. I’d really gone at it after my power triggered.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he continued to grin. A silencing bubble surrounded us.
“You accessed your power,” he stated, grin growing.
“I know.” I could still feel the magic’s warmth flowing under my skin. The feeling was strange. It wasn’t anything like when I tapped into my shifter abilities.
“Next time we fight, I think I’m going to have to change the rules so I can use magic too. I’ll have my ass handed to me if I don’t.” He rubbed a red mark along his jaw.
I couldn’t help but smile. “I doubt that. I still can’t control it.”
Chase’s smile faltered. His tone turned serious. “Yes, you can, Blair. You’ve proven your magic is accessible. All you need to do now is embrace it. Embrace who you are. The training will come easily after that.”
I heard what he was saying, but that didn’t make it any less daunting.
“What if this is all a misunderstanding?” I voiced one of my fears, licking my suddenly dry lips. “What if I’m not as powerful as everyone thinks, and I make a fool of myself? What will the pack think if their alpha mates with a weak half-breed?”
“First off, none of us knew you had any magic when the mating alliance was proposed,” he reminded me. “The fact you do is just a happy bonus. Secondly, you’re a bad-ass, Blair. You’re the first female to ever be in line to inherit a pack. Stop doubting yourself and acknowledge that even though it seems like the Mother has turned against you, she’s given you an incredible hand to make your mark in this world.”
His words were the balm to my aching soul that I hadn’t realized I needed.
Before I could think better of it, I hobbled forward and threw my arms around his neck. Chase automatically wrapped his arms around my back, holding me tight.
I ignored the curious eyes and soaked in the comfort of a friend’s embrace.
Because even though he’d played a part in my father’s and Asher’s deception in Montana, that’s what Chase was—a friend.
“Thank you,” I whispered into his shoulder.
