"You don't want to know," he whispered, pulling me to the field. I was greeted with other Wolves, both men and women that did not think it was funny. They shook my hands and pulled me to their smaller divided training groups to watch their technique. They were fast, which was a massive factor in the fighting, but even with their swiftness, they lacked some method I had learned from my trainers. 'Control was better than speed,’ was a motto engraved in my head as I practiced all the different art forms.
I'm glad I didn't complain to mom about training so much; she knew what she was talking about. I wonder if she knew I would end up in a world like this deep down. If my father was indeed an Elf, he sounded to me like a warrior. I didn't even know what he looked like, but the scars she spoke on his chest were a good enough indicator.
It had been an hour, no signs of my mates appearing from the woods to tear me down with verbal assault. I had become comfortable around my surroundings, primarily when they fought in human form.
"Alright, listen up!" Lonato spoke in the middle of the field. "It's judgment day! Everyone gather 'round."
This sounded deliciously exciting. "Hey, Luna, you want to watch something awesome? Soren hung out with Lonato the night at the bar, he stayed in the back not speaking much. He sat to himself, looking around the bar mostly. Werewolves must have a code by not speaking to humans besides a leader.
Soren opened up the past hour as I watched, showing me some of his moves. I found him to have a fun sense of humor, a bit dark, but it was funny. "I'm going to challenge Beck over there. He's the third best warrior in the pack. If I win, I get his rank." Beck was also with Lanato that night at the bar. I never paid attention to him because he was always scouting the surroundings. Soren was a younger wolf, maybe my age of around twenty. Then again, everyone ages differently around here, so he could be as far into his 80s. Beck looked 'well-seasoned.’
"Good luck," I nudged him. Soren gave me a nod and spoke to Lonato, who only patted him on the back with a shake of the head. Soren might be in over his head here.
"Today, we have Soren; he's been a warrior for eight years now. Still on the young side, but his improvement is just. He has challenged Beck for the third top warrior ranking." The crowd murmured; the girls that laughed at me earlier began laughing. Someone needed to kick their asses.
Beck and Soren entered the ring. Beck had a whole sleeve of tattoos, his hair cut in military-style. Brooding, evil eyes stared at the young Wolf that dared to challenge him. This was a bad idea on Soren's part. Covering my eyes with my fingers, I continued to watch.
The circle was twelve feet wide; if you leave the ring twice, you are out and forfeit the game. Beck and Soren circled each other; Lonato watched from the sidelines, circling the both of them. Soren was first to attack and jumped low, going for the legs; Beck only jumped over him, laughing. Beck turned in mid-air pulling Soren's legs out from under him. Soren was waiting for the moment; twisting his body, his claws raked across Beck's chest. He howled in anger while Soren put his arm around Beck's neck, pulling him to the ground. Soren threw me a smile until Beck had enough. Jumping with Soren, still holding his neck in a hold, he fell backward, hitting Soren's head on the ground. Soren was on his back, pinned by Beck breathing down his neck. Beck moved Soren’s neck to the side, jaws opening. Beck was savoring the moment, pausing for dramatic effect. Everyone thought it was over; they were handing out money from the bets they placed. Soren had one trick up his sleeve; his head came forward, cracking Beck's nose into a bloody mess.
The shock threw Beck back until Soren used his speed to pin him to the ground, pushed his head to the side, and sunk his teeth into his skin. "Game!" Lonato yelled. Soren jumped up; I couldn't help but cheer for him. Everyone groaned, moving money back and forth from their losses. "That was amazing! How did you know you would win!?" I ran into the circle giving him a hug.
Soren took a towel, rubbing the sweat from his face. "I've watched him fight for years; he likes to pause before he bites into his enemy. Watch the light leave their eyes." Soren muttered solemnly but quickly recovered. Once I perfected my last move, I knew I could take him."
Beck threw a nasty glare at Soren; once Soren acknowledged the glare, they smiled at each other.
Ugh, men.
"Congratulations, it was a good clean win," high-fiving him, one of the giggly girls from the snobby group came over. Her pink neon pink sports bra could be seen a mile away.
"So two Alphas weren't enough; you are going after warriors now?" Soren growled, standing in front of me. She flicked her blonde hair.
"Watch your mouth, Liz; if the princes catch wind of what you are implying, it would be your head." Liz smacked her lips, crossing her arms. "Are we even sure she is their mate? It's rare for a human to be mated to an Alpha, let alone two." She flipped her blonde hair behind her.
"You doubt them? Queen Clara was wolfless when born, pretty much human. Why wouldn't they take a human?" Soren's body puffed up in anger, his fist clenched, getting closer to Liz. His winning didn't affect her as she stood in the same spot.
Taking her finger, she circled his chest. A low purr resonated in Soren.
"All I'm saying, Queen Clara, was born of two Wolves. No doubt she would have a mate. This girl we know nothing about and has already brought chaos to the territory. Her 'father' plans to wipe us out because she knows us. Too much trouble for our world." If looks could kill, I would be six feet under.
This girl didn't know shit. That part I didn't care about, but saying I was nothing but a fake mate and trying to get into Soren's pants was enough on my integrity.
"I challenge you, Liz." The words slipped from my mouth before I realized I had spoken. Liz eyed me up and down, laughing along with her posse.
"You, a human, challenge me?" Her hand caressed her chest. "I accept." The evil twinkle in her eye gave me an uneasy feeling, but there was no going back now.
"Luna, no, this is a bad idea. What if you get hurt?" Soren tried to pull me back. I internally sighed, I might get my ass handed to me, but at least I tried. Getting walked all over was not part of my agenda here. Besides, if I lose, I don't lose much. Just my pride. Liz would feel utter embarrassment losing to a human.
I was willing to take that risk.
"Can't run away from your problems all the time, am I right?" Giving him a wink, I stripped my shirt off, which left me with just my black leggings and sports bra. My stomach wasn't flat and toned like hers, but I still had my hourglass shape. A few hoots and hollers came from the stands, but I shrugged it off. Big breasts, I knew I had 'em, and fighting with my mate's loose-fitting shirt wasn't going to work. I needed all the fluid movements I could get.
"No," Lonato stomped towards me while I stretched. My legs were a bit tight, so I sat on the ground, butterflying my legs. "No, I won't allow it. My ass is on the line if you get hurt."
"Can I like, command you or something?" I waved my hand around dismissively. "Like seriously, what is the good of this title if I can't command you?" Lonato pinched his nose, counting to ten under his breath.
"I cannot let you do this, Luna," he pleaded.
"You aren't letting me; I'm doing it without your approval." Standing up, I brushed myself off. Soren walked with me until we reached the edge of the circle. Lonato huffing and puffing behind me.