Page 10 of Becoming the Alpha

“What is going to happen during the Alpha Challenge?” Laura asked, looking interested. I was grateful for her speaking up and changing the subject.

“The Alpha Challenge is going to take place in two days. We are going to meet on the grounds in front of the castle. You know Father wouldn’t deem himself worthy of lowering himself to fight in the pit. It is a fight to the death. There is no submission. Winner takes the pack and position of Alpha. It will be fought in wolf form and there can be no interference. The soldiers will be stationed around the fight to make sure nobody tries anything,” I responded, tearing my gaze from Lily and looking at Laura. It was incredibly difficult to keep my gaze away from my mate, since my wolf was arguing with me, but it helped to think about the seriousness of the Alpha Challenge and stare at my little sister while speaking.

“Alright, so what does that mean for us?” Laura asked. I glanced over at Lily, hating the dejected way she was standing now. My wolf was demanding I go over and make everything right between us, but I didn’t have time to focus on that. I needed to make sure everyone was prepared for this challenge. My father wasn’t going to just let this happen. We all needed to be prepared.

“Alpha Luke and Beta Jake have both graciously offered protection and a place within their pack to Amara, Laura, and my mom. If I fail, you will all be taken to their pack immediately,” I responded. There was a beat of absolute silence before the room erupted in confused and angry voices. I turned, realizing that Lily wasn’t among them. I frowned, wondering why she hadn’t taken this opportunity to rage against me. I knew she needed it. My wolf reached out among our bond to feel her emotions. A rush of anger, betrayal, and resignation flooded back to me. Lily’s head jerked up when she felt me, narrowing her eyes in my direction.

“No,” Lily snapped, slamming our bond shut. My wolf recoiled in surprise, having been shoved on his ass out of the mate bond. I blinked, rubbing my chest as my wolf grumbled like an old man. I tilted my head, watching her.

“Lily…”

“Jason, you can’t expect us to abandon our home. What about the people who are left behind?” Laura demanded, stomping over to block my view of my mate. A growl slipped through my lips as my wolf tried to manage everything that was going on in the room. Laura rolled her eyes and slapped a hand lightly on my chest. “Cut that bullshit out. Just talk to me. What the fuck is going on? What aren’t you telling us?”

“If Jason fails at the Alpha Challenge, I will be killed - which is apparently preferable to the constant agony I’ll be in without my mate, your father will take over and punish you and your mother, and more than likely kill Amara and Dean. Jason is putting a contingency plan together to make sure you’re all protected, without asking for your consent. It seems to be something he does pretty often,” Lily snapped. Her voice cut through me, making it feel like knives were slicing my insides and I winced. I knew she was hurt and angry at what I had done - I didn’t blame her for feeling that way. I just hated that I was the one to cause it.

“Alright, enough you two. Just fuck and get over this fight. We don’t have time to deal with your fucking attitudes and snide comments,” Beta Jake scoffed. He stepped closer to Lily and I pushed Laura out of the way to intercept him, squaring off. I heard Lily’s scoff, but it didn’t matter to me. All that mattered was that she was safe.

“That was probably not the best tactic to take with them, Jake,” Luke muttered. Jake smirked at me, looking calm and collected. “You think? It seems to be doing something,” He replied, a smug look on his face. The door behind me slammed and I whirled around to see that Lily and Amara were gone. Dean grimaced, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck and looking apologetic. I sighed, swiping a hand down my face. I felt like I had aged thirty years in only a few hours. I had no idea what I was going to do about Lily, but something needed to be done before the challenge.

“Alright, let’s just get some fucking sleep. We’re all going to need it to get through the next few days. Dean, would you put the girls in my room? I know Lily’s going to put up a fight, but there’s no way my father won’t try something. I need to make sure she’s safe.”

“Of course. I’ll let you know when they’re secure,” Dean said, nodding and walking out of the room. I turned to Laura, who was currently glaring at me.

“What?”

“You’re going to get yourself fucking killed and you’re not even worried about me?”

“Are you fucking kidding me? I’m fucking terrified for you! I am doing everything I can fucking think of to keep you safe. If I thought I could get you the fuck away from here before the challenge, I would.”

“I’m not talking about that and you know it. You haven’t even asked what I want or asked my opinion on anything. You haven’t checked in with me. You’ve just bulldozed over me and my damn feelings, not bothering to think for a second that I might have a better idea or resources that can help you make this plan not a fucking shitshow. Because let’s be honest, your plan isn’t exactly a plan,” Laura scowled. I took a calming breath, trying to keep my Alpha power from leaking out and threatening to kill her.

“Alright, Laura, do you have any ideas or feelings about the plan we have?”

“Again, it’s not much of a plan, but yes, as a matter of fact, I do. The bunker is connected to a series of tunnels that most of the Royal Guard don’t know about. We can use that to get everyone out safely after the challenge starts. We’d need some type of distraction to make sure everyone gets into the tunnels, but I think your death might be good enough. As long as we have a direct line to the tunnels, we will all be safe. They dump out on the outskirts of Dad’s lands. From there, Alpha Luka and Beta Jake can get us to safety. As for Lily, you gambled with her life without even talking to her about it. You’re going to need to either be prepared to do some major groveling or hope you lose the challenge. I don’t have much more advice than that, bro.” Laura shrugged and bounced out of the room. I blinked, turning to stare out after her. I turned back to Alpha Luke and Beta Jake, who glanced at each other. Alpha Luke looked amused and Beta Jake looked smug, but neither added anything useful.

11

Lily

I stomped down the hallway, Amara close on my heels. I had no idea where I was going or what was going to happen, but I knew I was pissed. I couldn’t believe Jason. He seemed to have completely changed from the person I had met only a few days ago. I had no idea what to do. He was my mate and my wolf didn’t want to be mad at him, but she knew what he had done wasn’t right. She was over dealing with all of these human emotions. She pushed forward, trying to force me to shift. I stumbled as I tried to make my way out of the castle. I pulled open one of the large wooden doors at the main entrance. I had wanted to go out the side door, but bypassed it when my wolf pushed forward. It was too late for me to turn around - I had to get outside before my wolf tore up the carpet and anything else she could get her meaty paws on. I stumbled through the doors and onto the grounds.

“Lily? Are you okay?” Amara asked, her voice wavering. I grunted as the urge to shift hit me hard. I stumbled to my knees. My wolf took over and burst out. She shook out her fur, ignoring the gasp from Amara behind her. She took off, streaking across the castle grounds and moving into the forest. I tried to talk to her, but she pushed me away, her annoyance at dealing with human emotions high. She let loose a howl, never slowing her speed as the trees streaked by. I stopped pushing, knowing she needed to run. My emotions were too much for her to handle and while the pain of the mate bond was beating steadily in my chest, she didn’t want to deal with me and my feelings toward Jason anymore.

She ran for hours, weaving in and out of the forest. It was only after she had run herself ragged that she slowed and stopped at the river, laying down on the grass. She panted as she tried to catch her breath and I took the opportunity to check in with her. She pushed me back, giving me a nudge with a feeling of comfort. I realized we would be okay, but she still needed a bit of time. Considering we were in the forest by ourselves, I was more than happy to let her take point. She had better senses than I did and I didn’t want to be caught unawares.

The breeze shifted and a snap of a twig caught our attention. I felt my ear twitch and turned toward the sound. Amara stumbled out of the trees, looking exhausted and rumpled. Her hair was full of twigs and pulled up at odd angles. Her clothes were ruffled and looked like they were sticking to her. She was breathing hard, her face bright red. I felt my wolf’s amusement. If I were in human form, I would have doubled over laughing. As it was, my wolf relinquished control and I shifted to my feet, stumbling as I struggled to catch my breath as I held my stomach and laughed.

“It’s not fucking funny, Lily!”

“What the hell happened to you?” I asked, wiping tears from my eyes. I pressed my lips together in an effort not to burst out laughing again. Amara scoffed, scowling as she planted her hands on her hips.

“I was told to follow after your chaotic, psycho wolf so you could have some fucking clothes.”

I blinked, staring at her. “You traipsed through the woods to bring me clothes?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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