Chapter Nine #2
Vince winced, but I laughed. I raised my pointer finger.
“Let’s clear some things up. Okay? A cath neart is a battle of strength, usually invoked between soldiers or by guards trying to move up in ranks.
It is a battle of abilities to show the pack who is stronger, or in other words, who reigns supreme.
A fitting battle between two Alphas so that one doesn’t end up dead.
Which is exactly what your father is begging me to avoid, because even he knows I will beat you.
Second.” I raised my middle finger. “A second in this battle is to watch over the fight and to intervene if they see any cheating, or dubious interventions from the other person, like poisoning, or going for a kill shot when the battle is just to surrender.” I raised my third finger.
“I am a bitch, but I am also a bitch that respects the rituals our ancestors put in place, and our packs still follow. I don’t insult them by ignoring their rites that they were their dedicated to.
” I tilted my head. “And I don’t know why you think I would want another chance.
For Goddess’ sake, YOU ARE NOT A CATCH!” I lost control of my anger.
“You are a tiny, pathetic whelp of a child who plays pretend as a man. You don’t respect your pack, your bonds, your traditions, your Goddess.
You have no fucking idea how a pack works.
You think you are the next Goddess-blessed wolf, but in reality you are a calamity to everything that would make a strong pack.
You are a weak male, weak Alpha, weak leader. You are just fucking weak.”
He lunged for me but I just laughed as Vince caught him. “Let me go.” He screamed as he tried to lunge again. “I will kill you.”
The guards all stilled. Vince felt the tension in the room skyrocket.
He leaned in to Brandon. “She has invoked a cath neart. You can not attack her outside the ring. That would be disgraceful. And like she just said. Any action taken to kill her during the match will automatically activate her second.” Vince looked back at Corzone.
Brandon followed his father and realized who was looming behind him. “Corzone…why would you agree to be her second?”
The man smiled. “I offered. She didn’t even have to ask.” He smirked, and I saw everyone tense.
“Why?” Brandon growled.
“Because she knows our ways. She respects our way of life. She advocated for female guards in her father’s pack and she has trained with us every week since she turned twelve.
” Corzone looked at me. “I have kept track of the female Alpha that treats everyone one with respect most of my career and did my best to follow her lead and treat everyone in my ranks with respect regardless of rank. But even without all of that…” I could feel the intensity of his gaze as he turned to look at Brandon.
“She was helping with the pups, and she took her time with my pup. Even sick, he came home excited that he got to spend time with the beautiful Alpha that taught him the rites of the soldiers. Carson came home for the first time in years, excited to grow up. He believed for the first time that he would grow up. And there is nothing in this world that I want more.” He turned back to me.
“You made him believe that he would survive, and I pray to the Goddess every day that you are right.” Corzone then bowed at his waist, showing his devotion.
I nodded to him. I could see the glare that both Brandon and Vince were giving him, but the other guards stepped up behind him. “Then I guess it’s time.” I grabbed my bag again and hefted it up to my shoulder.
“Time for what?” Brandon snapped.
Vince sighed, but then nodded. “Let’s go to the ring.” He turned, but Brandon grabbed him.
“What’s going on?”
Vince wrenched his arm away. “You opened your mouth and now you get your way. Amy is going to leave, and she will do it by going through you.” Vince pointed out the window. “Get your ass to the training ring so we can get this over with.”
Brandon laughed. “I already beat her ass this morning. What the fuck is she going to do?”
Vince laughed, but it was empty. “She’s right.” He looked back at his son. “You are stupid.” Then he grabbed him and pulled him from the office. “Ten minutes, Amy.” Then they were gone.
I limped my way into the ring while Brandon and Vince watched.
Vince was wary, still, but Brandon was grinning.
“Are you sure you want to do this? You’re already hurt.
I don’t want to hurt you more.” His grin already proved to the gathering crowd he was lying.
But I let him keep talking. “Look at you.” He waved his hand at me.
He stepped closer and made a show of sniffing me. “You reek of blood.”
I just shook my head and made my way over to Corzone. His face was a mask of alertness, but I could see the concern behind his eyes. I smiled at him. “Are you ready?”
He nodded once. “I am.” He looked me up and down. “Are you ready?”
I smiled wider. “Yeah. I am. Brandon has the bad habit of underestimating his opponent.” Corzone nodded once but kept his mouth shut.
He was smarter than anyone else thought.
He wanted to support me, because his pup, Carson, was one of the pups that Vince cursed.
They didn’t know the truth. Just that I went to their house, and after speaking with his mate, she allowed me to hang out with Carson alone.
When I left, he was happier, and more importantly, healthier.
We turned to face Vince and Brandon and waited.
Another guard came out to referee. “This is a cath neart, a battle for strength and standing. The rules are as follows. No death blows. Once your opponent is on the ground for longer than ten seconds, the battle stops. If your opponent is knocked out, the battle is over. There is no points system, this is a battle to knockout or surrender. You both agreed to no weapons, but shifting is allowed.” He looked between us and waited for both of us to nod. “Are there any questions?”
Brandon smirked. “Does she get any kind of lead?”
Vince turned and smacked his head. “And how do you think that is going to happen?” He shook his head. “Stupid boy.”
It was my turn to smirk. “Don’t worry Bran, you already got your lead this morning when you attacked me unprovoked.
” I heard a few gasps from the gathering pack members and Vince growled lowly.
But there was nothing he could do or say that wouldn’t hurt their standing in the pack any more.
The pack was losing their faith in these two.
Nix snarled. As they should. These two are fucking pathetic Alphas. Megan nodded in agreement.
The referee looked at Vince and Corzone. “Seconds, are you ready?”
Vince nodded. Corzone took a step behind me. “Wait.” Corzone turned and shifted, shredding his clothes as he did. He was almost at my shoulder. “Alpha Amy.” His voice was deep and smoky. “I am Dune. Corzone’s wolf. We wanted to see better, so we took this form instead.” He bowed.
“I appreciate the help.”
“It is the least we could do.” Dune took a few steps back and then nodded to the referee. “I will watch your back.” He sounded like he wanted to say more, but he was holding himself back. His eyes darted to Vince and Brandon. “Be careful.” I gave him a small bow before I turned to watch Brandon.
Vince backed up a few steps and then Brandon started to pull off his shirt and pants.
“I’m not shredding my clothes.” He smirked as I watched.
“Do you like what you see?” He was taunting us.
I just gave him a placating smile. He walked closer in his underwear and grabbed his dick.
“All of this can be yours if you just stop being stupid.”
“All of that has already fucked half the girls in this pack. And we both know it wouldn’t be just mine.
I don’t know why this is so hard for you to understand.
I do not share my man.” He stiffened. “Especially with an unranked female. And anyway…I’ve seen better.
” Now it was my turn to smile as he snarled.
He shifted, drool flying from his snapping snout.
The referee turned to me and raised his eyebrow. “Oh, I’m not shifting. We can start.”
He watched me for a few seconds before nodding.
“If you are sure.” He stepped back and the crowd’s murmuring quieted.
I cracked my neck, swung my arms around and twisted my back, feeling for any pain.
Then I sank into a crouched position. The tenderness from my ribs was gone and I just smiled.
Vince’s face was natural, but I could see the worry behind his eyes.
The ref looked at Brandon. “Alpha Brandon, are you ready?” Brandon dug his back claws into the ground and then snapped his teeth at me.
The referee took that as a yes because he turned to me.
“Alpha Amy, are you ready?” I just grinned and then gave one stiff nod.
He took another few steps back. “Begin!”
Brandon took off towards me. I planted my feet as he ran towards me.
I think the fact I didn’t move confused him because the idiot swerved around me as he came close.
His voice rang out through the circle, loud enough for everyone gathered to hear.
He was making this into a circus instead of the battle it was supposed to be.
“Move. Fight. Do something instead of standing there. Put up a tiny bit of a fight before I show everyone here who the real Alpha is.” He was taunting me, hoping for a reaction, but I just stayed still.
He scoffed again. “Next time I won’t miss. ”
I shook my hands out and allowed my fangs to descend.
My eyes flashed to their golden hue, and the crowd all creeped in a step closer.
I closed my eyes to focus my ears on his steps.
I listened as he circled me closer and closer, trying to intimidate me.
“Are we playing? Or are we fighting?” I called out.
His snarl came from my side, and then he charged.
Someone in the crowd let out a yelp, but I maneuvered at the last second.
My hand shot out and I landed a punch on his ribs, snapping one of them and sending him flying back the way he came. “That’s one.”
He wheezed as he stood. He chuckled. “Okay.” He shook out his fur. “I’m not going to hold back any longer.” He snarled a little. “Do you think you can make a fool out of me by standing there?”
I swiveled to face him. “Brandon, I think it is pretty apparent I don’t have to do anything to make you look like a fool.
Everyone here can see you do it all on your own.
” He charged again, this time sliding towards my ankle, but I sidestepped and booted him in his face, breaking his cheekbone.
“That’s two.” I wiggled two fingers in the air, earning another snarl.
He stood, shaking his head to clear it. Blood flew from his lip. I must have cut the inside of his cheek when I kicked him. I smirked at the thought. “You are a stupid bitch.” He snarled.
I just looked at Vince, who inched his way closer to the center. I raised an eyebrow, but he just shook his head at me. “Stop playing with him.” His whisper was low enough I barely caught it, but I nodded once.
“Fine.” I turned back to Brandon, who was glaring at me.
He circled me, but this time I circled with him. “You are trying to make me look weak.” His voice was low, but it carried.
“You do that yourself.” I bounced on my feet. “But don’t worry.” He stiffened a little. “What I’m about to do to you, no man here could stand up against it.”
He laughed, but I had better things to do than to stay here and waste time with him.
I needed to go home, save kids, pack a few things and smuggle two families and information out of here.
Brandon’s brain caught up to what I said, and he stilled.
“What?” But that was all he could get out before I charged.
His eyes widened as I disappeared across from him and reappeared next to him, slamming my fist into his eye.
I felt the bone give way. The crack of the orbital socket echoed through the air.
Instead of pulling, or stopping like I had the last few times I kept attacking. Fists flying, I landed another few shots on his ribs, and felt another give beneath me. The sound of his lung filling with blood reached everyone’s ears.
Vince’s warning growl reached me, and I raised my hands. I backed away from Brandon and walked back to Corzone. He watched me with eyes that were slightly amused. He refused to allow any emotion hit his face. “Are you okay?” His question caught me off guard.
“Yeah…I’m fine. Why?”
He furrowed his brow. “You are covered in blood.” He gestured to me, and I looked down.
“This is all his.” I raised my shoulder and I wiped the blood on my shirt. I kept walking, but something made me stumble. I turned, and it was like I was moving through syrup. The air had somehow condensed into this thick, hard to push through force.
My eye caught on Vince, and I saw his mouth moving while clutching at his necklace and I knew he was using magic. My brain flew through my Book of Shadows for a spell to slow someone, and the counter spell.
I heard Brandon struggle to get to his feet and knew I was running out of time. Corzone looked confused as I had all but stopped. “Are you okay?” He tried to reach for me but Vince yelled out.
“If you touch her before the match is called, she loses. We can’t interfere.” He sounded smug, and that pissed me off.
My brain latched onto the counter spell. Corzone’s eyes widened as he screamed my name. “AMY!”
“Kento farwa spunto corna.” The air was back to normal, and I spun just as I felt Brandon’s teeth graze my neck. My fist connected with the underside of his jaw, sending him tumbling back. He landed hard next to his father, who dropped to his knees beside Brandon.
“ENOUGH!” The referee called. “Alpha Amy wins. Alpha Brandon is disqualified from the battle for trying to land a death blow.”
Vince looked back at me with eyes filled with hatred, but he picked up his son and rushed him to the pack doctor.