Chapter Thirty-Eight
There are a range of reactions around the room after Axe's statement.
Joel looks like he's about to pass out. Kieryn looks like he's going to be sick.
Step-Bitch actually looks like a cartoon whose eyes have popped out of her head.
The three monstrosities are frozen in place.
How does it feel that the little crossbred is mated to the alpha?
I wonder what they could possibly say if I asked them that.
Dash is trying to hide his grin. I feel good about their reactions.
That is until I see Manson's. Anger is swirling in his eyes.
I'm surprised he's still in his seat. Manson doesn't approve of me; his expression is proof of that.
How will Axe deal with Manson not liking me?
No wonder most of the pack hated me when they shared the same values as Manson.
Axe really is changing a stubborn culture already set in their ways.
Will the pack split after this meeting? If Manson objects to Axe's new authority, it could be a disaster.
“I challenge you.” All faces drain of colour and I'm no longer worried about Manson.
“Oh Joel.” Axe laughs derisively.
“I challenge you. If I win, I get her and no one can target me.” Joel's eyes are now dark with so many emotions. He looks at me and I stare back nervously. He gets me? Axe can't possibly be considering this. Just throw him in solitary and be done with it.
“Dash, you heard him. If he wins, grant him his wishes,” Axe tells Dash, and he nods.
I stare at Axe in disbelief. But then Axe winks at me and I know he's got a plan. The utmost jealousy I'll ever feel will be of Axe's confidence.
“Soldiers, take our prisoners and assign them cells.
Jayceon, you're in charge of the prison. You know what to do,” Axe instructs, talking to one of the men standing beside Brian.
Jayceon nods formally. “Everyone, we will move to the training arena for the challenge which will be in twenty minutes. Anyone who feels uncomfortable about witnessing this fight, you can leave and go home.”
Everyone jumps into action and starts leaving the building. As it empties, Manson gets on stage, grabbing Axe's arm roughly.
“What the fuck do you think you're doing?” Manson questions harshly.
“I am your son. You have raised me to be the emblem of strength. Trust me that I know what I'm doing. We can discuss later what you need to say,” Axe says wisely.
“What if there is no later?” Manson's words are sharp.
“If you believe that, you have no faith in me.” Axe walks off stage and leaves me standing there. I feel so small under Manson's scrutinising gaze. But Axe's mother who is standing beside Manson gives me an empathetic smile, which is something at least.
“Let's go, Elora.” Dash takes my arm in his and escorts me out of there. Once we're outside and have some privacy behind the building, Dash turns to me. “Do you want to be there?”
“I have to, don't I?” I whisper.
“I'll be right beside you,” Dash says calmly.
“I never thought it would come to someone challenging Axe, and having it be my mate...”
“You don't have to be scared.”
***
Here we are, the pack about to see the challenge.
Some people did leave the meeting, mainly parents forcing their young teenagers to go home with them.
The training arena is a clearing in the forest, the ground worn out from use.
It's ancient, the circled stone seating area chipped all over.
In the actual stadium-like arena there are two entrances where the fighters will come in.
There is a little area that's higher than the seating part, which is where Dash, me, Brian, Axe's parents, and a few of his men are standing.
My heart is beating out of my chest. I know Axe has a plan but what if, what if Joel somehow wins?
What does that entail? Joel will take me no matter who gets in his way.
Will anyone stop him? If Axe... dies, will Dash step in?
This has escalated worse than I ever thought it would.
A part of me did think once the punishments were given out, everyone else in the pack would blindly follow Axe's laws.
Maybe the great fear of the unstable alpha has died down.
But the most logical part of me knew there would be a downfall somewhere.
“Everyone,” Dash shouts loudly, making me jump since he's right next to me.
“We are here for a challenge. Joel Lewis has challenged the alpha.
Once a challenge has been set, it's a fight to the death match. No one interferes. Any interference will be a punishable offence. Coming in from the east corridor, Joel Lewis,” Dash introduces him.
Joel walks out and the fact that he doesn't look nervous is making me nervous.
No one cheers for Joel. “And coming in from the west corridor, alpha Axel.”
Axe walks in nonchalantly. No one cheers for him either.
The arena is deadly silent. Axe looks calm yet I see something in his eyes.
I wonder if anyone else can see it. He has a bloodthirsty look.
What if he's too confident? What if whatever plan he has fails?
No matter how sure Axe is about winning this, what if his emotions get the best of him?
Axe hates Joel. He might look cool and collected now, but once it starts, what if he goes unhinged?
Axe has to have the control in this fight and I mean mentally more than physically.
Once Joel gets the upper hand, Axe could possibly fall.
Joel has a sound mind; Axe has a history of losing it.
Would barbaric violence win over rationality, knowledge and skill?
Fuck, I hate all these what if questions. I'm just overthinking, I'm just overthinking, I chant in my head to keep myself from worrying. This is Axe. I'm just being paranoid. Axe will tear down anyone. I doubt Dash would even be able to take him on. So Joel has no chance.
“Before we start, you solicited this fight. You get the choice; do you want this to happen in human form or wolf form?” Axe asks. We all wait for Joel's response.
“Human form,” Joel answers.
“Smart choice,” Dash mutters beside me.
“If I die, in tradition, the next dominant male will take leadership. This would be Dashiell but if he gets challenged and defeated, that wolf will take leadership,” Axe explains. and Manson growls at that.
'Fucking asshole. I know he'll win but he better have a solid plan,' Dash mind links me.
I look at Dash; his face is stoic. Manson looks absolutely pissed. His wife is clutching onto his arm. I look down at where Axe is, but his eyes are on Joel.