Chapter Thirty-Nine
Battlers, there will be no submitting. Whoever dies first, that will be their submission,” Dash informs them. “Ready?”
Axe nods, not taking his eyes off Joel. However, Joel stares at me, giving me an icy look while he nods, then he turns back to Axe.
“BATTLE,” Dash announces.
Axe and Joel slowly stalk each other in a circle until they both lunge and lock up.
They lock up, then push each other but then Joel throws a punch hitting Axe right in the jaw.
The hitting really gets started. Axe throws a hit, then Joel.
They both try and dodge but some of the punches connect.
It feels like a wrestling match you'd watch on tv.
I didn't think it would be like this. I thought it would be more brutal.
'What's going on?' I mind link Dash.
'Looks like Axe is putting on a good show,' he replies.
The match goes on and soon it turns from wrestling to a bloody fight.
Axe's shirt gets torn from his body, Joel's nose starts bleeding, and soon enough I see canines come out, them both growling trying to assert their dominance over each other.
When they lock up again, they both crash into the ground.
Joel pulls the most extreme dick move and knees Axe between the legs, making the crowd grimace.
Axe gets crippled for a moment and rolls off Joel, which he uses to his advantage.
'Aren't there certain rules?' I mind link Dash.
'Not with a fight to the death match.'
Joel moves quickly, straddles Axe and lands blow after blow to his face, making me anxious. Dash holds my hand, crossing his fingers over mine. Is he trying to comfort me or is he worried that Joel has the upper hand?
'How long does a man stay down after being kneed there?' I ask Dash.
Every guy makes out it's so painful to be hit in the balls. Considering Axe lost his composure and now Joel has the upper hand, it must be the only way to make any man fall.
'You'd be surprised,' Dash replies.
Joel doesn't stop but Axe regains his strength and swings his forearm right against the side of Joel's head, making him fling off.
Axe gets up but I can see his movements are messy now.
Joel looks tired. Axe looks pissed but it's clear he's still struggling with the pain of being kneed.
They fight but this time when Joel ends up on the ground, I think we all know he's not getting back up.
Axe wraps his muscular arm around Joel's neck.
Axe keeps his arm flexed, which makes Joel's face start to go red.
'Kill shot,' Dash mind links me. I close my eyes not wanting to see Axe snap his neck.
“Everyone,” Axe surprises us all by talking and my eyes shoot open.
“I have Joel in a position he can't get out of.
I can go in for the kill, but I'm not going to do that.” He chuckles sadistically, the blood running over his lips.
Joel struggles in Axe's grip but he can't get out of it.
“I would love to rip this asshole's throat out but I'm not the monster you think I am.
If I kill Joel, Elora has to suffer because her mate died.
I'm not putting Elora through that pain, the pain I know all too well.”
I'm stunned by his words. The tears pooling in my eyes are threatening to run down my face. Even though Axe hates Joel as much as he does, he is putting his own murderous desire aside because he fears my pain.
“You really think I didn't know what you were doing?” Axe stares down at Joel, his face red and gasping.
“You challenged me because no matter the outcome, there was no downside for you.
I told you your sentence first and you were scared.
You antagonised me by saying if you won, you would take my woman, Elora.
You didn't actually want her. You knew that would make me kill you, which is what you were hoping for.
Death is better than losing your mind in solitary.
Well that didn't work out for you, did it?”
Dash has an unbelievable grin on his face. Manson's expression is unreadable. Axe's mother looks relieved. I'm filled with pride. Axe's sly intelligence is astounding and the fact that he controlled himself just fills me with more pride.
“Soldiers, escort him to the cells,” Axe orders, and lets him go.
Joel breathes loudly, grabbing his neck. The soldiers jump down from the stands and walk over toward them.
“Kill me you piece of shit,” Joel growls, his voice breaking.
“Joel, this is on you. Anyone who rejects their mate deserves to be punished,” he says like it's common sense.
Axe walks over to the stand I'm at, looking like a warrior, shirtless and blood drizzling down his chest. He climbs up, grabbing my waist and planting a kiss on my lips.
Not too thrilled about tasting his or my mate's blood but he is in the aftermath of a fight so I'm not going to pull away.
The soldiers drag a defeated looking Joel away.
“Listen up, pack,” Axe begins talking. “This pack has always symbolised strength and dominance.
That is still what we aim for but I want everyone in this pack to feel safe.
Unless someone commits a crime, there will be no violence.
I know my father has raised a pack that believes in purity of werewolves but I'm not seeing it that way.
Elora is as much of a pack member as anyone here so I want everyone to treat her with respect.
More good news is the beta has found his mate.
Now as a community, we face a difficult problem because she's human.
Dashiell knows how to go about his relationship with her.
But I swear, if anyone tries to hurt this woman when we bring her into our community, you'll have me to answer to. We will no longer look down upon anyone because of superiority bullshit. Love is love and whoever your mate turns out to be, we will accept them.”
I smile at his words. I don't understand how a man so wise was once a deranged man. Carson thinks I'm the one who healed Axe. Am I the reason for his mentality now?
“To anyone who has anything to report, you can come see me in my office in the evenings.
If you feel more comfortable going to Dash with your concerns, that's fine too.
This meeting has come to an end. If anyone doesn't like what I have said tonight, you can get off my land immediately.
If you're willing to be open minded, our pack could become even greater.
Spread the word to those of you who aren't here. Meeting adjourned,” Axe finishes.
People move out of the stadium while Dash leads me outside. I frown, but follow Dash. The pack members are all walking off in different directions to their houses. Dash leads me to his house instead of Axe's, making me confused. Once we're inside, he turns to me.
“Axe mind linked me to bring you here. He knows he's in for a bad lecture from his father. You can go home once everything is settled. We've had a long day. Let's eat.” Dash pulls out ice cream and hands me a spoon.
“Ice cream?” I tease.
“We deserve it.” Dash sighs. We sit on the couch and share the ice cream.
“You don't think Manson will hurt Axe, do you?” I ask, worried.
“I highly doubt it. Manson is a stubborn man so it may take a lot of time for him to come to terms with Axe's new way. Besides, as much as he loathes rogues, he allowed you to stay in the pack when your father brought you home as a baby so he has some kind of heart,” Dash tells me.
“Oh, he doesn't like me, though,” I say sadly.
“It's a good thing our parents don't choose our mates then.” Dash winks playfully at me, making me chuckle.
“I don't understand why Manson let me in the pack but not my mother.”
“I don't know. Manson is a closed off man. He doesn't talk much unless he's spitting rules. He probably lightened up because you were a baby at the time but didn't want an actual rogue joining the pack. I don't know. I could ask my dad if you want. He probably knows something,” Dash rambles.
“Only my father and mother know what really happened. I won't ever know the truth.”
“Then let's leave the past where it belongs and focus on having a happy future.”
“Cheers to that.” I clink my spoon against his and he chuckles.
We hear a shout from next door coming from Manson, which makes us both jolt.