The moment Elder Meros signaled the start of the challenge, the clearing erupted into chaos. My wolf surged forward, eager to fight, but I forced myself to stay grounded. I couldn’t afford to make the first reckless move.
Three challengers stepped toward me. Not just Joey and Jennie—no, three others had decided to try their hand at claiming the Alpha’s title. My stomach tightened as I recognized them—Darren, Tobias, and Lydia, three of the strongest warriors in the pack.
They weren’t fighting for power; they were fighting for Joey.
My jaw was clenched. This wasn’t just a challenge—it was a setup.
Darren attacked first, his massive form lunging at me with a speed that belied his size. I barely dodged his claws as he swiped at my side, rolling out of the way and countering with a sharp kick to his ribs. He grunted but didn’t falter.
Tobias came next, flanking me before I could fully recover. His claws raked across my shoulder, and pain flared as blood seeped into my clothing. I gritted my teeth, ignoring the burning sensation. If I faltered now, I was done for.
Lydia, smaller but faster, struck while I was distracted, delivering a decisive blow to my side. My ribs cracked under the force, and I staggered backward, gasping for air. But I refused to go down. I lashed out, knocking Tobias to the ground before pivoting and landing a crushing elbow to Lydia’s throat. She choked, falling to her knees.
Darren came at me again, but I was ready this time. I shifted mid-air, letting my wolf take over. My claws met his shoulder, digging deep, and with a powerful twist, I sent him sprawling.
One down.
I turned just in time to dodge Tobias’s next attack. We clashed violently, claws and teeth bared. He was fast, but I was quicker. With a final, brutal strike, I knocked him unconscious.
Two down.
Lydia barely had time to recover before I was on her, using my exhaustion and rage to fuel my final attack. She barely let out a yelp before I sent her flying, her body colliding with the ground with a sickening thud.
Three down.
The clearing fell silent momentarily as the realization settled over the pack. I had won against the first challengers.
But I was already breaking.
Blood dripped from my wounds, my breathing ragged, my body trembling from the abuse it had taken. My wolf whimpered, urging me to stop—to rest.
But there was one more challenge left.
Joey.
He stepped forward, a slow smirk curving his lips. He hadn’t even broken a sweat. He had watched as I wore myself out fighting the others, letting me bleed for his amusement.
“You put up a good fight,” he said mockingly. “But you won’t last against me.”
I braced myself, but I knew he was right.
Then he struck.
Pain exploded through me as he landed the first blow, sending me crashing to the ground. I tried to push myself up, but he was on me again, claws tearing into my side. Blood splattered onto the dirt, my vision swimming as my body begged me to give up.
I lashed out, barely grazing him, but it didn’t matter. He was too strong, too fresh. I was already falling before he delivered the final, crushing blow.
I collapsed onto the ground, my body refusing to move. My vision blurred, my breath shallow. Joey stood over me, victorious.
The pack erupted into gasps and murmurs. Joey, the traitor, the liar—he had won.
But just as my consciousness began to slip, another voice rang through the clearing.
“I challenge you.”
The murmurs turned to shouts of disbelief. I forced my heavy eyelids open just enough to see him—Cameron.
Joey turned, sneering. “You? A rogue by blood?”
Cameron didn’t falter. “A rogue stronger than you.”
Elder Meros looked between them before giving a single nod. “The challenge is accepted.”
Joey’s smirk widened. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Cameron took his stance, eyes locked onto Joey’s. His muscles coiled like a predator, ready to strike.
The air between them crackled with tension. Then, just as my world went black, the fight began.
