7 Challenge (Ch.11)

Kalen's POV~

My cold gaze slowly moved across the gathered wolves again, they all seemed to be having conflicting thoughts.

"Regarding the issue of my mate...I will not tolerate any further interference." I stated clearly, they bowed in unison and I nodded.

"Now moving unto other matters...is there any other issue the pack wishes to raise?" I asked, the clearing was quiet for a while before a voice sounded out.

"There is, that is if the Alpha feels it is now my turn to speak." The young wolf from before said sarcastically, I raised a brow, resting my gaze on him as he stepped forward.

"Within a wolf pack...the Alpha should naturally be the strongest wolf, however it has been years since our Alpha last shifted, it has me wondering if the rumors that our Alpha has lost his wolf side are true...." The young wolf trailed off and silent murmurings began spreading through the clearing, my gaze darkened slightly as I understood his intentions, I wasn't surprised, I knew this issue would be raised sooner or later, after keeping it under wraps for 13 years...it was time it came to light.

"That issue, now is not the time or place to discuss this." Aiden intervened quickly, signalling for the young wolf to stop his questioning.

"It is our right to know....our Alpha shouldn't withhold important information like that from us....he owes us a clear answer!" He insisted, trying to motivate the other wolves to insist on questioning me, no one responded and I nodded in approval.

"If Alpha Kalen decides to withhold it, it will surely be with good reason, we aren't in the position to question his decisions." One of my warriors spoke out, my pack members echoed their agreement, however I knew they still wanted to know the truth.

"Alpha Kalen, the dark moon pack members might be too scared of you to request for a clear explanation but I'm not, the rumors, are they true?" The young wolf asked again, I ignored him, looking to my pack members.

"The details of this issue....if you all wish to know it, I will answer." I said in an indifferent tone, my pack members deliberated among themselves for a while before a few of the most respected wolves stepped forward.

"Naturally we all have heard this rumors, it is quite popular within and beyond the pack, the whole were community infact... the fact that Alpha has lost his wolf...if you are ready to speak to us about it...we will listen." The pack doctor said, the wolves echoed agreement to his words and I nodded.

"This rumor...it is infact true... for the past thirteen years, I have been unable to take my wolf form." I replied in my usual tone, pandemonium broke out at my words and I let them digest the shocking news.

"So you've deceived your pack for 13 years?!" The young wolf exclaimed in outrage, there were also the select few who seemed to agree with him, taking on the furious stance while the rest calmly accepted my words.

"What is the way forward Alpha?" Was the question the wise ones asked, I was glad to see that the more prudent ones completely overshadowed the fools who numbered to only ten wolves, throwing accusations at me.

"What way forward? He deceived us... what gives him the right to remain as our leader...a werewolf without a wolf....an Alpha without an Alpha wolf....Dark Moon pack will become the laughing stock in the supernatural world, how can you all be so comfortable with this?!" Another of the ten foolish wolves asked in outrage.

"Stand down!" Wren ordered in anger at their disrespect to me, moving forward threateningly. I raised a hand to stop him.

"Deceive? I never once denied the rumors, neither has anyone confronted me about it and I said otherwise, I have no responsibility to come to you all and explain myself, if you had something you wished to know...you only had to ask, saying I deceived you when you never even asked for the truth... isn't your IQ a little too low for wolves?" I asked calmly, they growled, barring their teeth threateningly at me.

"You still dare cover your deceit, how are you qualified to lead us? Step down this instant!" The young wolf demanded.

"Step down!"

"Step down!"

His supporters echoed, I raised a brow at them.

"Step down? For who? You?" I asked him in a cold tone.

"I'm definitely more qualified than you are! We all are a better choice than an Alpha without a wolf!" He threw back and I chuckled within myself, my fury curled within me, waiting to erupt, like a volcano that had been dormant for too long, eager to cause mass destruction, I restrained myself as much as I could, keeping a calm and cold visage, my internal struggles were known only to me.

"You wish to over throw me? You should know the due procedure. Step down? Where is that done?, To over throw a living Alpha, you must win the challenge...a fight to the death." I replied calmly, he sneered at me.

"Asking for you to step down is to preserve your own life, a challenge without a wolf?, It seems you do not value your life." He replied.

"Wolf or not... you're no match for me." I stated simply, his gaze turned furious at my words.

"Still so arrogant? We'll see how long you can keep that up, you asked for this so don't blame me for being ruthless!" He said in a furious tone, I shrugged.

"My words exactly." I replied casually, his expression turned ugly at my reply which meant I was also telling him to not blame me for being ruthless.

"I issue you a challenge for your right to the leadership of dark moon pack Alpha Blade." He said darkly, I nodded in approval.