Chapter 8 - Part B

"Ah!" A short cry of pain tears itself from my throat.

Climbing to my knees, I drag myself off his razor like talons, the blood that gushes from my thigh tells me there's more damage than it seems. Still, I quickly force myself to my feet, swinging my body round just in time to dodge his bloodied fist.

Growling, I knock Tate backwards with a hard kick to his chest. As expected, the wolf stumbles only slightly before he gets his balance, giving me enough time to move behind him. I grip his left forearm, yanking it behind his back, twisting it without signs of mercy as I force it up the centre of his spine. Tate releases a snarl that rattles through the earth.

He grips me with his other hand, his fingers digging deep into my bicep as he drags me up his back, flinging me over his shoulder without effort. My body slams into the dirt for what feels like the hundredth time, knocking the wind straight out of me.

Sucking in mouthfuls of air, I jump to my feet, finding my breath as I avert Tates right hook. His punches feel like a brick wall slamming into me, I'm not a fan.

Parting my legs, I bend my knees slightly as I take balance. Focusing on my breathing, on the large man that comes at me with blood red eyes and intent to kill. I watch him, noticing his every breath, his every step and slight movement, I don't take my eyes off him. The second he closes in on me, I backflip on the spot, putting all the power into kicking the bastard straight in the throat.

Landing on my toes, I raise my head and lunge at the beast of a man. His coughing fit providing me time. I collide with him, pain ricochets through my body as I slam into his stone like chest, sending us crashing to the ground.

Using my knees I quickly pin his forearms by his sides, my eyes bright red as I mercilessly unleash my fist into his face. One broken nose and a bust cheekbone later, Tates powerful legs manage to come under my arms as I move back slightly. He takes the opportunity, quickly locking the bottoms of his legs around my upper body, forcing me backwards enough to free his arms.

Knowing he's about to grip my throat, I untuck my legs and boot him straight in his pretty face. Tates head snaps back from the brute force I'd used, smacking off the ground. His powerful grip manages to get ahold of my legs instead, rending me powerless as he flips me onto my stomach. In a flash Tate is on his feet, this time he pins me by the back of my knees, kicking me down the moment I try and get up.

His hand fists into my hair, roughly yanking my head back, almost snapping my neck in the process. He frees my legs, choosing to grip my wrists instead, ripping me to my feet in a second flat as he shows my injuries to the wolves with pride.

My beast roars within, and when I feel the prickling pain of her presence, I don't force it away. I embrace it, allow my body to drop as my bones crack and break, forcing themselves into place in a matter of seconds.

Tate copies, knowing he'd be at a disadvantage.

My beast lowers its head, flattens it's ears and bares it blood stained canines, saliva dripping from its mouth. Eyes feral, narrowed in its prey, Tate begins to circle with us.

The space of the circle grows significantly larger as the packs allow us more room, no words spoken as they merely cheer or wince every few moments.

Lunging, my beast sinks it's canines into Tates hind leg, igniting the throat as it's a rookies mistake. Tates wolf snaps his giant head around to return the bite, only to snap at thin air as my beast releases his leg and switch sides. This time she bites lower, it's powerful unyielding jaws crunching straight through the bone of his hind leg.

The roar that shatters from his lungs is one of pain. Still, the wolf doesn't give in, merely tucking it leg up and continuing. Tate lunges at my wolf, slamming hard into her left side, crushing her ribs as he chomps down on scruff of her neck.

Knowing the urgency of such a grip, my beast immediately rips herself out of his teeth, allowing him to tear a chunk of her neck out in the process. Still, the loss is still better than what would have come.

Claws sink into the earth, and once again our beasts come to face to face. The sounds they emit echo for miles, two wolves sounding like twenty as they attack one another head on, a battle to the death.

Wounds are ripped open, strong bones become broken, fur and flesh becoming one in a matte of blood and dirt. Neither beast gave in, jaws clashing in the most barbaric brutal way, snapping so loud that my beasts ears ring each time.

Tates wolf knocks us sideways without attempt to injure us, naturally my wolf spins back to lunge, meeting Tates claw as he swipes her straight across the face.

My beast releases a whimper that lasts a mere two seconds, her body slipping in the sloppy red grass as the agony takes her by slight surprise. This gives Tate all the time he needs.

Naked, in human form. Tate grips my beast by her throat, dragging her large wounded body into the centre of the ring with ease. The moment my wolf attempts to fight back, Tate grips her lower jaw, booting her into the dirt so he can take stance over her large form. Tate forced my wolfs head upwards, showing the Elders the damage he's caused her, the fatal wounds of clawing one of her eyes open, as well as half of her face.

In a flash, I shift back into my human form, crying out in pain as I grip my face. The pain belongs to my beast, and I quickly crawl from between Tates legs, naked and dripping in both mine and Tates blood.

Hearing him step after me, I flip myself over and boot him straight in the balls. He hunches over, glaring at me with murderous eyes, while I clamber to my feet despite my body protesting my every movement.

Don't give in, don't fail the pack.

My breathing is ragged, one hand tucked into my side, blocking my injured ribs from more abuse. I pay no mind to the blood dripping from my face, or the rest of my body for that matter. I take pride in the blood that pours from his shoulder and chest, the black and purple bruising that had already come out.

Even though my eyes never stray from Tate, I wasn't given enough time to dodge his punch. His fist cracking against the left side of my head, sending me spiralling into the dirt, dizziness sweeping over me.

Wheezing, I keep my right arm tucked into my side, using my left to army crawl some distance between us. I manage only two pulls, with Tate standing and watching, enjoying seeing me struggle.

Pulling my knees further up to my chest, my limbs quiver with pain as I push myself to a crawling position, my head hanging as I realise I can't do it. I can't get up.

You can't give up, Calliope.

They need you.

You have to get up. I scold, willing every atom in my body to listen to those words.

My palm squishes into the blood soaked grass, even more so when I push myself onto my toes, knees beginning to straighten as I rise.

A brute force collides with the left side of my waist, crushing half of my organs, sending me tumbling over with a harsh smack on my wounds.

Grinning heavily, I breath through my nose, trying to maintain some dignity. Seeing Tate once again approaching me, I turn on my side and begin pushing again, willing my body to move faster.

The moment my knees lift from the ground, he kicks me back down. Time and time again, he repeats it, humiliating me in a way that no Alpha should be. His own pack struggle to watch me climb back to my knees, wincing as if they feel my agony.

Again, Tate puts me back in the dirt.

"Stay where you belong." Tate speaks for the first time, spitting the words of warning at me.

Unable to gather another flicker of strength from either me or my wolf, I lay in the blood and dirt, naked and in more pain than I've ever known. There wasn't a part of me that wasn't screaming in agony.

Tate turns to his father, and their packs, I assume they brought only a fraction of the members with them. They have over fifteen hundred members between them, far more than I.

"It is to the death if you wish." Cassius informs Tate, even though we all know Tate knows he's free to kill me.

I wish I could laugh at Cassius, he's so unnerved by me that he actually hopes Tate kills me. Hell, he's practically ordering him to do it.

"There's no honour in killing a wolf that cannot defend itself." Tate responds.

I'd be lying if I said I'm not surprised, I didn't expect that answer from a man known to have no mercy. Then again, this isn't mercy, it's about honour.

Seeing the Elder so eager to have me die, it infuriated me, it awakens blind rage. My blood boils, and I grit my teeth, taking the pain like the goddamn Queen I am, baring it as I slowly push myself to my feet on shaking limbs.

I stumble, and I waver, and my body demands to be still so it can rest, but I ignore all the warnings.

I rise to my full height, shaking off the pain, pushing it to the back of my mind as I take a moment to lock it away. Tate turns to me as every wolf in sight grows deathly silent.

His blood red eyes narrow, a small crease forming between his eyebrows. I didn't care for his reaction, or the excitement on Cassius' face, no, my eyes catch something far more interesting.

Lycans.

My eyes meet the beast that I'd been longing for, even if there's nothing between us, I'll always yearn for him. The beast stands towards the woods, his men lined both sides as they watch.

His grey eyes meet mine, as if he's standing right in front of me, I see the unfamiliar weariness in his grey depths. Like he doesn't understand something. The beasts grey eyes grow dark suddenly, and he takes a step from the shadow of the trees.

As if knowing what is wrong, I give a slight shake of my head, telling him not to. Even though I didn't expect it to work, the Lycan seizes all movement. Even they understand the importance of a challenge.

His presence empowers me, giving me courage even though I no longer have any strength. This isn't some magical moment that I find some unknown strength inside me, I don't rapidly heal and somehow manage to kill Tate.

The Alpha turns faster than I could comprehend, I didn't have time to move away. The back of his hand lashes across my face, a force so blunt and strong, that my body smacks the dirt. My face throbbing, stinging from the assault, I weakly spit out of the blood in my mouth.

Pushing my palms into the dirt, I ignore how my body trembles with agony, blood loss, burning with torture. My muscles seize up, tightening, stopping me from moving with it causing agony. Slowly, I push myself away from the Alpha, trying to bring my knees under me so I can stand.

Tate didn't need to knock me down, my body wouldn't allow me the durability. My ragged breathing is loud in the silence, the sound of my body slapping the red muddy grass as ear throttling as thunder clashing in the sky.

No one moves, no one breathes as they stare at me, some beginning to look away as they struggle to not help me up. I didn't stop, I couldn't, the moment I do I'm as good as dead.

Who am I kidding? Tate is far better condition than me, with minimal injuries and bruises, unlike myself, with broken bones, fatal wounds and a face that I know it's recognisable.

My ears ring, my body smacking the dirt again, sending a wave of excruciating agony ripples through every bone and vein in me. I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream in frustration and temper. Blood drips from my mouth, and I grit my teeth before pushing on my hands again. Even if I barely move from the ground, my body refusing to move a moment longer.

"Fuck this." A menacing growl fills the air.

Tate approaches me, to finish what I started, to give the Elders what they've been hoping for. I could feel the anticipation in the air, Eros and Cassius growing tense, eyes filling with joy.

Tate flips me onto my back, and I growl through clenched teeth, my breathing heavy, rapid as I struggle to intake full amounts of oxygen.

The man hovers over me, and I stare up through swollen, blood red eyes, unwilling to show even a hint of fear. Tate's warm brown eyes resemble his fathers, no longer the deep red of the Alpha.

"Anyone that lasts half as long as you have, has more than earned my respect." Tate tells me, staring at me with a slight smile on his lips.

I could feel myself frowning, not understanding why he isn't choosing to kill me. The Elders would most likely put a crown on his head if he did.

"Mercy is for the weak." I hear Eros growling, having heard Tates words to me.

Tate gives no response, ignoring the Elder as he offers me his hand. I stare at him for a moment, too weak to even think about moving. But I know that if I don't take his hand, I lose, it shows that I've been beaten. Tate offers me a small encouraging nod, and I weakly slap my hand into his, every muscle up my arm and shoulder aching with protest.

"Deep breath." Tate murmurs, ensuring only I hear him.

I wasn't sure what to think, I was confused, and overwhelmed with so many different thoughts and emotions in that very moment. I couldn't believe that he's helping me, knowing the Elders won't be pleased.

Inhaling slowly, I hold my breath, grit my teeth and give a slight nod. Tate grips my hand firmly, his other hand grabbing my waist as he lifts me from the floor. The movement sends a ripple of agony through every nerve in my body, and my knees give out the moment I land on my toes.

Tate keeps ahold of me, taking my weight until i manage to straighten my legs beneath me. The silence of the packs is painful, they wait for me to show signs of not falling again.

Evening out my breathing, I take slow breaths of air, dulling the pain in my ribs slightly. Finally, I raise my head, straightening out my shoulders and standing tall. Every part of me hurts, throbs with agony, and yet I feel powerful as I stand before the Elders and their wrath, I feel strong.

"You went easy on her." Cassius glares.

Tate growls at the accusation, slowly releasing my waist and hand as I find enough strength to hold myself up.

"No, I didn't. This wolf is capable of being Alpha, she has proven to be strong, unyielding, and more than worthy of her pack. Why does it matter that she is a female?" Alpha Tate straight out challenges the Elders in front of all the packs and Alphas.

"No woman is capable of running a pack, she is unfit, and still a child." Eros speaks, ensuring everyone hears his words.

"Fear." I find the strength to say, sweat dripping down my body as a slow fever sets in.

Eyes fall to me, the Elders looking infuriated by the accusation. Deep down they know it's true, they fear what I am capable of should I decide to ever turn against them.

"Admit it, you don't want me in power because you're frightened of what I will become. She-wolves have always obeyed, birthing generations of wolves without truly experiencing life as a wolf. You fear what will happen should I birth a pup, another lineage of Alpha Females." I say, speaking with only truth, seeing it in their eyes the moment we met.

"How dare y-"

"How dare YOU!" I snarl menacingly, breathing heavily as I glare at the Elder wolves.

"The decision is final, Alpha Vanzetti will be accepted before the mother moon as she was born to be. Would anyone like to object to that?" The Alpha that speaks in my defence wasn't Tate, no, it was Maddison.

I stare at the Alpha, shock filling me as he flanks my left side, facing the Elder wolves alongside his son. I have no doubt that he's doing this to ensure his son isn't punished for not killing me, but I'm still grateful.

"Alpha Maddison, you said it yourself, women are good at love, nothing more." Cassius accuses, anger fiercely burning within his black eyes.

"I did, and this she-wolf has proven me wrong. I am honoured to stand by this Alpha, no matter her gender." Maddison's voice is firm, unwavering as he defies the will of the Elders.

Alpha Maddison's words seem to finalise everything, and even though the Elders absolutely loathe me, they can't refuse me something that I have earned. Nor can they deny Maddison and Tate who have pledged to stand by me, the Elders know the result of dishonouring a challenge.

"On the upcoming full moon, Alpha Vanzetti will be honoured with the sacred ritual to our mother." Eros finally commands the words that I've been waiting so long to hear.

I release a breath of air, as do many wolves, the tension breaking as the Elders honour their side of the challenge. Against all odds, I've managed to get what I wanted, even if Tate practically handed it to me.

The Elders immediately part, heading off into the woods with their witnesses.

Before I can blink, Kaine and Maison are by my sides, helping me stand as my legs threaten to give way.

"My pack healers will ensure you are given proper treatment, until the next full moon, Alpha Vanzetti." Alpha Maddison gives me a small nod, before taking his pack and leaving.

Tate soon follows after, leaving me with their healers who immediately obey Maddison's command and quickly move to aid my injuries.

My pack don't swarm me, as much as I know they want to. The healers carry me into the pack house, Kaine leads them to my usual bedroom on the fifth floor, remaining outside the room as the healers begin to treat my wounds. Unable to keep my eyes open a moment longer, I let the blackness consume me as the healers work.