Twenty-one

All day, Zane not only worked with pack members, but also talked to another alpha over the phone. It was confirmed that the female wolf in the city jail was in fact innocent. Whoever had murdered the victim framed the she-wolf, having the result of her being put in jail. Zane promised the alpha that he'd get his mate free and then safely transport her to him. The alpha, to say the least, was most thankful and offered a reward Zane refused.

It was late afternoon when he went outside in time to do the activity with Whisper. Truent wanted to see what she looked like when fighting, so Zane complied as long as she chose her opponent. Truent agreed and they made the time for late day when Whisper would have plenty of time to be at ease.

He saw her walk towards the training pit with Nico, looking lost in thought for a moment. Zane knew she wasn't remembering anything. Whisper was just calm, thinking, in contentment. Until she heard a clash of swords and looked around with wide eyes. He started towards her, but Truent held him back.

Zane watched as Nico turned to Whisper and whispered something softly, making her shed more tears. She was terrified, and Zane understood. But he needed her to just listen to Nico, and try her best. If she tried her best, then it didn't matter that he or she won, Whisper would be able to stop. There wasn't supposed to be any blood draw and no real strength play going on by her opponent.

The Alpha watched as Nico explained what was going to happen, without giving the reason for it. She moved closer to him like he might protect her, those green eyes darting around the people watching. She said something to Nico and he nodded. Zane didn't go over because he wanted to see if Whisper could get help relying on other people besides him, try to stay calm in a difficult situation.

For now, she seemed to be doing very well. The two spoke a few more words to each other before Nico led her to where she'd be fighting, the center of a circle made by everyone who wanted to watch. Even though Zane couldn't bear the thought of people watching his mate get hurt, he wouldn't let it happen if it weren't for the pack's fear of their Luna being weak. Zane's pack had to make sure they knew Whisper was strong, even if she just shifted not too long ago.

Surprisingly for the Alpha, Whisper chose someone other than Nico. She chose Kiera, who was a strong female, but certainly not one Zane thought she would consider. They had probably passed each other when walking about, but he didn't think the two women actually spoke to each other. Kiera, although a delicate beauty in the eyes of most males, was brutal when it came to fighting. She wouldn't go easy on Whisper, she wouldn't hold back. Zane was trying not to jump in and make Whisper choose another person, but he knew Kiera wouldn't break the rules. All the two women had to do was pin the other to the ground for five to ten seconds. Two out of three wins.

Whisper and Nico spoke to Kiera for a few seconds before Nico backed away with a nod. There was a hint of fear in Whisper's eyes, but also a strong determination to win. Kiera eyed the female before her, assessing her opponent like a cougar assessing a fox. Kiera had strength on her side, but Whisper was smaller which meant she was able to be quicker and more agile, even if she had no training.

Kiera looked at Nico for permission, and he nodded. A grin formed over her lips as she stalked towards Whisper. With quick movements, Kiera was suddenly on top of Whisper on the ground, pinning her arms and legs easily with her own. Zane heard a distinct whimper, but stayed where he was. "Enough!" Nico announced and Kiera got up and backed away.

Whisper slowly stood up and brushed herself off. Part of the crowd walked away, already anticipating the winner. Zane wanted growl at them, but didn't. He had to keep himself in control. He watched as Whisper looked around, big green eyes searching the crowd. Her body was hunched forward to protect important parts and her mouth was set into a deep frown. Zane stepped up onto a raised platform and immediately, she found him.

He smiled at her, nodding encouragement. This seemed to help because she straightened and put her chin in the air. Her body relaxed a little, and she turned away to face Kiera, much to Zane's disappointment. When Nico nodded his head for the women to start, Kiera wasn't able to get Whisper down so easily. The small girl bent at last second and rammed her shoulder into Kiera's stomach, making the woman fall onto her back, winded. Whisper winced at the slight pain, but leaped forward and struggled to get Kiera's hands and legs pinned.

Kiera rolled so she was on top, and immediately pinned Whisper hands above her head, but didn't get her legs. Whisper took the advantage and kneed Kiera in the stomach, rolling back over so she was on top. Kiera tried to buck Whisper off, but Whisper avoided getting hit or kicked somehow. Accepting defeat, Kiera sighed and laid still. Nico finally called it.

Whisper got off and backed away, watching Kiera carefully. But Kiera only walked to the edge of the circle and grabbed a bottle of water, drinking half of it. Zane smiled with delight at watching Whisper win, but there was one more round. This round would determine if Whisper was strong.

Nico looked at Zane in question to which the Alpha nodded. Looking somewhat uncomfortable with the decision, Nico turned to the women. "This round, you'll fight in wolf form. Go shift."

Whisper did not react well to that and started talking to Nico with tears in her eyes. Nico tried to calm her down, but only made matters worse when he pointed to the trees so she could shift. It looked like Whisper was trying to avoid it at all costs, but was losing to Nico. Finally, Zane went over and stepped in.

"I don't care about that! I'm not comfortable fighting in that form!" Whisper hissed.

Zane raised his brows at her boldness towards Nico. She has not spoken like that since he met her. Nico sighed. "I know you don't feel comfortable, but it's the rules. Please go shift. Nothing bad will happen to you, I promise."

"Screw this!" Whisper finally bellowed. "This is stupid! If I don't want to fight in wolf form then—"

Zane pulled her to him and tightly held her close, his hands n her stomach. She gasped and her whole demeanor changed. The Alpha nodded to Nico to leave then walked Whisper to the shelter of the trees. "Little wolf, There is certainly no need to yell at Nico. He's just doing his job."

"I can't shift, Zane!" she cried and turned in his arms to wrap her arms around his neck. "I'll be done for! She'll win! I'm not willing to fight in that body."

"Hush, Whisper. Your wolf form is much stronger than your human. I'm willing to bet that she'll put Kiera on her ass before the match truly begins. She's stronger than you think, you just need to have faith."

Whisper shook her head. "I can't!"

"Please, Whisper, you're not weak. You are not even a tiny wolf, no matter my nickname for you. Everything about you is strong and beautiful. You will dominate this match easily in your wolf form. Trust me, Kiera's wolf is half your size and not nearly as smart. Just try for me, please?"

"What if I lose?" she mumbles.

"But what if you win?" Zane counters. He squeezes her some then makes her look up at him. "Don't worry about winning or losing. Don't worry about what comes later, just think of fighting Kiera. It's like a training session. Don't think about the end product until the match is almost over. Think about your opponent's actions and her next move. Learn from your mistakes. Be strong."

"Will I have to draw blood?" she asks softly.

"No. It's just strength. Blood may be shed if claws aren't put away, but no one is allowed to draw blood. Kiera knows the rules."

A few minutes later, Whisper walked into the ring of people as a large gray wolf. Some of the audience gasped at her size, others at her beauty, but all were awed at the sight of her. Zane stepped back onto the platform from before and crossed his arms as Kiera's small white wolf came forward. She gawked at the sight of Whisper and took a step back, like she was about to run. Although Kiera was beautiful and bright, Whisper shone in the setting sun with silver. Her tail was elegantly swishing back and forth while the long hair on the tip blew in the breeze. Her ears were up and alert, her paws evenly spaced out to give her good balance, and her eyes staring at Kiera like she wanted to rip her apart.

Zane narrowed his eyes on the beautiful gray wolf, never seeing the blood lust there before. He wondered if it was Whisper's wolf taking over and is eager for a kill. It was making Kiera shrink back even more so than before. Both females turned to Nico who also was watching Whisper carefully. He turned to look at the Alpha with a worried expression. Zane hesitated then walked over.

"Kiera, Whisper, you both know the rules. No bloodshed. This is a matter of strength, not how well you can kill the other." He met Whisper's eyes. "Do not disappoint me, understood?"

Kiera immediately bowed her head to show her obedience, but Whisper stared back at Zane with defiance. 'Oh yes,' he thought in calculation. 'This is definitely Whisper's wolf, and she wants to do everything in her power to have blood.'

Carefully, he stepped up to Whisper and brushed his hands through her fur. "We will hunt when this is over, Little wolf. You can have blood when this is over. But I advise you not to harm Kiera, not to lose control. It will be nasty if you do, and it will mean my pack decides on what happens to you. I can not do anything but oversee their wishes. They have very few limits when it comes to getting revenge for their pack mate."

Whisper's eyes softened a bit and she lowered her head.

"I promise we will go hunting. Let's just finish this, okay?" Whining, she nodded.

Zane stepped back and looked at the two before nodding to Nico. "Begin!"

As usual, Kiera struck first and had slammed her head into Whisper's stomach so hard, she fell back. Kiera took advantage and leaped on top, growling and snarling for the larger wolf to submit. It didn't happen because Whisper threw Kiera off her. She got up and shook herself out before finding Kiera lying on the ground, struggling to get up. When Whisper walked over and loomed over the white wolf, Kiera whined and put her ears back, submitting fully with her head between her paws.

Whisper backed away and looked towards Nico. He was about to call it when Kiera suddenly leapt up onto Whisper's back and bit into her neck, causing a howl to erupt from Whisper's throat. Zane's temper went out the door and he marched over. Kiera kept a firm grip on Whisper's neck, digging her teeth deeper and deeper, blood pouring down the front of Whisper's body. "Kiera!" Nico growled.

She snapped at him before biting into another part of Whisper's neck. Zane had enough. He shifted and charged the white wolf, throwing her off Whisper and into the crowd. Whisper laid on the ground, panting heavily, whining softly. Nico ran up and gingerly looked at the wounds. "Alpha, she losing too much blood."

Truent came forward and started wrapping bandages around Whisper's neck, applying pressure. Zane nudged Whisper's muzzle, whining softly. Amber eyes blinked up at him, dulled with pain. "Can you shift, Whisper?" Truent asked softly.

In answer, Whisper squeezed her eyes shut, concentrating hard on what the doctor asked. But nothing happened. Again, Whisper whined and finally relaxed.

Zane shifted and ran his fingers over her face. "Wake up, Whisper! Come on, beautiful! Don't go just yet, not when you've grown so much!"

Her eyes opened and she licked his hand weakly. Nico, Anton, and Truent helped Zane lift the large female and carry her into the infirmary where Truent then proceeded to stitch her up. Half way through, Whisper shifted finally with a groan.