Queen, Alpha, Mate

Chapter 11

Joshua POV

Did I just see my mate effortlessly and completely defeat that full-grown wolf in her human forms or do my eyes betray me? I gawk at her as she's standing in the ring, casually wiping the sweat off her face. And that composure! She's so regal and just. Most alphas would have bitten her head off for attacking their backs like that, let alone spitting in their face and purposefully touching their mate. Her restraint is admirable.

That being said, I'd love to see what she's really made of. When she looks around the crowd and asks "Who's next?" I don't hesitate for one moment and raise my hand. When she sees me, she grins and motions for me to get into the ring. 

"Well, well, well" she says, "Alpha vs. soon to be alpha, huh? Are you sure you dare fighting me after what you just saw?"

"Not a doubt in my mind. What are the rules?" I say.

"No wolves, first to pin the other down wins." She replies and the whistle blows.

It's all I need to sprint towards her and take a swing at her side, only when I get there, she's gone and my hands only pierce air. I feel a sharp pain, accompanied by the familiar sparks on the side of my shoulder and realize she's punched it. 

"Feisty little thing you are" I laugh and lunge for her again. She ducks out of the way and with her legs, swipes mine out from under me. The wind is knocked out of me when I land on my back and she laughs. 

"What a big, bad alpha you are." She says, leaning against one of the poles marking out the ring, waiting for me to get up. I stand up and realize I need to change my strategy if I don't want to come out of this looking like a little pup.

My mate and I circle each other almost playfully until she lunges at me. As she does, I try to catch her by her middle, but she ducks under my arm and knocks her fist into my stomach. A groan escapes me as the wind is knocked out of me again. I feel her arms go around my neck, one arm grabbing my shirt and her hip pushing into my leg and I feel myself go down. She knocks me down on the ground below and jumps right on top of me, pinning me to the ground before softly kissing me on the nose. "That's my girl." I say before I tap out of the fight. 

On the sidelines, Daniel and Katie go ballistic. I know Daniel will never let me hear the end of this and I laugh with them. The other pack members are cheering loudly for their princess and I can only look at her with pride. My warrior queen. She's amazing and now I know she can handle her own. Hell, she can handle me easily. 

I'm still lying on my back, watching her stand there proudly, when she turns her gaze back to me and with a smile hoists me off the ground. "Good fight" she says. "When it's time, let's see whose wolf would win a fight like this."

I get back out of the ring, followed by my mate, who wraps her arms around me as we watch the rest of the pack members spar with each other. She rests her head on my shoulder. She's so different now than earlier, when she was hurtling me around in the ring. I don't mind being defeated by her. I'm glad she can hold her own. She's special and I feel her wolf will be too.

Daniel starts teasing me about my loss in the ring, but honestly I don't care and I raise my eyebrow at him, before shooting him a "What are you laughing at? If I lose to her, you definitely will", before playfully punching him in the shoulder. The girls usher us to train a little more with them and learn some of the tactics Katie and Diana would usually use in battle when in their human form (that is of course Diana's only form so far). After a while, we stroll back to the castle filthy with mud and hungry as bears. 

At the top of the stairs, we're greeted by Marc and Marie, who are applauding loudly for Diana and are laughing at my face only a little bit. I'm a little embarassed by it, but I'm determined not to let it bother me. I just smirk at the two bodyguards and tell them that I couldn't be more proud to have my behind beaten by the love of my life, before taking her in my arms and running upstairs. We both desperately need a wash and a change of clothes and I know exactly the best way get this done. My skin heats up even just at the thought of it and my head almost starts to spin at the idea of touching her body. Where did the big strong alpha that I'm supposed to be go and where did this blubbering fanboy come from? I'll show her where the big bad alpha has gone once we reach her room. 

While in my arms, she begins leaving little love bites all over my shoulders and chest. I let out a groan and sprint the rest of the way to the bedroom. When we finally get there, I lock the door behind us and kiss her deeply. Even when sweaty and dirty, she tastes delicious. I want to taste all of her. Slowly, I move us to the bathroom. She jumps in my arms and I carry her to the shower.