You Have Always Been Mine

Chapter 16 - Honor part 1

Quietly, Max takes a seat opposite the Alpha, not really sure how to feel. His wolf is definitely riled up and ready, and if he’s going to be honest, he can’t wait to have an official win. However, with an audience, this is going to be… complicated.

“Can’t we do this somewhere private?” He asks, glancing at Luna Grace.

“What’s the matter, boy? It’s not like the result would be any different.” Beta Collins smirks. “In fact, let’s make it interesting. If you win, I’ll take you under my wing and train you myself to be a hunter.”

“Interesting offer,” Alpha Timothy chuckles. “What if he loses?”

“If he loses, he’ll be banned from warrior training in the pack gym for a whole year. The boys have been complaining about sharing space with the pack’s mutt anyway.”

That must be Gamma Lowell he’s been listening to.

“That is unacceptable,” Luna Grace says firmly. “He is Ginny’s primary protector. Not being able to train will compromise his ability to defend her in emergencies.”

“So we put someone else in charge of protecting Imogen. Someone more qualified—”

“No, Collins. There’s no one I trust better than Max with Ginny’s safety. She will just dance around the others to make them do her bidding, and they won’t know what hit them. Max knows how to handle her right—he’s trained for it his whole life. No training will set him back from his peers, especially now that he will soon have his wolf,” Luna Grace frowns. “Frankly speaking, how do you expect Max to win against the Alpha, if you yourself cannot hope to do it?”

Max has never loved the Luna more than he does now. Like a true mother to everyone in the pack, she calls them out, no matter their rank or status, when they are misbehaving.

Alpha Timothy sighs again, likely getting a headache as things start to escalate in the wrong direction. His beta has turned pale before turning rather purplish red, and he had to command him to stay in place so he won’t go berserk.

“Beta Collins is not the one challenging me, my dear. Max is, so he must accept the consequences or forfeit the match. But you have a point. The punishment is too severe given how the opponents are unevenly matched, so let’s just say that losing face is punishment enough. The reward will remain the same, and Beta Collins will keep his word should Max win. Is that fair enough for you?”

The Luna nods, but Beta Collins snarls. “I want more witnesses. Let the mutt learn his place properly.”

Max grits his teeth. More witnesses to his shame? The Beta must really hate him. He wonders why.

‘Trust me, it won’t be our shame but his—’ his wolf vows.

“Very well,” the alpha summons several warriors through the pack mind-link, and Max groans inwardly as his worst bullies start showing up as well, probably called by Beta Collins.

The alpha explains what is going on and excitement spreads through the crowd. They all expect the wolf-dog to lose, of course, because there’s no way he’s going to beat the alpha, but they find the idea of the underdog’s audacity very amusing. Some of them even appreciate ‘the balls he has’ for daring to challenge their leader. It was foolish, of course, but hardcore. That he’s going to be humiliated for sure is just a bonus.

“Wait,” Max mutters as Alpha Timothy puts his hand on the table.

“Yes?”

“Years ago, you promised me something,” Max reminds him, giving him a pointed look since he can’t really mention Ginny’s name. “I’ve been challenging you all these years for… that. I want your word that if I win, our agreement stands.”

The alpha narrows his eyes. “Careful now, pup,” he murmurs menacingly. “You’re reaching too far.”

“You said—”

“We all know you’re not going to win anyway, so what’s the point?”

Max stands his ground stubbornly. “I might win today.”

The alpha laughs and leans over to whisper in his ear, his voice too low for the others to hear despite their supernatural hearing. “I was considering letting you win so you could get that special training, but you just made sure you’ll lose this match,” he growls and then he scoffs and in a louder voice barks “Fine! Put your arm on the table boy. We will settle this, once and for all.”

Max swallows and sits, placing his arm on the table, mirroring the Alpha’s position.

As everyone chants their Alpha’s name, the match begins. Max tunes out the cheering—or the fact that no one is cheering for him—and focuses on keeping his arm up. The Alpha usually indulges him for a bit at the beginning as they warm up, going easy on him and letting him think he has a chance, teasing him with the possibility of finally winning. Maybe he can use that to his advantage.

This time, however, the Alpha is not leaving anything to chance. He comes down hard at once, determined to crush Max’s hand and his spirit for daring to covet something far beyond his reach. It takes all of Max’s willpower and strength to keep his hand up, until his wolf reacts and infuses him with his own strength.

He can see it. The moment the alpha realizes something in him has changed somehow. Uncertainty flickers in Alpha Timothy’s eyes and his frown deepens as he recalibrates and doubles down on the younger man’s arm.

Max wonders if the Alpha can tell he has a wolf now, but judging from the confusion in his eyes, he’s still quite unaware. He must be thinking it’s just a growth spurt since Max has grown a lot bigger this past year as his coming of age draws near.

Ardghal chuckles darkly. ‘He’ll be in for a big surprise.’

Max stares at his own arm in amazement. He’s not sure if it’s just him but his arm—the hand now clutching his opponent’s and fighting for dominance—looks bigger than the alpha’s. Definitely younger, larger… stronger. Is he shifting?

‘It’s time to go for the kill!’ his wolf growls. ‘Bring him down now!’