Watercolor Girl

21

Evie

As the days slowly ticked by I worried more and more, I know Til and Lev were much bigger, much stronger, and much faster then Ciaran, but it didn’t change the fact that these challenges were decided by death and death alone. I stayed with Lev and Rea in the beta wing, although I had discussed going elsewhere since I wasn’t technically a member of this pack anymore. Rea was reassuring, Ciaran had buckled under the weight of his truth and she said this does not make for a strong fighter nor a good leader. She assured me not to worry. Her pack had arrived early in the day following the disagreement in Lev’s office. So many of them our pack had not nearly the accommodations we needed, but every single of the warrior and scouts who had arrived seemed more then happy to set up makeshift tents in their call to duty for Rea. She must have been a very well loved Luna. The officer of the guard bowed and kneeled, acts I’ve never seen before even regarding respect to an alpha. Rea would laugh and tell them to get up, she’s too old now to bow back. The highest members of their guard, neutral parties if you will, were tasked to watch the alpha and his family, ensuring no effort to evacuate prior to the challenge occurred. Several of their warriors were sent out to accompany the additional patrols Lev had set up, he had explained the situation of the Wolfsbane and the traps, they insisted they were capable and would come to no harm despite the territory being unfamiliar to them. Rea had kept in close contact with Luna Alyssara, she assured once the challenge had been completed, Alpha Rose would make a trip to Storm Solstice and see how Snow Claw could be of assistance in eradicating the threat to our small pack, according to him, because we were neighbors, we were allies, it is simply the way of the territories.

Lev seemed entirely calm, I never felt worry or anxiety from him as the clock ticked away. Ciaran had until the end of today to declare an arena of his choice, otherwise, it would take place where Lev had chosen, smack dab in the middle of a field of Wolfsbane. I could appreciate and respect his approach. Ciaran stood no chance against Lev in that field. None at all. It’s customary that both challengers begin the duel in their human forms, based on what I had experienced, Lev may be able to shift depending on the time he had been out there waiting, but if he didn’t, he had the strength speed and semi immunity that Ciaran didn’t, even in his human form. If he could shift or if they both showed up in wolf form, the flower would confuse Ciaran and any ability for him to act in any competitive sense against a wolf capable of keeping his wits about him would be almost cruel. Lev had chosen his arena well.

“Jelly stop staring at the clock. Let’s go get something to eat. I’m starving.” Rea tugged at my shirt, Lev was in his office where he’d been almost constantly since the night of the altercation. I miss him but I knew my nerves didn’t serve him well, Rea kept me busy while he was occupied, and she wasn’t alone, I was starving too.

“Whatcha feeling, Rea?”

“I could go for a big fat greasy burger. Or maybe some fried chicken. Do you have friend chicken in the kitchen ever?”

“No, chicken bones can cause us problems if we eat like uncivilized wolves.” Rea chuckled, she’d seen me eat burgers several times now.

“Well I’m gonna need some fried chicken if I have to stay here a long time, Evie. It isn’t negotiable. Good thing Cowboy’s got a stove in there because I fully intent on utilizing it at some point.” The wolves in the pack seemed fascinated by Rea. Everyone had been kind to her and incredibly welcoming. Some questioned her asking stars struck if she had really been the Luna of Snow Claw. Rea was humble, and always said the pack maintained itself, she just hung around for the good wolf company. When we got to the kitchen Rea waddled off to find food that fit her preference best. I walked a straight line to my usual, the kitchen had caught on to my burger deconstruction and had started making double bacon cheeseburgers on the regular now. I appreciated this. I made myself an iced coffee, black, I preferred my iced coffee with just a smidgen of sugar, Rea drank more cream and sugar in hers then there was actual coffee. When we ate, laughing, calm in the moment despite the chaos around us. The kitchen really had figured out my burger lust. When Rea had finished her baked trout and rice, we went in to return our dishes and I picked up 2 burgers, a salad, and had Rea carry 4 bottles of water to bring to Lev. I couldn’t prove he was eating on his own, so he would have to deal with me bringing him random food items around mealtimes. He ate lightly for a wolf of his size. He had adapted to survive, I guess. Rea commented constantly how we ate like pigeons compared to even the smallest wolves in her pack.

“Come in.” Lev’s voice floated through the door. Rea opened the door, walking in with her big huge infectious smile, I followed, Lev smiled and pulled me into his arms, kissing the top of my head as has become his habit.

“Brought you lunch, mate.” I was enjoying that I had no alpha and no beta over me. As of right now, I was governed by myself. He rolled his eyes.

“Thank you gorgeous. Did you two hyenas eat?”

“Yep. Had to feed the human. She was hangry”

“Alpha and his entourage are supposed to be on their way. Do you wanna be here for that?” Lev took a bit of his burger, washing it down with an entire bottle of water. “Rea, you should probably be here, seeing as you’re one of our titled witnesses and all.”

“Do you think he’s gonna set a location?”

“That would be my guess. Why else would he show up here. He hasn’t been to the pack house since he was challenged. He’s hiding out with his parents. Entirely neglecting any alpha duties he should really be dealing with.”

“Oh I wouldn’t miss the fun between you two. You’re obviously such great friends.” Lev rolled his eyes again.

“You know at one point I respected him. I thought he was a decent wolf, oh how that wall fell.”

“Have you spent any time whatsoever on the training ground, Lev. You’ve spent almost no time figuring out the changes that may or may not have occurred within your wolf.” Lev looked at me with sincere eyes.

“Yes, Evie, I promise. I understand the seriousness of this and I am regarding it as such. I know you’re worried, but it’s ok. It’s going to be ok, I promise. I’m not leaving you anytime soon.” We could hear them in the hall, heavy steps and silence filled the room before the door flung open. Ciaran, Thomas and Dargan entered, shutting the door behind them. Dargan looked awful, her face puffy and swollen. She looked to me with apologetic eyes, I reached for her and she welcomed my hug. Holding it just a little bit longer then she needed to. Ciaran, although looking a bit uncomfortable was much more composed and confident then he had been last time we’d seen him, Thomas was the same arrogant and pompous p***k he always seemed to be.

“The Alpha has come to designate his arena of choice.”

“That’s nice, he can speak for himself.” Lev spoke in a flat tone.

“How dare you!”

“By the covenants prescribed by wolves older than you and I, all communications must be between the challenger and the alpha being challenged. Nothing you say carries weight here, Thomas. Ciaran is required to speak for himself.” I hated all of this, but found it terribly sexy when Lev got all rule book serious. He made them look so foolish. He looked at me and smirked. He knew and I flushed.

“I have chosen the training fields inside of the Storm Solstice Pack Grounds to be our arena. I’ve come to inform you of my choice, as well as to remind you who must be in attendance.”

“Our witnesses, which include Luna Xandrea Carter and Alpha Thomas O’ Riley. Our mates, which include Evangeline Nightclaw and Dargan O’ Riley. At least one clinician, to pronounce a rightful winner, and any member of the pack who wishes to witness the challenge. Did I miss anyone?” Lev narrowed his eyes at Ciaran.

“No Beta, you did not.” He looked at me, smiling. “Have you been back to the training grounds, Evangeline? Since your last rendezvous with there with, Stev?”

“ENOUGH!”

“This rogue has no place on these grounds! Nevermind in this pack house. You disgrace the pack by allowing her here.” Former Alpha Thomas erupted.

“No one has disgraced the pack more then an alpha who allowed his beta to purchase a bloodline from a wolf in his pack. But I’m just telling…”. Rea made a sarcastic face as she spoke. Thomas flushed with rage. “How are my boys treatin’ ya, Alpha? They making sure you’re safe over there alright? Keep f*****g with my pup. We’ll play alpha.” Rea’s face was serious as a heart attack.

“Is there anything else?” Lev looked and sounded annoyed and bored.

“No Beta. We’ll see you in two days time.”

“Alpha, will you making the announcement of your challenge to the pack, as is customarily the alpha’s responsibility, or should I do it?”

“Beta, I will handle the announcements. Please.” Dargan piped up quietly.

“If you wish, Luna. Thank you for your assistance.” Dargan nodded to Lev.

“You’re a good beta, Lev.”

“SHUTUP DARGAN!!” Ciaran snapped at her.

“Don’t speak to Dargan that way in my office, Ciaran. If you’ve nothing else, you’re welcome to leave.” We watched them file out of the office. When their footsteps had faded I turned to Lev.

“I don’t like any of this, Lev.” He pulled me to him sitting me on his lap and squeezing me tight in his arms.

“It’ll be ok, Evie. I promise. I’m gonna be fine.”

“What if it isn’t?” His hand came up to my hair and stroked it gently, his lips found my forehead, they lingered there,

“Evie, it’ll be ok. I promise, little one.” He held me there, just like that, but no matter how hard he tried, the worry wouldn’t wash away.

Lev

I woke up ahead of my alarm, for the first time nervous about what my day entailed. Today was the day. Dargan had done her job well of notifying the pack. There was a large percentage of attendance expected. Per the gossip and whispers, I was not the favorite to win, nor was anyone pleased by the challenge. That being the case, people were showing up to see me come to an end. I cared little. None of this was for me. I’d never speak the words into existence, but all of it was for Evie. She wasn’t a no one, and I wouldn’t let her live as such knowing that not even her mate would stand against her treatment. Evie, my brave little mate, slept on, but I could hear Rea in the kitchen. When I let myself out of the room she paused, turning to me.

“You look nervous, Cowboy, you better shrug it off before Jelly wakes up.” The tension in her voice was palpable. She continued on. In the time Rea had been with us, only 5 short days, she’d made it feel like a home in here. She’d gotten rid of the few things I’d had in here, including the couch that neither Evie nor I could even stand to look at anymore, there was a table for eating that we all fit at, a sectional that had 4 recliners in it, a coffee table, lamps, she’d painted a few windows detailing the night in various seasons. She cooked for us and had emptied the warehouse of kitchen wares, to include a coffee pot, which Evie loved and cherished. She had slowly set up her art studio as she called her tattoo room. She’d made her room a bohemian wonder, she rarely shut the door. It became that I couldn’t imagine life without Rea so close. I hoped at the end of this, maybe she would choose to stay, but I hadn’t brought it up. Maybe once today was over we could discuss it.

“I got steak and eggs here for you, browning some hash browns and the gravy is almost done.” She moved a mile a minute her nerves evident and I felt a little pull in my heart. She was worried about me. I touched her sleeved shoulder gently and she paused her nervous assault on the hash browns, turning to me quickly. “I’ll burn…”. I hugged her tight. .

“It’ll be alright, Rea.” I spoke quietly and as sincerely as I could, she hugged me back just as tight.”

“I know, Cowboy. Go eat! It’ll get cold.” And she shoved me along towards the table. Evie was up and moving around about 10 minutes later. Rea had a plate set down for her and herself. Evie pushed eggs around her plate and paid little attention to the steak. I grabbed her thigh gently under the table. “

“Eat little one. It’s gonna be fine.” She took small bites, eating very little. Rea ate in silence, occasionally staring for long moments at Evie or myself. I ate all of mine, and half of Evie’s. By the time we were up and showered and ready to go, it was around 11, I was to be at the training fields at noon. Rea had requested the presence of one of her clinicians, since no one trusted Ronnie, which is the clinician that Ciaran had chosen. When Evie was changing in our room, Rea spoke to me quietly.

“Listen, Cowboy, if anything goes south today. Snow Pack is primed to get Jelly out of here and move her to the main pack up north. She’ll be safe and protected.”

“Thank you, Rea. I appreciate it, but I don’t think we’ll need it. I think we’re gonna be just fine. For once in my life, Rea, I’m not afraid of this.”

“Oh I think you’re right, but you can never be too prepared, right, Beta?”

“Right.” She nodded at me, steeling her face before Evie emerged, obviously disheveled. I wish she didn’t have to be there. I honestly did. I wondered if part of her anxiety was being back there.

“Ready, gorgeous?” I asked Evie, who fidgeted and nodded, sliding on her little black sandals.

“Is that what you’re wearing?” I had on athletic shorts and my boots.

“This is it.”

“Do you have other shorts?” I didn’t, I hadn’t thought of that. She rolled her eyes and disappeared back into the room to retrieve me a back up pair of shorts.

I reached out, taking her hand and pulling her to me, singing to her quietly.

“Deep in her eyes

I think I see the future

I realize this is my last chance.

She took my arm

I don’t know how it happened

We took the floor and she said”

“Oh don’t you dare look back

Just keep your eyes on me

I said” she sang back

“You’re holding back”

She said”

“Shut up and dance with me”

“This woman is my destiny…”

waves of warmth came over me I turned around and she launched herself onto my back. Rea grabbing the keys and leading walked out the door. We started down to the training fields.

Evie

I couldn’t still my nerves or anxiety, Lev was so confident and collected, he showed no signs of worry, and I felt like I was going to fall apart. He carried me down, the pack grounds were desolate until we got close to the arena, the entire pack was there and the majority of Rea’s wolves from Snow Pack.

I’m not sure what I expected but it felt so much less formal then it was. Someone was going to die here today. Two benches sat on either side of the painted circle, one for myself and Rea the other for Dargan and Thomas. Further out were posted patrol to keep the crowds of the pack away from where they would be fighting.

Even Rea was fidgeting. Lev was there before Ciaran, but he arrived shortly after. It was apparent that he was favored to win this. The pack shaking his hand and wishing him well, we stood alone, no support to be found except for the few from Snow Pack who wished Lev their best, many of them telling him that he had this. I wondered how much of that was at the request of Rea. Ciaran was fully dressed and stripped down to his boxers before stepping into the ring, looking me dead in the eye

“Does this bring back fond memories, Evangeline” he made crude gestures, I held his gaze, Lev roared at him, kicking his boots off, and stepping into the ring.

Rea pulled on a pair of gloves, taking my hand and holding it tight. “Here we go, Baby. He’s gonna be fine. That wolf’s got nothing on our Cowboy.” Dargan, in an unprecedented act of betrayal, got up and moved from her bench, seated next to Thomas, to ours, sitting quietly beside me.

“Evangeline I’m so sorry.” She didn’t look at me, she kept her eyes on Ciaran who was staring daggers into her. The clinicians introduced themselves and their credentials. Before moving to opposite sides of the arena. A member of Snow Claw stepped out and in a loud booming voice informed the hoard.

“BETA LEV RILEY LYONS CHALLENGES THE TITLE OF ALPHA, ALPHA CIARAN RANGER O’ RILEY ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE TO BE DECIDED TODAY, THE WINNER SHALL ASSUME THE TITLE, THE LOSER SHALL BE DETERMINED BY DEATH. NO WEAPONS MAY BE USED, COMBAT SHALL BE STRICTLY HAND TO HAND. THE BATTLE MAY COMMENCE UPON MY EXIT FROM THE RING.”

“I love you, Lev.”

“I love you, Evie.”

Ciaran longed first. Lev avoided easily. His eyes, Lev’s eyes, fixed on Ciaran. Ciaran longed again, grazing Lev’s upper thigh, I felt the claw glide easily through the skin, ignoring the burning, focused on my mate. Ciaran longed a third time, no longer were Lev’s eyes his own, they were Til’s, Lev moved so fast that it looked like Ciaran was moving in slow motion, Lev wrapped his arms around his waist and slammed him down onto the hard grounds of the arena. Dargan shuttered beside me. Lev stood over him, howling, the rage palpable. Ciaran longed from the ground at Lev’s legs, Lev moved quickly but not quite quickly enough, Ciaran made contact and a pain burned through my thigh again, he dragged Lev down to the ground with him.

“Rea why isn’t he shifting?” I whimpered out.

“He’s ok, Jelly, he’s doing just fine.” She squeezed my hand tighter.

Lev’s long arm came around, and I could see his claws dig deep into Ciaran’s back, Dargan yelped quietly, I reached over and wrapped her arm in mine. Ciaran shifted for just a second and Lev had him rolled, his sharp claws gliding through the alpha’s stomach, Dargan yelped and whimpered again. Ciaran roared, stood up, blood pooling by his feet, and began to shift. Lev made no effort to do the same. Ciaran’s wolf was massive with short gray fur. His muscles rippled and tensed. He charged for Lev, who dodged the attack, taunting the alpha like a matador taunts a bull. When he came around again Lev was able to run his claws along the wolf’s side, leaving long red gashes. Dargan yelped, louder this time, her teeth clenched tight, her eyes closed.

“Evangeline, why doesn’t he just do it?” She spoke through a hardened jaw.

“I don’t know what he’s doing, Dargan.” I whispered back.

Lev charged at the wolf, so fast he was barely perceptible, he caught the wolf around the neck and lifted him before slamming him back down into the ground, horrified eyes watched their alpha falling and the suffering of their Luna. Lev, what are you doing?

Lev stepped back,

“Close your eyes, baby.” I did immediately as he’d asked. And the gasps sounded, when I opened my eyes, Til stood before them, his size made Ciaran’s wolf look like a pup. Lev howled a harrowing earth shattering roar. He charged at Ciaran, pouncing, I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen, Til rolled away, standing the rage ran through me, Til was angry now. He bounced back up, running at Ciaran again, his teeth finding the soft spot on Ciaran’s neck, he flipped him down slamming him once more into the ground, his claws tearing over the gray wolf’s now exposed belly, Dargan screamed in pain beside me. Tears streaming down her face. Til held him there, letting him bleed for just long enough, before a crunch and a snap sounded, his teeth bearing down on the former alpha’s neck. Dargan screamed, a sound I will remember in my nightmares for the rest of my life.

“He did it, Jelly.” Rea whispered. Her hand still clenched in mine.

Lev backed away, his eyes his own now. Standing aside for the clinicians to rush to Ciaran, but it was obvious he was no more, made clear by the pain ravished wails of his mate. Lev padded to the bench, sitting in front of me and I threw my arms around his neck, sobs escaping. I could only minimally hear the announcement that Lev Riley Lyons of the Storm Solstice Werewolf Pack, had earned the title of alpha. Lev mouthed his shorts, disappearing into the crowd before re-emerging, gashes on his abdomen, and blood drooling down one of his legs. Dargan stood, sobbing,

“Thank you Alpha, I pledge my allegiance to you and your Luna and remain loyal to the Storm Soltice pack.” She sobbed, in obvious pain, I can’t imagine the pain of the connection severing. “Thank you, Lev.”

“You’re welcome, Dargan.” He spoke softly, he looked up, found a member of the Snow Claws and asked they take her to the clinic, that she be afforded whatever she needed to hurt the least. Rea pulled Lev down, throwing her arms around his neck, she spoke nothing but tears fell. Finally the worry she’d hidden so well escaped, melding with her relief. Her touched burned, but I minded little. For Rea I would endure unending pain. When she released him he turned to me, pulling me up in his arms, I whispered my loyalty to him and his pack, which he accepted.

“He felt what you felt, little one.” And it suddenly came clear to me. Lev had disemboweled him, essentially. I held him tighter, feeling the warmth of his blood that still ran from his abdomen. He could have taken him at any time, but he gave him back the my pain. Few of the Solstice pack came to congratulate their new Alpha. The generations of a single bloodline’s right to the title washed away. There was no beta in line to replace Lev. “Evie I wanna go home.” He whispered to me. Ciaran’s stiffening corpse lay covered amidst the silent dispersing crowd that had come, so sure he would lay waste to their unworthy beta. I hated this pack more then I’d ever hated it. The Snow Pack clinician came to check Lev’s gashes, cleared him of any serious harm, congratulating him on his victory, Lev took my hand. Pulling me towards the pack house, but stopping to stand in from of the former Alpha Thomas.

“Thomas, you are a disgrace to this pack, your crimes will be evaluated and a fair punishment will be imposed. Until then, you will be held in the pack prison.” He nodded to two of the Solstice patrol, “Allow him his time to grieve his son before he’s taken into your custody.” He continued to pull me along. Rea following close behind. The walk seemed to take forever, it felt like miles before we walked into the pack house. Lev lifting me into his arms and taking the stairs 2 at a time, walking into his wing, which he’d left unlocked, and placing me back on my feet. Pulling me back to our room, peeling my clothes off as we went. He turned on the shower and kicked off his shorts, pulling me under the water with him. He held me to his body, his hair plastering to my face the water running red around our feet. He lifted me pressing my back to the cold shower wall, I felt him push into me, my arms wrapped tight around his neck, feeling his tension ease with each thrust.

“I love you, Evie.”

“I love you, Lev.”

He finished quickly, but held me there, pressed between his body and the wall, his head resting on my shoulder. When he finally lowered me back to my feet, I grabbed the shampoo and washed his hair, he repeated the process on mine. I sat with conditioner in my hair, watching him wash himself, gentle over the gashes that had by now stopped bleeding.