Hello Again

The Council

Max and the boys took me to the training area as soon as the Council's cars were out of sight. While Aden signs me up for the competition. I'm a little insulted that everyone, including Snow, thinks I need training. I am an undefeated alpha with more wins under my belt than most, but I keep my mouth shut. I'll just consider this a warm-up.

Max looks at me and says with a knowing yet serious look, "I know you're a powerful fighter. You wouldn't be alpha if not. We will teach you how to fight in a ring. How to fight without losing control and saving your energy. We don't have much time; we need to start now."

I soon realized that any of these guys could have been alpha of their own pack.

Garth and Jack both take turns in the ring while Max yell's out advice like master Yoda or Miyagi from the Karate kid

"You need to work with your wolf, not one or the other. You'll both have to fight to win." He's walking around the ring, not even looking at me.

"Over 50 males have signed up so far. This competition will take a few days. You need to reserve your energy for the last one - he'll be the hardest. So don't play with your opponent. Go straight for the kill."

It has been a long day, and I'm beaten. If it wasn't for shifters' ability to heal fast, I wouldn't have made it through the day. I feel like I got mangled by two Kodiak bears. Oh, wait, I did.

We sent Amelia, Steve, and his mom with Al and Aki. They're going to New York, where Al's brothers are. Can't get any safer than a clan of dragons. Plus, Con and his mate are Amelia's godparents.

She was overjoyed when we told her she was going to visit them for a few days. I decided it best not to say anything about the competition or about her mom being taken. Still, when Snow didn't show up to say goodbye, she knew something was wrong. I had no choice but to tell her the truth. She took it better than I thought she would.

With her hands on her hips, and said, "You will win- and bring back my mommy."

Before I could respond. She got in the car. I smiled to myself. Snow may not have given birth to her, but Amelia acts just like her.

"Mss. Snow, it's time for you to join the Council in the dining hall," the old maid grunted as she let herself in without knocking. I'm not gonna miss her.

I've been at the Council's enormous black mansion in the northern mountains for three days.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the competition. The winner gets me and automatically becomes the alpha of my pack. Not to mention my money.

I'm wearing a form-fitting floor-length black dress with black pumps; my white hair is straight down my back with the sides slicked back. The dress wasn't my choice. The Council felt that my outfits were not suited for their dinner parties.

The parties are the only time I get to leave my room. I don't mind; it's a big luxurious room with a nice balcony on the 6th floor. I've been able to catch up on a lot of reading and sleep.

The one time I was allowed to leave the room was when I was invited to have lunch with Councilman Black's son, Tyson, a wolf shifter. He has dark eyes, long black hair that he keeps in a braid, and a large square, tanned face. He's one of the top competitors in the competition. The main one I'm worried about.

Tyson is the largest man I've ever seen, and that's saying something when your brothers are bears, and your ex is a dragon. He has had to be getting injections from an early age of something to make him this big.

While at lunch, I was hoping to find a weakness, but the only thing I discovered is an arrogant, self-absorbed ass-hole.

"When we are mated. I will expect complete obedience. You will give me four boys. You will be punished if you can't obey, and you will be killed so- I can mate someone else- if you can't provide me with sons in the next five years." I wanted to attack him right there. That ass hole, who does he think he is? But I have to think about the baby in my stomach. I kept my mouth shut and tried to enjoy the food and fresh air.

As I'm escorted down the large staircase by two guards who are never far away, I noticed they rearranged the dining hall. There must be at least 200 or more people here tonight. Most of them are already seated in their assigned seats.

I'm set at the Councilmen's table; it's on a platform facing the dining hall. Everyone else is seated in four long rolls. I'm trying to ignore the stares while looking for Stephan. It doesn't take long to find him. He gives me a reassuring smile. It makes me feel a little more relaxed.

Then I notice Max and Con sitting on either side of him. They must have left the twins and David to look over the packs.

I'm surprised to see Con. He's supposed to be with Amelia. At least that's the plan that's set in place. If anything happened to me or if the pack was facing a war. She's to go to her godparents.

The long dinner finally comes to an end; everyone is starting to mingle except me. I'm not permitted to leave the table. They are allowing people who aren't in the competition tomorrow to approach me for a few minutes. Finally, after about five older men get done asking me about my pack and family history of fertility, Max, and Con approach.

"Amelia?" I ask before they can say anything.

"She safe with my clan. How are you, lase? Do you need anything?" Con asks as he gives me a hug?

"I'm fine, just nervous about tomorrow. How's Stephan?" I ask them,

"There's nothing to worry about," Max says reassuringly.

Con wrinkles his nose and asks. "Why do you smell different?"

"Gigi gave me some perfume to mask my scent," I say quietly in French, hoping no one can understand. Con nods his head understandingly.

No one needs to know I'm pregnant.

One of the guards places his hand on Con's shoulder and says, "It's time to go, buddy." Both Con and Max let out a low warning growl. The guard quickly steps back.

Max gives me a hug while he whispers into my ear, "give us the signal if you need us. You know we have your back no matter what." I give him a nod trying not to cry; these hormones have my emotions all over the place.

It was hard seeing Snow last night without talking to her.

"You're up again soon," Max says with annoyance. This will be my fourth fight today. I lay my head back and groan; I'm tired.

"Do you know what could happen to the baby if you lose?" Con growls. He's pacing angrily. It hadn't occurred to me that something would happen to the baby. I've been focused on winning.

"He needs to focus on the fight, Con. He can't lose control out there." Max says, with a warning look at Con.

I look at Con in question: "The Council is old school. They could have the baby terminated. You know Snow won't just sit around and let that happen. If you lose, there's going to be a war. A big war."

Talk about pressure.

I see red and break the only table we have in our tent. I didn't even think of that. I knew there was a chance of war, but I didn't imagine losing the baby. I have a strong urge just to take Snow and leave.

"Focus, Stephan. Remember what we talked about. Nothing is going to happen to Snow or the baby. You're doing good so far. You have the fastest kill today." Max says, trying to cool me down.

"He's right. If I have to, I'll fly in, scoop Snow up before they know what's happening." Con says reassuringly. I wasn't sure about Con when I met him two days ago. He's starting to grow on me, and I'm glad he's here for backup.