Hello Again

Alliance

I'm lost in thought thinking about last night when Councilman Black leans over and says, "I sent for my pack's healer. She should be here by tonight to take care of that bastard in your stomach."

I say nothing and just look straightforward. I'm not going to let him get to me like he did yesterday.

"Dad, I want to go first; Stephan needs to be taken out" Tyson grumbled to his father when he came into the box that we're sitting in.

"Son, I have you down last. It's best if we wear him down first," Councilman Black explains.

The man on the other side of councilman black leans over and says, "O, let the boy go first. The crowd is starting to like that wolf, and we need to put a stop to it. Plus, your son could use a warm-up before he gets to my son".

Councilman Black looked at his son calculatingly.

"If you go first, you will have to fight three times today. It would be wise for you to reserve your energy, son."

"Three is nothing for me! Why do you doubt my abilities?" Tyson growls at his father.

"Fine, you can go first but make it fast, don't drag it out like the others." Tyson gives a satisfying nod before he exits the box.

"O, and Son," Tyson stops at the door and looks back. "Whatever you do, don't submit. It's better if you die than submit."

Tyson growls low, "I will win."

We should start with a bang. It would help get the crowd's support. The council is nothing without their supporters." Dad says

"We need to do something they won't forget," Nick agreed.

"And what do you two suggest?" I asked.

Aden comes rushing in. "They changed the rotation! You and Tyson are first!" he said urgently.

This doesn't sound like something that Councilman Black would do. It must have been Tyson himself who requested to go first against me.

"This changes nothing. We still stick to the plan." Dad said.

Everyone is silent, trying to think of a rememberable winning move.

Max speaks up first. "Remember that slide thing Snow did? The last time she was challenged. It's fast and dramatic. You've already shown the crowd that you can be fair. Now it's time to show them you aren't to be messed with."

"Yes! The Snowslide!" Aden pumps his fist into the air.

"You named it?" I asked. I'm not surprised.

As big as I am, it won't be easy sliding under someone. Everything has to line up just right.

"Stephan, Alpha of the Phoenix pack vs. Tyson Black, future Alpha of the Black Claw Pack!" The Announcer yells.

I glance at Stephan and give him a reassuring smile. The faster he gets rid of this cocky, juiced-up wolf, the better.

(Ding! Ding!)

"FIGHT!" the announcer shouted over the crowd.

I'm happy that Tyson is going first. It's only an advantage to us; Stephan won't be worn out from the other fights. I'm confident Stephan will win. Tyson might be big, but he's a dumbass.

They're just standing there staring each other down.

Tyson looks like he'll explode any minute. He likes his opponent to make the first move. I can see his veins bulging on top of his muscles while his hands are clenched in a fist.

Stephan, on the other hand, looks relaxed like he has all the time in the world. He's not taking his eyes off Tyson, though.

It's been three minutes since the bell rang and neither of them has moved. They're just staring at each other, waiting for the other to make the first move.

One of the councilmen gives the signal to ring the bell again.

This gets Tyson running a full speed, ready to pounce, while Stephan only runs at half speed. What is he thinking? Tyson will run right through him like this. Everyone is on their feet, including me.

Still, in his human form, Tyson goes low while Stephan jumps high over him. When Tyson misses Stephan he falls face-first into the dirt. He gets up and lets out a furious roar.

They're facing each other again. This time Stephan starts the charge, still only running at half speed, with his claws extended like he's about to change into his wolf. Tyson sees this; he smiles and starts to run full speed with his claws ready to change into his wolf as well.

Tyson leaps high into the air while changing into his wolf form just as Stephan speeds up and slides under him.

Just like that, it's over.

Stephan lands on his feet with his knees bent while Tyson falls lifelessly face-first into the dirt behind him. Staring at Councilman Black, Stephan stands to his full height and takes a slow, bloody bite out of Tyson's heart.

It's the greatest insult someone can give to his opponents and his opponent's pack, apart from pissing on the body.

The arena is silent for all of two seconds before erupting into an excited cheer.

Councilman Black stands up. "You son-of-a-mutt, you cheated! No one can beat my son. I demand a drug test! When you fail, you will be put to death!" he yelled. He doesn't even care that his son is dead just that he lost.

Stephan merely shrugs and tosses the heart to the side.

Stephan's father stands up. "If you're going to drug test my son. I want your son tested too. If he has drugs in his system, then you will resign from the council!" he demanded.

Councilman Black's eyes went wide but only for a second. "My son is dead. There is no need to test him!" he smirked. Like he just won.

One of the councilmen yelled, "Everyone in favor of both males being tested says, aye."

It was decided that they both would be tests in front of everyone.

While the test was being done, the rest of the challengers withdrew from the competition. Not wanting any more to do with it.

I slipped down to Stephan when I realized that Councilman Black had disappeared while the other councilmen argued.

"Stephan is clean of all drugs!" The healer turned to look at the Council. "Tyson has more than four drugs and steroids in his system," he shouted for everyone in the arena to hear.

" The winner Is Stephan of the Phoenix pack!" One of the Councilmen shouted.

My smile disappeared when I saw Councilman Black, who is now just Mr. Black, with six enforcers from his pack in the arena.

"You'll pay for this, you and your mutt!" He growls, " I have more allies than you can imagine. I declare war! We will slaughter you and your pack!"

Before Stephan could respond, we were surrounded by our friends and family.

"If you go to war with my brother, you go to war with the Infinity pack." his brother, Nick, announced.

"And my clan," Con roars. Although dragons are few in numbers, they are still the strongest and most feared shifters.

"And the Kodiak pack," Nickili growls. His old pack has vowed to stand with us in case of a war.

"And the Hybrid pack," I say proudly.

All of our packs together form the strongest alliance in the world. They don't stand a chance even if he has a few more allies.

His men back up a few feet.

"Give up, Black, you won't win this. You'll end up like your son," Stephan swore.

At that, Black gave us a murderous look and marched away with his enforces close behind.

Stephan took me into his arms and kissed me like we were the only two people in the world. I knew at that moment that everything would be ok no matter what life threw at us.