Chapter 7: The Challenge
784 Words
The two wolves circled each other.
Darian’s fur was black as midnight, torn and matted with blood.
Rourke was bigger, scarred, his coat a dirty grey. Their growls vibrated through the ground.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t breathe.
Get back, Kael said behind me, pulling me away from the fence. If they break the border line, it resets the challenge.
Victor had his gun raised, but it wouldn’t matter. This wasn’t a fight bullets could stop.
Rourke lunged first.
He hit Darian low, claws raking across his ribs. Darian snarled and twisted, slamming Rourke into a tree. Bark exploded.
They rolled, tearing at each other. Blood flew.
For a second, I couldn't tell who was who.
I saw it then - Rourke was fighting dirty. Biting at Darian’s old wound from the tunnel. Trying to cripple him.
Cheat, Victor spat.
Kael’s jaw clenched. He always does.
Darian staggered back, limping. Rourke circled, grinning with blood-soaked teeth.
Yield, cousin, Rourke growled. Yield and I’ll make it quick.
Darian didn’t answer. He lowered his head and charged.
The impact shook the ground. They went down, snapping and tearing. For a second, I couldn’t tell who was who.
Then Darian’s jaws closed around Rourke’s throat.
Silence.
Rourke went still.
Darian didn’t release him.
Finish it, Kael whispered beside me.
Darian’s muscles tensed. One jerk, and it would be over.
Stop!
My voice cut through the night.
Darian’s golden eyes flicked to me. For one second, the wolf hesitated.
Rourke used it.
He drove his claws up, deep into Darian’s gut.
Darian howled. He released Rourke and stumbled back, blood pouring from his side.
Rourke laughed, shifting back to human form mid-air. He landed on his feet, naked and covered in blood. Too soft, cousin. Always too soft.
He raised his hand, claws extended, aiming for Darian’s throat.
No! I screamed.
I vaulted the fence.
Rourke turned at the last second, surprise flashing across his face.
I hit him with everything I had.
My fist connected with his jaw. It didn’t hurt him. But it stopped him.
For one second, he looked at me like I was insane.
Get away from him, omega, he snarled.
I stood between him and Darian, shaking but not backing down. If you want him, you go through me.
Rourke tilted his head.
You’d die for him?
Yes.
He laughed. “Good. Then you will.”
He moved fast. Too fast.
I saw the strike coming, but I couldn’t dodge.
Something hit me from the side.
Darian, in human form, tackled me to the ground. Rourke’s claws sliced through the air where my throat had been.
Darian rolled on top of me, shielding me with his body. Blood poured from his mouth.
Run, he whispered.
I shook my head. Not without you.
Rourke stepped forward, raising his hand for the killing blow.
Stop.
The word wasn’t loud. But it made all three of us freeze.
Victor stood at the fence line, holding something in his hand. A phone.
The elders are on the line, he said. The challenge is void. Rourke used silver.
Rourke froze. That’s a lie.
Victor played the audio. Darian’s voice from the tunnel, weak but clear: He cut me with silver.
Silver was forbidden in challenges. It burned wolf flesh and weakened the bond.
Rourke’s face went white.
Challenge void, Victor said. Darian remains Alpha Heir.
For a second, no one moved.
Then Rourke lunged at me.
Darian moved faster.
He threw himself in front of me, taking the blow meant for my heart.
Rourke’s claws sank deep.
Darian coughed, blood spilling over my hands as I caught him.
Don’t you dare die on me, I whispered.
Darian’s eyes met mine. Golden, fading.
Mine, he whispered.
Then his eyes closed.
His weight went heavy in my arms. Too heavy.
No, I said. Louder this time. No, Darian. You don’t get to leave me here.
Rourke laughed behind me. It was low, ugly, satisfied.
Let him go, omega, he said. He’s done. The heir is dead. The pack is mine.”
I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. All I could see was blood on my hands, on Darian’s chest, on the ground beneath us.
Victor, I said, my voice shaking. Do something.
There was no answer.
The bond between me and Darian was fraying. I could feel it pulling thin, like a thread about to snap. Panic clawed up my throat.
If he died, I’d feel it. And I didn’t know if I’d survive it.
Don’t you leave me, I whispered, pressing my forehead to his. Not like this. Not after everything.
His chest didn’t rise.
But his hand, trembling, found mine.
He squeezed once.
[End of Chapter 7]
- Writer
