THE BLOOD MATE

CHAPTER 3 - THE CHALLENGE

Lazarus is already bored conversing with the notorious twin sisters. Laura has barely said a word and Moira won't shut up. All in all, he isn't quite sure what exactly the Authority is so concerned about in their regard. The women clearly had the support of the people in the pack which he'd bet, amounted to the majority of their success in reclaiming their birthright and holding onto it over these past few months. But Lazarus never settles on his first impressions of a person. The women have revenged themselves by murdering Maximo, but they very well could hold a grudge against the Authority for not stepping in ten years ago. Where they stand now, they do not pose a threat to the system, however he would have to keep a close eye on them to make sure that doesn't change.

"Where is your heir?" Lazarus asks, wondering at her lateness.

Moira waves the question away, "Always late. I'm sure she will be along shortly with her mate."

"I've heard of her lowborn mate, pity that. Yet you clearly do not feel compelled to choose another, stronger heir."

Laura seems displeased by his words. Lazarus can tell by the way her eyebrow quirks and her lips press together into a thin line. "Belavina is strong. She does not require a male to do that for her."

"Then she is not smart, settling on such a weak mate. No matter how one looks at it, he is her downfall - he is her weakness." Lazarus comments, taking a long sip of his drink which he hopes to the Goddess isn't poisoned, "And if she has a weakness, then so do you."

The twins, both now wearing solemn expressions, are denied the opportunity to respond to his remark as the announcer clears his throat.

***

Lazarus's deep smooth voice breaks the unbearable silence, "It appears you have taken what belongs to me."

I'm not sure who is more in shock, myself, or Nate at the prince's declaration. Nate's brown eyes are wide in fear, mouth agape when the prince punches him in the face with so much force that Nate's head snaps back, his nose instantly breaking. Lazarus doesn't end his assault there as he grabs hold of Nate by his curly hair and drags him to the edge of the stage. I feel my heart stop as the prince proceeds to slam Nate's face into the hard edge so violently, the sight has me shifting without a second thought, ripping my new dress to pieces. The growl erupting from my wolf form has the prince pausing his assault, holding my gaze with a look of appreciation before throwing Nate away like trash. My wolf's black body trembles with barely restrained rage at the sight of deep wounds leaking blood from where the prince's claws dug into my mate's neck. How dare he attack my mate! What the f**k is his problem!

Kill him! My wolf growls, but only I can hear her.

We move towards Nate, our focus narrowing completely on being close to him when the prince dares to step between us, stopping my wolf in her tracks. She flashes her canines, licking her lips in anticipation of violence. He is truly testing our restraint. But the prince only smiles, tilting his head arrogantly as he regards her agile form. Even in his navy suit, bare of weapons, the prince is a threatening opponent. I won't let my wolf forget how he got the nickname 'the executioner'. We are no use to Nate if we are dead. His eyes are no longer blue as the veins in his neck stand out and no doubt along his thick arms as well as beneath his expensive clothing. The telltale signs that he is ready to shift the moment she goes for him.

"I knew you would be perfect." He smiles beautifully, unfazed with my snarling beast ready to rip his throat out.

I'm ready to give her free reign at the audacity of his compliment when a familiar figure blocks my path, giving me his favorite lopsided smile. Moira's zeta, Alec, stands perfectly ready for battle as Moira rushes to my side. She gestures for our warriors to stand down, eager to diffuse the situation.

"What is the meaning of this?" Moira demands, her voice stilling the madness, placing a brave hand on my wolf's black fur. "Someone go get Bela a robe!" She snaps with authority, then leaning closer to my ear, "You need to calm down Bela, you have no idea who you are dealing with. Let us handle this." She says with the voice of an alpha.

Although I am not fully committed to either of my sisters and their word isn't my law, I respect their decisions and my duty as the heir. So I heed her words. I reign in my wolf against every instinct I have. All my wolf can see is Nate, clutching at his neck, breathing heavily as Lazarus stands like a wall between us, frustrating her.

"Prince Lazarus, I am sorry for any offense Nate could have committed." Laura says with all the airs of elegance. She holds herself rigid as she addresses the prince, "If you would kindly step aside so that Bela may go to her mate, we can address…"

The prince snarls, making Alec grip his weapon tighter and shutting the unsuspecting Laura up, "She's mine!"

I take his moment of distraction to slip past, reaching Nate in a split second with my inhuman speed. Nate is on his knees, one hand clutching his neck while the other reaches out for me. I want to purr at the feeling of his fingers slipping into the fur of my wolf's chest as I stand guard over him. I sniff at the blood ruining his clothes and staining his skin, rage flowing like blood through my veins.

"I'm okay." Nate tells my wolf softly, stroking the side of her neck in an attempt to soothe her, "There must be some kind of mistake." His words are echoed moments later by Moira.

"There is no mistake." Lazarus tells the listening crowd, eager to discover the reasons behind the prince's show of violence, "Such a fine beast and she has a whimpering coward as her mate," He laughs cruelly, earning a snap of my teeth, "Of course, she would have another option, a better one." He drags, "Me."

He is looking at Nate now, who draws in a sharp breath. I cannot help proving him right by stepping in front of Nate protectively. Nate is an omega, half the time it takes omegas hours to shift, if they can complete the shift at all. He wouldn't stand a chance against the prince. I settled with the thought of being Nate's protector a long time ago. I didn't reject him back then and I certainly won't leave him now. Not even for a stronger second chance mate, not even for a prince.

Lazarus smiles smugly as if sensing my thoughts, "Of course this situation can easily be resolved. I challenge the mate of Belavina Castor, the right to life as her bonded partner."

The crowd gasps, grumbling murmurs of disapproval running rampage throughout. I cannot take it anymore. I cannot trust myself in this aggravated form any longer. A challenge? I will never allow it. I am not shy to stand in my basic form in front of these people, with nothing on. After all, most of the guests are werewolves and have been found in similar positions. I stand proud as a servant hurries over to hand me a silk robe which I quickly slip on. I don't blame Nate as he positions himself in the way of Lazarus's view, earning him a murderous gaze at the back of his head. My brave omega, attempting the wrath of a prince. I cup his blood-stained cheek before addressing the prince.

"That will not be necessary, Prince Lazarus. I am already happily bonded, and I reject any claims you believe you have on me."

"I do believe that your consent is not needed in terms of the law."

"Why would you want a mate that would not return your affections? I certainly don't have to accept you as my mate even if there were a challenge and you did win." I snap, feeling threatened as his warriors stand beside him. All are ready to attack and die should their prince command it. And they will die if they try to reach Nate.

"That is where you are wrong. But even if it were true, you will feel differently once your pet is dead." Lazarus says flatly, slipping out of his blazer and rolling the sleeves of his shirt up to expose his muscular forearms. "So, what shall it be, omega? Are you done hiding behind our mate's skirt?"

I smile wickedly at the sound Lazarus makes when I turn my back on him, pressing close to Nate, who's pretty face is a mask of concern, and running my hands down his chest. Lazarus is an elite highborn - a royal. The males, strongly dominated by their animal natures, are possessive beings with short fuses when it comes to protecting what they consider theirs. I, being a highborn female, know exactly the kind of rage ruling his system at my display. But when Nate's brown eyes meet mine, all the thoughts of Lazarus disappear, replaced by my desire to comfort my hurting mate.

"Don't listen to him, Nate. He is trying to rile you up so that you will agree to his ridiculous challenge. That's not going to happen." Nate takes a deep breath, nodding at my words.

Lazarus sighs loudly, "Perhaps I haven't made my intentions clear enough." Lazarus sneers, turning his attention back on my family, "I will be taking my mate, one way or another. Be it through the legal challenge or by aggravated force, and if either of your packs stand in my way, I will consider that an act of war against the Authority." My sisters pale at his words, their guards gripping their weapons tighter, "Am I clear enough now?"

My sisters nod once in acknowledgement to my absolute disgust. "That is an abuse of your power." I utter, making him smile.

"I am glad we are all in agreement. The challenge is in one day. May the best man win." And with that, the prince and his warriors are gone. Disappearing through the astonished crowd.