Finding the One True Alpha

Chapter 8- The Dual; Audra POV

I feel the bump when we land and I wake up. Exhaustion still clinging to my body. I grab my back pack and undo my seat belt. By the time the pilot has the door opening all of the guys and there dads are rushing to me. Of course Saint reaches me first. “Holy s**t sweets that scared the crap out of me.” He picks me up and I wrap my arms around him. I feel our bond and I relax even more into him. Once everyone reaches us I have to force him to put me down. He still doesn’t let me go. I wraps his arms around me like he is scared I will blow away in the wind if he lets go. I roll my eyes and shake my head alpha men. The other guys pull me away from him and each give me a big hug, I have never really had the feeling of a sibling bond before since I am an only child. The only other person I have felt this close to is Morgan. I love this feeling I feel like we are turning into our own type of family. I have this deep feeling even after this is all done with no matter who wins we will all still be close friends. The dads are right behind the guys. I nod to each one of them as Saint takes me back again. “I think we should go inside to discuss what happened.” My dad nods in agreement I can tell there is more he wants to say I see the relief in his eyes that I am fine. I can tell he is holding in his emotions. I know tonight we will have a moment to ourselves and he can talk to me. Once we are inside we head to the conference room, I hear someone come barreling down the stairs and she crashes into me. It’s my best friend I thought I would never see her again and we hold each other for a moment that best friend bond solidifying. I move back and I notice she is crying “Awe Morgan did you really miss me that much. I hope Mason got the same reaction.” I smirk and she looks so mad I try not to laugh “You crazy b***h I thought you were going to die.” She grabs me in a hug again “Once they told me what happened I was so worried for you. Obviously I knew you knew what you were doing but still the worry was there. And for your information yes he did, I might not have been crying as hard but I still cried when I saw him.” I start cracking up. Mason just rolls his eyes and kisses her on the head as he walks past. He looks at the other guys “ugh females” I stick my foot out and drop him for that comment. Everyone starts to laugh as I reach out my hand to help him up. I notice my dad at the end of the hallway and he clears his throat all waiting for us to join them. He looks at Morgan “Morgan go ahead and come in I have a feeling you are going to need to hear what Audra has to say.” She nods and goes to Mason they walk in together. Saint and I are the last ones in the room. He closes the door and sits in the chair next to my dad and pulls me down with him. Okay I guess me sitting on my own is a no go. I look at my dad who nods for me to start talking. I take a deep breath and calm myself as I feel Jewel there with me content to now be in our mates arms she it there to help me tell this tale. “Today was the first day that I sensed those foul things in the forest with me. I had been all over that forest while camping there and I never smelled them before today. I have no idea why they were there in the first place. It was the forest who let us know that something was there that should not have been. I felt the uneasiness of the earth it sent us a feeling of warning and caution. Jewel and I took that as we needed to book it out of there. When I shifted and started to move through the trees that is when I really smelled their awful smell. I let Jewel take over and we ran as fast as we could out of there. I was talking to Saint and had him call you while we were running. Jewel and I kept the mind link open so he would know if something really bad happened and where to find us. We almost made it to the pick up zone when they caught up to us. At first the one who looked like the leader said that he didn’t want to fight but then they smelled me and said that they could feel my power and that I smelled delicious to them. When I realized they were going to attack I called out to the forest for help and they grabbed the leader with vines and took him up into the trees. The other two were not expecting Jewel to be so fast and she ripped the head off the one they called Leo first. Then she felt the other one start to attack and she flipped and grabbed his shoulder and ripped his arm off then his head. The one that the vines took they kept wrapping around him as he struggled they somehow detached his head from his body and he fell back to the ground in the pile with the other two decapitated vampires. I asked the earth how to proceed with the bodies because it did not want to just leave them there and it sent back it did not want them buried in the ground to taint the soil. It wanted me to burn them so I did. They were pretty much ash when the chopper got there to pick me up.” I felt Saint wrap his arms around me tighter and I looked at the rest of the people in the room most of them had a shocked face and Morgan was tearing up again. I smiled at her and looked at the guys “why do you guys look so shocked you knew I had been training for this practically my whole life.” Saint cleared his throat and I could tell he was trying to figure out his wording “we know that you have had extensive training my love but by the way you kept stating how bad they smelled that means that they were not newly turned vampires those were some old vamps. You should not have been able to take down three by yourself.” I scoff at him “really I only took down two the forest did the rest I just asked for help.” I felt Jewel bristle like she go offended at our mate for thinking so lowly of us. Saint take a deep breath and looks at me “I know what you and Jewel are thinking right now. I do not think that lowly of you. It is just a lot for a newly shifted wolf to take down 3 vampires by herself. No matter who her wolf is.” I nod somewhat understanding where he is coming from “look I know it sounds crazy but it happened and they are dead I don’t know what else to say.” Everyone nods my dad looks at me “Audra do you think it would be worth to it send a couple of our warriors up there to take a look and see if they can find out where the vampires came from?” I nod “Yes dad I do I have no idea where they came from like I said I had never smelt them the prior days that I was up there.” He nods and I can tell he is linking some of the pack warriors to go look at my camp site. Once that is done he looks at all of us “now despite what happened with Audra and the vampires today we still have to declare a winner and after tallying all the points there was a tie between Audra and Saint. You both equally set up camp found food, water and shelter within just a few hours of being at your location. You each thought smart and excelled at this challenge. Not to say that the rest of you were bad but they were faster on their feet. So since it was a tie we will have a dual tomorrow down in the training field you cannot shift or use powers this will be about see who is best in hand to hand combat. The first one that is knocked out or bleeds first loses. Any questions?” We all say no and he dismisses us. I look at Saint and I already see the worry on his face about tomorrow. I pull him in the direction of my room. Once we are inside I know he is about to let loose and ramble. That is the last thing I want so before he starts I pull his face down to mine and I kiss him “it will all be fine stop worrying about it. I want to shower and sleep for a few hours are you going to join me?” He sighs and nods “lets go shower and sleep.” Once we are in the shower, we both take off our clothes and I throw them in the trash I do not want the clothes that have vamp stink on them anymore even if it can be washed out. Saint gets in first and then drags me in after and puts me directly under the spray of water. I look at him and I see the exhaustion set in his eyes but also, I see the need to take care of his mate. I kiss him and he kisses me back but then pulls away “we are not having s*x in the shower as much as I want to, we are both to tired right now let me wash you then me and then we can sleep.” I nod and let him wash my hair and body feeling totally relax. Then when he is done, I do the same thing for him. Once we are both clean, we get in bed and I go into a deep sleep. The next morning, I wake up before Saint does. I sneak out of bed and head to the bathroom. I get myself ready and put on a sports bra, leggings, and my favorite pair of tennis shoes then I sneak out of my room. I don’t know why I could not sleep later the sun has barley made it over the horizon. I make myself some coffee then head outside to sit. Once I go out onto the porch, I see my dad sitting there. He smiles at me and gestures for me to take the seat beside him “Hi dad what are you doing up so early. I hope you actually managed to get some form of sleep.” He smirks as he takes a sip of his coffee. “Yes, Audra I did get some sleep I just like getting up early and sitting out here in the peacefulness before the pack wakes up and it gets loud and everyone needs me for something.” I nod and look out at the forest “I am glad I get to spend some time with you right now I have missed this I feel like my life has become a whirlwind of stuff to do.” He looks at me “I know what you mean pumpkin. I am so glad that you were able to make it home safe. When Saint called and told us what was going on... well let’s just say I was not holding my feelings in very well. I was so worried about you but like time and time again you keep surprising me with what you are able to do. I knew you were something special from the time you were born but I didn’t know you would be this great.” I smile at him “dad I had you to raise me and help me train. Without you I would have frozen and not been able to keep a level head and help Jewel with what needed to be done for us to make it out alive. You helped give me the knowledge on how to survive that first challenge and how to fight. Without you I would be nothing.”  He smiles and shakes his head “we both know that is not true but thank you for making me feel better. I am so happy that you are home and safe. Are you ready for today? Do you think you can beat your mate?” He smirks at me and I laugh “Yes dad I know I can beat Saint I might not be as big as he is but I have a few tricks up my sleeve, I have not told him all my secret moves.” Dad laughs “if you say so sweetheart.” The next thing I know the door flies open and I jump. Then my mate just comes strolling out “What is this I hear about you beating me and having tricks up your sleeve. If this is going to be fair I think I should know.” I stand up and start laughing “nice try babe but I am not telling you anything.” I immediately turn and start running knowing that he will chase after me. This is what we need this morning to run and stretch our legs. I feel him start to catch up to me so I pick up the pace to really challenge him. He might be bigger but I am faster and have the endurance training to keep going. I keep going for a little bit longer then I stop and give us a chance to catch our breath. “Dang babe if I would have know you would make me do all that running first thing in the morning I would have stayed in bed.” I start laughing as I walk over to him “You and I both know that you would not have stayed in bed long with out me. It is in your nature to come and find me when you do not know where I am at.” He smirks “You are not wrong my love, but I heard you on the porch this morning with your dad and I knew he needed that time with you. After everything that happened yesterday I knew he needed alone time for you two to discuss what happened.” I nod in agreement “you are right I really just needed to reassure him that I know what I am doing and I am going to be ok.” Saint looks at me and smiles “and on that note love I think we should head back before they send a search party out for us.” He immediately takes off I laugh and give him a five second head start I wave as I pass him and I am sitting on the porch when he finally catches up. He stops in front of me “I really need to work on my endurance and running in human form. You are fast.” I laugh “I know I just wanted to give you a taste of what losing looks like so you are ready for this afternoon.” He smirks at me as we walk into the house “whatever you say sweets. You are no the only one who has tricks up there sleeve.” I pat him on the chest as I walk by “It’s ok love I will let you lose graciously as to not hurt your ego too bad.” He laughs and we make our way to the kitchen where we find everyone else grabbing food.  We fill up our plates and go sit down. Mason looks at Saint “dude did you work out before you got food?” Saint looks at me “ I was not planning on doing that but my mate had other plans apparently” I smirk “you did not have to chase me that was your own doing. I usually run in the mornings before I eat.” He gives me the evil eye “well if you would have told me before you just took off I wouldn’t have chased you.” I laugh “Maybe I wanted you to chase me though. You have to admit we had fun even though you lost.” The rest of the table laughs as Saint grunts and eats his food. Once we are all done eating my father stands up “The dual will be this afternoon you both have the morning to train and warm up. I will come get you both when it is time.” Saint and I both nod as he leaves the table. I look over at Saint and kiss his cheek. “I am going to go outside love. I will see you this afternoon.” He stands and gives me a kiss “I will see you this afternoon love.” We both go our separate ways. Once I get outside I find Drew waiting for me. “Good morning Audra. Are you ready to train for this afternoon. You know I would be sorely disappointed if you lost.” I laugh “yes Drew I am ready to train for this afternoon. Luckily I know my opponent well and know his weaknesses.” Drew nods “Lets get started then.” We train the rest of the morning. I take a break and drink some water Drew comes up to me “you did good this morning. For the time that you have left I want you to meditate and work on your magic like rose showed you.” I look up at him and nod. He pats my shoulder and walks off. I sit in the middle of the training field and open my senses I let them fill and I reach out to see what is around me. I feel the grass, the trees, all of the plants and animals. The earth seems to be at peace right now. I sense someone coming close to me so I open my eyes. My dad is smiling at me “I felt your magic. You are getting stronger.” I smile at him “I feel it too. The earth is at peace today it feels good.” “Are you ready to start the dual pumpkin.” I stand up “I am as ready as I will ever be.” My dad leads me to where everyone is waiting. I see Saint off to the side. He smiles at me I walk to the other side and Drew joins me, as my dad walks to the center. “This is a dual to name the winner of the the first alpha challenges since it was a tie. The dual will be between Saint and Audra. The first one who is knocked out or bleeds first wins the dual. There will be no shifting this is hand to hand only. Are you both ready.” My dad looks at me first and I nod. Then he looks at Saint and he nods as well. “Lets begin then. Both of you come join me in the center. When I say fight the dual will begin.” My dad walks off to the side. Saint and I look at each other. “Are you ready to lose sweets?” I laugh “not a chance mate.” We look at my dad he sees that we are both ready “FIGHT”. Saint and I circle each other. He try’s to catch me off guard by swinging his feet out first but I knew what he was going to do so I jump out of the way and run back to him and I land a kick to his side. I try to upper cut him but he blocks it and punches my side. We go back and forth for a while testing the limits then I decided to take it up a notch. As he goes to punch me I duck and get to solid hits to his abdomen and when he doubles over I hit him across his back, causing him to go to the ground. He tries to swing his foot out but I jump and land on top of him. I give him a few more hits the abdomen and then I go for his jaw. He tries to block but I have him held tightly down and I give him a few hits to the jaw before he gets out of my hold. He punches me in the side and kicks me off of him. I stand back up and he tackles me to the ground coming for my face but I am faster and I punch him a few times in the nose before he know what happened. When he stands up off of me I see that his nose is bleeding which means that I won. Even though he lost Saint comes over to me. “Good job mate that was a good match.” I hug him and he winces. “Awe my poor mate lets get you cleaned up.” My dad comes over with the other alphas. “That was a good fight the both of you did very well. Audra you won so you are the winner of the first challenge.” I smile at him he looks at the rest of the guys “you all go get cleaned up and eat. Then get plenty of rest we have to have a meeting in the morning about the next challenge.” We all nod and walk back to house to get ready for tomorrow.