Alpha's Daughter: Surviving The Claim

Matched

Catherine stared at herself in the reflection of the glass door.

They’d dressed her up like a warrior for the first spar— although no armor was needed. She was in a simple spandex leggings and spandex vest that buttoned down the front, the collar curling around her neck. It was black— further showing off her very slender frame.

Her pack insignia was on the chest, right over her heart. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply as she laid her hands over the howling wolf.

She still didn’t know who to pick. She thought maybe she’d have some wisdom of what the right choice was when the moment came. Her silvery hair was tucked into a French braid and hung down her back, out of her way for the fight. Not that it was much of a fight, anyway. Or at least not a real one. It was all a dance, a flirtation— a “come and get me”. But Catherine had every intention of treating it like the battle it really was— the battle for her life.

Josie, Opal, Jade, and Augustine had all been separated from her early this morning— each female going her own way to be prepped for the event. She liked all of them, but Josie resonated with her— her no bullshit attitude and fearless eyes. They’d exchanged a knowing look between the two of them before parting ways this morning.

Because all the males they didn’t pick.. they’d still be watching. Assessing. Looking for weaknesses. Patterns. Strengths. Playing yourself as weak could be an advantage— but so could showing your strength.

Catherine wasn’t weak. She didn’t want to be, either. She wanted to minimize herself for no one.

She may not be as strong physically as most wolves due to her small size, but what the goddess didn’t give her in strength, she gave her in speed and agility and wit. And she didn’t need to win in combat to survive the Claim.. she just needed to be faster than they were.

Faster than Killian Black.

Or, Tala snarled snidely. You could accept that the goddess doesn’t make mistakes, and he’s the other half of us.

He’s not, Tala, Catherine snapped back at our wolf. He’s cruel. He murders people. Families. Children. Is that the mark you want us to bear?

Catherine could feel Tala mentally tucking her tail. I think the goddess wouldn’t give us to a monster. I trust him.

I don’t, Catherine told her.

We can’t fight the bond, Catherine. The goddess has made it impossible to do so. You’ll see..

She heeved a breath. I can’t do this without you. Are you on my side?

Tala was quiet for a moment. Finally, she spoke. Always.

Feeling Tala come to the surface, her heart sped up, and her eyes shone as white as snow in her face. Tala was at the forefront, ready to help her fight.

The door beside her burst open. “Let’s go,” Luna Felicity snapped. “They’ll call your name shortly, and you’ll announce the partner you’ve chosen. You won’t get any time for strategizing after that. Pick wisely, young wolf.”

Catherine lifted her head, meeting the eyes of the Luna head on. “Luna Felicity?” She said in a small voice.

The Luna’s eyes softened, as if she expected Catherine to ask for advice. “Yes?”

“Eat shit.”

Luna Felicity’s mouth fell open, and rage boiled underneath her eyes as they shifted to gold, her wolf fighting to come to the surface. Amused by the rage the horrible woman was feeling, Catherine smirked.

A hand with clawed talons rammed into Catherine’s cheek with bruising force, and she smacked against the floor painfully, the side of her head cracking against the marble. Her ears rang, and her vision blurred. She sucked in a breath as she felt warmth spread across her cheek and travel across her jaw. Blood.

The wounds were deep, and there was no way they would have time to heal before the spar. She gritted her teeth as the Luna’s nails twisted in her hair, snatching her head up so she could lean down and speak in Catherine’s ear.

“I have the right to discipline you as I see fit, you horrid girl,” she snarled. “Disrespect me again and you’ll find that not one, but maybe four of five alphas suddenly know the code to your dormitry and pay you and your friends visits at night. We’ll see how disrespectful you are then.”

Catherine’s nostrils flared, and fear coursed through her veins. She’d known twisted things happened in the Claim, but for another she-wolf to threaten to have her and her roommates assaulted..

Catherine was in much more danger than she realized.