Chapter 18: Clan Primus
The largest pack, Clan Primus, was making a statement by challenging me during my first tournament. What statement they were making, I had no clue.
"You think the Alpha's gonna challenge her himself?"
"Bye bye baby Sun Pack."
"She doesn't stand a chance."
People were gossiping during breakfast. My stomach lurched but I filled my plate with pancakes.
As I shoveled the food in my mouth, Prudens nudged me. From across the sitting area I saw Rex. His eyes were on me and he wasn't blinking.
He cannot find out I'm his mate. Not now, not today. I left my food where it was and made a beeline for my room. Alpha Nimbus caught me before the house. He grabbed my arm gently leading me to the garden.
"The Alpha isn't going to fight you." He breathed quickly, checking over his shoulder to make sure we weren't seen or heard. "His warrior is one hell of a champion though. He's fought for him the past decade or so. The only weakness I've seen is when he attacks. He always uses brute force and all his strength. Catch him off balance and use his weight against him. Don't hesitate and go for the throat. He's almost as big as the Alpha."
"Why are you telling me all this?" I hurriedly whisper back.
"I owe your mother a debt and I intend to repay it." He turned and left abruptly.
I sat on a concrete bench near a fountain. This place was really beautiful. There were some sunflowers near me and I could hear the bees buzzing softly around them. I closed my eyes and let my body relax while processing the information.
"Is this seat taken?"
My eyes snapped open to see Rex. Not that I needed to open my eyes, I knew it was Rex from his woody scent with a subtle hint of spice.
"Yes."
He sat down anyway. "Are you nervous?"
"For what?" I thought he meant my challenge.
"Do I make you nervous?" He slid closer.
"No." I said quickly.
*YES!* Praesul squealed, either to his question or to him being so close.
"You should be," He says leaning in and whispering, "When you're mine, to do with as I will, you're going to regret not handing over the Seer."
He inhaled my hair and walked away.
*What a freak!* Praesul nearly faints from his proximity.
*He's just fucking with our head. Ignore him, we've got a challenge to win.*
*I need a nap...*
So, I went back to my room and dozed off.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When she sat down to breakfast I knew she was there. I could smell her scent from my table. Rose and charcoal with a hint of tea tree.
Our eyes met and I couldn't look away. Abruptly she stood up and left. I finished my food then followed her scent. Honestly, I wasn't surprised to see her sitting on a bench surrounded by flowers.
"Is this seat taken?"
Her green eyes opened and bore into mine.
"Yes." She said too quickly.
I sat down anyway. Her tension was palpable.
"Are you nervous?"
*I feel we are being drawn to her.* Nocte says appraising her. *She is quite beautiful.*
Her long dark hair was braided down her back and her sun kissed skin was bronze.
"For what?" Her pupils dilated. So I do have an impact on her.
"Do I make you nervous?" I drew closer inhaling her intoxicating scent.
"No." Her response was breathy.
I leaned in and made a crude remark about when I own her body, what I'll be doing with it.
*Alpha, you have a meeting in 15 minutes.*
Damn. I got up and walked away.
*Did you just smell her hair?* Nocte eyes me suspiciously.
Had I? I didn't even notice if I had. She calmed me and aroused me at the same time.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*Wake up, you've got an hour before showtime.*
*Why do you have such a good internal clock?*
Praesul shrugs and I get up to prepare. I make sure my necklace has the expanding tie so I can wear it during my challenge. I have a box of garments for challenge two. I open it and instead of a loin cloth, there is a bralette made of leaves. They are strewn together with rope. The bottom are the same large leaves fastened into a skirt like ensemble.
A note read, "You must have friends in high places. Here is your new challenge attire."
Someone made the Challenge Coordinator break with tradition of a loincloth. I was impressed but couldn't think of who might stick their neck out like that for me. After all, the tournament was dog eat dog. Or in our case, wolf kill wolf.
Weekly Power Status
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