Chapter 42: First Challenge
The Dome looked over me. I felt like a caged animal.
*You got this love, I have faith in you.* Rex was front row and already on the edge of his seat.
A flash of Niveus' vision crosses my mind. Rex's body limp in a pool of blood. I clench my fists in nervous anger.
*Thank you. I love you.* I think back, aware my hand hovering as though it were going to my stomach. I stop before a connection can be made.
Vulpes, the Challenge Coordinator, gives a lengthy speech about sportsmanship.
I clench my jaw as I see the Alpha of the Mountain View pack raise his hands. His adoring pack cheers for him in the stands. I can feel Rex's growl ripple through my bones. He's eyeing their pack in distaste. His Luna or mate is sitting with her head bowed, shoulders hunched. She's leashed to a female warrior who looks lethal.
*If I lose, which I won't, you'd better get her out of there.*
Rex follows my gaze. *When you win, you can be the one to unshackle her chains.*
I smile at his words. Then silence settles over me. A deep abiding calm courses through me and I can feel Praesul take control. She shifts in half a second and is facing the Alpha's human form.
"You know you won't win." He gloats at me. "I've got something that ensures my victory."
I growl at him, in wolf form I can't communicate. Then I see it and confusion hits me like a wave in the ocean.
Around his neck he wears my necklace. There's no mistaking the moon rock in the stone. I lunge at him.
In human form, he's across the dome before I make it a few bounds.
"Tsk, tsk, I thought you'd know better than attacking with brute force." He smiles at me and his eyes change color.
I feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks. In slow motion I find he's shifted and tackling me to the ground. My shoulder connects with the dirt and I hear a loud crunch. Involuntarily a whimper escapes my lips. I can see Rex standing in the corner of my eye. Four pack members are holding him back.
Mountain View's Alpha sits on top of me. He grinds his body against mine and I rage. My good arm grabs his forearms and digs my claws into his flesh. He head butts me but it's laughable. I head butt him back and he blinks rapidly. I use my back legs as leverage and kick him off of me. Before he can recuperate I'm on top of him. I tear at the necklace and the chain comes loose. He throws me off before I can remove it from him.
We're back and forth. Clawing, biting, and snarling at one another. I can see the necklace hanging in by a link. It seems to have given him advanced powers like speed and agility. I feign a limp with my hurt shoulder. It's actually already healed and in perfect shape. He struts triumphantly. I bound at him full speed, catching him off guard. My front paws reach him first as I leap onto him.
He lands with a thud, my necklace flying through the air. I leap and catch it in my mouth. I break the stone and spit it out all over the ground.
"No!" He seethes, growling in anger.
He makes one last attempt to come at me full tilt. I cleanly dodge and shove my hand into his chest. His heart is ripped out and beating in my hand.
Everything is still silent. Tough crowd. Then cheers erupt from nearly every clan.
*That should be our signature move.* Praesul smiles in approval.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone