Chapter 6 | Sienna

~Kiki~

My adoptive parents came back before dinner, and they had some news for tomorrow. Twelve days from now, on the full moon night, Alpha Kayden's chosen mate is supposed to be sworn in during the Luna Ceremony.

I've been feeling quite apprehensive about it lately. His chosen mate, Sienna, has been his girlfriend for years—about five years, to be exact. When he returned to Thunder Bay Pack at age sixteen, he brought her along.

She was a White Warrior wolf, a wolf who wasn't bound by the mate bond or pack rules, unlike a typical werewolf. White Warrior wolves were born fighters and loners, exposed to harsh, life-threatening conditions by their parents from a young age. They were usually drawn to the alphas of various packs, probably because they are equals in strength and endurance.

I had been jealous of her since the moment I first saw her. I was only twelve, about to turn thirteen, when I clashed with her. She was fifteen and fiery. But I was no less confident because I didn't have these self-esteem issues back then, unaware of the freak I was going to be labeled as just a month later.

Even when I didn't understand why I disliked her, I wanted to defeat her. White Warrior wolves can shift as early as eight due to the rigorous training they undergo. She was no exception. By fifteen, her wolf was a skilled fighter. But I was too stubborn to notice that. I was impulsive and wanted her to leave the pack. 

Alpha Dimitri was proud of me and supported me. He never liked his son's choice for a girlfriend and resented it when he said he would take her as his chosen mate, as he believed true mates could be crippling and have a devastating effect when they pass away. Alpha Dimitri failed to convince his son when he used him as an example. He told me he would banish Sienna from the pack if I defeated her. His trust in me went to my head, and I openly challenged her.

Of course, I lost the fight, and it was quite humiliating for me on a personal level, but everyone dismissed it as a cute fight because I was so small. They were entertained by my bravery to challenge someone like Sienna, who was not only older but much better trained. Unlike her parents, the Thunder Bay Pack didn't subject their trainees to deadly conditions to see who would survive.

"You put up a great fight. I'm proud of you. Just wait a few more years and she will be no match for your strength," Alpha Dimitri said, even though I felt like a sore loser who wanted to see her banished regardless.

Her presence intimidated me for some reason. I grew more and more jealous of her as the years passed. Even when I lost Alpha Dimitri's support, I still dreamed of defeating Sienna and claiming Alpha Kayden as my own. I think now I understand what had bothered me about her from the beginning. I still have no idea why, because Alpha Kayden wasn't mine to claim in the first place.

"Alexandra has challenged Sienna for the Luna title," my mom said, excited about an upcoming entertaining fight.

"Pfft, I don't think Lexi can beat Sienna," Megan said with certainty.

Lexi was the daughter of the former beta. She was chosen as the Eta of the pack when she turned sixteen, just like Benji. Each year, only the top two trainees are selected for this rank. I would have been one of them instead of Benji or Lexi if I could shift and keep training. Now Lexi was eighteen and interested in Alpha Kayden, or maybe just in the luna title.

"Yeah, your dad and I think so too. But Lexi is delirious, and she has had the hots for the Alpha for the last two years. And she had been training with a purpose since then."

"Well, one of them is going to die," Dad said after swallowing a mouthful of crispy chicken burger. I added a couple of jalapenos at his request, and he was devouring it in seconds.

"Why would the Alpha want Lexi when he's got a girlfriend? Even if she defeats Sienna, Alpha Kayden would still want his girlfriend. It's not like he would divert all his feelings to Lexi, just because she's a better fighter."

Megan's words hurt me, to my surprise. Alpha Kayden had feelings for Sienna. Of course! That was nothing new. But the tumult of possessive feelings assailing my mind and body were new. They were much stronger than when I was twelve, and I was sure I would have challenged both Sienna and Alexandra if I had a wolf.

I served dinner quietly and ate the leftovers before going to bed. Like my family, I was also looking forward to the fight. It would be nice if Lexi and Sienna fought each other.

Sienna never bullied me, but Lexi was a pain in my neck. At nearly six feet tall and with an athletic build, she was both strong and beautiful. Seeing weak people made her crave sadism. If it weren’t for Benji constantly defending me, I would have been beaten to a pulp several times by her. If I had to pick sides, I’d still choose Team Lexi because Sienna was Alpha Kayden's girlfriend, and watching her get her ass kicked would be satisfying.

I woke up before dawn, as usual, cooked breakfast, did my morning chores, and prepared lunch. I didn’t have time to go to school today because Sienna and Lexi's fight was scheduled for 2 PM, and I was one of the omegas responsible for helping with the preparations.   

I changed into a loose T-shirt and comfortable pants before heading to the fighting pit. After helping set up food stalls, coolers, ice bags, and water supplies, I went into the locker room to grab the pom poms, cheer flags, and banner paper.

I froze at the sound of that deep, husky voice.