CHAPTER ONE

I've never seen a challenge in person before. The last time our pack had one, I was too young to be allowed to attend.

It's all anyone has talked about for weeks. This young wolf who has had the audacity to challenge the alpha.

I know many people think it was the wrong thing, but personally, I think it's brave. Our alpha is a jerk, and I don't think he usually has the pack's interest at heart.

I think he cares more about himself and his own ego than he does about the pack.

However, I've never felt that way aloud. While there are certainly members of the pack who adore him, but I've heard whispers of discontent, and I think this challenge is the last straw.

No one has said so too loudly though, since our alpha is a little trigger happy.

Some wolves have even left the pack, others have been killed by him, or by his equally ruthless second.

I don't really know much about the challenger. He's a bit of a mystery. All I know is that he's young and, apparently, very ambitious.

I don't know whether to cheer for him or not, but personally, I hope he wins.

I was up in the woods near my house when the challenge was announced and I arrived just in time to watch our alpha challenge the challenger to a fight.

I'm sitting in a thick copse of trees, and nobody in the clearing can see me. No one knows I'm there. So I don't have to worry about anyone realizing I'm not rooting for the alpha.

Strategically, it's an excellent spot to watch from because it's directly behind the challenger and I can't be seen from any angle.

I pull my knees up to my chest and watch as the two males circle each other. I'm trying to get a good look at the challenger's face, but he's got his back to me.

Our alpha has a big head and he thinks he's invincible because he's the alpha. But I don't think he is. He's not a great fighter. I can't help thinking this challenger might actually have a chance.

The two males continue to circle each other, and I can't stop thinking about how brave it is that this young wolf is challenging the alpha.

I wonder what his name is. I wonder what he looks like.

I wonder whether he's single.

I can't help but get excited about the prospect of a new, stronger alpha. Someone who will actually look after the pack and make sure we're all cared for.

I realize with a start how sad it is that I'm so excited that the leader of my pack might be killed by this stranger. I mean, I don't want that to happen.

I'm just excited that we might finally move forward and become a more functional pack.

Unexpectedly, the challenger makes the first move and he rushes at our alpha.

A spurt of admiration courses through me as I watch him launch himself at our alpha, and I have to stop myself from cheering loudly as our alpha goes tumbling across the clearing, but he recovers quickly and rolls to his feet.

"Should've taken me seriously," the challenger says with an arrogant smirk. I think I might like him.

Our alpha gives a loud, guttural roar, and then he charges at the challenger again. This time, the challenger dodges out of the way and our alpha crashes into a tree.

I have to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

Our alpha stands there like a deer in headlights as the challenger leaps on him, landing a solid bite on his shoulder.

Our alpha yelps with surprise and pain as the challenger bites down harder, causing the alpha to tumble to the ground.

I can't help the little sound of glee that escapes me at the sight of our alpha face down in the dirt. I clap a hand over my mouth, thinking that it's probably better if I don't get caught.

The alpha doesn't appear phased by our challenger's bite, and he quickly regains his feet, rushing at our challenger and throwing him to the ground.

Our alpha gets on top of our challenger's back, his teeth wrapped around the other wolf's muzzle.

Our alpha holds him there for a tense moment and I stifle a gasp because I realize that the alpha is going to kill him.

But, to my surprise and exhilaration, the challenger struggles free and the two of them scramble away from each other and stand fifteen feet apart.

Their bodies are heaving from the effort of the fight and their fur is matted with blood.

Our alpha looks at his challenger, a look of shock and surprise on his face.

"Impressive," he says, in a voice that sounds like he genuinely means it.

The challenger looks back at our alpha, his ears flicking forward.

"I'm not done yet," he says in a voice that is surprisingly confident considering he's just been thrown around like a rag doll.

I catch my breath.

The challenger's voice is deep, gravelly and incredibly sexy.

A shiver runs through me as I watch him suck in a breath and then he turns his attention back to our alpha.

He takes a step forward, and he leaps on top of our alpha and starts pummeling him.

At this point, I can't help but cheer loudly.

Our alpha looks shocked, and he tries to throw our challenger off, but he can't get a good grip on the other wolf.

The fight is over in a matter of minutes and my heart swells with pride as our challenger pins our alpha to the ground and he lowers his head and nips at our alpha's neck.

The alpha howls in defeat and then he rolls onto his back, and I can't believe what I'm seeing.

This challenger, he's our new alpha. And though I know it's crazy, I think he may also be my true mate.