“Come on, Mads.” Lewis chuckled, his breath even. “Did you completely stop training at Red Dawn?”
“For your. Information. I worked out. Every. Day.” She panted, keeled over with her hands planted on her knees. “It’s not. My fault. That you warriors. Are freakishly. Fit.”
Maddie tried to growl her frustrations, but her lungs wheezed instead.
They had only been sparring for thirty minutes and she was already buggered. Every muscle ached like she had been running for hours, and everywhere he had landed a hit already hurt and she knew she’d be covered in bruises. Despite her best efforts, she could see that he was barely trying. Not only was he fit enough to run circles around her, but he was taking it easy on her; slowing down his movements and reducing the force behind his hits.
It's no wonder he had struggled when he first joined the warriors. Back then he was the same level she was, but there was a vast change in him now. The difference was staggering and made her reluctant to continue. Covered in mud, and a bit of blood, she felt done.
“Isn’t it Jess’ turn to get the crap kicked out of her?” She groaned, blowing her sea crusted hair from her face.
“She’s still in bed. I doubt we’ll see her today.” He held out a hand and gestured for her to come at him again.
Despite her reluctance, she put up her guard, just as she had been trained, and slipped into an offensive stance. With their difference of abilities, it had turned into her trying to land hits on him while he easily dodged them. It was similar to how she had trained with her mother and father when she was a mere pup.
Lewis’ movements were a fluid dance that only he knew the steps to. He side-stepped her every attack so easily that it looked like he was reading her mind to know what she would do next. Maddie felt like a clunky lump of awkwardness opposite him. Despite not being a warrior, she was a Luna-to-be. Grace and poise were a part of the role and that was one of the areas she considered herself to excel in; given her prior training to defend herself and her upkeep of her fitness. However, Lewis made her look like a fawn on it legs for the first time, stumbling around and trying to find purchase.
“You’ve gotten really strong. I’m impressed.” She grinned as she wiped the sweat pouring off her brow.
“The warrior training is brutal, but I can’t deny the results.” He chuckled. “Though I’m still far from the best. Dad can still knock me on my arse whenever he actually tries.”
“He is the Beta.” Maddie snorted. “I don’t think I could even land a hit on my father...”
Her grin faded as the order the Alpha had given her returned to the forefront of her mind. She had to accept that her fate was going to be left in the hands of the Alpha Games, and take it with the grace of a Luna. A thick lump swelled in her throat as all the emotions, that her burning muscles and racing heart had been holding back, flooded into her. There was a prickle at the edge of her eyes, but she turned from her friend to hide its fall as she forced herself to stand tall despite the weight now laying on her shoulders.
“Maddie...” Lewis started, and she braced herself for the oncoming sympathy. “I’m going to enter the games.”
Maddie sucked in a breath and whipped around to face him. “You... You want to be... My.... My mate?”
Her eyes flickered over him. Sure, he was handsome, and she had no doubt that he would be a fantastic partner to any lucky wolf, but she had known him since they were pups. She couldn’t remember a time in her life without him and Jess at her side. They had grown up as siblings, and to become more made her skin crawl.
“No.” Lewis denied sharply, making her eyes narrow. With the speed of a man well versed in deescalating a situation, he back tracked and explained, his hands held up in defence. “It’s not that I want to be your mate, you’re like a sister to me, but I’d rather fill that role than let you end up with some arsehole.” He sighed and his eyes dropped to the floor. “Red Dawn have already submitted their entrants. Daniel is on the list.”
Maddie felt that name like a punch to the gut. She knew her ex would join the games. She doubted he wanted her back, but her appeal to him must’ve always been the strong pack she came with. Her hand wrapped around her middle as her stomach churned its protest, but there was nothing she could do. Not unless she failed him at the scent trial, but she already knew her father wouldn’t allow it.
“Listen to me.” Lewis drew close, hands resting on her arms as he ducked his head to meet her gaze. “I won’t let him win.”
Confidence rang in his tone, allowing a shaky smile to her lips. Some of her tension melted at his comfort, but she had seen Daniel train. He may be an arsehole, but he had been preparing for the Alpha role since he could walk. Still, even if Lewis didn’t win, at least he was trying for her.
“You know if you do win, you’ll lose your choice too. You’ll have to mate with me.” A weak laugh pulled past her lips, though it was only laced with the humour she was forcing. “Are you sure you want to be stuck with me forever?”
“I’m in line to be the next Beta, so I’m stuck with you either way.” A boyish grin toyed at his lips.
“But your compatible mate...”
“Mads. I want to do this. Let me.” He stared at her intently until she nodded her agreement. Then, he breathed a sigh of relief and released her. “Anyway, we’ll figure something out. So long as we have one heir, there won’t be any issues, right?”
“You haven’t even bought me a drink yet, and you already want to reproduce.” She teased.
Lewis rolled his eyes. “If I win this, you owe me drinks for the rest of our lives.”
"Deal.” She giggled, feeling a weight lift from her chest. A sombre mood gripped her as she was filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Lewis.”
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The weight of the finery she had been dressed in, before being thrust into a room off the grand hall, held Maddie in place. It made her shoulders ache to wear so much jewellery and she struggled to keep the distaste of it off her heavily painted face. It had taken a group of three women all morning to make sure that she looked like the perfect Luna. However, Maddie couldn’t help but wonder how any of the game entrants were supposed to know what she truly looked like beneath it all. It would be a shame for the winner to change his mind once he saw the real her. With her corset too tight, her heels too high, her hair too straight and every blemish on her face covered, she’d barely recognise herself either. It was all a part of the games though and she had been thoroughly prepared for it by her father. Maddie was to attend each event, dressed in the same finery and be on her best behaviour. Outside of each trial, she was to stay in the packhouse or with a guard. That empty room was the c
A trail of wolves came and went. Some she was definitely compatible with, giving her a modicum of relief against the dread Daniel’s presence had planted in her stomach, and some she definitely wasn’t. There were more entrants than Maddie expected, but she did her duty each time; acting exactly as she was required, befitting her future role and her father’s expectations. The only times she had broken her steadfast composure was when Lewis and Jess came into the room. Lewis was first, early on in the process. Immediately, she recognised his scent and gave him a smile, or at least she tried to aim it in his general direction. Knowing her friend was with her gave Maddie a rare moment to relax as she released her pheromones. Growing up together it was inevitable that they had smelled each other's over the years. Before wolves matured, pheromone release was difficult, leading to more than a few embarrassing stories for both of them. Once a wolf turned eighteen, everything became easier. Unl
Maddie jumped. She tumbled forward to get away from the sudden voice behind her. Adrenaline spiked in her veins, but her body wasn't used to wearing heels when trying to escape a threat and she felt herself tipping. Before she could fall, a hand wrapped around her arm, keeping her steady until she found her balance again. It’s palm was warm, and she noticed its rough callouses against her skin, though his hold was gentle. “You’re jumpy.” Amusement rolled around the word, bringing Maddie back from her shock. She snatched her arm from his grip and glared, her fingers twitching to remove her blindfold. “Of course I’m jumpy, you just scared the crap out of me.” She hissed. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn’t you answer me?” There was no reply for a few seconds and her eyes narrowed further at the presence before her. “Did you just fucking shrug? I can’t see dip shit.” “Sorry.” He rumbled, but she could hear the smile in his voice. “For which part?” She growled through gritted
All Maddie wanted to do was retire for the day. Her soft bed was calling to her, promising to make the stress of the day melt away as she sunk into a restful sleep. It was so tempting to simply slip away from the grand hall and the mass of wolves who had come to celebrate the start of the Alpha Games. However, her disappearance would be quickly noticed, and she’d be dragged back to face a sea of disappointed faces. It was better to face the crowd now that they were smiling at her. Not that it mattered. She couldn’t leave until she followed through with her plan. Only her and Jess knew what was to happen, and despite knowing it would work, her stomach rolled with waves that would rival the sea at their borders. The room was full of the higher up wolves of Silver Moon with a few guests spread among them. Maddie chose to focus on the strangers, trying to guess where they were from. There were only a few she recognised from the days her and her father would visit their allies, but others
Jess was at the front of the line. She had likely shouldered past the larger contestants to be first, and crossed the hall quickly to stand before the head table. Maddie had to bite her lip to stop a smile from breaking free as her friend dipped into a low, gracious bow before her. To anyone else it was deeply respectful, but to her it was making a mockery of the performance they were putting on. By the way her father stiffened beside her, she wondered if he realised the same. “Jessica Thompson, daughter of the Silver Moon Beta.” She introduced herself like a stranger but threw Maddie a wink as she straightened. It was hidden with her back to the audience, who were dissecting every interaction and flicker on her expression. Maddie dipped her head, hiding her own smile, before she straightened to welcome the next contestant. Nineteen wolves, and one among them would be her mate. Each of them gave their name and link to their strong family, but most had the build to justify their posi
The uproar from the crowd was to be expected. Silver Moon wolves and guest alike called out against her announcement after a single moment of hesitation. Many rose to their feet, some shouting their concern, some disregarding her words like that of a naïve pup, and others pleading with the Alpha to tame her tongue. Maddie bared it all, her jaw set in a stubborn line as she faced them with her head raised high. Her lack of a reaction dismissed those calling her immature and her composure unnerved those who thought she could be tamed. 'Got the reaction you wanted?' Jess giggled through a mindlink. Maddie threw her a discrete wink. When the very wolves who called her naïve couldn’t control themselves, their outbursts were void. When enough wolves had quietened down to hear the one voice in the room who mattered, she turned to her father with the same anticipation of his response hovering over her chest. Maddie waited for him to challenge her words, a hundred rehearsed responses at the
As per the traditions of the Alpha Games, each participant was to stay in the packhouse, even those who were from the pack hosting the games. It was to show respect and hospitality to each wolf, but Maddie also thought it was a good way to keep an eye on the foreign wolves on the territory. Her suspicion was confirmed by the guards placed on the stairs. The Silver Moon packhouse was four floors. The grand hall was on ground floor and the upper most floor was the Alpha and his family’s personal quarters. Her father’s office and her bedroom were on that level. The remaining two floors held a variety of spaces including a myriad of guest rooms. There were so many wolves who had made it through the compatibility test that every available room was needed. It didn’t matter where each wolf was placed but Maddie was strategic as she organised them. She relished the grimace on Daniel’s face when she directed him to the smallest guest room they had. It was by no means a bad room, but he had sta
“Where's your guard?” Jess scoured the pub as she downed the rest of her drink. “That’s the best part.” Maddie grinned. “Now I’m a contestant, father can’t show any favouritism, even to me. The only thing he’s been allowed is for me to stay in my own bedroom, and that was only because we ran out of guest rooms.” “So, no more guards until the games are over?” “Nope.” The pair shared a mischievous smile, remembering days gone by when their plans had been foiled by the Silver Moon warriors that the Alpha had placed to watch her. With them gone for at least a month, there would be no limit to what they could get up to. “So...” A gleam filled her friend’s eyes, immediately putting Maddie on her guard. “Did you find anyone special at the scent trial?” Her eyebrows wiggled as if Maddie needed any help to understand her meaning. “Nope, you were the best one there.” “I knew it.” Jess grinned, before jumping up to get another round. Maddie took a long sip of her lemonade. She wasn’t sure