The Alpha's Other Woman by Vielle Nye (read a book .txt) 📗

"Hmmm... I'm not sure that anyone has ever tried that," Madeline said.

"I let my wolf get away from me."

"It happens to the best of us."

"Not usually with such disastrous consequences."

She laughed. "Oh, sometimes. And things might just work out yet, Carrie."

I smiled. There was something about her and the peace she had with her lot in life that made me believe it might be possible for me, too. With little likelihood of finding my mate, if he was even alive, and my feelings for Dane failing, it seemed her future might be the best I could hope for. At least it wasn't as depressing as I had once imagined it might be. Madeline had a career, friends both in and out of the pack, and was content with her life.

I finished my meal and pushed back from the table, rinsing my dishes in the sink. "Well, I had better go and get ready."

"Me too. I intend to be in the front row."

—————

I made my way to the training grounds where the challenge was going to be held. My wolf was fighting to get out, and I supposed it was lucky for her that Heidi had chosen to fight me in her wolf form, because she would have her opportunity.

It wasn't that lucky for Heidi, though, because I would have difficulty holding my wolf back considering my wolf viewed her as a territory intruder. The full moon was not making it better, either.

I got there before Dane and Heidi, so I looked at the crowd while I waited and tried to push back my swirling feelings of shame at having been so foolish as to issue a challenge in the heat of anger.

I was actually a bit surprised at the lack of obvious anger directed at me. People weren't happy, but I sensed at least some of them understood, at least a bit, like Madeline had said.

Before too long, I noticed my friends wind in, along with my parents. They all seemed quite worried, and I tried not to let their feelings affect me. I didn't need the nervousness of my loved ones, I didn't need the rage of my wolf. I forced myself to breathe deeply, in and out, until I felt a bit more calm.

That feeling was interrupted by the arrival of Dane and Heidi. He looked stony in his anger, and she looked like a startled deer. My guilt resurged at the sight of her slight trembling, like I was the worst bully.

Hopefully her training went better than I heard it had so that she at least stood a fighting chance against me. I doubted the understanding the pack seemed to have for me would extend to me slaughtering a helpless young woman.

Figuratively. I was not going for the kill, even if I could get away with it.

Dane walked to the center of the training yard and both Heidi and I followed him, taking our places at opposite sides.

He spoke calmly and confidently, but there was an undercurrent of anger in his voice. "As you're all aware, today you're here to witness the challenge for the title of Luna of the Greenwoods Pack. The fight continues until either party gives up, is forced to submission, or dies. Do you understand?"

"I do, Alpha," we both responded almost in chorus.

"Then, good luck."

I knew his last words were not directed at me. He walked from the field.

The fight had begun, but neither of us moved for a long moment. I simply stared at her, and then I deliberately began removing my clothing and changed into my brown furred wolf form. She did the same, and I heard Dane growl from where he had gone to observe the fight. Of course he wouldn't want anyone to see his mate unclothed. He had been a bit jealous when it came to me, but never to that level of possessiveness.

Even though I cared less about him each day, it still stung. I really had loved him and now the memory of that dedication made me feel like a fool.

My wolf pushed away my sentimentality. She wanted blood, and I would allow it, but only a bit. I wasn't going to give up because there was no future in that for me, so my only option was to force her into submission.

It wasn't going to be easy.

I stalked forward, daring her to make the first move. She was a pretty wolf, very light grey fur that was almost white. She was a bit smaller than me, but I couldn't let myself get too overconfident. Even small wolves could be scrappy fighters if pushed, and I was sure Dane had tried to teach her every trick that he could think of.

I inched closer, paw after paw, keeping my eyes trained on hers until finally, she lunged.