Chapter 51: Chapter 23

DAMON

Sleeping in Natalie’s bed, though it sounds creepy, has helped keep my wolf calm. It’s already been two months since she left. I’ve talked to her a few times, but I miss her so much it hurts. Soon, I have to remind myself.

~“Alpha. We have a situation on the northern border. West side of the lake.”~ Freya gets my attention and I head straight for my jeep.

~“What’s the situation?”~

~“There’s a rogue, but he hasn’t crossed into the territory. Muriel and I don’t want to shift in front of some strange rogue.”~

I love that Freya is so competent. She’s seriously one of the best assets to my pack. ~“I’m on my way.”~ I reach out to Finn and tell him to meet me. I sprint to the border once I hit the end of the road. Freya snarls a warning when the rogue gets to his feet.

“I’m Alpha Ramirez. I assume you’re looking for me?”

The wolf shifts and he is a big fucker. “I challenge you! You stole the pack from the Roberts’s. I am taking it from you.”

Ah fuck! I knew this would happen at some point. “What’s your name and where are you from?”

“That’s not your business. I challenge you!”

“Actually, I think that you’ll find it is his business. Although challenges are never really turned down, there is some etiquette that’s called for. For instance, until you do give him the information, you can be held in his cells. Trust me they’re no fun,” a high-pitched voice says from behind me.

I turn to bow to the Goddess. The rogue chuckles thinking I’m submitting to some random young woman. Realta’s face splits into a sinister sneer.

“Rogue, you have just insulted me.” She opens her hand toward him and a blue light shines. He grunts and drops to his knees.

“My lady, please don’t kill him. He’s just a fool with no respect. I accept his challenge. Once he tells me what I asked, we will battle in the center of my territory.”

Realta gives me her sincere smile. “Good Alpha, I was not going to kill him. I merely wanted to put him in his place.”

“Do you wish to speak with me, my lady?” She looks to the wolves beside me that are clueless as to what is happening. Finn arrives and also looks around in wonder.

“Yes. I want the dungeon destroyed. Every time I look at it, it pisses me off and it’s a reminder of all I missed from my daughter’s life.”

“May I have time to accomplish that task? I have no way of knowing what traps or spells are set on the place.”

She crosses her arms but gives me a nod. “My daughter can take care of it. The books it contains are valuable. You should keep them.” She looks over to the rogue that’s still on his hands and knees. “It’s a shame you’re going to die soon, you’re actually quite attractive.” With that, she turns away through the trees and disappears.

“Who the hell was that?” Finn asks, still staring at the empty woods.

“That was the Starlight Sister Realta.” Finn’s brows go into his hairline. ~She’s Natalie’s mother.~ I nod to my guards then Finn and I help the rogue to his feet.

“You’ll be housed in a cell until you give me the answers. You’re in no shape to fight now.” Finn and I get him into my jeep and I take him to the cells. Once inside, I call Geoff and Dirk to guard him. “Keep him healthy. He challenged me so he needs his strength. Once he reveals his name and where he came from, we’ll fight.”

“This is quite the situation. I can’t believe you’ve been challenged,” Finn says as I reach the top of the stairs. “So that was Natalie’s mother? She looks so young. It’s a good thing Natalie took after her. Stewart was an ugly bastard.”

I snort a laugh. “I wonder what kind of fighter he is.” I focus on what’s most important.

“It doesn’t matter. You’ve trained against big fuckers like him, and fast little shits like Freya. You’ll be fine. The Goddess said he’s going to die soon.”

I shake my head. “I only have to get him to submit, he could just as easily die in the woods somewhere after he tucks tail and runs. Don’t get me wrong. I will if I have to.” Finn nods and we head over to Lou’s.

“Dorothy, I need three meals daily for a prisoner. He needs to be kept in good health,” Finn tells her. She’s always been our go-to for feeding my prisoners, not that I’ve had many. There were a few when I took over the pack, but they were all innocent, having pissed off Roberts in some way, so I sent them on their way after getting to the bottom of their so-called crimes.

She gives him a wink. “You got it, Finn.”

I train harder than normal every day for two weeks when the rogue finally tells Dirk his name is Gordon Swift from South Carolina. I didn’t specify a pack when I questioned him, so he doesn’t have to say anything. Although being rogue means he’s packless.

My guards gather in a large circle in the middle of my territory, minus those on duty. Marlena and to my surprise Realta are also in the crowd.

Gordon is only in a pair of shorts shaking out his arms and jumping up and down, getting himself warmed up.

“THIS IS A CHALLENGE. NO INTERFERENCE UNTIL ONE OF US EITHER SUBMITS OR IS DEAD,” I command everyone. After several nods, I let out a breath then start getting my body loose.

“You got this, Damon,” Finn tells me. I give him a nod and remove my clothes until I’m also only wearing shorts, then step more into the circle.

Gordon growls before charging toward me like a raging bull and I quickly understand his fighting style. I sidestep him and land a punch to his kidney while tripping him up so he lands on the ground in front of me.

I let him get to his feet, but he tries to get my leg on the way up. I see it coming and move out of the way with punches to both sides of his face. I throw my knee up for good measure catching his chin.

In his anger, he begins to shift to his wolf, but I’m faster and have his throat in my jaws before he finishes shifting. I growl a warning, but he tries to squirm. Come on man, submit. I growl and push him to the ground. His body relaxes and he turns over exposing his belly. I let him up and shift.

Finn hands me my clothes. “Gordon Swift. Get out of my territory.”

Realta applauds me as the crowd begins to dissipate. I bow my head to her.

“I’m pleased to know my daughter has a strong mate.”

“Thank you, my lady. I’m blessed to have her as my mate, when the time comes.”

“She’ll know on her birthday, I’ve already asked my mother. More rogues are headed here to challenge you. Not all of them are smart enough to submit. You’ll have to end them. Do you think you can handle that?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ve had to kill rogues before, but those were different circumstances.”

She scrunches her nose. “It’s not much different. You’ll be fighting for your life. Just don’t get cocky, you’re a strong man but there’s always someone stronger.”

“Yes ma’am.” She kisses my cheek then turns to leave.

My family throws me a celebratory party at the pack house. Owen corners me.

“I saw your fight. I don’t think I would’ve won. That guy was a monster.”

I don’t know if he’s sincere, but I’m not letting my guard down. “I’ve been training.”

“Who was that woman you were talking to?” I cock my brow at him. I’m not telling him a damned thing about Realta. “Never mind. I guess she’s just another new pack member like that one,” he tells me as he points to Freya.

“That’s Geoff’s mate. You would do well to stay away from her.”

“Right. I don’t want Geoff kicking my ass.”

I only slightly chuckle. “He’s not the one you need to worry about. By the way, she was there, she’s already scented you and knows exactly who you are.” I see Owen swallow as he looks around. I raise my soda. “Enjoy the party.”

The next challenger arrives two weeks later and again I make him submit before sending him on his way. A few weeks later three rogues show up at my border, each one issuing me a challenge.

“I’ll tell you what,” Finn steps forward. “If any of you can take me, you can challenge my alpha. I’m tired of all these pathetic losers thinking they’re remotely worthy to take on my alpha.” Finn pulls his clothes off and shifts almost as fast as Chase. One of the rogues leaves just as fast.

I stand against a tree with my arms crossed as he takes both on at the same time. Realta appears by my side.

“I guess your beta got bored.” A rogue wolf whimpers then scampers off.

“I guess so.”

“The next ones will be a challenge to your skill set. Don’t let him get cocky either; he has a pup on the way if I’m not mistaken.”

Finn gets the rogue’s throat, but he refuses to submit. I step up.

“SUBMIT ROGUE!” The wolf fights the command, and Finn has no choice; he snaps the wolf’s neck.

“Damn it. Stupid wolf.” Finn shifts back, and Realta’s palms glow white as she heals his injuries.

“Thank you, Goddess.” Finn bows his head in respect.