Chapter 52: Chapter 24

DAMON

“I challenge you.”

Ugh, not again. “As alpha of this pack, I’m entitled to know who you are and where you come from. And who is sending you bastards to challenge me?”

Three, almost four months of this shit is not a coincidence. I’ve killed three challengers and made five submit. Finn has taken on four of his own, not including the one that split when he saw how fast he could shift. He doesn’t have a death wish or anything, he just knows his capabilities and he’s very good at reading others.

“Do you accept the challenge…Alpha?” he questions with a sneer.

“I’ll accept as long as my questions are answered.”

“I’m Donovan. I was born in Colorado and I’m a rogue, no one sent me.”

“That is no rogue,” Realta tells me from over my shoulder. She keeps showing up whenever a rogue does. I’m curious as to why, but I have yet to ask her. She always leaves before I can.

“I’ve already accepted the challenge, Realta.” We’ve also become closer after all this time. “What do you mean he’s no rogue?” I ask as we head toward the center of my territory.

“That’s a beta. Can’t you feel it?” I look to her in surprise then back to my challenger. I relax then get a feel for the guy. He’s the strongest challenger yet, hopefully the last. He’s about my size and build. He is holding back his power, damn it.

~“Finn, I have another challenger. I might be screwed with this one. Realta pointed out that he’s a beta.”~

~“You’ll be fine, man. You know how to fight and you have the strength of the pack with you.”~

“Do you know who is sending the rogues?”

“Of course. I have been forbidden from interfering. You’ll kill them eventually.” Them? Does that mean more than one person or does it mean she doesn’t want to give me the person’s gender? I can’t worry about it now, I’ll figure it out eventually.

I let my guards know about the new challenger and they’re assembled in a circle when we arrive. Finn gives me a nod and I step inside. I try to focus my breathing as I look the guy over. “NO INTERFERENCE UNTIL ONE OF US EITHER SUBMITS OR IS KILLED, THIS IS ANOTHER CHALLENGE.” I stand with my arms crossed over my chest. “Now, Donovan, where are you from and who sent you?”

“I already gave you the answer,” he arrogantly replies.

“A rogue does not have beta power and I don’t care where you were born. I want to know where you were before you came here. Also, you neglected to tell me who sent you.”

“Coming here was my idea. I am more worthy of being the alpha to these weakling subjects.” My guards growl and take up fighting stances. I hold my arm up and every one of them relaxes.

“This pack is my family, not my subjects. They are the reason I put my life to the test. I am their true alpha and I have redeemed myself time and again. I will not let them fall into the hands of a power-hungry tyrant.”

Donovan growls and launches toward me fully clothed. He’s quick, but I have enough time to ready myself for him. He reaches me with a left then right and I block his wild swings. He catches me off guard with a second right and lands a punch to my chin.

I change my strategy. Instead of waiting for him to make a move, I give him the challenge of blocking my measured jabs. I land a few blows then bring my knee in for good measure. He tries to take control, but his style of fighting is similar to the others I’ve fought which is heavy in kickboxing.

His next punch I catch then use his weight against him to throw him over my shoulder and attack while he’s grounded. I knock the wind out of his sails and land a few blows to his chest before he recovers and lands a shot to my face, giving him the chance to shove me away.

He barely gets to his feet and releases his beta strength as he attempts to connect again. I match his strength and land a few kidney shots. I feel a rib crack with my next blow and he steps away.

I take advantage of his moment of trying to breathe and shoot for his legs, bringing him to the ground again. I break two more of his ribs then catch his left eye, splitting it open. He tries to elbow me in my throat, but I move and he gets my chin instead. I spit out some blood from a cut on my tongue and he splits my eye with a left hook. I get to my feet and wipe the blood out of my way, but it keeps flowing so I’m left with one good eye.

Donovan shifts as he charges. I see it and shift faster than I ever have, catching his shoulder in my jaws. He claws at my leg in an attempt to get away, but I shake my head snapping the bone.

I release him and get hold of his scruff instead of his throat that I was aiming for. He takes the chance to claw wherever he can reach. I claw his belly and he whimpers, but continues to squirm.

I have control now and I easily take his throat. I release my alpha power and push him to the ground. He refuses to submit so I growl and press my teeth into his flesh. His blood fills my mouth and he thrashes with all he has in him. I twist my head and finish him off.

I throw my head back and howl in victory. My pack shouts and cheers for me and I know without a doubt that my words were true; I am the true alpha and this pack is mine.

Realta steps forward with her glowing white palm and in no time at all, I’m completely healed.

“Please tell me that’s the last of them,” I ask as I get dressed.

“It is the last of your challengers, but not the last visit from rogues. Well done, Damon.” She grips my arm and kisses my cheek then disappears before another word can be uttered.

I’m filthy and in desperate need of a shower. I get home and go straight to my newly furnished bedroom. I’ve made some major changes to my house for when Natalie arrives.

Two weeks left until her birthday and I’m counting down the days. I feel for her link and I’m comforted knowing she’s still linked to my pack. I’m curious as to why Dec hasn’t connected her to his pack, but I’m grateful.

After a shower, I head to my workroom and finish my latest painting of Natalie’s pure white wolf with turquoise eyes that’s going in my office. I’ve also painted Realta’s star, Natalie and my wolf together, and some landscapes to hang in the now fully furnished living room.

I put the final touches on Natalie’s wolf and leave it to dry while I get back to work.

“Hey, Dec. Do you happen to know of any betas by the name of Donovan?” I lean back in my office chair and hope he has something. I’ve been keeping him informed of all the challenges to see if we could figure out who’s behind this.

His first thought, and mine, was Owen, but he hasn’t left my territory. It doesn’t mean it’s not him, but who else has reason to challenge me?

“No, but I have a database of all the packs in North America. I’ll send you the link. Was there another challenge?”

“Yeah, he was definitely a beta. He used his power against me and refused to submit.”

“Huh. The link is in your email. Are you coming to the party for Natalie?”

“Absolutely. Kenna, Finn, and Bianca want to come, but B is almost ready to pop.”

“That’s all right, Kya arrived yesterday and Doc and Natalie are both here, though I don’t know if Natalie has much experience with labor.”

“She does. I remember her telling me about the camp. I guess you’re right, Bianca would probably be safer to have the baby there, if she does go into labor.”

“She will.” Realta takes a seat in a chair in front of my desk.

“Sorry, Dec. I gotta go.” I hang up then look to Realta. “What’s up?”

“I have been alone for centuries, then I met Natalie’s father and I never wanted to be alone again. Are there any good single men that have already lost a mate in this pack?”

“As you know, the bond is difficult to break. Once a mate passes, the other usually follows. I have one in my pack. He’s the diner owner Lou, he has a daughter named Dorothy. Dec may have more possibilities in his pack. Her mortal family is throwing her a party.”

“I’m aware of the party. She’s very excited since she’s never had a party before. She’s hoping you come, but she doesn’t quite know why.” Realta claps her hands like a giddy schoolgirl. “I’ve never witnessed a mate sighting up close and personal. Her parents, they’re good people? She has been with them a lot, but I wonder if I should be jealous and kill them?”

“Realta.” I shake my head with a baffled chuckle. “They’re very good people. They would be welcoming of you. I suggest talking to them, but don’t kill them. Their son is the beta and their other daughter is the luna.”

“Ah, yes, I remember. Well, to have two high-ranking pups in one family, they must be special. I will take your advice and learn of them.” She gracefully rises from her chair. “By the way, your painting of me is inaccurate; I have seventeen beams, one for every millennium. You painted twenty; I’m not that old.”

I chuckle, having gotten used to her antics. “Realta, before you go, are you the only Starlight Sister that visits Earth?”

“I am. I’m the only one that chose to come. Now I get to come and go because I’m reestablishing my mother’s gifts, then I have to teach the new oracle, but she’s a tricky one and I can’t find her.”

“Is she in my pack?”

“No. She’s a teenager, but I’m not sure of her age nor what she looks like. None of the gifts will be here, although Natalie will need to teach them, and I would hope you help her.”

“Have you tried the camp or the school?”

“I have not. I will look into them.”

“Realta, will there be one that has the blue glow?” I voice my concern because that would be more of a curse than a gift.

“Of course not. That’s only for Starlight Sisters.”

“Natalie has it.” I look at her pointedly.

“That’s because she’s special. Don’t worry, none of your pups will have it. They may have one or two, but not all.” I try not to get too worked up over the idea of having pups. I mean, I want them someday, but I’m only nineteen. I look up to ask Realta about the rogues, but she’s already gone.