Chapter 5: Punishment for the Alphas

ELAINE

Connor and I took our positions. I noticed him settling into a fighting stance. Wasn’t he supposed to shift into his wolf form?

If he wasn’t shifting, then ~I~ was at a disadvantage. Not because he wasn’t shifting, but because ~he~ might have a trick up his sleeve.

“READY? FIGHT!”

We both froze as the announcer gave the go-ahead. This was the fight I’d been anticipating. And this jerk was making it difficult by choosing to fight me directly.

I relaxed, dropped my arms, and shot him a smile. Connor’s eyebrows knitted together, which only made me smile wider. Why not turn this into a mind game?

Neither of us spoke, and I had a hunch why. If Connor started talking, he’d lose focus. So, I decided to do just that to throw him off.

“Give up, Connor,” I said, my voice cool. Connor stayed silent, his lips sealed to avoid any distractions.

His hands kept opening and closing into fists, but there was a hint of hesitation. He was itching to respond, to throw me off my game.

“I’m the one who’s going to win this. So why don’t you just give up before I kick your ass again, in front of everyone, including your dad?”

This time, I saw his lips twitch.

If there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was being belittled, especially in front of his family. Connor’s dad expected him to be the alpha one day, but this time, it was my turn.

“Oh, you don’t want to be embarrassed again, is that it?” I laughed loudly, causing the crowd to start whispering.

“You think you’re stronger than me?” Connor finally responded. I smirked, not moving an inch.

“Stronger?” I crouched, ready to spring into action. “I am.” I let my ego shine.

Connor growled. Seizing the opportunity, I grabbed his leg and flung him across the platform.

Connor grunted, and I moved quickly, grabbing him by the neck. Even though Connor was an alpha and taller, I could handle him.

This wasn’t about who was more powerful. It was about showing everyone that anyone, especially a woman, could achieve her goals if she was determined enough.

“I’m going to be the queen of the pack,” I snarled.

Connor growled and swiped at me, his long nails scratching my arms. I loosened my grip and jumped out of his reach.

He darted to my side, launching an attack, but I dodged every move he made. I needed an opening.

Sliding across the platform, I grabbed his hair and yanked him down, his head smashing onto the platform. Connor yelled as he reached for me, flipping me over.

I muttered a curse as he straddled me. Without any mercy, he punched me in the stomach. I gasped for air but kept my focus on his attacks.

I used my arms to shield my face. Connor was aiming for my head; he wanted to knock me out. I lifted my legs, locking them around his neck, forcing him to let go of me.

With a smile, I pulled him hard until I was on top. I had a wicked idea that would make Connor recoil from me forever, and I knew it would work perfectly.

Using his arms as a shield, Connor tried to overpower me again, but I slid my hand down his thighs and then to his crotch.

Connor’s eyes widened as I smiled wickedly. Squeezing his length, I felt it harden under my touch. ~Interesting~.

Seizing the opportunity, I pressed again and then headbutted him. Connor’s head snapped back, hitting the concrete. He groaned loudly as blood started to pour from his head.

Finally, I found my opening. I grabbed his leg and flung him against the wall on the other side of the massive platform.

A hole appeared where his body hit hard.

“Perfect,” I growled, grabbing his neck. My nails dug into his skin, eager to tear at his throat.

I was going to end this and be the victor. But suddenly, Connor overpowered me and slammed my head into the ground.

Now I was seeing spots.

“Asshole!” I groaned. My body swayed as everything spun.

“I’m killing you tonight,” Connor growled.

I screamed, a cry of pain as his claws dug into my skin. Then, as I struggled, something appeared out of nowhere.

“Didn’t I tell you not to cross me, Elaine?” Connor growled near my ear.

With a chuckle, he slowly backed away until I caught a glimpse of the sharp blade glinting under the night sky. How did he get that?

I was at a disadvantage.

I took a deep breath, calming myself. I looked at him, unfazed. I couldn’t let him know I was worried about the weapon he was holding.

No, I was going to turn the tables right now. Then, with a chuckle, I raised my hands defensively.

Connor looked confused, so I pushed myself away from him. I steadied myself and backed away, pretending to surrender.

I locked eyes with Connor. I could see the hatred etched on his handsome face. Too bad he wasn’t useful.

I licked my lips, and I saw his eyes dart to my mouth. With a smirk, I found my chance and reached for his arm. Connor’s eyes widened as I used my strength to throw him across the platform.

“What can I do?” I smiled. “I have to win so I can sit on that silver throne.”

Connor growled and tried to bite my neck. My hand moved to his hair, where I pulled hard so he could face me.

The blade he was holding was gone. It must have dropped somewhere on the platform.

“It’s my win,” I declared.

Then, turning away, I walked up the stairs to where the throne was. I heard Connor roar, making the entire building shake.

I paused for a second when he grabbed my ankle and yanked me down. My face hit the stairs, making me lose focus.

The intense pain in my forehead almost made me black out. This had to be some kind of joke.

I kicked him in the face, and Connor let go. I got up again, but as I took another step, a blinding white light appeared before us, stopping me in my tracks.

Gasps echoed around the platform as everyone watched in awe.

“What’s going on?” Connor questioned, rising to his feet behind me.

The once flawless floor beneath us crumbled, the ground shaking violently beneath our feet.

“Is this your doing?” he snapped, but I could only growl in response. Was he really that clueless?

“Do you honestly think I’d cause this? Can’t you see I’m just as lost as you are?” I shot back.

Connor snarled, reaching to spin me around. I let out a primal growl, ready to strike, when a powerful force brought us to our knees.

We both looked up, shocked, but managed to bare our teeth at the figure before us.

“My children, my two alphas,” a calming voice echoed around the platform.

A hush fell over us as I struggled to catch my breath.

“It appears I need to make things a bit more challenging for you two.”

Every wolf present bowed their heads in recognition of our visitor.

“I believe this time will be different,” the moon goddess warned, her voice laced with danger.

“What?” Connor retorted. His teeth were bared as the woman, with eyes as clear as glass and silver-white hair, looked down on us as if we were the lowest of the low.

“You have no right to interfere!”

Her gaze turned icy, devoid of any emotion. Then, eerily, she smiled at Connor, who was seething with rage.

“I have every right, as I am the one who ultimately decides who will be king of wolves,” the Moon Goddess declared.

“And as I see it, choosing a winner will be difficult. So, I will bind you both.”

Connor and I stared at her, dumbfounded. Was she messing with us?

Raising her left hand, she began to chant words that were foreign to us. Once she finished, a blinding light erupted from her hand.

A searing pain wrapped around my left wrist. Then I heard Connor groan in agony as he collapsed to the ground. What was she doing to us?

Connor recoiled as I bit back a scream, trying not to show my pain, but it was futile. The pain was excruciating. It spread rapidly throughout our bodies, forcing me to succumb to its power.

“If one of you can break these bonds, then you will be alpha of the pack.

“But listen closely, my children. It’s not just about breaking the bonds, but understanding why I’ve bound you together,” the woman said, moving closer to us.

“Your greed will bring no good to this world, so learn humility from this punishment. And perhaps I can reconsider this punishment. Especially you, my daughter.”

I tried to lift my head, but it was no use. My body was weak, and my mind was slipping into unconsciousness.

The Goddess leaned in, gently touching our faces as she whispered words I couldn’t make out. Then, without another word, she vanished just as mysteriously as she had appeared.