Chapter 78: The Alpha's Challenge

The howl died and the battlefield was silent, eyes watching the huge wolf now standing on the far hill, his fur aglow as from molten silver in the moon. The uncomfortable ripple of tension went through the air with the appearance of the alpha from the Dawn family, and didn't cease even with Reika's warriors. The wolf inside Reika growled low in her chest. Her fists were balled up, her body starting to shake, but not out of fear-just from anticipation. "Ileus," she said hoarsely. "This is it. It really is now. The real fight.". Ileus stepped closer to her, his eyes never leaving the imposing figure on the hill. 'If that's their alpha, then we're facing more than just an army. This is personal. He's here to challenge your authority." Kael, bloodied but still standing, joined them. 'We can't let him get any closer to the palace. If their alpha defeats you, the pack will lose faith in our leadership." Reika nodded, the weight of her responsibility settling onto her shoulders. "I know. This ends tonight." The alpha of Dawn launched himself forward in a flow down the hill with a grace that belied his size. Every step was deliberated; his eyes, two glowing points, fixed on Reika. Around him, mercenaries and wolves of the House of Dawn rallied, their morale surging. "He's coming for you," Ileus growled low, all protector. "You ready?" She felt herself go deep into the pit of her innards and let the animal primal of her wolf surge through her veins. "I was born for this." He came to a stop a few feet away, and in extreme opposition to the tiny form of Reika stands the tall, towering figure. Graceful, he shifted into human form-a man in strikingly silver hair, with eyes that seemed to pierce, his aura screaming menace. Reika," he stated in his deep voice mocking. "The infamous queen who thinks she can rule without consequence. Your time is over." Reika stepped forward, raising her chin. "You think you can intimidate me? Your family's schemes have failed at every turn. This will be no different." The alpha snorted in amusement. "This isn't about schemes. This is about dominance. Step down now, and I might spare your pack. Her wolf growled in resentment at the implication. "I don't bow to cowards who send mercenaries to do their dirty work." The alpha sneered. "Fine. Let's end this the old way. One on one. No interference." Ileus growled low in his throat, but Reika laid a hand on his arm. "This is my fight," she said steadily. The warriors circled in a wide ring, forming an arena of tundra and dirt, ice and snow. As one, Reika and the alpha shifted-their wolves bursting forth in a blur of fur and power. First, the Dawn alpha attacked: his great form diving toward her with the intent to overbear. Reika, however was quick: in a single movement she'd dodged the attack, turning in an arc of claw-torn flank. He growled in anger, whirling back into her face, all but foaming in new frenzy. "You're quicker than I expected, little queen. But speed won't save you." She didn't say a word. She did better. With a feral tornado of fury, she launched herself at him and caught him off guard. One millisecond later, they were spinning into each other in a tornado of teeth and claws across the field. The longer the fight wore on, the more apparent it became that the alpha wasn't strong-he was calculating. He was starting to anticipate her, countering her moves with brutal precision. Reika's breath came in ragged gasps as she circled him, blood matting her fur. Her wolf was strong, but the alpha was relentless. 'Is this all you've got?" he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. Reika snarled, calling on the last remnants of her reserves. The Moon Goddess' words filtered into her mind, all she had sacrificed to reach this place. She could not lose-not now. A wave of sharp pains suddenly knifed through her belly, wrenching her attention momentarily. The alpha took quick advantage of the momentary hesitation and slammed her into the earth with bone-jarring force. "Reika!" Ileus shouted forward, stepping into the circle. "Back!" she snarled low but firm. In that instant, leaning over her bared teeth, the alpha leaned over her, bared teeth. "It is over, queen. Submit." ---The Wolf's Fury The edges of Reika's vision were blurring but inside of her, her wolf would give no inch. It was a burst of energy bursting from the heart of her body raw and savage power such as she had never felt. With a loudly earsplitting growl, she showed a bright gold light flared along her body; all were astonished at the light pouring out of her. At that moment, just in front of a so confident proud alpha taken off guard. "What-what is this?" he blustered. Reika gave him no time for his recovery. Her fists flying against his torn defenses, her fingers slashed down with unaccustomed power and strength. Strong blows sent him backward in an attack of precision. But with clear eyes, he knew this was a counterattack too little, too late-the tide had turned. Reika was more than a queen, having truly reached the status of force of nature. Then, with a bone-shattering strike, she had him pinned to the floor with her jaws right above his throat. "Submit." It was a growly voice with almost human wolfish tone. The Alpha was still struggling and knows that he just got beat. Hesitant, he acquiesced to her position by bowing his head down and lowered into a very subdued and slow position. Applause rang out; Reika stepped back. Now in his human form, he was on his knees, bowing his head. "You win," he snarled. "The Dawn family will fall back. for now." Stepping back, Reika was still in her tall stance as the injuries began to take the better of her. "If you or your family ever threaten my pack again, I won't be so merciful." The alpha nodded, his face unreadable. "You proved yourself, queen. But this isn't over." Said that he wheeled around to head for the door while Ileus and Kael crowded to either side of Reika's sides. "You did it," exclaimed an already proud Ileus as he and Kael drew in onto either side of her. She smiled weakly, while her mind was already working around the victory. A win wasn't the retreat of the Dawn family. And just like those final words that still rang, that promise of war. She leaned on Ileus as she walked towards the palace for support, with her head clogged with the feeling that the earthquake was coming. Deep inside her, the wolf inside whispered that all these were preambles.