“So, if you would like to move, I will gladly take my place as the highest-ranking Alpha here,” I tell him, and he jumps up, trying to intimidate me with his large build. His son cowers beside him, and I look at the small boy, his eyes as blood-red as his father’s. Yet it is clear his father scares him, making me feel bad for the boy, an aura like storm clouds surrounding the boy, not what I have seen of a typical child, but there is something else about the boy, something I can’t quite pinpoint. Something sinister it is unnerving.
However, Dominic’s furious voice pulls my attention back to him. “You dare challenge me, girl?” He growls in my face, yet again using that stupid word.
“I will do more than challenge you, Alpha. I will show you where your place is, and show you exactly where you belong and it is right about here,” I tell him, pointing my finger at my feet and swirling it to make a show out of him.
Dominic smirks, standing up and addressing the crowd. “It appears I have been challenged,” he says, like he thinks it is the most hilarious thing to ever happen to him. It is clear he thinks I am no threat.
“I never challenged you, Dominic,” I chuckle and shake my head. “You challenged me from the moment I sat down. I am simply rising to the challenge, but feel free to step down. I would hate for you to make a fool of yourself by challenging me.”
He laughs, and I fold my arms across my chest as he steps down, tucking his chair in.
“I have heard the rumors, Katya. Just because you can resist my aura partially doesn’t make you stronger, nor will it make me submit to the likes of you.” Dominic snarls, motioning behind him to the open field.
Wow, isn’t he a fucking ray of sunshine? A man so goddamn full of himself clearly lacks the basic instincts. Such as survival.
“You have no idea the power a true Alpha of Alpha possesses. What I did to your brother wasn’t even a smidge of my aura. We will see who will bend a knee for the other,” he says.
“And you are not my Alpha, Dominic. You have no idea of the true power of the Gemini Goddess standing before you.”
“Gemini, interesting. I don’t remember hearing that amongst the rumors,” he hums, a line creases between his eyebrows.
Dominic stops to look me up and down. He is acting all high and mighty, but I can see more than he believes he is showing. The look on his face is a clear giveaway that he does not know what I am talking about or if he does, he is now second-guessing.
“You are a Luna wolf, are you not?” Dominic asks, raising an eyebrow at me, still trying to notice something unusual about me that might give him a lead. Which if he knew that detail and still challenged me, it made him one of two things: either he is stupid to challenge me, or he was confident enough to take me down, which leaves another question. If he is willing enough to take on a Lunar wolf, what was he hiding that makes him brave enough to challenge me?
A corner of my lip twitches. “I was.”
“But not anymore then?” He asks as curiosity sparks in his eyes and penetrates his words.
“No, I am so much more than that, Dominic,” his eyes flicker at my casual use of his name.
It is a plain show of disrespect, and I notice his jaw clench every time I say it.
“You seem so sure of yourself.” He shakes his head and glances at the table with my mates. “Tell me, Ezra, is she like this at home? Does she put you under her thumb and squash you down in front of your pack?” He laughs, and so do the other Alphas.
“We are equals,” I tell him, answering for Ezra.
I know Ezra would say the same thing. I do have my doubts about the statement, though. Something is telling me that Dominic doesn’t need to know that.
“Interesting. It bothers me that you would let your bitch get so out of hand to think she could challenge those far superior to her.” Dominic hums and, once again, his sheep snicker.
Ezra laughs behind me, and I feel him get closer before the heat of him seeps into my back. “Katya is many things but a bitch, no. A Queen, yes, my Queen, and she will make you take a knee. Soon, you will regret ever calling your Queen a bitch when she makes you hers.” Ezra announces with nothing but pride radiating off him.
Whispers and murmurs break out behind us. Dominic peers behind us, but he already dug himself a hole. I have a feeling that he might register how much he fucked up soon enough. He looks weak if he backs out of challenging me, and if he loses against me, his ego will take a massive hit.
Seemingly unperturbed, he glances down at me, his eyes flickering as a smirk tugs at the corners of his lips. “Very well,” Dominic nods and walks to the center.
Ezra turns me around to face him, his hands gripping either side of my face as he looks at me. “He is beneath you, now go show him that.” I look toward Dominic as my nerves slowly set in.
I know I am stronger, but I have never challenged someone with his title before. Doubt creeps in, knowing Maddox could overthrow me even if it is only because he is my mate.
“Kat, don’t think, don’t doubt. Seline made you a Goddess, now prove it to him.” Ezra whispers as his eyes bore into mine. He is trying to convince me I can do this. I know that is his goal. But can I really?
I gulp and open the mind-link between us so no one can listen in on our conversation. “What if he wants to fight?” I ask him. The problem is that I have no doubt that Dominic is trained better in fighting than I am. If he challenges my aura, it’s one thing – the first fight, yeah… there is a reason he has the title he has, aura and commands aside, I know that man fought his way to the top and challenged every other alpha that got in his way for this title.
Ezra frowns at my question and clearly at the thoughts that run through my mind, too. “Have you forgotten who your mother was already, forgotten who your mates are? You have been trained by the best, you are the best, Kat.” He stresses.
I frown. “But-”
Ezra quickly cuts me off, giving me no chance to protest. “No, you will beat him, then we will go home.”
And again, to my great displeasure, doubt creeps up on me and an odd feeling sinks in my gut. “And if I can’t? You don’t understand, Ezra. He was a part of the vision I saw.” I tell him.
His brows furrow and I see the first glimmer of worry. Yet, he is quick to shove it aside. “If you can’t, we will fight for you. Nothing is stronger than a Goddess, Kat. You have me and Mateo pull on our energy if you need to. Take it all, just don’t let him win.” He says and releases his grip on me.
Despite how angry I was at Ezra in the parking lot, now without his hands on me, I feel naked and exposed to everyone. There are no more questions running through my mind about the importance of mates. Ezra and Mateo give me strength no one could.
“I haven’t got all day, hurry up, and let’s get this over with,” Dominic growls behind me, destroying the beautiful moment of clarity I just tried to relish.
Pressing my lips in a line, I glare at him as I walk over to the King of assholes himself. I stay around twenty meters away from him, a safe distance to ensure the jackass won’t swing at me unless he has go-go gadget arms.
I see everyone getting out of their seats to come to watch with eager eyes. Most are hoping to see me fall as everyone circles us which just makes the determination in me burn hotter.