***
The energy in the brightly lit indoor arena of the Stanwood Pack was like never before. There were at least four thousand people in the arena which could easily accommodate ten thousand people. It was indeed a special day for the pack. Their alpha was finally having his mating ceremony. The pack had been looking forward to the ceremony for months. Every member of the pack, except for babies and toddlers who wouldn’t be comfortable with all the excited noise, was present. Before the revision of the ceremony, only wolves from age twenty-one going up were allowed to attend a mating ceremony.
But since the x-rated parts had been taken out, every pack member could be part. Not only was every alpha present, there were invited guests from other packs and also, other supernatural beings. The dancing, drinking, and merry-making had begun in the morning when the group who had attended the Bachelor Soiree at Quain Islands got to the pack-house. Everyone was therefore already in the festive mood. The feeling was great.
Troy grinned as he watched the crowd from where he stood in a boxing ring that was double the size of a standard boxing ring. Everyone was on their feet, giving a welcoming cheer to the handsome mate of the alpha. The excited roars and cheers from the crowd showed just how much they adored him. Troy waited patiently until everyone calmed down and resumed their seats.
Then he brought the microphone to his mouth. He’d been asked one simple question. Who did he intend to combat with? All eyes were focused on Troy. There were knowing grins on almost every face. Everyone had an idea who Troy was going to choose. Although the alpha’s mate could pick anyone they wanted, everyone always picked their mate.
If he picked his mate, his mate would allow him to win and then declare him the winner. If he picked another person and his mate felt he was in trouble at any point during the combat, he would step right in and win the fight for him, and then proceed to declare him the winner. In other words, whether he won or not, the alpha…his mate, would declare him the winner and then present him to the High Priestess for blessings from Luna.
That pissed Troy off but who was he to challenge the rules. All he had to do was make sure he beat whoever he picked fair and square. Although the crowd knew that Troy would pick the alpha, they still waited with bated breath. When he cleared his throat, the crowd cheered, making Troy laugh.
“Tonight, I choose to combat a man I respect so much. A man who makes me happy just by being in the same room with me. He’s a seasoned fighter.” He paused and flashed a huge grin. “But tonight, I plan on kicking his cocky arse.” The crowd went wild.
From where he sat, Philip growled with mock anger even as his eyes feasted on Troy hungrily. “So sure of himself. Maybe we should have changed that part of the ceremony too.” He scowled. “Why does he have to win?”
“Well, brace yourself.” Jeremy couldn’t help laughing. “He’s going to hand you your arse.”
“Oh, I’m going to let that brother of yours eat his words before I finally let him win,” Philip growled, watching with pride as his mate called the crowd to order with a hand in the air.
“The person I choose is…” There was actually a sound of drums to the delight of everyone. “Stanley Norris.”
A collective gasp and murmur of shock erupted from the crowd. Admittedly, the combat was supposed to be a formality but no one in their right mind would choose a warrior like Stan to fight. Despite his jovial nature, Stan had been a warrior since he was a teen. And he’d been a head warrior for years until Philip made him his head beta. It was a known fact that Stan got off on violence. With the exception of Stan who looked pleasantly surprised and Gloria who looked smug, everyone looked shocked.
‘What are you doing?’ Philip growled on his mind-link with his mate.
‘Aw relax, I’m not gonna kill him.’ Troy drawled teasingly, taking off his t-shirt.
‘Troy…’ Philip gave an exasperated sigh and turned his glare on a grinning Stan. ‘If you so much as…’
‘Aw put a sock in it, Lip.’ Stan chuckled on his mind-link with the alpha who looked upset. ‘Your mate chose me himself. Don’t waste your threats on me.’ He laughed as he started for the ring where Troy waited, amidst loud cheers from the crowd.
“Fuck, I’m loving this ceremony already.” Jake T exclaimed, earning himself a finger from Philip. “Don’t worry, Stan’s had a lot of booze so he’s not going to be too fierce.”
“That’s rather going to make him reckless,” Philip growled. “He won’t really care that he’s hurting that crazy boy.” He turned his gaze on Jeremy. “You don’t look worried.” It sounded like an accusation.
“I was.” Jeremy drawled. “But then I saw the look on mum’s face and realized I didn’t have to worry. That’s her baby in that ring, Lip. Trust me, she’s right there with him. Watch my brother win this.” He said with confidence.
Philip looked to where his mother-in-law sat with his father, Ryan, and Enzo, saw the faint smile that played around Gloria’s lips, and felt the dread within his chest ease a bit. He hoped Jeremy was right because if his friend dared hurt his mate, he knew he was going to go ballistic.
In the ring, Troy and Stan grinned at each other. “Now I know you don’t like me.” Stan chuckled as he shrugged out of his shirt. “You want your wicked mate, your murderous brother, and ruthless mother to kill me huh?”
“I guess to ensure that you stay alive I’m gonna have to whoop yo’ arse, right?” Troy shot back, making Stan laugh.
“I guess you have to.” Stan shrugged. “Let’s do this.”