Alex knew better then to try to bullshit Sam. She’d never appreciated it before and he doubted that as a werewolf her opinions of it had improved. “It would solve everyone’s problems. Nafarius wouldn’t have to worry about me leaving and Maddie would have a mate.”
“There are other ways we could take care of both those issues without you joining the pack.”
Alex gulped audiably. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
“I didn’t think so. In order to mate with Maddie you would have to become a werewolf. No human is allowed in the pack and even if you were allowed to remain human you wouldn’t be able to protect her and she isn’t strong enough to protect you.”
“You think another female might be?”
“Yes, but that isn’t an issue here. None of them would have you.” Sam sighed. “Alex, why do you want to mate with Maddie? Some new curiosity?”
“No!” Alex was offended. “I care about her and she needs someone…”
“Maddie doesn’t need anyone to protect her. Nafarius and I are here for that. She needs someone who will love her for her and not for what she can give them.” Sam wasn’t sure how she felt about this but in the end it wouldn’t really matter. What mattered was how Alex and Maddie felt about it. “Have you spoke with Maddie about this?”
“No, I figured it would be best to talk to you first and maybe then speak with Nafarius.” Alex shrugged. “Who knows, she might not even want me as a mate even if I am willing to join the pack.”
“On, I think she’ll want you.” Sam smiled. “Talk to her and ask her what you’ll have to do to prove yourself to her and the pack. Then come and see me. I’ll speak with Nafarius in the mean time.”
The pack was divided. Several members agreed that the best thing was for Alex to join them. Maddie would be taken care of and the rest of them would be safe. If Alex joined the pack then he would have a vested interested in keeping their secret. He assured them that no one knew where he had gone. He also spoke with Nafarius at length and together they decided that he would have to return to the city for a time to take care of loose ends. They didn’t want another missing person reported. If the authorities believed that he’d disappeared in search of Sam then it was sure to draw more attention.
Maddie had made her feelings known. While she was attracted to Alex and therefore unopposed to taking him as her mate she worried about his reasons. She spoke with Sam and voiced her concerns that Alex was coming to her out of a sense of guilt. Sam assured her that while Alex was kind and gentle he wasn’t the type to sacrifice his life for something less then love.
The rest of the pack were opposed to taking on another human. Sam had been special and they were grateful for her guidance as Nafarius’ mate but Alex had little to offer. While he was young and strong there was little need for more male members. Furthermore, there were several single male members that understood the implications of his mating with Maddie. As Sam and Nafarius’ charge she would bring considerable power to her mate.
The two groups clashed in a debate that ended with a formal challenge. Riley stood glaring at Alex. “I hereby challenge you for the right to take Madeline as mate.”
Standing next to Alex, Sam groaned quietly. Alex, still learning the complications of pack politics raised his brow in question.
Sam answered. “Remember survival of the fittest? If there is more the one male after the same female then a fight is waged to see who is the strongest.”
“I can’t possibly fight him. As a werewolf his has superior strength even in human form.”
Nafarius nodded. “There are other ways to answer a challenge.” Stepping forward he addressed the crowd. “A member of this pack is only as good as his ability to hunt, whatever the prey. We will see who is better suited to the task. As equals they will hunt only in human form; whoever is able to bring her back will be awarded the right to mate with Madeline.”
All eyes turned to the small woman. Her eyes grew round in surprise. She understood the old ways. She would be expected to do her best to avoid both the hunters no matter her true feelings. If she was do anything to aid either man the victory would be worthless. She could take any form and use whatever means necessary but once the outcome was decide there would be no going back no matter who the winner. Although it wasn’t expected she lifted her head and gave a brief nod in agreement.
Sam squeezed Maddie’s hand and gave her a gentle nudge. “Go.”
Without looking at either man, Maddie shed her clothes, drop onto all fours and shifted. Once again Alex appreciated the sight of her golden fur as she streaked from the clearing and disappeared into the forest.
“She will have an hour lead time. You will enter the forest together; neither of you are to do anything to inhibit the other. Once one of you successfully mates with Maddie it will be done. There are no rules as to what form the mating must take place however if Alex does succeed he must be infected during the mating process. Is that understood?”
Both men nodded. Sam led Alex away from the clearing. While she wouldn’t be allowed to interfere once the hunt began she could offer his a few words of advice. Riley, a natural hunter and tracker would have little trouble even in animal form. Alex needed to be told what to look for and how to follow the signs. He was attentive, listening carefully to everything Sam said. When the time came to depart he gave her a small smile and slipped into the trees.
Riley entered the forest only a few feet from Alex. With a sneer, he turned and jogged off to the north. It was quickly apparent that he had picked up Maddie’s scent but Alex resisted the urge to follow. Instead he searched the area surrounding the clearing until he came upon Maddie’s tracks. Sam had pointed out her prints in the clearing and he’d committed them to memory. He knew what her tracks looked like in both human and animal form. Nafarius had ordered Maddie to do what ever was necessary to avoid both of them.