The Trial She Faces

Chapter 27

A shovel of dirt landed on top of the wooden box sitting in the hole in the dirt – in the cold and dead ground. It was a sign of finality. The final resting place of Marie Harmonns – beloved by her family.

Her grave sat in the far corner of the small cemetery on the pack lands. It was a quiet place – a place that Eve hoped would bring her mum the peace that she had long deserved. A peaceful death was the least that she deserved after a lifetime of pain and suffering.

Joanne squeezed Eve's hand. There were not any words that they could share in that moment. Their feelings could not be simply summed up with words.

With a singular nod, Eve turned away and began to exit the cemetery – Curtis and Joanne following at her side. They were silent, taking comfort in the presence of each other.

Their calm was not destined to last, however.

Awaiting them at the low gates of the cemetery stood a group of warriors along with the Alpha, Beta, and their mates.

'Alpha Blake, we are leaving as you requested. The funeral is over, we will depart,' Curtis said stepping just in front of Eve and Marie.

Blake said nothing, instead pushing forward the girl that stood beside Adrian. She looked unsure but turned to face the three at the harsh look from her alpha.

'I am Emily Hanes – Beta female of this pack. I declare a challenge to you for the right to claim Adrian Alfort as a mate,' she spoke strongly – yet there was hesitancy hidden below.

'Now w-' Curtis started

'Are you serious? You are joking right? You challenge me for a mate that never wanted me – a mate, frankly, I do not want. Not only that, you challenge me moments after I watched my mum's body be lowered into the ground. This is what you want?!' Eve spoke completely overrun by rage and grief.

Emily looked taken a back for a moment.

'I-I... yes. The challenge has been given. Do you accept?' Emily managed to stutter out practically feeling the glare of Alpha Blake at her back.

'Fine. I will fight you and I will win. But I will not become the mate of him. He is not worthy of me. You will be stuck with him,' Eve said the bite of her words making Emily flinch back slightly.

With a angry huff Eve stalked past the group blocking her way and toward the small clearing of grass at the centre of buildings of the town. Curtis stood shocked for a moment before hurrying off in Eve's wake.

"Eve! Eve, please wait just a second' he called out once he was only a few metres behind her.

She slowed down trying to focus on preventing the tears from leaking out her eyes. She turned to face him.

'I know that this is something you need to do. I would never try to talk you out of something that you need to do. But I just want to you to know I am here for you. I know your hurting at the moment – just don't let your pain make your loose focus,' Curtis said with an understanding nod.

'I've got this. You have taught me well,' Eve said reassuringly.

'Okay. Lets go then,' Curtis said with a little smile.

As Joanne caught up to them, she started speaking rapidly. After a few moments of reassurance she shakily agreed that she would stay out of the fight – no matter what happened. Eve kissed her cheek as a brief goodbye as they reached the clearing where members of the pack had gathered.

Eve glanced around recognising quiet a few faces that looked at her with pity. These people had been her family. They had watched her grow up. They had been constant features in her life up until a few months ago. She shot them a bittersweet smile before walking to the middle of the loose circle of people.