Athena's Human Mate

Chapter 52

"I accept your challenge with one of my own.  It will be to the death and the winner takes both Crescent Moon and Starlight Moon packs."  He looked smug, as if he got what he wanted all along.

Gasps could be heard all around, many of those gathered knew the pair was father and daughter.  How could a parent kill his own child?

"I agree.  When?"  Roman was trying to link her but she blocked him out.

"Now?"  He sneered at her, thinking finally he had his chance to be rid of the thorn in his side.

"We can't fight a challenge during the games unless Alpha Joshua allows it.  You find out and let me know."  She finally turned and headed back to the tent, knowing Roman wanted to talk to her.

Instead, upon reaching the confined space, he pulled her into his arms.  She began shaking, the impact of what she did hitting her.  Sobbing, she clung to him, seeking comfort physically and emotionally.

"Sweetheart," he said softly then stopped, asking why without words.

"He sent those rogues to kill us."  She whispered, the walls around them paper thin compared to werewolf hearing.

"I wondered if that was an accident or not.  I didn't think he would be the one behind it.  I'm sorry love, I'm so sorry."  Holding her tighter, he poured love through their bond.  "Isn't there another way?"

"No, the only way to stop him is to strip him of his title.  I didn't want to fight to the death, I just needed him to submit.  To the death," she repeated as tears fell freely.  "I'm scared Roman, I hate the things he's done, I really do, but can I kill him?  Do I hate him enough to do that?"

"Sweetheart, I don't know what to say, my mind is reeling too.  I wish you could take it back but even I know that's impossible.  I'm scared too, what if he wins?  I can't lose you."  He didn't try to contain his own tears, together they cried, seeking and giving comfort at the same time.

"I have to beat him, for everyone's sake."

Roman put his hands on her face, tilting her head slightly to look in her eyes.  "Don't do that.  You can't go into this thinking about everyone.  Focus on us, here and now.  You fought three rogues and easily won, you weren't thinking about the pack, you only thought about protecting us."

"I only fought two, you held off the third on your own.  If I die," he stopped her with a kiss.

"You won't.  We've been training over a year," he trailed off as a thought occurred to him.  "You've been training for this, you knew you'd have to fight him."

"Yes, but I didn't expect it to happen now.  I was going to challenge him after I turned twenty-one, that pack is my birthright.  I know he'd never willingly hand it over to me.  I had hoped to have longer to come to terms with it."

He was a tad peeved she hadn't shared that piece of news with him, but he would've figured it out on his own sooner or later.  Now wasn't the time to argue with her about it, his job was to make sure she was mentally prepared for this fight, because it would be happening soon.  He never felt bad about killing those rogues, but she had struggled with the fact she killed three wolves.  He's been carrying the burden of his actions as a child alone until he let her in.

"You can do this sweetheart, I know you can.  This is why you've been making Kyle and Jared team up with Sam and Connor to spar against you.  Oh honey, why didn't you tell me?"  His heart broke thinking she was trying to face this alone.

"It must've been an unconscious decision, I wasn't thinking about Ryan.  I didn't want to be unprepared if a group of rogues attacked again.  That was the first time I had to fight more than one individual at the same time.  If they'd been better trained the situation might have turned out differently.  I never wanted to be in that situation again."