The Alpha's Mistake

Chapter 10

Alaric arrived at the clearing alone. A crowd already formed around the main sparring ring. He did a few more stretching exercises while he waited for Archer to show up.

"Ready to get your ass beaten?" Archer yelled as he approached. Beta Larry on his right, Delta Frank on his left, and Gamma Rob behind him. Several other males trailed, making him look like a big shot.

Alaric ignored him and the shouts of encouragement from the masses. He knew most of them would cheer for Archer. It was a wolf's nature to follow the current Alpha. He set down his bag of supplies, taking a long drink of water first.

Larry stepped into the makeshift ring to address the pack. "The rules of an alpha challenge are simple. Two wolves enter the fight, but only one leaves it. The wolf who lives is instantly the Alpha. No one is allowed to interfere unless they also wish to die. There are no limits on time and no breaks. Once began, no one can stop the challenge until one wolf is dead. Are you ready?" He looked at the father and son for their sign. "Start!" He yelled and ran out of the circle.

Archer walked around slowly, trying to size his opponent and intimate with his size.

"You've gotten fat." Alaric maintained a neutral expression.

"Stronger you mean."

"Nope. Lazy."

"I wasn't lazy when I broke that mutts arms before your last visit."

Calm and steady. Breathe.

"Yeah, it must've been a lot of work to beat up a weakened she-wolf. Did it make you feel like a male?"

"It did feel good. It'll feel better when I kill her." He moved to the right again, looking for an opening.

"You've got to kill me first."

"Would you like to know why my son has challenged me?" Archer asked the crowd, getting a resounding yes. "His mate turned out to be the rogue we found years ago. The filthy mutt."

Outraged cries and shouts of insults came at Alaric while Archer continued his propaganda. "I think he should get rid of her and take a respectable mate! The Alpha's daughter of Midnight Pack would make a wonderful Luna. But he would rather have a weak Luna. He already admitted she is weak."

Calm down! He's trying to rile us up.

Aren't you going to say anything?

To them? No. After we win, all his lies will be exposed.

"You're not going to defend her?" Archer taunted.

"I am by being here. Is that all you have? Cheap shots? I thought you were here to put me in my place."

Good one, our place is Alpha.  He's going to shift, be ready.

Bring it.

Archer lunged forward, changing into his large dark brown wolf. His jaws snapped air as Alaric blocked him. Angry eyes glared at him. Arrow crouched down before jumping at Alaric's leg.

Swinging his leg, he kicked Arrow in the head. "I can do this all day, old man."

Growling to show his teeth, Arrow zigzag to fake him out. This went on for over thirty minutes, and Alaric still hadn't shifted.

Are you afraid of me, pup? Arrow taunted Atlas.

Nope, I'm letting Alaric wear you down. Are you aware that we can run fifteen miles without a break?

I'm not impressed.

I wasn't trying to impress you. I was warning you that our stamina is unparalleled. What do you think we've been doing for the last ten years?

Whoring and drinking. Arrow snorted as that was obvious.

We trained. Every day, even when we were traveling. We picked up techniques from lots of packs and put them together. For the last two years, it's been us doing the teaching.

Bragging will get you nowhere.

Why go to all this trouble? Alaric asked Archer.

Because I refuse to give you my title.

Not that, with Heidi. Why didn't you kill her like you told me? What did you do to her? She has no memory of her real past.

You have no idea.

I've been seeing a lot more now that my eyes are open. You're not an alpha. You're a monster. Abusing a pup for what? What have you achieved by torturing her?

Archer laughed. You'll never know.

What could she have done to you? A nine year old pup. You took everything away from her.

Stop yapping.

Noticing that his strategy of pure defense is working, Alaric finally allowed Atlas to take over. Unprepared for the shift, Arrow was slow to react, and Atlas latched onto his front leg. A pained grimace flashed before Arrow removed himself from Atlas' teeth.

Why did you do it? Alaric mind-linked Archer.

Do what you punk? Do you think that hurt?

Why did you kill George and Shelly? The question caught him off guard since he thought Alaric would ask about Opal. Atlas jumped up, clawing at Arrow's back and side.

Arrow leaped, and Atlas caught his underbelly, making a long laceration that dripped onto the grass. Panting, Arrow shook with fury, giving Atlas another opening to clamp down on his hind leg. Trying to shake Atlas off, he didn't notice he was about to hit the ground until too late.

Answer me! Why did you kill George and Shelly?

The two big wolves were covered with blood, mud, and grass while they rolled. Spectators had to run back to get out of the way or risk getting caught with fangs. Arrow was winded and weak, Atlas tore through his pitiful defenses. They came to a stop with Atlas on top, his teeth partially sunk into Arrow's neck.

Tell me why you killed them! Alaric yelled at him. I know you murdered George, Shelly, and my mother. Why? He was your Beta, your best friend. She was your soul mate. How could you murder them without remorse? Tell me why!

Archer knew he was done. He laughed, a gurgling sound coming from the vein in his neck. The same reason I killed both your mothers. Then he leaned away, letting the rest of his throat tear.

No! What do you mean both of my mother's? Bastard, you can't die now!