The Alpha's Daughter

The Challenge

I woke that morning after a stressful nights sleep. I rolled over and came face to face with my mate.

Worry creased his brow and he looked deep in thought. "What's up?"

"Nothing, I'm just worrying about you." He replied breezily.

"Pfft, you have nothing to worry about, I'll be fine." I said, although, even I could hear the lie behind my words.

He smiled sadly and a tear escaped his eye. I'll admit I was shocked to see this strong man break in front of me. "I'm scared Lilly," Shane admitted. "I'm scared I won't be enough, that I'll lose you."

My heart broke at his words and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulled him to me and kissed away his tears. "I know, but you will win Shane. Do this for me, but do it for our packs. You will be an amazing alpha, but not only that, you will be an amazing mate. Besides, we still have to bond, and I can't wait to stand before our packs as your Luna and wife."

He kissed me fiercely, and though it wasn't supposed to, it felt a lot like goodbye.

'This isn't goodbye,' I told him. 'This is just something to encourage you to come back to.'

Shane chuckled and pulled back, which elicted a groan from me. I'd like to say I was embarrassed, but truth is, I wasn't.

"I have to go Luna, my father wants me to go and check out the battle grounds to prepare for the fight.'

I sighed, knowing that the next time I would see him he would be fighting for his life, and our future.

"I love you," I told him out loud.

"I know, I love you too." Shane said before leaving and closing the door behind me.

I went for a quick shower, thinking that after last night, Jeremy mightn't react so well to me turning up smelling like Shane.

After my shower I headed downstairs to our meeting room to see all of the girls sitting there waiting for me with a cup of hot chocolate.

Shane's mum Marie was sitting at the head of the table and she held her hand out to me as she stood up.

"I'm so glad I've finally got to meet my daughter." She said, and I felt like bursting into tears.

"It's nice to meet you too." I said as she pulled me in for a hug.

We sat in the kitchen until ten oclock.

"Come on girls," Marie said. "Time to go."

Each of the girls gave me a hug as we left, each promising everything would be ok. I felt like screaming, "How! How do you know it will be ok?!" but instead I stood quietly and thanked them.

*

When we got to the field where the challenge would be held, I saw Shane's father standing, looking over the area.

He made his way over to Marie and I and put his arm around her, squeezing her gently.

"How are you holding up?" He asked us.

Before I could even open my mouth, Marie answered. "Considering the man we both love is about to fight for his life, and fight for the chance to be with the girl he loves, while we can do nothing about it, I think we're doing fine, thank you." She said coldly.

He pulled her off to the side and bent down to look in her eyes. "Marie, you know there is nothing I can do. It goes against every law for a challenge for an alpha to intervene." He whispered to her.

She sighed and her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I know, Dylan, but I hate this. It's not fair."

I turned away then, not wanting to see the look of love on their faces, knowing that I might never have that again.