Mated & Blooded

Chapter 12

(Lucas' POV)

Things were not looking good. My father actually tried to deny my request for a challenge. As if he had the right to do that. If I challenged without permission it would have to be a fight to the death for me to claim my rightful place as alpha. If he accepted the challenge we would only need to fight until one of us submitted. If not for Rob, I know that he wouldn't have changed his mind. He believes he can beat me and thought that refusing the challenge would put me back in my place.

He's wrong. Not only do I know I can beat him, I have no qualms about ending his life if it means that I can bond with Kalli. My mom was there crying and begging along side of him for me to just reject my mate. How dare she! My mother was a hypocrite. She spent my entire childhood belaboring the fact that my father stole her chance at happiness. She claimed that a wolf without a true mate was a worthless wolf.

Now, when my happiness is within reach she actually has the nerve to say I should reject her. No way! I am going to fight my father and win. I am going to bond with Kalli and have pups of my own. Nothing and no one is going to stop me. My mother and father can rot in hell together. They have always enjoyed making each other miserable. Maybe I will exile them and they can be miserable together.

Rob is the one that finally convinced my father to accept the challenge. He actually played to my father's ego. He basically told my dad it was time to give me an ass whooping so that my brain started thinking right again.

I almost wolfed out and ripped Rob's throat out on the spot. He was my half brother, had been my closest ally in life and he too mocked my mate. I was getting angrier by the moment. Then I felt his presence in my head.

"Chill out bro, I'm just working him over for you. I'm with you. If you wanna mate with the hybrid I'm gonna stand behind you. We all are. Me, Ryan, Joel, Lance and Cody. We talked about it this week while you were gone. We realized we trusted you and would stand behind you no matter what. I can't tell you that I am gonna be best buddies with her, but I will swear allegiance and protect your mate and my Luna to the death, so stop looking at me like you are ready to tear off my head"

I heard the rest of the gang chime in, each swearing their allegiance to me as Alpha and Kalli as Luna. Thank god, I really didn't want to have to fight the whole pack. If my boys were behind me, I knew we could make this work. The pack might not like it at first, but they would eventually accept it.

My father and I set the time and agreed on the rules for submission before Rob and I left to go talk with the other guys. We needed a plan. We knew that the rest of the pack wasn't going to be as accepting. Not to mention that taking over the pack at my young was going to be a lot of work. I was going to be a young alpha, and would need my own team in place in order to protect Kalli. I didn't trust my father and I surely didn't trust his team. We would need to make a clean sweep for power.

The guys and I chatted most of the night away. I don't know why, but I was on edge the entire time. My wolf was on complete alert. Something just felt off. When I realized that dawn was quickly approaching I excused myself and headed over to Kalli's. I needed to hold her in my arms so that I could calm down. I needed to feel her soft skin and smell her intoxicating scent. I couldn't wait to see that she was okay with my own eyes. I was tired, and I needed to be able to hold her so that I could have peace and sleep.

I found her resting on the couch in the living room. She looked so comfortable and peaceful in her sleep. I was glad that I told her mother to put a good amount of sleeping potion in her drink. I didn't want my mate worried and keeping herself awake waiting for me. I knew my mate needed the proper amount of rest to stay healthy. I never wanted to be the cause of Kalli becoming ill or sick; it was bad enough that she was stressed about the upcoming challenge.

For a moment, I felt a little guilty about tomorrow. I had no intention of leaving Kalli anywhere that my father or his team could get to her before the challenge. It was common knowledge that my dad fought dirty. I wouldn't put it past him to have his beta or one of his other goons grab Kalli and use her as leverage for me to submit. Not going to happen. I had already alpha ordered Kalli's mom and the four dead heads outside to take her back to BlueRidge. She would be safe away from my father so that I could concentrate on the fight.

I looked down at her again and smiled as I push a few strands of hair out of her face. That's when I noticed her mother had left her fully clothed and without a pillow or blanket. I would have to let her mother know that this was unacceptable. In the future I would expect that my mate was taken care of. She needed a bed, and softer clothes to sleep in. In the least, she could have given her a pillow and blanket. I lifted her very gently into my arms and started to carry her upstairs. The moment I hit the top of the steps I realized I had no idea which room was hers. I nudged her slightly awake.

"Sorry babe, I'm not sure which room is yours" I said softly.

She blinked a few times I guess trying to process that she was in my arms before she said.

"I missed you. Top of the steps to the left"

Then closed her eyes and fell back to sleep. I pushed open the only door to the left of the steps and noticed it was a really small room, with a really small bed. Kalli and I were not going to fit together on that bed.

I thought about sleeping with her on the floor, but knew that she would be uncomfortable. I didn't want her to be uncomfortable. She had already had enough pain in her past. I wanted to minimize her pain and discomfort moving forward. Then I thought maybe I would let her sleep on the bed, and I would sleep on the couch.

I wasn't crazy about that idea since it would mean we were in two different rooms. I needed to be close in order to protect her. I even thought about sleeping on the floor while she was in the bed. The truth was though, the thought of not sleeping with her in my arms left me feeling angry. I needed my mate and she needed me. So, I moved back into the hall and nudged open the only other door I saw.

Her mother was spread out across a very comfortable looking king bed. I knew the bed was plenty large enough for Kalli and me. I laid Kalli down beside her mother and woke Marie up.

"Marie. You need to go sleep in Kalli's room. In fact, from now on that will be your room. Kalli and I will stay in here. Tomorrow do what is necessary to make the change permanent."

I used my alpha voice so that she didn't have a chance to disagree. My mates comfort was what was important. The smaller room would be fine for her mother. She nodded and immediately left the room. I pulled off my clothes with the exception of my boxers than turned to my mate to do the same thing. I left her in her shirt and undies then placed her under the covers and climbed in. She moved towards me and wrapped her arms snuggle around me.

The instant I felt her arms go around me my wolf started to calm down. I could feel the agitation leaving us. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. I wasn't worried for myself though, I knew I would win. I had Kalli to fight for and my father had nothing but his pride. Kalli's love would see me through this. With my mate at my side nothing could stop me. I couldn't wait to get the challenge over with so that my mate and I could bond. By this time tomorrow she would wear my mark and we would be fully bonded.