Royals

Chapter Twelve

"Oh God." Alyssa muttered.

She placed the young boy on her back and shifted into her black wolf.

Alyssa could take Mason on any day and win. But doing so while trying to protect a child. That would prove to be difficult especially if Mason also had Caden with him.

Like always.

Fortunately, the boy clung to Alyssa's fur, letting her run as fast as she could. She let out another howl, hopefully one that Xavier heard and pressed on.

Weaving in and out of trees, Alyssa let out a sigh of relief as she felt the familiar warmth of Royal Blue Moon Pack.

Unfortunately, Mason caught up quickly but was smart enough not to cross. He shifted out of his black wolf and said smugly,

"Who would have thought that Alyssa Wilder would be dumb enough to cross onto Royal lands?"

Alyssa shifted back as well placing the young boy down. Two warriors came up to them and asked,

"Luna are you alright."

"Luna?" Mason asked smugly as if he knew everything he needed.

"Take this boy to safety, he's my personal guest." Alyssa commanded, remembering the rules of guest right.

Alyssa turned back to Mason who was about to make his exit when she said loudly,

"I challenge you to Certamen."

Certamen was the wolf challenge of power. Most of these fights happened over territory or leadership but few were fought over information.

If Alyssa won she could command Mason not to tell anyone, including their father...that was one rule King Spencer couldn't break.

However, if Mason won, information of the same value could be extorted over her.

No one ever backed down from Certamen.

"I accept your challenge. Where is your witness? I have Caden."

"He's right here." Xavier said behind Alyssa.

Alyssa shot a thankful glance to her younger brother and asked her more deceitful one,

"Wolf form or human?"

"Human." Mason said confidently, knowing that Aria was much more powerful than his wolf.

"Weapon of choice?" Alyssa asked.

Mason paused to think about it before saying,

"Swords."

Xavier sent a guard to get two swords and it was Jordan who brought them out. He passed one to Mason and one to Alyssa.

"Be careful." He whispered in her ear.

"I'm always careful." She said with a wink.

Jordan said to the witnesses and contestants,

"You all know the rules. This is not a 'to the death' match. No cheap shots. Everything else goes."

Mason and Alyssa took opposite sides and Jordan said,

"Begin."

They both circled each other, swords raised.

Mason thought that Alyssa didn't know how to use a sword, when actually, swords and knives were her go to weapons. Courtesy of Paxton.

Mason made the first move charging high. Alyssa paried quickly and took in account Mason's footing.

His left foot was angled more forward and when Mason went to step back Alyssa used her sword and sliced the back of his calf.

He let out a grunt of pain and tested how much pressure he could put on it.

Little did he know Alyssa cut the top of his Achilles tendon.

When he put weight on his foot he fell to the ground and Alyssa used the hilt of her sword and knocked Mason's sword from his hand.

'That was almost too easy.' Aria commented

It fell and Alyssa put her sword to Mason's throat.

"I, Alyssa Wilder, am champion of this Certamen. You, Mason Wilder, are not to speak of this to anyone and that includes your witness. If anyone should here of this you are bound to death." Alyssa held so much power in her tone it made Mason and Caden flinch.

Kicking Mason in the chest, hard she said,

"Get off my land, rogue."

With Caden's help, Mason scampered off. Alyssa held her head up high and said,

"I'm going inside to see the kid, anyone care to join?"

"I'll come." Jordan said and caught up quickly to her. "You are absolutely breathtaking when you are fighting." Jordan said in a seductive tone.

Alyssa hid her smile and asked one of the guards,

"Where is the boy I brought?"

"In your room, Luna."

Alyssa gave a quick head nod and hurried up to her room.

The boy was in there playing with some of Dani's old toys.

Alyssa knelt down next to him and asked,

"Do you remember me?" He nodded and continued playing.

"Can you tell me your name?"

"Daniel." He said in a small voice.

"I'm Alyssa...can I play with you?"

Daniel nodded his head again and so that's what Alyssa did the rest of the evening. She played with Daniel until he fell asleep on the couch.

"You are amazing." Jordan said, from behind Alyssa.

"Why thank you my king." She said in a playful tone.

"I remember when my sister was that age." Jordan said in a thoughtful tone.

"Dani?" Alyssa asked, wrapping Jordan's arms around her waist.

"No...my parents had another daughter, she was taken from the palace a long time ago."

"I'm sorry." Alyssa said, leaning into Jordan's touch.

"It's not your fault."

"What was her name?"

"Victoria." He whispered.