Mates Conquer Everything, Right?
35 Duels

“Ready?” Amanda and Ela are standing in front of my room, waiting for me. I follow them downstairs.

“Why is the grass field empty?” I look around and see no one standing in the training area.

“Did Igétas not tell you? It is duel day!” Ela says, hopping around Amanda in excitement.

Yesterday Igétas and I didn’t talk much. I was tired after a day with my emotions running all over the place, and we just cuddled on the couch like a “normal” dating couple.

“What is duel day?”

“We are not going for a run if that is what you are afraid of,” Amanda says with a wink. “We are going to fight in a duel. Wolf versus wolf or human versus human. Seeing how the training is going, the fight might go pretty far.” Amanda opens the door to the canteen, which is transformed into an arena.

“Wow.” There are two tables with names on them. Amanda and Ela go ahead and pick their names. I look around, I can’t spot Igétas. I can’t compete with wolves. Are they crazy? Yes, I work out every day and I’ve created some muscles, but I am as strong as a werewolf child, and I am not fighting a kid.

I walk over to Amanda and Ela, and see that my name is missing in the table. I feel Igétas behind me and don’t bother turning around as I speak to him.

“You took my name off it, didn’t you?”

“Your name was never on it. I can’t have you fight and get hurt.”

I turn around and smile at him. He looks confused.

“I am not mad, I am relieved. I am too weak to be a part of this training.”

He smiles and kisses the top of my head before he is called away.

“You two look cute.” I see Maya in her doctor’s uniform.

I blushed. “Hi, what are you doing here?” I was surprised to see her. She is never with us in the morning.

“I am the doctor. Did you think I would sit at home when blood will be flowing?” she says cheerfully and quickly changes her smile into a pity smile when she sees me frightened.

“Oh honey, I am sorry. I forget you are not from a pack. It is normal for wolves to transform and rip into each other for training purposes. We need to be strong for a possible attack. With duel day, we know what we need to change or which one of us is doing a better job to get promoted. It is a fun day.”

“Right,” I say, and try not to roll my eyes. Their concept of fun seems a little strange to me.

“Excuse my prying, but did you have the time to see doctor Brown?”

“I have an appointment for later today.”

“That’s great, Violet! I’m so proud of you.” She turns, watching everybody get into position. “I need to go. We are about to start.”

I scan the tribune and see a spot open next to Yolanda. Bingo. I sit next to her and she gives me a quick smile before turning her focus to her mate.

Everyone takes their positions, and I see the majority of the pack in the training area. There are multiple circles drawn on the floor. Half of the circles are filled with pack members in wolf form, the other half with them in human form. Tharros explains the rules. Only scratches and soft bites are allowed. Permanent damages on your opponent will cost you your status.

I see Amanda in a circle as human and spot Ela’s wolf close by. Amanda looks bored and Ela’s wolf looks excited and focused at the same time.

“Can we cheer them on?” I ask Yolanda and she shrugs her shoulders.

“It is not something we do. If you cheer on one pack member, you are against another fellow member.”

I chose my words carefully, but also with a little resentment.

“I am not a member.” I say with a sigh, and she nods, grabbing my hand.

“Just know you are a member to me.” At this moment, I can see why she is a Luna. She is kind, sweet, and caring. However I am the one with luna-courage. Igétas is stronger than Tharros. One day they will have to admit it to everyone.

The duels are exciting. After half an hour almost everyone has fought. It was a good thing Maya was present. Four wolves were bleeding and two humans needed care. One dislocated his arm because Amanda tossed him on the floor like it was nothing.

Amanda wins two games and is done with the duels. “So, how are you liking it?” She takes a seat next to me.

“I am not used to blood and violence, but I enjoyed seeing you win.” I give her my diplomatic answer and she nods.

Igétas steps into the circle with Oliver as a competitor. I feel a little nervous for both of them. They change into wolves and Amanda is in shock. A lot of pack members start whispering.

“What is it?” I ask, Amanda turns to me. “Do you see his size? He grew a lot. Like, I mean, he is so big.”

“Yes, I think you are right.” I don’t see the big deal.

“Think? No, he is massive.”

“Igétas told me it was normal for a wolf to get stronger if he meets his mate. And he met me.”

“Not this much.” She says, and the duel starts. Within ten seconds Igétas wins and Oliver is okay. No damage, because he surrendered quickly.

Ela starts her fourth fight and I turn to Amanda. “Are you done?”

“Yes, because of my situation it is not fair to fight me. I am hard to beat.”

“Hard to beat,” Yolanda says, “just say impossible.” She smiles and we watch the games. Ela did a great job and got a compliment from Tharros. Her smile is wide and she looks like she is floating.

Everyone goes home after the fights, and Amanda asks me to hang out in her room.

“Sorry Amanda, I have to go meet doctor Brown.”

“Right,” she says and hugs me. “You can do this.”

Igétas waves at me from the back of the canteen, and I nod, telling him it’s okay to stay where he is. We communicate without words. Must be a mate thing also.

I walk to Dr. Brown’s office and knock.

Time to sort some things out…