The Mark of an Alpha
Chapter 53

The atmosphere is palpable as everyone seems to keep their voice low.

We eat our breakfast in silence as Hunter offers to get our beverages.

The line at the beverage area has almost died down and Hunter seems pleased that there will not be a need to make conversations.

I poke at my biscuits and sigh I am no longer hungry.

Why am I allowing myself to feel this way? He was no one to me a few days ago. Now he seems to be ruining this festivity for Hunter and me.

Derek is messing everything up for me and I am just letting him.

“What’s the matter, Alpha Blake?” I look at Calvin who is staring at me with worry when suddenly his eyes harden. He visibly swallows as he eyes fight to look in the direction that he is in.

I am about to wave my hand in his face when he inhales slowly and then glances down at me. He does not have to speak for me to see that he does not want to mention what just happened so I do him the favor.

“I would really rather you call me Melany, we’re friends.” His eyes soften on me as he bites the side of his cheek mulling over that suggestion.

“I’ll try,” he smiles. Calvin is young but when he puts on his facade he looks older. At the moment he childish features peek through, he has some deep dimples.

“I am fine with fighting anyone here but if I have to go and fight Hunter I don’t think I’ll be able to it.” I glance around. Obviously, the men in the room have years of training, as do I. But they appear to have been around longer and have had the alpha status longer than I have.

When Calvin said that the alphas fight one another that was the first thought that ran through my mind. What if I have to fight Hunter?

“You can always forfeit. The last fight is the one you have to worry about.”

Forfeit?

Forfeit is not in our vocabulary.

“Why is that?” What can possibly happen in the last battle?

“It’s against Alpha Storm,” my fork scrapes the plate making this irritating sound I drop my fork.

I know everyone is staring and I am becoming used to it. I look over at Derek and he is talking to Zeke but his eyes flicker to me.

“Wouldn’t mind going up against him,” I hiss. His eyes narrow as I stare back at him.

“You’re one of very few. You see no one has ever won a fight against The Alpha.” Calvin states and I notice that he does not look over at Derek.

“What happens if someone beats him?” Hunter asks his interest is piqued. He leans closer to me trying to hear Calvin.

“Hmm," he ponders that for a moment, "I guess you shame him in front of his entire pack,” Calvin hides a chuckle with a soft cough. "But that is an assumption. From what I know no one has ever won a fight against The Alpha."

That is obvious but you do not win something? You just beat the big boss.

“That’s enough for me.” Hunter shrugs smugly. That is enough for me as well.

The ringing of bells telling us it is time to leave the hall. Calvin directs us to the back of the castle and we step outside.

Everyone is standing staring out towards a rectangular area where the dirt is perfectly flattened and there are bleachers surrounding the area. Everyone walks over to take a seat and Calvin leads the way.

“You said that this is just for the alphas, right?” Andrew asks looking around. There are some very muscular males walking around.

“Yes, just the alphas.” We take a seat at the top of the bleachers Derek walks to the middle of the arena.

“Okay, today we will see our fellow alphas fighting skills. I will allow anyone who doesn’t want to participate to forfeit now.” A few hands go up and Derek nods. I am surprised but when I look at the men that raised their hand they are much older. They are most likely ready to hand down their status to someone much younger than themselves.

“Mel, maybe you should...” Hunter clears his throat not wanting to finish his statement. I know that he does not want me to be involved, but I am not scared. My father prepared me for this.

“I don’t want to show him any more weakness,” he nods his understanding.

“Okay, let’s get this started.” Zeke walks out with a container full of the names of the alphas here. Zeke stands before his alphas presenting him the container. Derek pulls out two papers.

“Jameson and Collin,” two males get up and walk down to the arena. I stare at them they do not show any sign of fear. Once they are next to Derek they bow down before each other. They shake hands and Derek starts the count down.

“Three..." The men get into a fighting stance, "two..." Collin lowers down a bit as Jameson takes in all of Collin, "one...Go!”

The men fight brutally. My heart jumps to my throat. Their punches echo in my ears as the men go at it both of them getting good shots. Jameson starts pounding away at Collin’s face but he blocks the hits but when he peaks over his hands Jameson's fist connects with his face. Collin is knocked out before his body hits the floor.

There is a gasp that whips through the crowd and when Collin does not respond the crowd breaks out in a cheer.

“Oh my god,” I swallow.

“The winner is Alpha Jameson,” Derek says and Jameson gives his beta a huge bloody smile.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” my stomach turns as I see their violence.

Can I really go up against these males?

You can and you will. You’re the only female alpha you have to.

I repress my gagging reflex and take deep breaths. “Now, one fight down four to go.” Derek grabs two more names, “Martin and Hunter.”

My hand involuntarily grabs his hand. I look at him and I can feel my chest tighten.

“Please," I stand with him, "if it is too much for you...” He smiles at me and I know that he is not going to quit, he is a fighter.

“Don’t worry I can take care of myself. Plus, I need to work out this stress I’m feeling I don’t want to see you fight.” He kisses me gently on the lips and then heads down where his opponent waits for him.

Be careful.

Martin and Hunter shake hands. Silence fills the bleachers once again as Derek counts down again. When he says go Martin does not hesitate when he punches Hunter right on the jawline.

“Ouch!” Andrew hisses.

Hunter does not look affected by the blow. Martin is concentrated on Hunter’s fist that he does not see his leg flying up and kick him right in the shoulder.

“Come on Hunter!” I scream as my wolf pounds at my mind wanting to help Hunter.

Andrew's hand clamps over my mouth, "Don't distract him." I smack his hand away.

Martin keeps his arms close around his face using them as a shield. Hunter grabs his shoulders and helps himself keep balance as his knee jerks up and connects with his abdomen.

"Ooow," the crowd reacts.

Martin's arms drop and wrap around his torso that is when Hunter takes his chance and with a swift movement his foot connects with the side of the man’s face. The man motions that he is done.

Derek does not seem pleased, “The winner is Alpha Hunter.” The announcement echoes through the arena covering my scream of excitement.

I run down the steps avoiding crashing to the people below. Once I am on the second step my body flies through the air. Hunter grabs me midair as my arms wrap around his neck. My body collides with his as his arms wrap around me.

“I told you I would be fine.” His nose skims my neck as my arms tighten around his neck and my hand runs through his hair.

Hunter kisses my cheek. I try to squirm out of his hold but he refuses and carries me back up the bleachers.

The third round goes to Jameson and Henderville. Jameson’s does not last long he did not have a lot of time to heal before this fight. He is knocked out quickly with one hit to the temple.

The fourth round is between West and Vince. They both come down side by side they must be friends.

The round begins and it is quickly dominated by Vince. The man’s fists are like bullets. He hits fast and hard. His friend did not stand a chance. West is on the ground his face is bruise as I bet the rest of his body is. Both his eyes are swollen it is clear who won this round.

Vince helps his friend up and they sit at bottom bleacher as a woman goes running to West. She looks over him and she is clearly his mate and a healer.

Once the men are off the arena the silence is thick. This is what everyone has been waiting for. The fight that everyone waits a decade.

“Now for the last round...” Zeke announces as Derek puts his hand in the container.

It appears as if everyone has stopped breathing for the moment as he pulls out one paper.

“My opponent will be...” He unfolds the paper and his eyes widen. The pause makes people question what is happening. Derek's eyes scan the arena but he does not seem to want to actually look at the person he is about to announce. “ Alpha Blake,” he finally breaks his silence and looks directly at me.

I knew it.

"No way,” Hunter growls. "He must have had this planned! It's too much of a coincidence."

“If he did plan it I can still face him.” Hunter stands and I stand with him my hands on his shoulder trying to calm him down.

“Melany, he’s quick so let your reflexes do the work and when you hit,” Calvin breathes out, “hit with all you have to make every punch count,” Calvin says through tight lips so that no one knows what he is saying.

I nod at him and look at Hunter as he desperately looks at me. He is the strongest alpha here. The fear in his eyes makes that very clear.

“I know it’s useless to say but please quit when you can’t take any more.” Hunter's hold tightens on my hand and I fear that he will not let me go.

“I’m not a quitter,” I say and look out to the arena Derek is looking at me. It seems as if he is waiting for something.

I force Hunter's grip to loosen on mine and I give him a reassuring smile. Derek tilts his head as if waiting for me to say something to him.

If he thinks you’re forfeiting he has another thing coming.