Wild at Heart
Chapter 40

“No!” Natalie’s scream echoed through the woods, but Alan’s grip held her back. Natalie wasn’t stupid, she knew what challenging an Alpha would mean for Chase. This fight wasn’t going to be anything like the Mating Ritual. There was no circle; there was no backing down. Nick would have to kill Chase to keep his title of Alpha, there wasn’t another option. Chase couldn’t win, I couldn’t lose Nick. But the fact that Nick was injured by a rogue not long ago put a knot in my stomach that made me want to throw up.

“Challenge accepted.” Nick responded; his glare locked on Chase. My heart began beating out of my chest. I knew Nick had to accept his challenge. If he didn’t, he was giving Chase his pack and Nick would never do that.

“Well, this just got interesting.” Reginald said with a grin. “I guess I’ll be officiating this challenge.” Reginald would be calling the victor after the fight. The witnesses would go back to their packs and tell the stories of how their brave Alpha defended his title.

“Nick...” I touched his arm and he finally broke his stare from Chase and turned to me.

“I’ll be fine, little wolf.”

“I know.” I pressed my lips to his and backed up to Alan and Natalie. The East pack gave the two wolves space as well and they began taking their clothes off. Nick pulled the bloody gauze from his skin and tossed it to the ground. Chase grinned at the wound like it was an opening for his triumph. We all watched as they shifted, their bones snapping in the silence of the woods. I couldn’t tame my heart from pounding against my ribs faster than a stampede. I had confidence in Nick, I knew he would win, but that didn’t make me feel better that he was being challenged.

Chase’s wolf began to circle Nick, but he stayed put, keeping his eyes on his opponent. Chase was the first to lunge at Nick, jumping from the ground in an attempt to tackle Nick, but he was too quick. He sidestepped and Chase landed in the dirt beside him. Chase instantly tried nipping at Nick’s paws, but Nick danced them away from him. Anyone could see that Chase was an inexperienced fighter, but so was Derek and that wasn’t an easy win for Nick. Nick challenged Chase with a growl and Chase returned the snarl. Nick was playing defense and Chase was taking the bait. He could see his moves coming long before he made them. Chase lunged at Nick again, Nick backed up just enough to miss his snout, but Chase surprised us all by swiping his claws at Nick’s front leg and actually making contact. I sucked in a breath and held it as Nick kneeled slightly from the impact. Chase took the opening like anyone would and latched his jaws into Nick’s shoulder. Nick slammed his body on top of Chase’s, and he released his hold on Nick so he could yelp in pain. Nick swung his paw around him and made contact with Chase’s fur. Blood splattered across the grass, but the two weren’t done yet. Chase kicked at Nick’s wounded side his fur darkened with bloodstain. Nick backed off Chase and they both stood to their feet. Both wolves were wounded, and the woods filled with the stench of bloodshed. I wanted to turn and look away, but I couldn’t. I wanted to call Doctor Morris and tell her to get her ass down here and be ready to aid Nick when this fight was over, but I couldn’t. I had to stand like a stone statue and watch as my mate fought for his life.

Chase jumped at Nick again, but he stood on his hind legs and met Chase with his paws. He locked them around Chase’s neck and flung him to the ground. Chase’s fur tickled the river and he tried to stand, but the crackle that sounded through the woods as he made contact with the ground told me some bones were now broken. Nick growled at Chase again and clamped his jaw on his neck. Chase lifted his leg and pawed at Nick’s previous wound and they both fell backwards into the shallow edge of the river. I covered my mouth to hold in any sounds threatening to come out. Please Moon Goddess, end this. The wolves came up for air but tumbled into the water again. Nick bit into Chase’s shoulder and he let out a painful howl as another bone snapped in his body. Chase threw himself under the water in an attempt to drown Nick into letting him go. The water thrashed around them but neither one came up for air. Natalie whimpered beside me as I tried my best to stay calm. Nick finally broke though the water pulling Chase by the scruff of his neck. Chase’s body was limp as he allowed Nick to drag him back into the grassy land. Chase’s eyes fluttered slightly, showing signs of life but not by much. Nick released him and stepped back, giving him an opportunity to get up. Nick growled at Chase’s limp body. Nick had to finish him off. If he showed any type of mercy, no winner would be declared and Nick would still lose his pack, leaving the North Pack with no alpha. I could see it in Nick’s eyes that he didn’t want to kill Chase. He wasn’t a murderer; he didn’t kill for pleasure. He killed to protect is pack. Stefan’s cold-blooded nature fogged my mind and I wondered if Nick would show hesitation in killing him to protect is. Will time tell me that answer?

Suddenly, as if Chase were playing us all along, he jumped at Nick and tackled him to his back. He went for his throat, but Nick turned just in time for Chase to latch onto his collarbone instead. Nick growled in pain and tried to release his grip, but he wouldn’t budge. Nick growled again and turned his head, his canine’s crashing into Chase’s skull. Chase’s head was practically inside Nick’s mouth. He could either release his ill grip on Nick, or Nick would crush his skull. Chase let out a small whine as Nick closed his mouth harder, then harder. Finally, Chase surrendered and released Nick, but Nick didn’t release Chase. He clamped his jaw down like an alligator and Chase’s limp lifeless body fell on top of Nick. The sound of Chase’s crushed skull echoed throughout the woods and no one moved. Blood was dripping from Nick’s mouth as he slid his body out from under Chase’s.

Natalie collapsed to the ground, tears flowing evenly as she wailed. Alan stood beside her, his grip on her finally releasing, knowing she had nowhere to go. Daniel handed Nick his jeans back and he slid them on after shifting back into his human form. Without his fur to hide the wounds, his body was covered in blood. I wanted to run to him and help him, but I wouldn’t dare allow Reginald to see any weakness in Nick. I stood beside Alan where I had been and tried to drown out the sound of Natalie’s cries, knowing if it were Nick laying on the ground and Chase walking away from his body I would be doing the same thing she was.

“Well done, Nicklaus.” Reginald said with a smile. “You continue to show me why I am pleased of our alliance.” I could tell something was wrong, but I continued to stand still. Nick nodded and took a labored breath.

“Thank you for coming Reginald. We’ll be in touch.” Nick stood his ground, but I knew better than anyone that he was not steady on his feet. I locked eyes with Daniel, and he gave me a gentle nod to show me he noticed as well. But neither of us dared to move.

“I look forward to it.” He nodded at Nick and turned to leave, taking his daughters and his Beta with him. As soon as they were out of sight I ran to Nick, barely catching him as he collapsed to the ground.