AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What is that?” Corey asked.
“It’s a game that other dens play, all in fun. A way to allow alphas to fight, almost like the human equivalent of a boxing match. Friendly, but still competitive.”
“They fight in their bear form?” Corey was suspicious, and he probably should be.
“Yes. Generally, the den nominates people to fight, or you can volunteer yourself.”
“Why is Aydan doing this?” my mate whispered to me.
“It is fun. It’s a great way for alphas to build camaraderie. But mostly, I think he wants to be able to kick my ass without actually hurting me or him.” And if that would make this blow over, I was happy to let him get in a few hits.
“So this is a pissing contest?”
I snorted a laugh. “It is indeed, mate.”
“Will he hurt you?” The worry in his voice was sweet, but not needed.
“No, he won’t. Your brother and I have sparred before over the years. In the Ritual of the Roar, it is customary for the Alpha and his second to fight first so that everyone knows it is in good fun and not malicious.” It wasn’t like old-school wolf packs who bled each other for fun.
Just then, Aydan shouted into the crowd, “And who shall I take on as my challenger?”
“Beta Zane!” Nate, my little apprentice and current traitor shouted into the crowd.
“Yes, of course. My second-in-command. My best friend.” Aydan’s lips quirked. “And also, my brother-in-law,” he added, gesturing for me to come up. The crowd parted for me. They formed a circle, as was customary.
“Goddamit,” I muttered, even though I knew it was coming. There was no way out of this. But if this was what it took to put this behind us and move on as friends, then so be it.
Aydan and I stood face to face, stripped of our clothes, ready to shift and fight.
“Do you think perhaps we could’ve done this differently?” I asked.
He shook his head. “We’ve talked about bringing back this tradition. It seemed only fitting that now would be the time for it.”
“No time like the present to kick my ass, huh?”
“I’ll take it easy on you,” he said. He wasn’t going to. For some reason he felt like he needed this.
I grinned. “Likewise.”
We shook hands, and I knew then that perhaps my mate was right. Aydan wasn’t upset at our mating. He was just upset at the course of events and that we hadn’t come to him sooner. We would have to talk that out. But for now, if his bear wanted to fight it out, a fight was what I would give him.
After we shook hands, we shifted to our bear form. I couldn’t even begin my attack before Aydan was on me.
Chapter 17
Corey
“Is it always like this?”
I glanced at the omega next to me. It was one of the alpha Griff’s brothers. Finnegan, I thought his name was.
I shook my head. “Not sure. This is my first den celebration.” But also, it wasn’t normal for my brother like this. Aydan had a bug up his ass about my mating, and this was his way to pound on my mate without a formal challenge. Thank goddess for small favors, I guess. A black eye was a thousand times better than bleeding out and either submitting and getting removed from the pack or going to be with the goddess. It was scary how many packs were still that old-school.
He smiled. “Same. At least at this den. Though if my brother has his way, I’ll be staying longer.”
I raised a brow. The plan had been for them to be gone already, and they weren’t making many moves to have that happen. It shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. The entire situation was confusing.
“I thought he was hell-bent on taking all of you home after… you know.” Me ruining everything.
