The Mark of an Alpha

The scared stares make my body feel ten times heavier. They know that this is bad, even I know this. Cedric fuzzy body moves closer.

At the moment I am the red flag being waved in front of a raging bull. Horns sharpen and ready to be dug into the person waving the flag.

What was I thinking? He challenged my father, I knew he was a strong man. You do not get the name Cedric the Destroyer going easy on people.

“God damn it, Melany,” Andrew yells, “get up!” He cannot hide the panic in his voice.

“I--,” my words are cut short as the air hisses with the velocity of Cedric’s foot slamming against my ribs.

The air gushes out of my lungs as my eyes feel as if they are about to bulge out of my skull. My father's shocked expression only tells me my worst fears are a reality, I cannot take him.

My father, Julian Blake, is clawing at the edge of the arena trying to figure out a way to stop this madness.

Cedric is brutal. I may have not done anything to him but he is demonstrating to my father his physical power over me.

Cedric’s heavy footsteps pound away at the platform, “Julian,” Cedric bellows and my father growls. “Are you sure that this pup is yours?”

“Back off,” my father hisses. Even as an alpha he cannot stop a fight that is accepted by both parties.

“Or maybe you’re losing your touch,” Cedric shrugs half-heartedly, “you are getting old.”

The pressure my hands put on my ribs does little to relieve the pain. I bite down the whimper of pain that is about to escape me, I don't want to give him the satisfaction of hearing it.

Melany, you have to stay awake. He can kill you if you don’t. My wolf pleads with me. She wants to surface but I deny it.

But all I want to do is fall into the darkness. Pain cannot be felt if your mind chooses to lose itself in the darkness.

“What do you think I should do?” Cedric’s voice is menacingly cold, “end it now or prolong the pain?”

Mel!

What? I know my wolf is getting frustrated with me. We have trained. Trained hard. Rain or shine my father showed me everything he knows and I cannot even beat his old opponent.

You can do this! Believe in yourself and you can do anything, Mel.

I can do anything.

Cedric's big feet stop before my head. “C’mon runt,” he spits to the side. His leg swings back and a howl of anger roars through the crowd distracting Cedric.

Rolling out of the way my arms push me into a push-up position, “Fuck off,” I grunt at him as my leg sweeps from under him sending him tumbling to the ground. His heavy body falls faster than I predict as I try crawling away but his body lands on my legs.

Cedric releases a string of profanities as his body hits the ground, “I’m going to kill you.”

Cedric has anger problems that much is clear--but one thing I know is that he hates when he is hit by a woman. My father was proud of defeating him for one reason, no man should raise his hand at a woman that cannot defend herself.

Pushing myself up I get to my feet and run at him. I need to keep him off his feet. He is strong when he is standing not so much when he loses his leg strength.

Close combat is the way to go. My wolf analyzes Cedric. Cut off his oxygen Mel.

With ease, my arm wraps around his neck as my hand grips my arm tightening my hold. The other arm snakes under his and pulls him closer to me and makes me hold tighter than a python.

“Get off of me,” he hisses but my hold tightens.

“No,” my breath hitches as he pounds his elbow to my side trying his best to throw me off.

“You’re gonna p-pay,” his voice falters at the end as my grip tightens a bit. My legs swing as the giant sways on his feet.

“What was that? Cedric, I couldn’t hear you,” I whisper into his ear as he drops onto his knees. The burning sensation flushes through my entire body as I hold onto him. He is too big and too strong for his good.

You can’t keep this up for too long.

I know.

Cedric’s head starts bobbing into unconsciousness. I need a little more time.

The tingling sensation invades the tips of my fingers as I fight to keep my grip on him. The feeling crawls up my arms as Cedric's breathing turns shallow.

“Crap,” the sensation numbs my arms and my grip wavers. With one last desperate action Cedric throws his head back as his head collides with mine.

Mel, don’t let go!

Too late, these black splotches invade my vision as my arms unlock and the air whips around me.

“Melany,” Marcus yells.

The crash landing feels as if I just landed on pillows instead of the hard ground but my body feels as if it weighs a ton and I cannot move. The crowds’ voices seem muffled as the dirt rises before me, Cedric is on the ground before me.

Get up Red! You can take him. I know it because I raised you.

My father’s mind invades mine as I look into those dark bulging eyes as Cedric takes a deep breath.

Fight back, Melany! He can’t win this fight.

Cedric is faster than I am, he is on his feet before I can even flip over.

“You’re gonna pay,” his foot slams down on my temple causing my vision to blur around the edges.

“Stop it,” someone yells, “she can quit. Tell her to quit!”

“I’m n-not a quitter,” flipping onto my back Cedric looms over me and I do the first thing that I can think of. My leg jerks up and my foot connects with his knee. Cedric’s huge body tumbles forward as I roll out of the way.

“You stupid mutt,” Cedric howls as his body hits the hard ground.

“Whatever you say,” the pain that courses through my body is numbed by my wolf as I get to my feet.

He lays there flat on his back giving me the chance to pounce on him my thighs by his ribs as my fist connects with his face several times. Blood gushes out of the corner of his lip as his eyes swell up.

“You think that we are weak,” I hiss as my knuckles connect with his cheek. “But look at you now,” someone grabs my waist and pulls me off with ease.

Anger coursed through me as the person pulls me away from Cedric, he needs to know that girls are not weak. Maybe next time he will think about hitting a defenseless person he will remember my fist hitting his face.

“Let go,” I growl as I am pulled away from him. Swinging my leg my foot connects with the side of his head and his face falls to the side looking away from me, “next time be careful who you pick as an opponent!”

“I have her,” Andrew’s voice makes it to me as the person hands me over to them. “That was brutal,” he says as he pulls me closer to him.

“Sorry,” I sigh as my wolf calms down and the pain rises once again.

“Take her to the infirmary,” my father orders Andrew. Andrew carries me off like an angry child.

“Where’s Marcus?” The distress in my voice must have tipped off Andrew.

“He tried getting into the fight twice before your father sent him off,” Andrew's words hit me like a ton of bricks.

“Where is he?” I gasp as the pain hits me tenfold. My body gives out and I am dead weight to Andrew. He lowers me down and I try my best to walk.

“He ran into the forest,” he pushes my arm over his shoulder as he grabs my waist. I hiss out a breath as his hand touches my ribs.

“Are you sure?” I search through the nearby trees but I can't sense him.

“He looked like he was going to lose it, Mel,” his eyes look over my abdomen as if looking for a spot to rest his hands, “his wolf was ready to rip him apart for hurting you.”

“I can take care of myself,” I snap at him, “I’ve been doing it for so long.”

“I know that Mel. I’ve been there the whole time but remember this,” here we go, “he has finally found his mate. He wants, no, needs to protect her at all cost. Give him a break.”

Andrew practically drags me to the infirmary but promised to keep his mind open so that I can see Marcus fight Sam. Dr. Graham inspects me as she sees that my wolf is not quite healing as fast as she would like.

“Your wolf is exhausted and needs some time to rest,” she assures me as worry rushes through me. My wolf is not up to par as she would like her to be. Dr. Graham’s green eyes meet mine, “don’t worry.” She pats my hand and says she will be back with a healer in a little bit.

Dr. Graham is the only person that I allow to look over me. She is the one that sewed up my shoulder when the wolf bit me, my fingers skim over the embedded mark.

This has become a habit when I doubt myself. Even as a pup my wolf and I fought our enemies without the help of a mate. Granted, I did not win most of my fights I still did not need him to rush to my rescue. I had my father for that. He knew how much I could take and only stepped in when I was a goner or could not do any longer.

Dr. Graham is back with one of the packs healers. Her ebony skin gives her this warmth that makes me feel safe. Her nurturing aura also helps me relax as the healer does his job.

“You can go to sleep,” she says as her fingers run through my hair helping me to fall into a deeper relaxed state.

“No, I’m waiting on Andrew,” she nods and keeps looking at what the healer is doing.

"When you're doing with whatever you wanting to talk to Andrew about I need you to rest." She leaves when I agree with her condition and I wait.

Mel, he’s back!

Is he still going to fight Sam?

So, he wants to be part of the pack.

Let me see him.

Andrew opens his mind and I see the arena where I was at not too long ago. Sam stands in the corner shirtless and bouncing on the balls of his feet. His eyes narrow as Marcus takes the opposite corner. Marcus’ eyes are hooded as he rolls his shoulders and squares up against Sam.

“This is the match we have all been waiting for. The fight between Sam and the newbie Marcus,” announcer shouts and the crowd roars in cheer.

Here it goes.

The crowd dies down as the fight begins. Sam bounces side to side, “Come on outcast.”

“Try me,” Marcus whispers but Andrew catches it.

Sam does not look like he wants to get close to Marcus.

I would be careful. He is one angry mate, bud. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Andrew’s commentary only pulls me closer to look at Marcus. There is no gleam in his eyes, only darkness as he throws his first two punches. Back to back in quick sessions, Sam dodges the first punch but the second one hits him right in the mouth.

“Try getting at my mate again,” Marcus’ hisses as he throws another punch but Sam leans away. If I was him I would have jumped back, Marcus sees this and his knee jabs right at his stomach.

“You can’t stop me, she is not yours.” Sam taunts him as he steps away from him fighting the urge to soothe the pain away from Marcus’ hits.

“You touch her and I’ll kill you.” Marcus takes two big steps towards Sam and he steps back. His feet dance at the edge of the arena, if he steps out Marcus will win the match.

“What if she asks me to?” There is a smirk on Sam’s lips as Marcus’ shoulder slump, “what if she says she wants me instead of you?”

Don’t listen to him. Don’t believe him.

“If Melany wanted to be with you, she would have had you a long time ago,” Marcus growls and lunges at him.

Sam is caught off guard by Marcus and he tumbles to the ground. They both are fast as they get to their feet. Sam throws a punch at Marcus and it hits him on the cheek but Marcus does not seem aware of that. He punches Sam on the temple and with one mighty kick to Sam’s knee he pushes Sam out of the arena.

“Marcus wins!” The announcer yells as Sam’s body hits the dirt.

What did you think? Andrew asks as his vision is filled with people cheering and laughter.

I don’t know.

"Where is she?” His voice pulls my body into a sitting position.

“What?” Andrew plays dumb.

Tell him.

“She’s in the infirmary, on the third floor. She is in the last room at the end of the hall. The alpha’s private room.” Marcus nods and vanishes into the people. I cut off our connection as a shiver runs all along my body. He is coming and I do not know if I am excited or worried about that.

How are you feeling? My father’s voice invades my mind.

Great, Dr. Graham fixed me up real good.

A few minutes pass and I hear a crash as a woman yells and metal clashes with metal.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in my infirmary,” Dr. Graham yells at someone.

There is a muffled response, “I don’t care what you are to the alpha I will kick you out. Understand,” my door swings open.

“Yes ma’am,” Marcus says as his eyes lock on mine.

“What was that all about?” I ask as I see his hand is covered in blood. His eyes follow mine and he wipes his knuckles on his sweatpants.

“I’m healed,” he assures me.

“You should have it checked,” I say as he moves to the edge of the bed.

“I’m sorry,” Marcus’ head slumps down.

“For what?”

“I’m a horrible mate,” he sighs. “To be honest I don’t know what I am doing.”

“I don’t think any of us have any idea what we’re doing? You’re not perfect and neither am I, but there is a reason why the moon goddess chose us for each other.”

He lifts his head and looks into my eyes, his hazel gaze burns into my memory as my wolf wakens from her slumber.

He is ours and we are his.

“Now come here,” I lift my hand to him and he takes it. “Help me out of here.”

Marcus and I have a lot to work on but my wolf is happy with him and I am as well.