The challenge came at dawn.
I felt it before I heard it a ripple through the pack bond, sharp and urgent. Kael was awake instantly, out of bed, reaching for weapons.
"What is it?"
"Challenge." His voice was grim. "Someone's challenging for Alpha."
My blood ran cold.
"Who?"
"I don't know yet." He pulled on clothes, strapped knives to his thighs. "Stay here."
"The hell I will."
He looked at me. For a moment, I thought he'd argue. Then he nodded.
"Stay close. Don't interfere. Whatever happens" His jaw tightened. "Whatever happens, trust me."
"I always trust you."
The clearing was full.
Dozens of wolves, human and shifted, ringed the space. At the center stood a wolf I didn't recognize huge, dark-furred, eyes blazing with challenge.
Beside him, Torin.
Kael's hand found mine. Squeezed once.
"Torin's second," he murmured. "Garrick. He's been pushing for Alpha for years."
"Why now?"
"Because of the alliance. Because he thinks I'm weak for trusting." Kael's eyes never left the wolf. "He's wrong."
Kael stepped forward.
"Garrick." His voice carried across the clearing. "You challenge me?"
The wolf shifted. Became a man tall, scarred, furious.
"I challenge." His voice was rough. "You've made alliances with wolves who should be enemies. You've let a human into our pack. You've forgotten what it means to be Alpha."
Murmurs through the crowd.
Kael didn't flinch.
"I've done what's necessary to protect this pack. The alliance saves lives. My mate" His eyes found me. "My mate is my strength, not my weakness."
"Your mate is human." Garrick spat the word. "Soft. Weak. A liability."
Rage flared through the bond. I felt Kael's control slip just slightly.
"Say that again."
Garrick smiled. "Your mate is weak. She doesn't belong here. She never will."
Kael moved.
Fast. Faster than I could track. One moment he was beside me. The next, he had Garrick by the throat.
"Fight me for real," Kael growled. "Or shut up."
Garrick's smile widened. "I accept."
The clearing cleared.
Wolves formed a circle, leaving space for the fight. Rules were called out no killing, no permanent damage, first to submit loses.
Kael stripped off his shirt. Handed it to me.
"Whatever happens"
"You'll win." I met his eyes. "I believe in you."
He kissed me. Hard and quick.
Then he shifted.
I'd seen him shift before. It never got less breathtaking. His body rippled, bones reforming, fur sprouting. In seconds, a massive black wolf stood where my husband had been.
Garrick shifted too. Dark grey, nearly as large.
They circled.
The fight was brutal.
Teeth and claws and fur flying. Wolves howled encouragement. I gripped Kael's shirt and tried not to scream.
Through the bond, I felt everything.
His focus. His rage. His love for me, burning bright beneath the violence.
Garrick was strong. Skilled. But Kael was Alpha for a reason.
He feinted left, dodged right. Caught Garrick's leg in his jaws. Pulled.
Garrick yelped. Went down.
Kael was on him instantly. Teeth at his throat.
"Submit," Kael growled. Human words from wolf's mouth.
Garrick struggled. Kael tightened his grip.
"Submit."
Garrick went still. Whined.
Submitted.
Kael released him. Shifted back to human.
Blood covered his chest some his, most Garrick's. He stood over his defeated challenger, breathing hard.
"You're banished." His voice was cold. "You and anyone who follows you. Leave by nightfall."
Garrick shifted back. Nodded. Didn't meet his eyes.
Torin stepped forward. "I had no part in this."
"I know." Kael looked at him. "Your second is your problem now."
Torin nodded. Turned to deal with his wolf.
Kael walked to me.
I met him halfway.
Threw my arms around him despite the blood, despite the crowd, despite everything.
"You're okay," I whispered. "You're okay."
"I'm okay." He held me tight. "I told you I'd win."
"I know. I still worried."
"Always?"
"Always."
He laughed. Winced. "Might have cracked a rib."
"Idiot."
"Your idiot."
"Damn right."
The pack celebrated that night.
Kael was tended by the healer three cracked ribs, countless bruises, nothing permanent. Garrick and his followers were gone. The alliance held.
Torin approached us during the feast.
"Kael. Elena." He inclined his head. "I'm sorry. For Garrick. For the challenge. I had no idea"
"Stop." Kael's voice was tired but not angry. "You didn't know. It's handled."
Torin nodded. Looked at me.
"You were brave today. Standing there, watching. Most human mates would have hidden."
"I'm not most human mates."
"No." He smiled real smile, not the sharp one from before. "You're not."
He walked away.
Kael pulled me close.
"Told you."
"Told me what?"
"You're not weak. You're the strongest person I know." He kissed my hair. "My Luna."
"Your mate."
"Everything."
That night, he was gentle.
The fight had taken something from him not his strength, but his edge. He moved slowly, carefully, reverently.
Laid me on the bed and worshipped me.
"Kael"
"Shh." His lips traced my skin. "Let me. Let me show you what you mean to me."
I did.
He kissed every bruise, every scar, every inch of me. By the time he finally entered me, I was trembling with need.
"Look at me."
I did.
Gold eyes, soft now. Full of love.
"I'd fight a thousand challenges for you."
"I know."
"I'd die for you."
"I know." I pulled him closer. "But I'd rather you live for me."
He smiled. Kissed me.
"Deal."
We moved together, slow and perfect, until we came apart in each other's arms.