Chapter Chapter Sixteen
Hailey’s POV
Today was the day I would be fighting against Tyler. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared but I was more excited than frightened. If I won, I would be Pack Warrior and that thought just lifted my spirits up. My wolf was so confident that we would win. I was strong and so was she. We could together take any wolf in battle.
I was in my room just lying on the bed and staring up at the ceiling. After a quiet early breakfast I came back here and shut myself in. The duel was at 10am sharp. Each and every pack member would be there to see who would win and become the pack warrior. I knew that many had bet on it duel and none of them were on me because all of them thought I couldn’t win. But I was so going to prove them wrong.
Suddenly my door opened wide and Liam stood at the doorway irritated and angry. He was one of the many few including Nate who had serious issues with this.
When I told him about this after our date he barged into Tyler’s room and held him by his neck above the ground. His eyes had changed showing his wolf wanted to escape. If it wasn’t for Nate, Kevin, Xavier and Ethan who pulled him back; he would have done some serious harm to him.
Even then he wasn’t calm so I hugged him around his waist till he sighed and hugged me back. I knew everyone was around, looking but I didn’t care. After sometime when Liam was calm I pulled back.
“Liam it’s done. Now getting angry isn’t going to change it. So please just trust me to take care of myself.” I held his face and I could see the war going on behind those beautiful brown eyes.
“Then I’ll change the rules. I’m Alpha I can do what I want.” He said in stubbornly.
“Don’t be stubborn Liam you’re not thinking straight. Just promise me you won’t do anything.” He shook his head but I held it with both hands. “Promise me baby.” I whispered lowly but I knew he heard it.
Hesitantly he nodded and I smiled, “do you trust me?”
“Of course I do.” He said quickly.
“Well then trust me when I say I can do this.” He looked up and glared at Tyler then Kevin. He must have understood or maybe read their minds that Kevin was the one to place the bet. One last look at me, he left. Since then he hasn’t spoken or said a word to me. He kept himself busy and only while sleeping I had the chance to hold him but he still seemed distant.
But now as he stood in front of me trying to form words, I just smiled and ran into him holding on to him as if my life depended on it. He must have understood because he held tight burying his face in my hair. I took in his earthy scent mixed with his strong cologne that calmed me. I knew he was doing the same.
“Hailey, what should I say or do for you to not go through this?” He whispered as he rested his head on my shoulder. Smiling I pulled back and placed my hands in his and gently squeezed them. “I got this. Trust me.” He didn’t say anything which I took as a yes.
“Well get ready your up in thirty.” He curtly said. Nodding, I tiptoed and captured his lips with mine making him grip me tight and he kissed me back with passion. I let him kiss me knowing he needed reassurance for my safety. He released my lips but kept his forehead on mine as we tried to catch our breath. Stroking my cheek, he turned quickly and left closing the door loudly behind him.
Changing into a black sports bra, black cycling shorts and putting on a hoody, I tied my hair in a tight pony tail. Putting my sneakers and securing it, I made my way downstairs. As I walked out to the front lawn, there wasn’t a single place to breath.
“Really now, does this have to be done in front of the whole freaking pack.” I grumbled to no one.
“Yes it does.” Came a smooth voice. Growling internally I turned to face Mathew.
Mathew Cole was by far the most irritating and annoying person I had ever met in my entire existence. When I had just joined the pack he had the hots for me too. So he made it his sole purpose to win me before Liam did. But I was already attracted to Liam so he definitely lost. Don’t get me wrong he is absolutely stunning. As he stood in front of me he looked as stunning as he did three years back. He had sandy blonde hair with ocean green eyes and nicely tanned skin. He was 6 feet tall and had a well-shaped body with hard ass abs. But his attitude and that stupid mouth is one big turn off.
“Hey beautiful, All these people have come to see a fallen angel like you fight.” He purred in my ear.
Rolling my eyes at him, “Please don’t flatter me. I still hate you with a certain passion.”
“Well as long as you have a passionate feeling towards me I’ll live with it.” He said holding his hands over his heart.
“Get a life.” I said nonchalantly. “Is this jerk annoying you, my lady?” Smiling I turned and saw Ethan walk up behind him. Quickly excusing himself Mathew fled. Ethan and I laughed as we made our way to the center of the front lawn. On the way many wished me luck and gave me their blessings.
Seeing Lily and Claire, I walked to them. “I can’t wait for you to become pack warrior.” Lily squealed drawing attention. Claire smacked on the head, “keep it down a notch nutty!” Turning to me, she smiled, “I know you will win Hails. I have faith in you.”
“Thank you guys. Means a lot.” I was glad at least they had my back.
I really wished Erick would be here, but such events no one other than pack members were allowed. Suddenly a loud horn was blown and everyone moved back and made a circle. Sloan, an elder in the pack came into the circle and clapped his hand to get everyone’s attention.
“We have all gather here to witness a duel between our pack warrior Tyler,” Tyler stepped into the circle on his right, “and Hailey.” He nodded at me. Sloan was like a father figure to all. As former beta and Nate’s father, he had helped Liam and the pack in supporting everyone after the death of the previous alpha, Liam’s father
I quickly pulled Kevin and Ethan aside. “Where is Liam?”
“He is, umm cooling off. Still a little bit angry but he will have to come as alpha.” Ethan replied worriedly.
“Well ok but I need you to promise me something. If anything happens to me in the fight don’t let him do anything. Hold him off till the end.” I looked at them in the eye. Shaking their head, “we can’t promise you Hails but we’ll try.” Kevin said slowly.
I turned and entered the ring. Tyler looked tense and I grinned at him. “Don’t hold back Tyler dear.”
“Wasn’t planning to Hailey dear.” He said letting a smirk adorned his face. I took off my hoody and the crowd roared with wolf whistles and ooohhhs. I could feel every un-mated wolves eye me with lust. Liam looked beyond pissed at my attire but shrugging it and decided to deal with him later. I faced Tyler, who was shirtless wearing only brown color cargo shorts.
“So are you going to shift?” Tyler asked me. “Nope, not now at least, what about you?” I asked him back.
“Yup, my wolf wants to face the person who challenged him and I can’t hold him back.” He said. I faked being scared and he smiled satisfied. Getting into a fighting stance, I watched as he shifted in to his wolf. His reddish brown fur shined in the morning sun causing me to stare in awe.
We circled around, each waiting for the other to attack first. I taunted him, urging him to attack. Growling lowly he charged at me in full speed. Keeping my hands in front and right leg behind, I readied myself. As his head banged into me, I wrapped my hands around it and held as we landed on the ground. He twisted and scraped my arm. Losing my hold on him, he escaped and stood at a distance.
“Hailey!” I looked up and shook my head as I saw Liam being held down by Ethan, Kevin, Xavier and Mathew. Nate stood beside them his hands clenched so tight that I swear I saw blood. I saw that there were four deep long gashes on my forearm. Flinching as it stung bad, I got up and faced Tyler again.
“Well that’s it. Too bad.” I said jokingly. He growled loudly and I knew I touched a nerve there. He charged at me again and this time I was more than ready. Keeping my eye on his left rear leg, I dodged his attack and kicked him there. Losing his balance he crashed into a tree. As he got up he shook his head and glared at me while I wiped my brow. My hand was bleeding and the blood dripped onto the ground. With new found strength I charged at him for the first time. Doing a summer sault I landed on his back wrapped my arms around his neck and strangled him. He struggled and started scratching my hands with his nails.
Gritting my teeth, I held him tighter trying to choke him but not really shutting off his air supply. After what felt like ages but must have been few minutes he stopped and hung his head down in defeat as his breath came out in gasps. Releasing him I walked back as I stared at him in shock. I was shock that he had given up. I thought he did it on purpose, but when I saw that he couldn’t get up I knew that I had genuinely won. His eyes held sadness but there was something else there. I looked carefully and knew he was proud of me and not angry. Smiling at him and mouthing ‘I love you and I’m sorry’ to him I turned to face the crowd.
A huge roar of howls and claps filled my ears. Suddenly strong hands held me tightly and took in a deep breathe. “Liam relax see I’m fine.” He pulled back and glared at me with unshed tears. “You scared me Hails.” He growled angrily. Bowing my head at my alpha in submission as his anger and fright hit me in waves. Noticing my discomfort he held my chin and lifted my head, “I’m sorry Hails. I didn’t mean to yell at you.”
“It’s ok baby. I understand.” I hugged him again and felt his heartbeat come back to a normal rhythm.
“Baby girl, are you ok?” Nate asked from behind me. Smiling with tears in my eyes and hugged him as he held me tight. Pulling back I face everyone else and smiled when they congratulated me. I turned and saw Tyler now in black track pants, trying to stand up. He had a gash on his fore head and he was limping a lot. I ran to towards him I jumped into his arms startling him. He tripped but held himself and wrapped his arms around me. I cried on his shoulder and hugged him tighter. “I’m sorry Tyler. I’m so sorry.”
“Hey hey Hails.” he held me back and bent his face to face me. “Don’t ever apologize for this. You won fair and square. I’m glad I lost to you than anyone else. Now you know that you are so strong and you don’t ever have to feel doubt again.” He smiled knowingly.
“And know we can be the first pack to have such a hot and sexy Pack Warrior unlike before.” Said Kevin as all four boys came up behind and hit Tyler on the back causing him to flinch in pain. Rolling his eyes at him, Tyler held me as we all walked to the pack house.
“Hailey, your hand!” Liam yelled worriedly as he stopped and looked at my hand. I looked down and saw my entire hand was covered with dry blood and more blood flowed out. The pain on my hand suddenly intensified and I held it in pain. I felt light headed due to the blood loss and my eyes rolled into my head. I felt five pair of hands hold me before I could hit the ground.
“Hailey” I heard Liam scream and then blackness crept up behind my eyelids.
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