To Love an Alpha (Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance) (5 page)

Dominic stared at Joseph for a full minute before he heard the Old Wolf speak up.

“Your daughter came to us and presented a plan that we…felt was a solution to this matter.”

At this, Dominic turned to his daughter, who looked back at him. Not taking his eyes off of her, he asked, “And just what might that plan be?”

“Our pack laws are there as a guide for us to live by. Sometimes, in situations like these, there has to be exceptions to the rules.” Another Councilman spoke up.

“There will be a exhibition match between you and Kenny Richardson one week from today. You will fight for your honor that you feel has been stolen from you. If Kenny wins, you will accept this mating.”

Dominic looked around the room. He even felt relief from his mate. It seemed his mind had been made up for him.

“And if I win?”

“That decision rests with you. Your daughter understands the risk of her mate losing this fight. We leave it up to you what happens if you win.”

“Does the boy know of this?” He asked.

“No, but he will, and you can guarantee he will be ready.” Joseph said.

“Make sure that he is. I will not hold back just because he is your son.” he turned to his daughter, “Or because he is your mate.”

He looked back to the council members, looking each one in the eyes.

“Are we done here?”

“Yes we are. We will meet again the day of the exhibition.”

Chapter 6

Joseph knocked on Kenny’s door.

“Son, may I come in?”

“It’s open.” Kenny said.

Joe walked into his son’s room. The boy looked a mess. He was unshaved and his hair was all over his head. He could use a haircut as well.

“I’ve just come from a meeting with the council.”

Kenny didn’t look interested. He sat and listened but didn’t look at his father.

“The council had decided to give you a chance, son. A chance to win your mate back.”

At the mention of his mate, Kenny sat up straight and gave his father his full attention.

Joseph explained to Kenny about the exhibition match. Kenny listened with avid attention, making sure he didn’t miss a single detail.

“So if I lose, he can keep me from her forever.” it was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes son. And that’s exactly why we’re going to make sure you don’t lose. Now get up and shower. We have some training to do.

***

Over the next couple of days, Kenny spared with almost every beta in the compound. His father put him with those weaker than him, those equal to him, and those stronger than him. He fought in human form, hybrid, as well as wolf.

On the last day of training, Kenny wasn’t surprised when his father got in the ring.

“I’m the closest wolf there is to Dominic. He and I are equally matched. I won’t hold back son. You beat me and you beat him. Is that understood?”

“Yes father.”

“Good.”

No more words were spoken. Kenny’s father brought out the best and sometimes worst in him. He felt like giving up, saying he couldn’t do it, but his father would make him rise and fight.

When Kenny got the upper hand for the last time, he pinned his father down on the mat by his throat. He roared and growled in his father’s face.

“Good, good. You’ll need that anger son. But don’t let it rule you. Control it. Make it your weapon. I promise you if you do this, you will have your victory.

Kenny rose from the mat and reached out a hand to help his father up.

“Are you ready son?”

Kenny nodded his head. “I am.”

***

The day of the exhibition had arrived. Kenny woke early. He made himself a small breakfast and began hi exercises. He was totally focused on what lay ahead of him. At 10:30, his parents came into the gym. They were silent for a while, watching him go through a series of combinations.

“It’s time to go Kenny.” His mother said.

“I know. I’m ready.”

They walked out to the car in silence. Everyone knew how important this day was. Kenny prayed Mother Luna give him the strength he needed to beat a wolf like Dominic. It was going to be a tough fight.

***

The match was being held in the gym of his old home. Both packs had shown up for the event. Bleachers were set out and every seat was filled. Everyone wanted to see the outcome of this fight.

Clarissa was a bag of nerves. She knew she was taking a risk at the unthinkable by coming up with this plan. She could possibly loose him forever.

Her father had trained all week. He spoke of his impending victory with his betas and they all laughed with him. But she had faith in her mate. He had more to fight for than her father, stood more to lose if he lost this fight.

“Clarissa.”

She knew the exact moment Kenny came into range of her. He heart felt his heart. All her emotions slid against his, and she felt his along with her own.

“Kenny, my love,” she said, “I missed you.” Tears begun to run down her cheeks. “I’ve needed you every day.”

“Today, you will have me. Today, I am leaving here with you by my side. Just hold on a little longer. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes love, I can do anything for you.”

Clarissa made sure she blocked the part of her bond that related to feeling. She didn’t want Kenny to know about their child before his fight. She wanted it to be a victory gift for him after the fight. One they could share for the rest of their lives.

***

“Ladies and gentleman, please quiet down. This fight today is to be an exhibition match. Which means both men will walk away with his life.” The Old Wolf glared at Kenny and Dominic.

“You know the rules. No weapons. You may fight in your human, hybrid, or wolf forms. All are allowed. There will be five minutes put on the clock. When the timer goes off, the last man standing shall be named winner. If by chance, both men are still able to fight, we will have a two minute post round, were you only win by submission.

Are these rules understood gentlemen?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

“Then let the fight begin.”

Five minutes were put on the clock. Kenny and Dominic faced each other.

Dominic struck the first blow. Swinging with his right arm, his fist connected with Kenny’s jaw, splitting his lip.

The taste of blood met Kenny’s tongue and fueled his anger for this man. He spun away and put a small distance between them.

The men circled each other. As Dominic went to strike again, Kenny shifted just his hand and let his sharp claws scrap along the underside of Dominic’s arm. Turning quickly, he raked across Dominic’s back and kicked, sending Dominic off balance.

Dominic roared. He turned and advanced on Kenny with lightning speed. Kenny took a series of blows to the stomach before Dominic grabbed him and buried a knee into his chest. With a savage roar, he picked Kenny up and threw him across the floor.

Kenny landed with a hard thump, rolling to his side in pain.

Joseph’s voice entered Kenny’s head. “Pain is temporary. Get up son.”

Rolling to his feet, Kenny shifted into his hybrid. He now stood at least seven feet tall. His teeth and claws were elongated. His chest spread out and was rippled with muscle. He was nothing if not impressive.

Starting to run, Kenny picked up speed. He reached Dominic who had turned his back, thinking this would be an easy win, and jumped over him, grabbing his head, and tucking into a roll.

Dominic’s body flipped into the air and he landed hard on his back. Kenny bit at his neck.

But Dominic wasn’t down long. He brought his feet along the sides of Kenny chest and pushed, sending Kenny sprawling on the ground.

Dominic rose slowly. He shifted once he stood straight, his hybrid at least five inches taller than Kenny’s.

“He wants to intimidate you with his size. Don’t let it work. Just watch.” Joseph’s voice assured Kenny.

Dominic ran toward Kenny, teeth bared and claws out. Kenny noticed Dominic’s movement wasn’t as fast in this form. He was slower and even a little sluggish.

Kenny quickly got the upper hand when the one minute mark was announced. Dominic knew he was losing in this form so he shifted quickly to his wolf, easily evading Kenny’s next blow.

Kenny felt something strange at that moment. He felt life, innocent pure life. He was so distracted by the feeling he didn’t see Dominic coming. The wolf jumped up and bit down on Kenny’s shoulder, tearing a chunk of flesh from his body.

Dominic spit the meat out of his mouth as if it had a foul taste. His wolf smiled.

Kenny went down to one knee. Blood poured from his wound. The bite went deep. He looked up and saw that Dominic had turned once more, gloating to his betas about the fight as if it were already over.

Kenny felt a rage like no other. He fed off it and made it a part of who he was. He was about to attack in a blind rage, when he heard his father voice once more. This time it was a memory.

You’ll need that anger son. But don’t let it rule you. Control it. Make it your weapon. I promise you if you do this, you will have your victory.

Kenny shifted fast, his black wolf coming out in all his glory. He felt raw power emanating from his body. He turned to the clock. Just a few seconds left.

He charged, taking Dominic by surprise. He bit him on the neck and sunk his teeth down into the wolf’s fur, meeting flesh with his teeth.

Kenny bit down harder and shook his head back and forth. Dominic was on the ground when the countdown began.

Kenny made sure he tightened his grip. Making sure he didn’t let go.

“Why keep putting your daughter through this. Accept what she already has in her heart. Accept our mating.” He roared as he tightened his jaw.

The buzzer rang. The crowd went wild, the noise in the arena deafening. The two men rolled away from one another, and shifted back into human form.

An omega ran up and gave them each a pair of sweats.

The Old Wolf walked up to the mike and waited until the noise died down, “Kenny Richardson, are you still able to fight?”

Kenny nodded.

She turned to Dominic. “Alpha Delany? Are you still able to fight?”

“I am.” The crowd went wild. When the noise died down, the Old Wolf spoke. “Then the fight continues.”

“Hold!” Dominic said loud enough for everyone to hear. The entire arena went quiet.

“I can fight, but I won’t.”

Kenny looked at Dominic. He didn’t understand what the man meant. The rules were clear. The fight would continue.

“I, Dominic Delany, Alpha of the Delany Pack, hereby recognizes the mating between my daughter, Clarissa Delany, and Kenny Richardson, son of Alpha Joseph Richardson.

There were a few confused looks going around the arena. Questions of what’s going on being whispered amongst those who were gathered there.

“Alpha Dominic, do you accept this mating henceforth and forevermore?”

“I do.”

“Then let it be known that Kenny Richardson and Clarissa Delany are now true mates, in all sense of the word.”

The arena erupted once more. Wolves stomped their feet, and hollered their happiness.

Kenny had eyes only for his mate. Then it hit him. A sweet, pure feeling of innocent life. It reached to him from somewhere deep, somewhere personal. Only when he locked eyes with Clarissa and saw her hands on the swell in her belly did he realize where the feeling came from.

***

Clarissa worked her way down the crowd and leaped into her mates arms. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. Her father had given up. He was still able to fight but he gave her back her mate.

Kenny hugged her so tight and she didn’t care if he didn’t ever let go. This was exactly where she wanted to be.

Her father’s voice drifted to her. “I won’t tell you why I gave up, but I wish you nothing but happiness my sweet daughter.”

Clarissa looked around for her father, but she couldn’t see him with all of the people that we surrounding them.

“Are you okay?” Kenny asked.

“Just perfect. Let’s go get you cleaned up.”