Wolf-less Omega Luna

CHAPTER 45: LET'S GET IT OVER WITH

Axel’s POV

“You both certainly didn’t think this through, did you? Because if you did, you wouldn’t be standing here challenging your Alpha to your death.”

The disregard in my voice effortlessly masked the anger that threatened to rip through me.

I held Alana’s hand, partly covering her with my side, my other hand possessively squeezing her waist, not wanting her out of my sight.

The effects from her little hang-out with her friends were still very evident on her but she still looked cute and hella hot from the hangover.

Her words were coming out slurred, she could barely keep her head upright and if it wasn’t for the rules, all I wanted was to take her to our room, give her a cold bath, kiss her crazy, give her the most amazing head of her life and coo her to sleep.

The smell of the alcohol lingered but it still couldn’t cover her divine scent. Her scent of golden apples was what kept me relaxed in this fickle stunt Britney was pulling with Jerad.

When Alana tiptoed out of bed last night, I went after her because I couldn’t get Four to stop pacing at the back of my mind, worried that she was going to follow through with her plan of leaving.

A larger part of me was worried too. Worried was a very tame word to describe it.

I kept a distance trying to give her some privacy in case she just wanted a moment to herself after yesterday’s event.

Thankfully, she wasn’t running away so I backed off after she came out from the cellar with bottles of wine and bumped into Coral. I knew she was in good hands but I still hovered around.

All I had to do now was get this show over with, spend time with Alana, and let her know that whatever questions or opinions the pack members may have, had nothing on our relationship.

“We did.” Britney left all the talking for Jerad. Smart. She did that so that whatever was said would easily be pinned on him. Really smart.

Jerad may not have thought about his actions completely, but it seemed as though Britney did. By partnering with Jerad, she automatically exempted herself from doing any dirty work but secured her claim as Luna if things went well. Not that they would anyway.

“I hope for your sake, you two realize that this is considered an act of disloyalty to your Alpha and your pack.” One could call Tyler the judge of the occasion. “Challenging Axel,” he continued. His tone was more that of pity for Jerad.

Jerad was a fierce fighter. One of our best trackers and warriors. But the loss of his mate put a hole in him. He wasn’t thinking straight, but challenging me was way over the line.

A worrisome glint flashed through both of their eyes.

I remained calm and collected but my eyes had locked on Jerad and his partner in crime. He had challenged me and as such, threatened Alana. There was no going back from that. If he was having second thoughts about his stupid idea or planning to escape, I was pinning him down with my gaze.

Tyler continued his speech.

“Only the males will go through with the challenge. Whoever wins will either remain Alpha with his Luna,” his eyes traveled to where I held Alana’s waist. “Or will become the new Alpha and get to choose their Luna.” His gaze found Jerad and Britney. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Alana’s hand stiffened on mine when Tyler ended his speech. I turned to her and my expression melted when I saw the panic in her eyes.

“Alana, don’t you worry about me. It’s either you or me and we both know damn well I will rather be struck by lightning than let you fight. I’ll be okay, and we’ll be okay,” I grazed my lips on her temple before she loosened up.

“Please,” she choked out, “Please, be okay.”

“I will.”

“You’re sure there’s no other option other than doing this? There’s no other way?”

On the brink of time, I found myself thinking of possible ways to go over the challenge. I wasn’t worried for myself but Alana’s look of terror, the way her eyes held guilt and sadness, made me want out.

“I wish there were. He called for a challenge. I have to do it.”

Alana sighed heavily before releasing my hand and taking a step back.

As if on second thought, she closed the space between us and pressed her lips to mine, cutting my thoughts and whatever words I was forming. Her taste, her taste was everything.

I kissed her back like it was our last. The urgency of the kiss only increased the blood flow to all the good parts of my body, drawing a moan from Alana and an approved grunt from me.

But we had to pull back. It was time for business.

The crowd was small. High-ranked wolves, warriors, a few elderly, and the four of us.

My attention reluctantly shifted from Alana to Jerad.

“You have one final chance to back down from this. You will not be punished.”

“I have no interest in doing that.”

“We both know that you do not stand a chance here. You have nothing to gain from this.” Whatever Britney said to him to have him challenge me must have been something.

It was either that or he had a grudge against me or Alana.

“And I have nothing to lose either,” he said with a lopsided grin crossing his face.

“This is not what Bonnie would want you to do, Jerad. Think about it.”

His expression instantly hardened as he bared his claws and his canines descended. His pores exuded pure unbridled anger. He wasn’t budging.

“Keep her name out of your mouth. If it wasn’t for you, she would still be here,” he barked.

Was that what this was about? Alistair and his men attacking the pack and Bonnie being a victim?

I felt bad for her because she was one of my own, but either way, we were in it. He wasn’t listening, and he wasn’t going to take me down.

With my fangs dropping and urgently seeking the blood of he who threatened what was mine, I deadpanned, “Let’s get this over with then.”