The Alpha's Bride

Chapter 937: An Alpha's challenge (5)

Alpha Edward called through their pack link, 'George, let's not drag this. We will exchange a few hits, and I will end it quickly.'         

George didn't get it. What did that mean? 'You will end it quickly?'     

'We need to cooperate. I don't want to hurt you seriously. I know you accepted Alpha Damon's request to benefit the Red Moon pack.' This was the only explanation that worked in Alpha Edward's mind.     

'Alpha Edward, you should know I take every challenge seriously.'     

'Don't be stubborn. I don't want to harm you. I will need a capable warrior like you to subdue rebelling units of the Dark Howlers pack when this is over. You can attack first. I will dodge, and then I will counterattack and take you down. Let's make it believable. You admit the defeat, and I assume that Alpha Damon won't go down willingly. I will provoke him to make a fuss and then use the rules of the Alpha challenge for other Alphas to support us. In the worst case, he will retaliate, and we will subdue him together.'     

George needed a moment to process this information. Was that why Alpha Edward didn't panic? He believed that George was one of his loyal dogs.     

George looked left and right and met the eyes of many from their audience. How many of them were loyal to Alpha Edward? Not many. Most of them stuck to Alpha Edward because of fear and benefits.     

George assumed a fighting stance. "I apologize for any future offense I make, but I must take this challenge seriously, or my reputation as a Commander will be damaged."     

Alpha Edward nodded magnanimously. "I understand. You do what you need to, and I will do the same. Do you want to get the first… UGH!" Alpha Edward couldn't finish that question as George was already in front of him, and Alpha Edward swayed awkwardly to avoid George's fist directed at him.     

Dawn held her breath and her eyes were open to the point of hurting.     

'It will be OK,' Zina's voice sounded in Dawn's head through their pack link. 'Owen told me that George is the best warrior in the pack. He can do this.'     

'Thanks, Zi,' Dawn responded without removing her eyes from George who was attacking Alpha Edward.     

Three fists missed, but the fourth one landed in Alpha Edward's abdomen, propelling him backward. Before Alpha Edward could recuperate, George's kick reached Alpha Edward's knee, and next was a punch in the shoulder.     

Alpha Edward curled down to roll away from George. He needed a breather. He was hoping that George would put up a good show, but wasn't this too realistic?     

Before Alpha Edward could regain his bearings, a kick landed on his lower back, and he fell to the ground face first. How embarrassing!     

'George!' Alpha Edward roared in the pack link, but there was no response. 'You are taking this too far!'     

"Get up!" George growled, and Alpha Edward raised his head to see George standing above him.     

Alpha Edward pushed himself up to jump at George. His attack was cut short when his face collided with the sole of George's elegant black shoe.     

George got those shoes with the intention of dancing with Dawn, but there was no dancing because he couldn't disclose that Dawn was his mate. Because of Alpha Edward!     

The stinging pain told Alpha Edward that his nose was broken. What the hell!?     

Alpha Edward's vision blurred, and he shook his head before stumbling to his feet.     

'George! You need to stop this. Now!'     

Alpha Edward was still half bent when a heavy blow landed at the base of his neck, and he fell down to his knees.     

Alpha Edward froze. He was kneeling. An Alpha was kneeling! And so many people were watching!     

A ferocious growl ripped from Alpha Edward's chest as humiliation mixed with helplessness, and he was determined to wash away his grievances with blood. No price was too high to make this go away!     

A violent surge of Alpha Aura burst from Alpha Edward, making everyone in the audience gasp in shock.         

Owen hugged Zina, and James shielded Cornelia with his body, but they still groaned under the energy that made it difficult to breathe.     

Talia waved her hand, calling them to stand behind her. James moved with Cornelia, and Owen carried Zina, whose legs refused to budge, and they all visibly relaxed when they got there. It was like Talia had an invisible shield that repelled Alpha Edward's aura. They never saw anything like it!     

"I feared this would happen!" Tony shouted while anxiously pointing at George and Alpha Edward. He would go there, but he was not sure if he would be able to help or just get in the way and embarrass himself. Tony practiced hard, but a few months of training can't replace the years he missed because his father denied him the preparations other young Alphas had.     

"This is against the rules! We need to stop this!" Maddox was about to enter the fighting area, but Damon's hand landed on his shoulder to hold him back.     

"Wait. Let George handle this," Damon said. Now that he confirmed George was serious, Damon had no concerns.     

Everyone stared at the scene of George standing straight in front of Alpha Edward like he was not bothered by the pressure.     

"An Alpha," Maddox said under his breath. "And a strong one." He shot a side-glance at Damon. "You knew."     

Damon smirked smugly. The fact that he was the only one in their group who knew, made Damon feel important.     

Maddox moved closer to Damon and asked in a low voice, "Is he stronger than I am?"     

Damon shrugged. "You will need to spar to find out."     

Talia couldn't believe it. Was everything a competition? Will they ever grow up?     

Alpha Edward stared at George as possessed. What the hell was going on? "You… you… who are you?"     

"You will die today because you don't have the answer to that question," George responded icily.     

Alpha Edward's eyes flashed in realization. This was serious. Screw the rules! He already broke them by using his aura, and there was only one more move left.     

With a deep growl, Alpha Edward's clothes exploded, and a massive gray wolf appeared in his place.     

'What's going on?' Talia asked, unsure why Damon's anxiousness spiked. She could feel him tensing by her side.     

'Alpha Edward is cornered. In these challenges, the one who shifts first admits he is at a disadvantage. Unfortunately for George, Alpha Edward's command over the pack is stronger when he is in wolf form.' Damon wished that George had left the Red Moon pack before taking this challenge.     

Talia's brows came together in concern. 'Will Alpha Edward be able to influence George?'     

'It will depend on George's willpower. Alphas spend years polishing their skill to command their wolf and pack members, and George didn't have a chance to practice this. No matter how skilled he is in fighting, this is like a veteran warrior facing a child who trained with video games.'     

Talia swallowed hard. This didn't sound good.     

Talia and Damon had an advantage because their wolves could talk. It was easier to communicate. Others mostly go based on reading emotions, requiring more time to figure out the dynamics between the human and the wolf parts.     

'Lis?' Talia called.     

'There is nothing we can do about his willpower,' Liseli responded right away. 'But I can sense that his wolf is strong.'     

'Let's hope he is strong enough.'     

George's face contorted in a grimace.         

"George!" Dawn shouted desperately when Alpha Edward pounced on George, who stood frozen.