The Gift chronicles novel Chapter 1

Book 1 Chapter 39

 

Song: Head Like a Hole by Nine Inch Nails

"Bow down before the one you serve, you're going to get what you deserve."

"Ares said she's going to kill your ugly bitchass," Gwen slightly altered my threat, making me chuckle.

Thane's voice cut through the tension in the room like a knife. "Okay, everyone. Perhaps we sho—"

Jen's annoyingly high pitched voice interrupted him. "That's fine. I'm challenging her for the Luna position."

Axel laughed. "I really, really wouldn't do that if I were you, pup."

Jen glared at him. "I'm not afraid of her. Just because you aren't man enough to handle her doesn't mean I can't."

I laughed so hard that my eyes teared up as the Blood Lake men growled at her and looked at her with bloodlust. Gwen, tell her that I accept the challenge.

Gwen told her, and Jen smirked. "Alpha Cain will finally have the mate that he deserves once I kill you."

Gwen spoke the words as I mindlinked her, serving as my translator. You think Cain wants a mindless, subservient idiot running his pack? The only thing you're good for is a quick fuck. Don't worry though, I'll rid you of your parasitic existence soon enough.

Jen was about to respond when Cain interjected. His voice was cold and calculating. He meant business. "Jen, since you are challenging Ares, as is allowed within the Blood Laws, Ares is allowed to choose how the battle goes down."

I smiled evilly. Typically, I would enjoy using a knife to cut off each of your limbs individually, but in the name of a fair fight, I'll prohibit the use of Gifts and kill you with my bare hands. Once again, Gwen repeated my words.

"Oh no Ares, I think we should be allowed to use our Gifts. I'm not scared of your little knives," She tried to speak harshly, but I could hear her voice wavering unsteadily after my gruesome threat. She had no idea who she was dealing with.

"Again, I really would not recommend that," Axel threw out, but his eyes shone in excitement for the impending violence. I like that about him. He craves violence as much as I do.

Axel, if she wants to have all of her limbs severed from her body, then let her. Gwen repeated my words aloud so Blue Moon pack members could hear her. I was confident and my smile was unyielding.

Thane's eyes held worry as opposed to the typical amusement, which concerned me. I was hoping that his concern was towards his pack member and not towards me, because I was confident in my ability to destroy this nuisance.

Cain cleared his throat, making everyone look at him. "We will hold the challenge tonight at midnight in the clearing beside the training center. Thane knows where it is; he will guide Blue Moon wolves there. I believe this concludes dinner." With that, Cain turned and stalked out of the room, but not before picking me up and taking me with him. Jen jealously glared at me as I was in Cain's arms, and I blew her a kiss as Cain took us out of the room, making her snarl at me.

"I'm sorry, Ares," Cain softly said once we were laying down in his bed.

For what? I asked.

"I didn't even know that Jennifer was coming, much less that she planned on challenging you. I'm sure she hid her intentions from Thane too, as he would have warned me if he had known," Cain's eyes held sadness.

I laughed, startling him. I don't think you understand how excited I am to rip her head clean off her body, mate.

"Please don't underestimate her, Ares. She is one of Thane's top warriors. Her Gift is teleportation. That gives her an advantage in a fight. Please don't let your hubris be your downfall," Cain pleaded, causing me to roll my eyes.

I can handle the pup. I've beaten your Gamma in battle. She will go down before I even break a sweat, I promised him, but I could still feel his worry through the bond.

"I can't lose you, Ares. You are meant to be the Blood Luna. There is no other way," Cain wrapped his arms around me and I nodded, even though I didn't quite understand what he meant.

"Take a nap, you've already been in two fights today, my little spitfire. I'll wake you up before the battle," Cain gently commanded.

I nodded, letting Cain wrap his arms around me and was instantly enveloped in warmth.

--

Cain woke me up a few hours later, and I felt entirely renewed for my battle. My spirits were so high, not even Cain could ruin my mood. I was finally going to be able to kill someone again.

I got dressed in my typical battle attire, which consisted of black leggings, light running shoes, and a black sports bra. I wore all black to remind the challenger that this was their funeral. I'm just respectful like that.

Cain wore his typical jeans, no shirt, and no shoes despite the snow that covered the ground outside. Somehow, I had a feeling he would be able to keep himself warm, I thought to myself wryly.

"I can feel your happiness through the bond, mate," Cain said with amusement, even though I could sense deep down that he was stressed.

I shrugged. Why wouldn't I be happy? I'm about to kill someone in the most violently way possible. This is the best day of my life.

Cain rolled his eyes and scooped me up into his arms without warning. "You have issues," Cain told me as he laid the pelt over me.

You love my issues, I jokingly responded.

"I do," Cain softly replied, and kissed my neck, making my breathing stop.

I didn't know what to say, so I just ignored him

and pretended I didn't hear what he said.

Cain walked us to the clearing, and everyone else was already there. Word must have spread about the challenge, because other Blood Lake pack members showed up to watch. I recognized a lot of them as the warriors who I trained with early in the day. Gwen stood nearby, waving at me with a grin on her face. It was nice to see that at least somebody wasn't worried about Jen winning.

Thane was standing stiffly by Jennifer. He nodded slightly at me when we made eye contact, but he made no effort to approach me. I wondered if he would hate me for killing one of his best warriors.

Jennifer was still wearing her loose cargo pants, black boots, and a black wife beater tank top. She hid her emotions behind a calm and collected mask, whereas I knew my amusement and excitement was showing. What? I couldn't help it.

Cain melted the snow to make a ring where Jen and I would fight. We went to opposite sides of the ring, and our respective Alphas each talked to us. I wonder what Thane was telling her. I'm sure he knew my weaknesses; he had fought me before.