*****HAPPY NEW YEAR*****
I have some free time and so I've had time to write. Writing is a great distraction. This chapter was a hard chapter for me, and I'm sure you'll know why when you read that part. I hope you enjoy and feel free to comment. All characters are over 18. Chapter 5 is being written. This story will end soon, so please simply enjoy.
Chapter 4
"Alexia, sit down." Levin ordered. She moved to one of the large chairs in his office. Levin then faced the three males. "Now you three, explain to me why there is so much aggression in this house this morning?" Levin asked. He already knew. He could feel the anger emanating from Deacon and Declan in groves, and he could also sense the apprehension in Kwame. He could actually read him. Levin thought this strange since Kwame was not a member of Gaines and he should not have been able to feel anything from him. He and the other alphas needed to talk.
Alexia spoke and tried to explain, "Alpha Levin, Declan and Deacon were concerned about me. They saw me talking with Kwame and overreacted. No real harm was done."
Levin paused. He looked at all four young people. "Alexia, this man forced you, impregnated you, and has yet to be called to task for doing so. Deacon and Declan are upset, as are many others here." Levin took a breath. The brothers agreed. Levin exhaled a deep breath. He faced Kwame, "You were under the influence of a demon. I can understand that, but it doesn't change the damage you've caused here."
Kwame gulped. "Listen Mr. Alpha, Sir. I know I messed up, and I've never tried to hide from my responsibilities. I'm here and I want to be held accountable for my actions, but this morning, I just wanted to make sure Alexia was alright. I didn't mean to cause dissension."
Deacon and Declan scoffed. "You walked up to her and had the nerve to act like you can tell her what to do." Deacon declared. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"
"Out of respect for our alphas, we have not ripped you apart." Declan added.
Levin looked at Deacon and Declan, "Calm down, or I'm ordering you two away for the night. What do the two of you suggest?"
"We want a chance alone with this guy. A fair fight Alpha Levin, that's all we ask. What he has done is not something we can let go of, and ..." Deacon looked away. He was furious. Since they were kids, Alexia was theirs to protect. When they were kids, she mostly protected them, but this time this guy needed his butt kicked. He never should have touched Alexia.
Levin nodded. "OK, you three can fight, not to death. When someone submits, the fight ends. I'll notify Lakota and Alpha Ryelle. This fight will happen today at noon."
"What? Wait!" Alexia declared, clearly upset. Deacon and Declan smiled. Finally, this guy would get handed his.
He immediately sent to Lakota. Kwame called out to Ryelle who answered immediately.
Alpha Ryelle, I have been ordered to a challenge today. Can the alpha here do this?
Wait, Kwame. Let me address the alphas, I'll come talk to you when I learn more.
Ryelle replied. He headed straight for Levin's office. Lakota had gone to his office, and the women were not the ones who called this challenge.
"Alpha Levin, my pack member says you've sanctioned a challenge involving him?" Ryelle questioned.
Levin was not fond of the Dark Alpha. To him, Alpha Ryelle Jackson came across as arrogant. However, he did come here to rectify the crime committed against his niece. Levin took a moment before speaking. Years of dealing with many types of people, Levin was always polite. "Yes, he faces both Deacon and Declan at noon. I'll make sure the rules are fair." Levin turned to walk away.
"That's it. You think you have the right to endanger my pack member. Alpha Levin, this is unfair and I will not allow it." Ryelle declared.
Levin turned, fury warring with common decency. "Either, they fight it out, or we risk your wolf being attacked without our knowledge. What if he's with Alexia and is attacked. She could get hurt. The baby could get hurt. I know you may not like it, but having him face a challenge will give our wolves a sense of closure on this." Levin looked closely at Ryelle. It was obvious that he was truly worried, as he should be. "The fight will be fair. Only two wolves can fight at a time. At no time will Declan or Deacon attack him together. I'll see you soon. I must make arrangements." Levin excused himself.
"Alpha Ryelle, do you need anything?" Thomas asked. He was concerned. When Alphonso lived, he would have known how to comfort his friend. On this trip, he was a confidant, but he knew Ryelle needed to speak with someone he could trust. "Father faced this often, didn't he?" Ryelle whispered.
"Do they think they can rule over me because they think we're inferior somehow?" Ryelle fumed. Thomas waited. "No, no, Thomas I will not allow these males to harm him. If these monsters think they have another whooping boy on their hands, then they can take me on too." Ryelle declared, furious. Thomas remained silent. "I can't protect him. If I refuse, and Levin is right, he could be attacked at any time, but I don't agree with a two on one match."
Thomas waited, "Centuries ago, Alphonso and I were always being challenged by fair Weres. Although they accepted us as pack members, many still believed we were less than them because of our skin. Problems really arose when several females took an interest in us. The males did not like it, and often we found ourselves fighting. There were times Alphonso and I wanted to leave, but the pack was our sanctuary." Thomas paused.
After a moment, he continued. "One day, my Hattie arrived and I knew, she was the one for me. My fair brothers decided that pay back was fair play and they flirted with her, charmed her, and made sure I knew. Alpha Bertrand waited and did not order them to stop. Once I confronted him and he laughed and stated,
"You must stand your ground Thomas, or men will always think that you are weak."
At first, I was upset with the alpha and then one day one of the men taunted me, and I reacted. Hattie witnessed this and my actions upset her even more. It was then that I issued a challenge to any male that felt they had the right to malign me in any way. Two accepted my challenge and I bested them. My bravado impressed Hattie and she came to my side. It also sent a message to the others, and they learned that with Alphonso or not, I was not one to mess with. Soon after, Hattie agreed to be mine and we mated." Thomas smiled, lost in a memory.
"This girl is Kwame's mate. He knows this, as do the males here. They are upset that she was forced and rightfully so. Kwame is a fighter, Alpha Ryelle, and he will stand his ground. Just like you had to fight to win Tasha, he must earn her respect. I know it seems unfair, but this is something that must be done." Thomas explained.
Ryelle nodded. He knew Thomas spoke the truth. However, Thomas was not finished. " You must remember this, Ryelle. Kwame is strong. He needs to defend himself and show these wolves that he does not fear them. After all, he will be a father soon and can you see him abandoning his son?"
Ryelle sighed. "You are right. We will be there supporting him. He has been trained. He can handle himself."
Love, what's wrong?
Tasha sent. She could felt his fear and anger.
One of the alphas has sanctioned a fight between Kwame and two of his betas. It's a two on one fight, it's not fair.
Ryelle replied.
Kwame is one of our strongest fighters. He can handle himself. Even if he does not win, you know he will give his all. You must have faith in him, love. We all do.
Tasha replied, sending her alpha waves of love and support.
I love you. We'll be home soon.
Ryelle sent. He needed to talk to Kwame.
Kwame was in his room, but he was not alone. Ryelle paused to knock at the door when he heard someone speaking.
"You don't have to do this Kwame. I'll talk to Uncle Levin and Uncle Lakota, and see if this fight can be stopped." Alexia explained.
She loved her cousins, but a two on one fight was wrong and they knew it. They were just so angry they were not thinking straight.
"Alexia, you don't know me. You don't know where I'm from or what I've had to survive. I understand those two guys. If someone had done something like this to a member of my family, I wouldn't wait until the alpha granted me permission to attack. He'd be dead. I was not careful and allowed another to influence me. Because of my failure, I hurt you and now we have a baby that will be here soon." Kwame took a deep breath.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Alexia asked, sitting on his bed. Keon was active once again. She rubbed him, telling him to calm down. Kwame reached out and gently touched her stomach and the baby kicked him. They laughed.
"He's active, huh?" Kwame asked.
"He's your son. You should know." Alexia teased. They both laughed.
"Let me start at the beginning." Kwame suggested. Ryelle listened as Kwame began to explain to her what happened that night.
"Alpha Ryelle, can we speak a moment?" Lakota walked up and stopped him from knocking.
Ryelle faced the Gaines Alpha. "I want the other alpha with us. We need to reach some sort of understanding here." Ryelle demanded.
Lakota smiled, "Levin is waiting for us in my office. Come when you are ready." Lakota walked away.
"Alpha, do you need me with you?" Thomas asked.
Ryelle sighed, "No, Thomas, see if you can speak with Kwame. I can handle this." Then he went to meet with the alphas.
*****
Randall was sitting in his room at Valdemore. The estate was magnificent. Someone knocked and soon entered his room. He smiled, Dermic Valdemore came home. He wanted to address this young man.
"You're human now?" Dermic asked.
Randall sat up, 'Yes, my father granted me a reprieve. He is allowing me time to pursue my life mate."
"You think that woman is Lacy." Dermic scoffed. "What were you? What type of other?" Dermic demanded.
"Angel, but now I'm merely a man." Randall explained.
Dermic shook his head, "You swore the demon would pay, yet you go and be turned into a human male. How will you protect her if this creature comes after her again? Your life is forfeit. You cannot keep her safe." Dermic declared angrily. "Can your immortality be restored?" He asked.
