Wolves of the Black Rose

CONNOR

Long red silky hair, blue eyes that pierced your soul, and a deadly body that could make a man surrender. Of course, I was the exception to all her moves.

Elaine Woods was not only one of the strongest she-wolves in our pack, but also an alpha.

Her skills and tactics couldn’t compare to anyone else in the pack, and though she was a woman, she could achieve her goals.

My eyes followed her movements as she fought with the other warrior. Elaine and I grew up in the same environment and with the same people.

But she was quite the bag, especially when it was about fighting.

A woman with the ability to outrun you without the need to shift and was strong enough to kill you on the spot. Yet the one thing she didn’t do was kill in vain.

I scoffed at her silly moves and watched her intently.

It was the awaited battle, and I had a hunch my partner for the last fight would be Elaine. She had not loosened once, and though she had her slips occasionally, she could win, no matter the outcome.

I kept my eyes on her once the fight was over and they announced her name. Then, getting up, I walked out of place and headed to my tent.

“Alpha Connor?” one of my friends and future beta called from the entrance. I glanced at him, and with a wave of my hand, I allowed him in. “So, how is it going?” he asked.

“Good,” I answered in a clipped tone. “What about you, Leo?”

“Good, can’t wait for tomorrow,” Leo answered.

I smiled at him and sat on the bed.

“I heard Elaine is winning all her fights.”

“Your point?” I asked coldly.

“Aren’t you worried about her?” Leo urged.

I growled at him, but Leo didn’t even flinch.

“Listen, Connor, I know you have a grudge against Elaine, but you admitted a while back before everyone that she could be alpha of the pack.”

I looked away and scoffed at his words. Though it hurt my pride to admit it, I saw that clearly. Elaine was aiming for that throne, and so far, she had shown everyone she could get it if she wanted.

“Why don’t you talk to her?” Leo suddenly blurted.

My eyes jerked toward him. “About?” I asked. “How to surrender? I can do that.”

“Connor,” Leo sighed. “You weren’t like that.”

I kept my steady gaze on his face as he just sighed loudly and stood up.

“I’ll see you in the last fight.” Leo walked out, half-dejected.

Talk with Elaine? Was that even possible? I had already tried twice, and she looked unfazed and unworried. That stupid bitch had no backbone.

***

THE PREVIOUS DAY…

“WINNER: CONNOR REED!”

I growled and walked down the platform. My opponent was dead, and that showed everyone that I would kill them no matter who dared to try to keep me from my goal.

“Alpha Connor!” Leo yelled from the side. I glanced at him and removed my gloves. “That was excellent. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” I answered.

My ears perked up as I heard yells from the nearby platform. Hearing the name, I smiled. So she wanted to die by my hands.

“Winner again. It seems you two are fighting for that throne.” Leo nodded.

“I would say she’s seeking death,” I growled. Leo shook his head and patted my shoulder.

“Should we go get something to eat?” Leo pointed out. I nodded, and we both walked out of the place.

The stalls were full of pack members as they made a line to get something to eat. I looked around before deciding where to get something.

Leo suggested a couple of stalls, but I was craving something sweet.

I moved my eyes to a line that had at least twelve pack members making a line.

I suggested that we both move and stand in line with the rest, and we walked over until I could feel several gazes as I crossed my arms over my chest.

Some were out of curiosity. Others were out of fear. I ignored them all and instead looked toward the platform Elaine’s fight was.

“Isn’t that Jyn?” Leo whispered as my honey eyes moved to the side.

Jyn, Elaine’s oldest brother and one of the most respected persons in the pack, walked toward me.

Though he didn’t take part in any of the fights, everyone sought his help and advice. He was a perfect candidate for the alpha position.

If it weren’t for the fact that he was Elaine’s brother, I would have asked him to be my general.

“Connor Reed,” Jyn greeted.

“Jyn Woods,” I answered with a nod.

“Congratulations on winning,” Jyn smiled. I stared into his eyes and scoffed.

Leo poked me in the ribs and quickly apologized on my behalf.

“I know you’re not so fond of us, but I advise you to be careful of Elaine,” Jyn suddenly said, picking up my curiosity.

“Excuse me?” I asked, feigning innocence. “Careful of Elaine?”

Jyn kept his steady gaze studying me. He was quite worried about his sister.

“I don’t understand why both of you hate each other so much, but whatever the reasons, I would be careful of her.

“Elaine might have killed no one in this last fight, but she might kill you the day you fight with her,” Jyn commented, his eyes deprived of any emotions.

My hands curled into a fist as my wolf came forward.

“Is that a threat?” I snarled. Jyn got closer and looked at me with icy blue eyes.

“A warning. I do it because I believe you can be reasonable.” Jyn backed away from my presence. “Sometimes, I think you two love each other.”

I let out a growl, making everyone around me go silent. All the eyes were on us and our small talk, and I knew that everyone picked up what this bastard said.

“Watch your words!” I warned fiercely.

Jyn didn’t flinch an inch.

“I don’t care who you are. I won’t tolerate such disrespect.”

“Disrespect? It seems more like you’re offended,” a voice said from behind.

We all turned to look at the person. I scowled as I saw my father standing close to our group.

“Leo. Alpha Jyn,” my father greeted them.

“Alpha Martell, it is a pleasure to see you,” Jyn said with a slight bow of his head. I watched their interaction.

“Likewise, Alpha Jyn. It seems that my son is causing you problems,” my father grumbled as he met my eyes.

“No, Alpha, everything is…fine.” Jyn smiled and then excused himself. Leo looked uncomfortable, so I dismissed him as well.

My father’s commanding body moved closer until he finally stood before me. Though I was still young, we were almost the same size, so I kept my eyes level with his.

“It seems you still hate her,” my father sneered.

I growled at him.

“Elaine is quite a beauty. If you were astute, you could make her your queen.”

“My queen?” I chuckled, feeling a bit insulted. “Elaine can never be my partner.”

“Oh, because she once defeated you in front of the entire council and packs?” my father spat.

My jaw clenched in anger.

“It still hurts, I see.”

“I don’t need to hear your words,” I sneered and turned my back to him. My father moved to my side and kept his eyes in the front.

“Let Elaine win,” my father mumbled.

My head snapped to the side as I looked at him in disbelief. What did he just suggest?

“Elaine will win anyway, and you know it.”

“So much for believing in your son,” I choked with pain. My wolf was furious, so I closed my eyes and tried to keep it at bay.

“That’s your problem. You’re not quite rational, and all that ego is making you blind,” my father scorned. “At least Elaine is rational and can think straight. Not like your wolf and you.”

My eyes twitched, and I bared my teeth at him. Everyone cringed in shock as my father eyed me in shock.

I had never been disrespectful to him, but right now, he was crossing the line.

“I won’t fucking tolerate your stupid words. I’ve only asked for your support, but you’re supporting that bitch?” my voice roared. “If you want her so much, then make her your daughter!”

I heard several gasps as everyone retreated. My father remained in his position and didn’t utter a single word.

This entire thing was making me feel frustrated, betrayed.

“You’ll regret it,” my father said and walked away. My jaw clenched as my hands opened and closed.

Then, deciding to ignore the food, I dashed into the forest for a run.

***

After a run and a bath in the nearby river, I hurried to my tent and lay down in bed. My head couldn’t stop thinking about that stupid woman.

Everyone’s words kept replaying in my head like a fucking mantra, punishing me, as I was the one at fault.

I sat back in bed and massaged my face. I wouldn’t be able to sleep. So I grabbed my cloak and went back out.

“Here, put these on.” Leo offered some new gloves. I raised my eyebrows and thanked him.

“Is everyone on the platform?” I asked curiously. There was a moment of silence before he answered.

“Yes, except for your opponent,” Leo muttered, eyes focused on the crowd.

That didn’t surprise me. If it were Elaine, she would always arrive a few minutes before the fight started.

Nodding toward Leo, I walked up the platform and started warming up. Then, feeling a presence behind me, I turned and smirked at Elaine, who stared back.

“Elaine,” I said with distaste.

“Connor,” she smiled.

I felt this anger in my chest as she smiled calmly.

The announcer started reading out our names as we both moved to our places. Looking away, Elaine stretched and ignored me completely.

I looked around and saw that everyone was present: the council, the alphas of every pack, and even my family. I moved my eyes back to Elaine, who had her eyes closed.

My eyebrows twitched in annoyance. She was so confident that it bothered me to the bone.

“I warned you,” I said, making her open one of her blue eyes.

Elaine didn’t respond and just shrugged. As the announcer ordered us to get into positions, I prepared myself. For this fight, I would not shift. I was going to fight it head-on, as she did.