Talons

Chapter 141: The Challenge

Rhea’s POV

Tapping at my door woke me and I opened it to find Mandy nervously standing on the other side. I feel much better after my nap because just as my mind started to go back to the memories of Colton, a warmness rushed through my body and chased them away.

My guess is that I was full before sleeping. I don’t think I’m eating enough to fuel the amount of work I’m doing, and Sylvia thinks it’s a combination of that and mental stress driving my appetite. Either way, we will be trying to normalize our meal portions and take regular breaks to prevent the problems we keep having.

The last thing I want is to go back to that infirmary with that nosey doctor or Colton's nurse.

“At least he’s a nice person,” Sylvia adds, and while I could tell there was already some strife between the man and his daughter, I do not want to aggravate it.

“Are you okay?” Mandy questions, so I answer honestly.

“I think I need a change in routine. I haven’t been to the gym since I’ve got here and working out in this room isn’t cutting it anymore.”

“Want to go to open sparring?”

“Actually, I do.” Mandy looks worried by my statement, and she immediately follows up with more questions.

My cousin still thinks of me as the girl who doesn't like to fight, and while I don't blame her for that, I'm definitely not the same person I used to be.

"I just don't want Colt to kill me."

"He invited me and I want to at least see who he’s going to appoint to my 'guard.'

Mandy somewhat relaxes, and after eating, washing, and changing into workout clothing; we head to where the sparring is set to happen.

It's more crowded than I imagined it to be, which means the Iron pack is not as laid back as I thought they were… Well, at least that's what it appears.

Mandy and I take a seat in the grass, and after a few minutes we are joined by Colton, Carter, Trey, Dolton, and Miracle.

Colton starts shouting about the sparring being a preliminary assessment for rank worthiness, and I can't help but to shake my head at the statement.

Fighting skill should not determine the value of a pack member. Just because someone is good at throwing punches doesn't make them valuable, but what they can contribute should.

The challenges start rolling out, and Miracle and I can only stare at each other. The style is so sloppy that it's embarrassing, but I have to remind myself that this is sparring, not an actual fight.

There were four matches going simultaneously, which helped us to get through the numbers quickly, but I've mentally checked out.

I'm more focused on the tiniest ladybug that landed on me, but suddenly I hear my name, or rather my 'title' being called.

Colton's POV

My mate looks adorable in the twin braids that she has on either side of her head, and I know that was Mandy's idea because she often braids Carly's hair the same way.

I immediately notice how many men are staring at her, and Carter links me that even after marking, it doesn't stop.

I'm so glad my mate doesn't show off her body often, otherwise this 'sparring' event might have turned into a bloodbath.

While the men are fighting, I keep stealing glances at my mate who has gone from casually talking to her cousins to moving her arm in a weird way.

I glance around and see people staring at her and embarrassment courses through me. This was some of the behavior that made her stand out as weird, but when I stepped forward to get a better look, I can actually see that she’s playing with a Ladybug.

I wonder how many times people thought she was moving erratically, when really, she was just minding her own business.

"I challenge the future Luna of the Iron Pack." My eyes snap to Gale, who must think this is some way to be funny.

"What are you doing?" I question and the woman plays dumb.

"You said that everyone present can be challenged regardless of rank."

"That is what I said, but I didn't mean you could challenge my mate."

"It's fine," Rhea says, standing up and gently blowing the ladybug away.

"No, it's not; it isn't safe."

"Sounds like your mate doesn't think you can handle yourself," Miracle adds, and I swear I could kill her right now.

"That is not what I mean. Rhea isn't-" I pause before I say something extra offensive, and when I look around, I realize that I was belittling the Luna of this pack which reflects poorly on her.

"Hey B; how does it feel to have your mate side with another woman?" Miracle calls out, and once again, I want to kill her.

"It doesn't shock me," Rhea replies. Gale smirks maliciously as my mate readies herself to fight, and while there should be others fighting at the same time, everyone is focused on what's developing right now.

Although informal, Gale challenging my mate to spar is a big deal. She can later use her victory as a way to garner support if she ever decides that she wants to challenge my mate for the title.

As soon as Rhea takes her shirt off, I step forward to stop her, but Carter and Dolton simultaneously link me to stop.

They tell me that I'm embarrassing her, but I don't think either of them would behave any differently if a top female fighter challenged their mate.

"He can bet on her if he wants,” Rhea suddenly adds, but before I get to explain, I realize that people are whispering, and when I listen in, I can hear that they are taking bets against her.

I know that it's partly my fault because my behavior is leading them to believe that I find my own mate, their future Luna, weak.

Rhea's POV

Colton must really like the woman in front of me if he’s willing to embarrass his 'future Luna' for her. People are betting against me at such a high amount that I feel sorry for them, but at least my cousin and Holly know not to be a fool.

“First blood?” the woman asks, and I shrug in acceptance. I don’t plan to do any bleeding today, but if she wants to, she can be my guest.

She and I take the center, and she immediately goes into a ridiculously tight fighting stance that I know from my cousin Jovan is a form of intimidation. She’s trying to make me over guard against her, but I have never really been into taking form.

“Ready?” She asks mockingly, and I give her a thumbs up, which sparks a round of sniggers that I know are aimed at me.

After half circling me at a snail's pace, Gale dashes forward at what she thinks is my blind spot, but I sidestep, causing her to swing at the air. She looks at me in shock, and I use the opportunity to mouth 'I'm Sorry’ to her before punching her in the temple.

Gale’s body crumples to the ground in a heap, and I honestly feel bad for her. After the typical ten second count I’ve been taught. I look up, and it's then that I notice Dolton covering Miracle’s mouth. She seems to be laughing hysterically, and while her mate is chuckling, he, like me, is trying not to further embarrass someone who has clearly lost.

It suddenly occurs to me that my opponent and I agreed to first blood, and since I knocked her out cleanly, she isn’t bleeding. I go back toward her body, flip her over, and flick her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. It's a small injury, so it will heal quickly.

I turn back to Colton who is wearing an expression of shock while Miracle hands me my shirt. He steps in my path, but I roughly push past the man, telling him to go check on his girlfriend.

I don’t care what he has to say, and I don’t want to hear an apology because his words have put me in a position where every person in this pack may try to challenge me, and while I don’t know where the woman I beat ranks, I’m guessing it isn’t high up.

Colton’s POV

I swear all I did was blink and Gale was lying flat on the ground while my mate just stared at her. Eventually, she flipped the woman over and drew blood from her lip, likely wanting to stick to the rules of the match.

She roughly pushes past me, telling me to go check on my girlfriend and it's only then that I realize I’m staring at Gale.

I try to grab Rhea's arm, wanting to explain but she pulls it away from me roughly.

“Don’t touch me,” she growls. I swear there was a command in her tone, and I actually had to fight it.

I look around in embarrassment and I now understand what I did to my mate. I made her look weak, and even though she won, people will question the validity just because of my hesitation.

“Rhea, please listen to me. I’ve never known you to be a fighter.”

“Why? Because of what I let you do to me?”

“No… I just… You…” I don’t have an answer, but in short; yes. My mate never fought me back, and I’m shocked.

“Well Colton, to answer the question you're too embarrassed to ask, you had years of grooming me into fear, but I want to make this clear to everyone standing here." My mate raises her voice and I’m completely shocked. “Anyone who tries to disrespect me while I’m stuck here is subject to correction. I’ll let your imagination determine what that may mean.”

“I love her,” Orlin says, and I completely agree with him. Her words imply that she will be leaving at some point, but her performance just solidified that she’s mine.

I start noticing strong hints of arousal, and it's not just coming from me. The dominance Rhea displayed was sexy, and most of the unmarked males were affected.

I know my mate can't tell, but she just jump started a dangerous situation, so I mind-link those who are most vulnerable to leave.

As she moves away from me, Rhea casually slaps hands with her cousins before sitting, making me notice that Mandy is stretching like she’s about to fight.

I want to correct what my mate thinks, but I don’t even know where to begin and I don't want to argue in public.