Achilles Heel

Challenges

Achilles POV

"Come on Achilles, just a little run in the woods," she purred, "I want to see my new domain." 

"Janna you are here because you are helping us out," I replied, feeling disgusted by her come-ons, "speaking of which, shouldn't you be in training?" 

"Yes," Sam pleaded, rubbing his temples.  I couldn't help but feel amused at the fact that not even a few hours and he was already sick of babysitting her, "she should." 

Janna glared at him, but her eyes came back to me when I chuckled, "well maybe later then." 

"No," Sam growled, "Alpha Achilles is very busy and doesn't have time for your antics, now come on Janna." 

She looked hopefully at me, but when I didn't respond, she agreed to go with Sam.  Not even a minute after they left I felt a cool breeze.  

"Aiakos, you can sit down you know," I said in a huffy tone.  My youngest brother breezed by again, but stopped to sit, this time with a plate in his hands.  

"I like the silver haired lady," he smiled, "the one on our floor.  She let Arachne in." 

I chuckled at my youngest brother, "Oh really." 

He nodded, chewing on a pastry, "Arachne said that she knows the silver haired lady is your mate.  She said as soon as you got out of the car she saw your desire for her."

"Arachne likes to gossip," I reminded him, "it's best we not believe that little she-wolf." 

"I don't know," he said, a little unsure of what I was saying, "she's never been wrong before.  Even with mom." 

I winced, remembering how my youngest sister saw the desire to overthrow my father at such a young age.  It was the reason that my father had a scar right above his heart.  When he sentenced her, he nearly went with her, but his heart had already been broken because of her betrayal.  

"Why isn't our grandmother or even one of the omegas watching you?" 

"I'm too fast, brother," he laughed.  I shook my head realizing that somehow he'd managed to get out of his bracelet. 

"Does no one in this family wear there bonds anymore?" I asked, "I leave for a few days an-" 

"Grandma says that we should be proud of the gifts that the moon goddess gifted us, not hide them." 

"We don't hide them," I growled, "we just make sure they are out of sight so other packs and even warlocks don't come and take us away.  Our father understands that." 

"I agree with grandma," he shrugged, finishing his pastry.  And without another argument, he was off.  I shook my head, reminding myself to have a conversation with my family about the importance of their bracelets and necklaces.  

Making my way out of the dining hall I decided to check in on training.  They should be down there. 

'You mean she should be down there,' Shadow snickered. 

'Shut it.' I growled to Shadow.  

Sure enough as I rounded the corner I was hit by her scent.  She was working with Athena and the two of them were working on hand to hand combat.  

She must have sensed me because her eyes closed momentarily and she inhaled.  Athena smiled, and took advantage of this, backhanding her.  Mira fell to the ground.  

'Protect mate,' Shadow growled.  

Athena's eyes met mine and she smirked, shaking her head.  That was all the proof she needed to see it was her that was my mate.

Her eyes went wide as Mira took advantage and swiped at her leg.  Athena hit the ground, and the two of them began rolling around, trying to get the upper hand.  It wasn't until Atlas stepped in that the two of them stopped.  

"Looks like we have an old fashioned rivalry," Atlas smirked, looking between my sister and my mate.  My eyes got wide. 

'Stop this,' Shadow growled at me, 'Athena will hurt mate.' 

'We do need to see what our mate is made of,' I offered. 

'Athena will hurt mate,' Shadow repeated. 

"Do you accept the challenge?" 

Mira looked around, realizing that everyone was staring at her and Athena.  I could see her mouth move, but I couldn't make out what she said.  

"THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED!" Atlas roared.  

There was happy howls and clapping around the training grounds as everyone spread out, leaving an area for Athena and Mira to have a bout.

"You're gonna regret this," Athena smirked. 

"Wait!" 

I growled inwardly at myself as I realized it was Shadow that had spoken through me.  

'What are you doing?' 

'If you won't help mate, I will,' Shadow replied.  

I felt myself gliding between my sister and my mate, "if we are going to do this fairly...it's fitting that the limitations are removed." 

"What?" Athena asked. 

"You heard me," Shadow said in our Alpha tone.  Mira didn't move as I strode towards her and pushed her hair to the side of her neck.  Undoing the clasp from her necklace I handed it to Atlas, "after the bout, it goes back on." 

"Yes Alpha," he nodded. 

"Are you sure about this?" Sam asked. 

"The rules," Magdalena smiled, going between the two, "if you have gifts, you are allowed to use them, but they are to be non-fatal, and have to remain inside the realm that we can see.  No destroying your opponent from the inside.  If you use your wolf, you must make sure that all strikes are non-fatal.  Blood can be drawn.  The winner is determined when the opponent is incapacitated or can no longer fight.   Are the terms accepted?"

"Yes," Athena nodded. 

"I accept," she smiled.  

Only it wasn't Mira that accepted.  I could see by the glow in her eyes that Skye was the one who wanted to fight.  

'What did you do?' I asked Shadow.  I could feel his smug grin from inside me.  

'You don't know what Mira can do...but the fight must be even for mate.  That necklace binds her so that she cannot access everything,' Shadow replied, 'Mate must show pack the strength so they will accept her as Luna.'

'By fighting Athena?' 

'Mate will beat Athena,' he replied in a self-assured tone, 'Athena will bow to mate and future Luna.' 

'You do remember what gifts Athena has, right Shadow?' 

'Mate will win.'