Stephan's Point Of View

All the while I tried to keep my composure as Oliver's Beta known as Franklin stared at my mate like she was something to eat.

And by the blush tainting Samantha's cheeks, I could tell she noticed his stare too.

After a while, I placed my hand on her leg stating a claim... But it didn't stop him from winking at my mate.

"He's enjoying the chase." my wolf stated.

She's not a fucking deer.

"He doesn't care. To him she's something to fuck."

My wolf's words had me jumping to my feet, snarling at Franklin.

"Whoa there, Steph. What are you doing?" Brody questioned, jumping to his feet before placing a hand on my shoulder to hold me back.

"He won't keep his fucking eyeballs to himself." I hissed.

"I'm allowed to look. Am I not?" Franklin smirked, rage licking at my insides.

"Not at her you're not!" I spat.

"But she looks so..." a lustful growl slipped through his teeth making me want to rip his throat from his neck with my bare hands.

"Hold up. Did you not hear when he said she's his mate?" Brian exclaimed, before throwing his hands in the air in disbelief .

"I did hear. But she's human... So it doesn't count." Franklin shrugged, angering me even more.

"The fuck it doesn't! It does count you prick and if you don't stop dropping hints, I'll show you what doesn't count. Which would be your life." Brody snarled, his claws extending as he stood up for Sam.

"You dare threaten me?! I am the Beta of this pack and member or not, show some respect." Franklin growled, attempting to force a command on Brody to stand down.

"You know... I never was a fan of hierarchy or silly little rules."  Brody grinned, lunging straight for Franklin's neck.

"Would you all just please shut the fuck up!?" Sam finally yelled, her face red.

"I agree. They're acting like children." Yadira sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Tell me about it! Practically raising this one." Sam chuckled, nodding towards me.

"Heyyyy!-" I attempted to argue when Sam cut me off.

"No. Shut it." she hissed, pointing a finger at me in warning.

The girl standing in front of me was and wasn't my mate at the same time.

She had Sam's kind eyes, but a fierce aura seeping from every pore of her which I've never witnessed before.

She exchanged looks with each of us, daring us to dare her... And all we could do was stare.

"Now... I was told we came here for a pact of sorts. Now if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to get this shit fucking done?" Sam spat, plastering an attempt at a smile on her face, obviously failing by the way her wrinkled forehead reflected the anger that still raged within.

"Well... Well... It seems we have beauty and fight. But do you have the brains?" Oliver smirked.

"What?" Sam questioned.

"I'm giving you a riddle. And if you answer correctly, I'll make this pact."

"And if I fail?"

"You get to watch your mate and friend die before I finally kill you."

"No! You can't do this." I found myself pleading.

"I can make my own choices Stephan!" she spat.

"Please. Don't." I begged.

My mate losing her life, wasn't something I would risk. Brody and I have had our fair share at life... We were ready to meet our maker. But not her. Not the person who held my heart . Not the person my soul was bound to.

She gave me a long, thoughtful and meaningful look, voicelessly voicing each unspoken thought before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"I'll do it." she finally breathed.

Sam's Point Of View

Stephan lost his mind the moment I agreed to play Oliver's game.

He thought I'd lose.

Little did he know about the countless hours I've spent in the library to get away from my father and his endless wrath.

Little did he know of every single book I laid my hands on.

One of them being one on puzzles of the mind.

Those with pieces made of nothing but meaning something.

Oliver stared at me, his eyes cold and intimidating. A muscle moving sharply under the skin on his cheek as he clenched his jaw.

"To the left of the clergy; of backwards discourse. And to the right of the fortress sits a knight and his horse. He's duty-bound to protect his majesty and queen. And though his path is straight, he always lands in between..."

Chess.

A chess knight.

"A knight." I breathed.

"Wron-" he attempted, only to be stopped in his tracks.

"A chess knight." I smirked.

Oliver stood speachless, attempting countless times to speak but ultimately failing as he gasped like a fish out of water; until finally he spoke.

"Never... Has anyone... Ever solved that before." he breathed before sinking to the ground on one knee.

"I'm not just anyone. I'm and I quote 'human.'" I smirked before straightening myself up to look serious and believable, "Never underestimate the human species, we might be pathetic, but our brains aren't all that useless with information Mr. Alpha."

"Hmmm... You make a fair point. I'll make a pact with you... But not only because you solved my riddle. But because I like you and your human brains." he smiled, his pink lips opening widely in a broad toothy smile, his hand outreached.

"Finally!" Yadira exclaimed. "I was wondering if I would be able to have some human company and that I wouldn't have to clean her up off the floor. My wish came true." she laughed nervously.

"And I was beginning to imagine how wonderful it would be to dismantle Frankenstein, I mean Franklin. Way to go and spoil the fun Samantha." Brody growled.

"Shut up, she's amazing." Stephan breathed, his hands sneaking around my waist, pulling my hand from Oliver's grasp before kissing the side of my head.