noun ~ a call to take part in a competition or contest

PHOENIX

She was a machine.

I had never been so torn between my emotions as I was when I watched Nova stand before her competitors. From wanting to rip each and every person's head off, to wanting to hold her and never let go. She revealed one of her biggest secrets and with pride, I watched her from the side as they all submitted to her. The two remaining wolves would see death tonight, I was sure of it. Nova was a little spitfire, not a lot to her but a hell of a lot of power.

Of course, I was right. She had taken down the first wolf effortlessly, tearing its throat out after breaking its back. She stood proudly as she regained her bearings and I was pleased to see she had only a few scratches and chunks of fur missing. I crossed my arms, forcing myself to stay rigid despite the inner turmoil inside my head. I kept my thoughts blocked from her, from my pack, so as to not show them how distressed I really was. I knew she could do it, I just didn't want her to get hurt.

When the second wolf had pulled Nova's leg from her hip, I almost charged right onto the field with the way she had squealed. Sean had to push me away and demanded I went to calm down. I took his advice and walked through the crowds without being seen. I kept my eyes on the match, pacing a few yards away from where I had been. I felt my jaw clicking as my teeth ground together, but finally, Nova got the upper hand again. I watched in fascination as she caved in this wolf's rib cage and tore its throat out.

The crowd fell silent, and I felt the instant relief flood my veins. Ares grumbled, settling slightly knowing our mate was alive. She observed the groups of wolves, most of them dropping their gazes from the scene in respect. I was glad they were smart to not push it, not only did they have her blood to contend with, but I wouldn't be far behind.

She turned to the King next, her hackles raised in threat when he spoke. I knew both her and her wolf hated the man, that much was true. She stalked towards him, her head low and growls leaving her lips as she stared down at him. He glared at her slightly, as did the Queen and I took it as my moment and advanced on them as well.

My legs brushed the thick fur of Nova's side when he spoke again, and I felt the darkness of my mind take over and kill him. It had been a while since I let the true Ares go; I had such a tight hold on him and we were a strong partnership but there is still that slight chance he could win. It would be a bloodbath if he did.

"...advance anymore and I will take it as a direct threat to the throne." He warned, staring at Nova.

I sneered at him, oh how naïve he is. I had planned to have him for years, but never bothered, nor had a motive to. But threatening my mate, and her family...threatening my friends and forcing them to a life they did not deserve.

"That won't be necessary Nova," I murmured, standing beside her head.

The King's eyes snapped to me and I fisted my hands to hold back from strangling the bastard.

Nova had played her part, she had won the right to her own mind and blood. Now it was my turn to take down the worthless scum that ruled this world.

"Very good, I do not want to have to kill another." He scoffed, adjusting his jacket.

My eyes flickered to his pale fingers, how much I'd love to bite them off slowly and painfully. He deserved to die slowly, and I knew Ares agreed.

Licking my lips, I sneered at him. "Oh, you won't be the one killing tonight."

He stared at me, my dark eyes reflecting in his brown ones. "Whatever do you mean, boy?"

He was confused and offended. Good.

"I, Phoenix Titan, son of Kane Titan and Anne Mora, challenge you King Edward Mora to the throne."

His eyes widened, frozen in motion. I knew he was afraid; he knew the power I held. I was a direct source and everyone knew that my parents were strong-blooded fated mates.

Edward was not as strong, despite being born pure royal. Despite how much he believed it, ungodly power was not in his blood. It was why he was so desperate to find a strong mate and choosing an alpha daughter over his gamma-born mate was a lot better in his mind. He, of course, was not brave enough to kill his fated mate without guilt, and so she was taken and thrown to the rogues. I still think of what must have became of her, torn apart by those wild animals.

The sudden graze of teeth on my hand had me re-focus on the King before me. My fingers twitched against Nova's teeth, but I held my gaze on the man before me. I opened my link to her, allowing her into my mind. Her warmth filled me, loosening my nerves and settling my blended thoughts.

Her delicate voice filtered through my mind. 'Are you crazy?'

Ares grumbled, knowing full well we were. The King did not bow away, we challenged each other silently, neither one wanting to break the challenge. My jaw clicked when I heard Nova begin to pant and whimper in pain and it was enough to have the King drop his gaze to glare at her. She had fallen to her stomach, trying to stretch her back leg out.

Edward cleared his throat. "You challenge me now, boy? Why not an hour ago before the Lycan female tore the throats out of two wolves."

I growled and he flinched. "If I had not, she would have wolves constantly challenging her. She had to show her worth without a mate by her side. She is soft on the eyes and if wolves did not know of her blood and power, I would be shipping off deceased challenges every week whilst she lays in hospital."

Ares puffed up, unhappy with the thought of Nova constantly being targeted for looking so innocent. Nova's pain was making me agitated; I wanted him to just accept the challenge like the man he claimed to be so I could help her.

"You wanted to show her off to scare people?" He bolstered.

"She defeated the challengers in her own right. You wanted a fight, you got two and she won them fair and square without any help." I growled.

I was furious he thought so little of me. Was he so dense he could not see the cause of my actions? Of course, he was; he only cared for himself. He didn't know what it was like to think about others.

"Very well. I accept your challenge." He glared. "You have fifteen minutes."

I nodded my head firmly, grinding my teeth with agitation. When he began to walk away, I sought out the bundle of my mate. She lay on her stomach, her head on her front paws as she gazed up at me. I felt my heart swell at her beautiful green eyes, a small sigh exhaling from my chest.

I shook my head and crouched down beside her; she was my priority now. I ran my hand over her head, and she whined up at me. I felt my anger lessen the longer I stared at her beautiful eyes. I could almost taste her pain, it was so strong. I sometimes forget she doesn't heal as easily as I would. I had advanced healing, even for a werewolf.

"Nova, you need to go get seen too. I have some of my blood stored-"

Her annoying ass brother cut me off.

"It'll be okay, I got it. I can heal her quicker...no offence."

I went to growl at him but Nova beat me to it. I smiled in smugness and rose to my feet to stand above him. He thought he was so high and mighty, which he was, but it irritated me slightly.

"That'll be...great. I will take her to the infirmary." I nodded.

"No need, I can carry her." Pollux shrugged.

Ares chortled a laugh as we scanned the small man's body. Was he being serious? He was barely one fifty pounds, Nova was the same height as him.

"Are you sure?"

Pollux laughed. "No, I can't lift her she is too long. I just wanted to see what you did... Just put her on the medical bed; I had some of your men bring a tent out when I saw how badly hurt she got. Kate is ready."

I glared at him, he was acting as though he was above me. He spoke to me without respect and demanded things of my people.

"You ordered my men?"

"Very easily." He smirked.

I felt myself see red but the sudden shift of Nova's weight had me force myself to calm my thoughts. I would kill him another day.

"Enough of this, she's in pain."

I evened my breathing out and bent down once again to carefully collect her in my arms. She whimpered and I shushed her gently, following her twin to the medical canopy set up away from the crowds. I laid her slowly on the bed, wincing when her leg jostled slightly at the difference.

I bent down beside her head, my hand running down her neck. I studied her pained eyes, knowing I had to leave her and go kill the King. It was crazy, and I wanted nothing more than to stay here with her. But she needed the medical help, and it was probably best she didn't see the monster I could become. When I had killed the rogue in front of her, and the Ghoul, I had felt her horror. I didn't want myself to snap and she finally saw the monster within me.

"Stay in wolf form for now. It will...help me during the fight knowing you are safer in this body. No one can get near you with those teeth." I smirked.

Her green eyes slowly blinked back at me, and I glided my fingers over her mark in comfort. I felt her shudder slightly, a whine escaping her throat. I sighed, knowing if I stayed any longer I wouldn't ever leave. I rested my chest against her snout, greeting her wolf before kissing her snout. She retaliated by leaving a large lick on my cheek and across my eye. I froze, shocked she had done so. Ares was practically purring at his mate showing affection but I was not a fan of the slobber. Wolf slobber was sticky and warm and I wiped it away with a grimace, taking the remanents of her kill with it. Ares hated me for that; he wanted to keep her mark.

I sighed, "My link will be closed but I will not hide my emotions. I will not hold back in this fight Nova. He has done wrong for too long and I have never felt stronger or had a clear conscience than now."

I knew she understood and forced myself to stand. She whined and it made my heart clench; she didn't want me to go as much as I didn't want to.

She must heal.

"Stay in this tent, with your brother, okay? Just take the blood and heal yourself." I smiled, and she lay her head down in response.

Her tail wagged once and I accepted her submission to the fact she had to stay. I was glad she was listening and not storming out there demanding to be seen. I loved Nova for that, she thought well before she acted. She would be a wonderful, thoughtful Luna. With that thought in mind, I turned back around from my exit and held her gaze.

I love you, Nova.

I heard her heartbeat flutter but I didn't allow myself any more wastage time as I left the tent. I turned off the bond, blocking out the links as wolves around me began to howl and cheer at my approach. A lot of wolves here were followers of the King, but many also thought he was too old for his own good.

It would be a night to go down in history.

Sean and Charlie met me near the fighting edge, both their hands holding my shoulders in silent respectful communication. I nodded at them, inhaling deeply.

"You got him, you crazy ass," Charlie smirked as they dropped their hands.

I chuckled at him, glancing around at the crowd as I began to warm up my limbs. "He is going to die tonight."

"Wouldn't think otherwise." He smirked.

As dumb and carefree as Charlie could be, he was fiercely protective much like Sean. He had a dark side to him, that loved a good brawl and hungered for blood. They felt protective of Nova, and I couldn't be more grateful to have such wonderful companions.

"Where's your mate tonight Sean?" I wondered.

He smiled softly. "She's in my room, in one of my tops and huddled in my bed. She doesn't like fights."

I nodded and began to strip off my shirt as the minutes counted down. "She'll come around. After this, we will have to meet her officially. If she's ready of course."

He bowed his head, his eyes holding thanks. "Thank you."

"For what?" I wondered, flexing my arms and wrists.

"For not killing me." He frowned.

I laughed. "Sean. We have all done stupid things. You just happened to try and make a move on my mate, but I forgive you, only because I know how much Nova holds you close to her heart. Staying away from her...I hurt her, and you helped her feel comforted. So we are even, we are both arseholes."

He laughed at me and clapped his hand on my back. "This is why you are Alpha."

I rolled my eyes, shoving him away from me. Charlie cleared his throat and I turned my gaze to see he was staring to the side of us. I locked my jaw when I came face to face with the King. He stepped into the ring and the crowd fell silent.

"Want to back out, boy?"

"Not a chance, old man." I snickered.

His glare only hardened and within a flash, he transformed into his old beast. It snapped its large, yellowed teeth at me but I felt no threat. Ares was not bothered by his obvious show of dominance, merely saw him as an old, weak wolf.

The sudden crack of searing hot pain struck my heart, followed by Nova's cry of pain. A low growl left my lips, my instinct telling me to turn and soothe my mate. Charlie's hand came to my chest, pushing me back. I almost whined at him to let me go, wanting nothing else but Nova. He shook his head and I inhaled deeply, smelling the familiar scent of local anaesthetic in the tent. She would be okay, she would be fine.

Ares grumbled, and we slowly tilted our heads to look over our shoulder at the old wolf on the ground. He was large, with thinning fur and boney legs. Ares pushed himself forward to collapse onto all fours. I shook out my fur, stepping into the circle. I could feel the tension in the air, thick enough to suffocate in.

I growled at the King, my claws sinking into the dried earth beneath me. I studied his wolf as we awaited the release command from his mate. She stood to the side of us, and once my back paw entered the circle, she bowed, commencing the fight. I released a loud howl, excitement running through my soul.

I could not wait to end this miserable hierarchy.