Cleo is already busy with the pups when I walk into the training ground.


    The youngsters quietly wait their turn and I watch amused as the pups awkwardly try to master the techniques. I walk right up to Cleo and when he notices me, he instantly smiles.


    “You missed practice early this morning. It is now almost noon. Fortunately, there is a second group of young people who have already left work and needs to be trained. You can join in with them,” he pointed out. I grin embarrassingly, knowing that the workouts in the morning are much more brutal and now I feel like I’m hiding from it. I look at the girls around me, they are all about my age, some are already eighteen, just like Jasmina.


    Speaking of Jasmina. She’s staring straight at me now, but I’m ignoring her. As usual, she is with her group of worshipers who support her mindlessly in everything.


    “Maybe Mercedes just likes to sleep and do nothing,” one of the girlsmented. “Some are just cking around, their bed is made as long as a manes around the corner”. Cleo casted her a warning nce, but I was still silent. I know they’re provoking me, it’s not the first time Jasmina’s group has thrown all kinds of wickedness at me. And I know my ignoring her annoys her every time, but she hasn’t dared to do anything so far.


    I’m participating in thebat training today. Last time, Zane had shown me the first clues and had been sparring with me for half an hour. He had spared me then, Zane can never train hard with me. With every moan I get out, he rushes over to see if I’m badly bruised. Jace and Cleo have repeatedly reprimanded him that I am not made of y and can take a beating. But that only got them an angry growl.


    We are almost done with the training when I see Jasmina walking toward me, her face is all war.


    I stand unmoving and wait for the drama to unfold.


    “Mercedes,” she barked furiously. Surprised, I look at her, I wonder what triggered this hostility today.


    “Did Zane buy you the Bugatti?” she demanded to know. Now I remember she wasn’t at my birthday party. And she didn’t believe I got a new car until she saw it parked in front of the packhouse today.


    “And how does that concern you?” I proudly asked her. “Since when do I have to tell you when my mate spoils me? Because then you’ll have time for nothing else, Zane makes me happy in all kinds of ways”, I added coquettishly, thrusting my breasts forward and hands on my sides. Jasmina face drained, I could almost see the fire spitting out of her nostrils.


    “You bitch! I’ll kill you! You came here and took what’s mine. I won’t spare you this time!” Before her handnded on my face, I caught it in the air and push her back. She falls on her ass, which aggravates her more.


    In one smooth jump she is back on her feet.


    “Mercedes Versailles, I warrior Jasmina Keyes challenge you for the Luna position,” she gritted out of pure jealousy. “We fight to the death. I don’t want to see your face after today,” she thundered. Cleo tried to intervene, but I stretched out my hand to stop him.


    Look, Jasmina is a highly-trained warrior, it’s in her genes. Both her parents are retired Head Warriors and trainers. My serious training started at ater age, but hey, I am the fated mate of a strong Alpha and that counts for something. Damn sure!


    “Challenge epted, Jasmina”, I agreed briefly. “Cleo, set the rules loud and clear for everyone,” I summon the Head Warrior. He dips ufortably from one leg to the other.


    “Luna, this is unheard of. The Alpha will not ept this,” he tried to change my mind. I frown at him.


    “I didn’t challenge anyone. And you know I can’t reject one handed to me, otherwise I’ll be a lousy Luna. And believe me, I’m absolutely not,” I told him. “You’ll have to do as I say.”


    A challenge for the Luna position is not umon in packs. And it is always epted, otherwise, the one who withdraws loses face in the pack. Actually, her life bes impossible after the refusal, her fellow wolves will taunt her as long as they see her.


    But the most crucial rule for challenging especially the Luna, is that the Alpha needs to give permission. In our case, the winner would be his chosen mate, and he must have agreed to that. You understand that I ampelled to ept Jasmina’s challenge.


    I look at Jasmina is already in abat stance, she is very confident in her victory. She’s counting on Zane to take her as his Luna after I die. I have to suppress augh at that thought, this warrior doesn’t stand a chance with Zane. I’ve seen his disgust at her frantic efforts to get his attention and seduce him. Zane is a hunter and a keeper. And he has never seen Jasmin as his mate, nor has he ever seen her more than a problematic she-wolf to handle.


    Such a waste of time.


    Cleo hesitates again and I send him a burning look.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    “Since Mercedes’ wolf has not yet emerged, there will only be fighting in human form. This ends at one party who surrenders, absolutely not unto death.” He paused and sent a warning look to Jasmina, who stared back at him with a dark look. She certainly had no intention of sticking to this rule.


    “Weapons are prohibited and third parties are not allowed to interfere in the fight until I give the signal,” he continued.


    A crowd forms around us, some of the older wolves yell at Jasmina to stop the fight. A boy desperately calls her name somewhere in the back, but I don’t get distracted. I stare at her and wait for her first move. And then I see her sprinting towards me, she sets herself off against a post to jump as high as possible.


    Although I haven’t practiced this technique, I know what it means. I quickly take two steps back, my head out of her reach. But I know she still has a chance to grab my feet to make me fall and then sit on me. But even before her second leg hits the ground, I kick the only one she’s leaning on from under her.


    With a loud scream shends hard on her ass and one leg below her body. When she’s on the floor, I kick her hard in the face, throwing her head hard backward. The blood is pouring from her nose. She quickly tries to recover, but I kick her chest with my other foot so she is now stretched out on the floor.


    I take a run-up and jump with all my weight in her face. Her nose is nowpletely broken and I guess she also suffered a concussion.


    Jasmina stands up with difficulty, staggers on her legs for a moment but refuses to give up.


    “Damn! What’s going on here? Who dared to challenge my mate?”.


    A harsh growl thundered behind the crowd.


    Anxiously the wolves clear the way for the Alpha to get to us…