A Challenge

When I walk into the training ground, Cleo is already busy with the pups.
The youngsters quietly wait their turn and watch with amusement as the pups try to master the techniques with clumsy attempts. I walk right up to Cleo and when he sees 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 need to be trained so that you can join in,” he points 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 around 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 girls commented. "Some are just slacking around, their bed is made as long as a man comes around the corner". Cleo gives her a warning look, but I'm still silent. I know they're provoking me, it's not the first time Jasmina's group has been throwing all kinds of evils 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 the combat training today. Last time, Zane had given 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, he rushes over to see if I'm badly bruised. Jace and Cleo have repeatedly reprimanded him that I am not made of clay and can take a beating. But that got them a warning growl.
We are almost done with the training when I see Jasmina walking toward me, her face is at war.
I stand still and wait for the drama to unfold. “Mercedes,” she growls furiously. Surprised I look at her, I wonder what triggered this hostility today. “Did Zane buy you the Bugatti?” she threatens 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.
“And how does that concern you?” I proudly tell her. “Since when do I have to tell you when my mate spoils me? Because then you’ll have time for nothing, Zane makes me happy in all kinds of ways”, I add coquettishly. Jasmina turns bright red, I can almost see the fire-spitting out of her nostrils. “You bitch! I'll kill you!" Before her hand lands on my face, I catch 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 Jasmina Keyes challenge you for the Luna position,” she grits out of pure jealousy. “We fight to the death. I don't want to see your face after today," she thunders furiously. Cleo tries to intervene, but I stretch 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 a later age, but hey, I am the fated mate of a strong Alpha and that counts for something.
“Challenge accepted, Jasmina”, I say briefly. “Cleo, set the rules loud and clear for everyone,” I summon the Head Warrior. He dips uncomfortably from one leg to the other. “Luna, this is unheard of. The Alpha will not accept this,” he tries to change my mind. I frown at him. “I didn't challenge anyone. And you know I can't reject one," I tell him. "You'll have to do as I say."
A challenge for the Luna position is not uncommon in packs. And it is always accepted, otherwise, the one who withdraws loses face in the pack. Actually, his life in the pack becomes impossible after the refusal. So it is more than evident that I am compelled to accept. But the most important rule for challenging especially the Luna is that the Alpha needs to give permission. In our case, the winner would become his chosen mate, and he must have agreed with that.
I look at Jasmina who is already in combat 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 a laugh at that thought, Jasmina 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 partner, 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. “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 pauses and sends a warning look to Jasmina, who stares at him with a greyish look. She certainly has 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 continues.
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 pushes herself against a beam to jump as high as possible. Although I haven't practiced this technique myself, 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 she lands 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 now kick her chest with my other foot so that 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 now broken and I suspect she also suffered a concussion.
She stands up with difficulty, staggers on her legs for a moment, but does not want to give up.
“Damn! What's going on here? Who dares to challenge my mate?”. A harsh growl sounds behind the crowd. The way is being cleared for the Alpha to reach us...