Dawn by S.C. Taufa (adventure books to read TXT) 📕

not add or cheat while keeping count of the strikes. The two of them decided to stand beside one another to be sure neither one of them cheated and to verify a strike. At the exact same time they yell, “Let the challenge begin!!!”

Alex began moving straight away not even waiting to see what I would do, first mistake. I just stood there legs braced arms hanging loosely by my sides. When he was forty centimetres from me I spun backwards swinging my arms so that the dug into his side as he past.

“Strike one, Michelle!!!” Mitch called.

Alex slid to a stop three metres from my line of packmates who all bared their teeth at him and he did the same in return before turning back to me. Mind you I’m still in human form with my claws extended which only third stages can do or the royal blood lines had the ability to do this from the very beginning of their childhood. ‘The next strikes mine.’

He sounded so certain of it that I felt I had to prove him wrong.

This time he prowled around me in a circle while I stayed facing my packmates not bothering to keep him in my sight instead I listened to his breathing, his footfalls as well as feeling his movements through the earth. I closed my eyes enhancing the senses I’m using to keep track of him. He stopped behind me about two and half metres from me crouching down getting ready to pounce. His breathing began to increase along with his heart beat then . . . He pounced, my eyes flew open as I flung my body around and forward with claws ready.

“Strike two, Michelle.”

“Strike three, Alex.” Daniel announced.

I crouched there looking Alex in the eyes with a smile on my face and blood leaking down my cheek from the scratch he gave me. “I got the second strike Alex I though you said the next one was yours,” he growled in annoyance at me just making me smile even more and angering him even more. I dropped the smile and growled, “Do not assume that something is yours, didn’t your father ever teach you that?” I could see that hit a sore spot and Daniel confirmed that with a groan of knowing.

‘HOW DO YOU KNOW ANYHTING ABOUT MY FATHER TEACHING ME THAT?! My brother told you didn’t he?’

I just laughed and looked him straight in the eyes with amusement clear on my face angering him to the point where he charges at me. I charge as well in human form getting a gasp from both groups of pack members. I launch myself over the top of him mere moments before we would have collided changing in mid-air which earned another gasp of surprise. I land facing my packmates only to spin around faster than a cheetah could run and go at Alex from behind getting four more strikes in before he even realised I was in wolf form.

“Strike four, five, six and seven, Michelle!!” My pack howl in answer to Mitch’s announcement. While Alex, Daniel and their packmates stare in shock at the speed of the attack. Alex won’t underestimate me now. After that Alex was more cautious but when I started attacking and hitting every time gaining another five strikes putting it up to twelve to one my way. He then worried more about dodging and counter attacking with this strategy he quickly gained eight more strikes, now 12 to 9. Now it was me doing the dodging and counter attacks. He wasn’t expecting me to use his strategy against him gaining me seven more strikes, 19 to 9.

“Strike nineteen, Michelle. One more and she will have to hold it for three minutes before she wins.” Mitch declared.

After his announcement Alex gained six strikes making it 19 to 16. He was beginning to tire though but so was I. Suddenly I saw an opening that he kept repeating in his defensive strategy to make sure it wasn’t a trap I tested by feinting one way then hitting the opening repeatedly.

“Strike twenty!! Hold it Michelle!!” Mitch yelled.
I didn’t back off it would give him the chance to attack me so I kept attacking for a whole three minutes.

“Michelle WINS!!!” Mitch and Daniel declare.
My pack swarms me licking my face, butting my shoulder and rubbing against me. The whole time Alex stands there watching it all happen. I tell my packmates to part way so I could congratulate Alex on a good fight. I walk towards him alert to an attack yet relaxed on the outside. ‘Thank you for an excellent fight.’

This surprised him which I didn’t understand I was being a good sportsman.

‘The loser usually says that to the victor not the other way around. You didn’t even expect me to congratulate you on the win did you?’

This was a new way of see it but I thought he wasn’t going to or he was going to nod and walk away.

‘I thought you would either not even acknowledge me or nod and walk away. Was I supposed to wait for your congratulates then say my thanks?’

I remember Marcus mentioning something about what had to be done if you win a challenge.

‘It was what my father taught me to do but I have never fought with a female alpha seeing as female alphas are very rare.’

I looked at Alex and thought when he’s not pissed off or creepy watcher he was actually quite a nice guy. His pack and mine had started to disperse. ‘The rules are still the same I just forgot about them and went with my gut feeling, to thank you for the fight.’

To hide the embarrassment that I felt I look around at the clearing only to see that everyone was gone with the exception of Alex of course. Where had Mitch gone it wasn’t like him to leave me behind without telling me? ‘Alex what’s going on?’

I could hear the fear in my own voice and I couldn’t believe that I was so scared. I backed towards Alex not knowing that he was doing the same thing. We bumped into each other and both of us spun around growling at one another.

‘I don’t have any idea what’s happening Michelle. I don’t know if it’s an illusion or if it’s real but I know one thing we have to watch each other’s backs illusion or not.’

The sense of danger that I had before intensified a million fold.

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Text: S.C.Taufa
Publication Date: 08-19-2011

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