Page 14 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

I don’t know his exact reasoning, but I know why I am doing this, which is part of the reason I don’t want the whole pack to watch. It’s not about Olive, it’s not even about the rank. But after this fight, I will know for certain. It’s something I need to know.

Dad actually came to talk to me. It was just the two of us sitting together and talking about the most basic things, about how happy I am that school is over, about the pack, my hobbies, and the last book I’d been reading. We never had such a chilled talk before. It makes me kind of sad we never had the chance to rebuild our relationship. There obviously was potential.

It’s on the day of the fight, as I’m starting my warm-up exercises, that Mom approaches me. She looks tired and broken, and I hate that I am part of the reason she looks like this.

“Don’t do it, Marcellus,” Mom begs me. “Please don’t. Why can’t I reason with either of you? Why do you both have to be so stubborn? You and your brother love each other!”

“I have to do this, Mom,” I tell her. I know she doesn’t understand, and maybe she is right, maybe this is the most stupid thing we have ever done, but I don’t see any real reconciliation with Eugene happening any time soon. There is too much at stake not to battle it out now. In a worst-case scenario, it could even hurt the pack.

Are you ready?I ask Amos.

We are going to see this through till the end,he says.You are a fine human. It’s an honor to have been chosen as your wolf spirit. When I see the goddess, I will tell her.

His words make me almost choke up. Amos is a calm and rather level-headed wolf, somewhat different to me, who is short-tempered and loud. I sometimes feel bad that he got me as his human; to hear him say that being with me made him happy and that he cherished our time together makes me feel more relief than I could have expected.

Hearing him, I know I can do this. He just gave me the confidence I needed.

Not that I will survive this. Both Amos and I know we won’t. The strained bond has weakened us too much, and there is no chance for us to win against Eugene. It doesn’t mean we won’t go down without a fight, both of us having made up our mind that no matter what happens, we will fight till the end.

six

Broken Bonds

*MARCELLUS*

The training hall is reserved for us privately, all windows and doors firmly closed, with guards placed around the building, so that we can have this battle in peace.

Floyd laments the rules to us. Not that it’s necessary, we both know them. They are simple enough. No shifting, no wolfsbane or poison, no weapons. The fight ends when someone dies or taps out. Simple as that.

Are you here, Amos?

Yes, don’t worry,he reassures me.Let’s make this an honorable fight.

I notice Eugene gazing at me from the other side of the ring. He looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn’t.

“Are you ready?” Floyd asks us quietly.

“Yes,” I say.

Eugene nods too. “Yes,” he mutters.

Floyd takes a step away before giving us the signal. Eugene and I exchange one last gaze before wordlessly approaching each other. I’m a tad more muscular, but he is more athletic and faster. While we circle each other, I notice how good his posture is and how strong his aura is.

It seems the minutes drop by with neither of us making a move, just locking eyes and circling each other. I can hear no noise other than Eugene’s panting. The realization that this is my brother I’m facing off against breaks the remainder of my heart all over again.

Then Eugene makes a step forward, delivering the first punch.

Like a spell is broken, we lunge at each other.

Floyd’s lessons ring in my ears, helping me control my movements, but Eugene isn’t bad either. His fist collides with my face, splitting my lips open before he grabs me in a headlock. I ram my elbow in his stomach, slipping out of his grip before delivering a kick to it. It sends him flying, but he recovers fast, jumping up from the ground quickly, and dodging my next punch.

Two weeks ago, I would have been easily strong enough to hold myself against Eugene, but today, with my mate bond weakening me tremendously, I can barely keep up. I am proud of Amos, though, because he tries, and he really does put up a fight. But it’s a fact that we don’t face a chance against a strong and proud alpha heir like Eugene.

My ears can only take up the sounds we make, the grunts, the panting. With some kicks and punches, I feel my bones break, with Amos trying to heal us as fast as he can in his weakened state.

I dodge a couple of Eugene’s attacks, but his next one gets me, sending me flying on the ground with him on top of me, pinning me to the ground. One of my hands tries to grab onto his arm, to push him away. His skin feels sweaty and slippery, making me lose my grip. I try to wiggle free when the first punch to my face comes. But fuck, I’m locked into this position. Neither Amos nor I is strong enough to escape it.

I taste iron on my tongue, my sight getting blurred while one punch after another starts raining down on me. My tired gaze lands on the clock on the wall. It felt like the fight took only minutes, but it lasted for almost two hours. Good, at least I gave them a show.