Noctis

Today is the day. The day Luke and I fight for the crown. Alphas from all over are coming to witness this rare event. Alpha Mark from Tobias' pack is here, Altor from Xander's pack, and I see Orion with River. I notice even Quinton came with Josh. It's good to see them again. Tobias is here with Xander of course and Xander brought Uncle Chris.

Dad stands at the back of the battle field with a microphone in his hand. I am currently waiting in the tree line with my spandex shorts and a sports bra that shows off all of my scars.

"Welcome everyone. Today we are hosting a battle for the crown between my two children. First up we have the next in line for the throne and my daughter Braelynn Lockhart," he introduces and I jog over to him. He has to use my real name due to the formality of the event. "Next we have my son, Luke Lockhart," Luke jogs to stand on the other side of Dad.

Dad motions for us to take our spots and we do. I get into a defensive stance while Luke gets in an offensive one. Not a shocker there.

"Begin!" Dad shouts and Luke immediately charges at me.

There aren't many rules in these fights. Usually the only rule is if one person shifts, the other has to as well. Now, there are two rules. Shift when the other shifts and no final blow.

I dodge Luke's attack and kick him in the lower back which causes him to stumble forwards. I wait for him to regain his position and he swings at my face. I lean back to dodge the punch and then I grab the fist that was going for my stomach. I use that leverage to flip him to the ground, landing in his back. His foot swings out to knock me down but I jump over it. I am no longer fooling around with Josh, I have to stay serious. Luke stands up and goes to kick me in the stomach. I jump back just barely missing the foot but he punches me quickly in the jaw.

I feel the burning sensation from where his fist connected with my face. I switch to the offensive position and I punch him hard in the gut. I hear him blow out all the air in his lungs meaning I hit my target, the diaphragm. Hurts like a bitch. I take the opportunity to grab his head and knee him in the face. He crumpled to the ground. That's when he decides to shift into his light brown wolf.

I take a deep breath and shift into my wolf making everyone gasp. The ones who can't see my face think I am just a black wolf, but those who can see my eyes and my mark know I am something more. A True Alpha. Luke looks fearful before he shakes his head, returning to his hard expression. We circle each other and others get a good look at me. I am also clearly much taller than Luke by at least a foot.

Luke attacks first and I jump to the side last minutes while my claws dig deep into his side causing him to let out a whimper. I hear Mom scream for her 'baby' but she can't interfere. Luke stumbles but manages to stand back up. He snaps at my neck but I claw along his face, leaving red dripping down him wolf head.

I tackle him and put my jaws around his neck, not enough to kill him of course. He struggles trying to kick me off or claw at me; however, he can't because of how I have him pinned. He bows his head in submission, signalling the end of the fight. I stand up off of him and shift back while he lays there.

Dad gestures for me to come over to him and I take all but one step before I few teeth sink into my calf. It barely feels like a pinch, but Luke will feel like he is on fire. I smirk down at Luke who is looking triumphant. That is until he lets go in an immense pain.

"You know, cheaters never win," I tell Luke before heading up to Dad.

"Wha..." he starts but then notices the crowd of people and puts on a smile, "Congratulations to Braelynn for winning the duel. I am pleased to say that my daughter will be the next Alpha of all Alphas."

The crowd erupts in cheers before we head to the after party being head in the big clearing in the woods. There is food and music, sounds like it will be a lot of fun.

Dad pulls me to the side, "What happened back there?"

"It's from the explosion and how I was a white wolf before this."

He thinks for a moment before piecing some things together, "The silver?"

I nod, "Let's go celebrate," I smile.

We head into the clearing where people are already mingling and dancing. I find Orion, River and Cali first.

"Hey guys," I greet.

"Hey Noctis...or should I say Braelynn?" River asks.

"Please don't. My name is Noctis and it will be from now on."

"Do you want to explain what that was on the field?" Orion questions.

"It was a fight...did you hit your head?" I ask.

"I didn't hit my...what I meant was your wolf..."

"What about it?"

"It's black," Orion states.

"Yes, and?" I say while Cali snorts.

Orion glares at Cali before turning back to me, "How?"

"Well, I shift into my wolf and BAM! Black wolf. Are you sure you didn't hit your head?"

"I didn't hit my head!" Orion shouts.

"Then maybe get your hearing checked," I wince at the volume of his voice while others around us turn to stare at Orion. Orion huffs and keeps his mouth shut, not wanting to argue right now.

"We're so happy for you," Cali smiles.

"Thanks Cali. I should go see the others, I will talk to you later okay?"

"Okay, make sure to stop by my room at some point so we can talk," Cali tells me.

I nod and walk away from them. I find Alpha Mark talking with Altor, Xander's alpha.

"Hello Alphas, how are you?" I greet.

"Ah, Noctis, good to see you again," Alpha Marks smiles.

"You know her too?" Altor asks.

"Of course I do, she has helped out my pack although I am curious about your wolf since last time I saw you, it was white," Alpha Marks tells me.

"Yes, that change only happened a couple days ago. Apparently the Moon Goddess has many tricks up her sleeve for me," I chuckle.

"I have never met a True Alpha before, let alone a female," Altor states.

"I never heard about them before Cal and I did some research," I admit.

"Congratulations on your medal by the way. You deserve it for all you have done," Alpha Marks tells me.

"Thank you. It came as a big surprise to me." I see Tobias and Xander eyeing me, "I should go talk to those two dufus' over there."

The two look behind themselves and chuckle before saying goodbye. I head over to Xander and Tobias.

"Hello boys," I chuckle.

The both hug me tightly, "I am so glad to see that you are alright. You had us worried there for a while," Tobias tells me.

"Sorry, a lot has happened and I needed time," I tell them.

"Want to explain how you are a True Alpha and the fact that you have a twin walking around here?" Xander's says and I shush him.

"Don't go telling people that kind of thing. I don't want them suspicious of me before it's announced," I can tell they are going to ask, "Don't ask. You will know when it's time. How are the both of you?"

"I am pretty good and the pack can't stop talking about the famous white wolf that saved them," Tobias chuckles.

"I didn't save them, you guys would have been fine without me," I tell Tobias.

"Like hell we would have been. Half of the pack was in that safe room that you saved."

I roll my eyes and turn to Xander, "Have you see Alpha Quinton?"

"Which on is he?"

"British guy, tall, his beta is Josh," I describe horribly.

"Oh yeah, I think he is over my the tree line," Xander points and I say goodbye as I walk over to Quinton.

I see he is with Josh and when they see me, Josh runs up to give me a hug.

"Heya Josh, what's up," I laugh.

"I missed you! It's been over two years!" Josh exclaims causing me to laugh harder at his dramatics.

"Sorry that I haven't had time to go back to England."

"Where were you? We couldn't get ahold of you," Quinton asks.

"Ash didn't tell you?" They both shake their heads, "I was held captive by the rogues for two years before I escaped."

"What?!" Josh exclaims.

"We had no idea, I am so sorry Noctis. Speaking of Ash, have you seen him? He left abruptly," Quinton states.

"He never came back?" Shit, that means he can be anywhere.

"No, he hasn't. We figured he was with you," Josh tells me.

I sigh, "He rejected me because a witch tricked him. I was hoping he went back to your pack but that means he is officially missing."

"He rejected you?" Josh asks, sympathy in his eyes.

"Yeah, but to be honest, I don't blame him. I was ready for him to reject me anyway after what all happened those two years."

"What happened?" Quinton wonders.

"I don't really want to talk about it," I tell them and they nod, dropping the subject.

"Maybe we can stay a little longer than intended so we can help with the search for Ash," Quinton suggests.

"Good idea, I could use the help."

"Then it's settled, we will find Ash and bring him home."