36: Saying Goodbye
TARA
Challenge?
What the heck!?
How did it get to this?
“Say no, please, say no,” I pleaded under my breath, ignoring the uproar from the pack members who were present and currently tearing the place apart.
This was exactly what Collin wanted, and he was hoping that Aidan would take the bait and fight him. All for what?
“Aidan,” my voice came out shaky, but this time it was louder. Loud enough for Aidan to hear so he could turn around to face
- me.
My heart hammered in my chest, and at some point, it felt like the organ was going to give in..
I shook my head once, willing Aidan to say no, but somewhere. within me, I already knew that Aidan wouldn’t.
I knew that he had this compelling need to protect me and Nadia, and maybe he saw this as his opportunity to do so. I knew that Aidan saw that this young–girl was in danger, and he felt the need to protect her too.
Like a true Alpha.
- Saying Goodbye
But Collin was challenging Aidan for Attica pack! That was Aidan’s life’s work. Collin wouldn’t fight fair. He would find the most questionable ways to win, and he could go as far as…
I shook the ugly picture away from my mind, not wanting to think of what this challenge could mean, and not wanting to agree that this challenge could end in death, or other worse ways. I struggled to get my words out.
“Aidan, let it go. He’s asking for everything you’ve worked for. It‘ s not worth it, Aidan. Just leave.”
Collin was still seething, and Aidan, on the other hand, had more control of his emotions.
“I can’t, Tara. An alpha cannot refuse a challenge, and you know it,” Aidan said with a slight grin.
Was this a goddamn joke to him?
Yes, he hurt me, and I once wished he would lose everything as I did, but now that it was happening right in front of me, I didn’t want that for him. I didn’t want that for Nadia’s father.
“Then accept it,” Collin barked, blinded by his anger.
Aidan turned to him. “You know the implication of what you’re asking, right? A challenge like this means a fight without mercy to the death.”
“Just befitting for someone like you,” Collin spat.
I shook my head. “Are you two listening to yourselves? Stop this madness for goddess sake. What the hell! You both can’t subject yourselves to the extent of death just to assert your
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- Saying Goodbye
1205 Wouchers
dominance.”
It was like I wasn’t even there as none of them acknowledged me. My head started going in circles, my chest heaving in dragged pants.
The crowd that had formed behind was another madhouse of
its own.
Aidan spoke. “Very well. I, Alpha Aidan of Attica Pack, accept your challenge, Alpha Collin of Vermont pack, for your alpha title.”
The crowd behind us burst into roars, while my vision blurred into nothing.
“You have twelve hours to say your goodbyes, Alpha Aidan. We meet at midnight.”
“Bold of you to assume that I would be the one saying goodbye. Well, I have one condition before this,” Aidan spoke, stopping Collin in his tracks. “The girl comes with me,” he said, pointing to the young she–wolf with bruises on her face.
Collin tossed her an irritated glance before he responded.
“I don’t give a heck about her. You can have her, but know that by the end of this, all your supporters will be burning with you.”
With that, Collin exited the throne room through the back door, and their fates were sealed.
Aidan and Collin were going to fight each other for their packs. Until one of them died.
What. The. Hell!
- Saying Goodbye
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The commotion started to die down as everyone either left to get back to their lives like none of this just happened, or they were leaving in anticipation of coming back later for more.
Within minutes, only Me, Aidan, and the young girl were standing in the hall.
“What the hell is wrong with you? What were you thinking that made you just throw your life away like it’s nothing? Do you know what you’ve just gotten yourself into?” I rushed out line. after line, shoving my forefinger into Aidan’s chest as I berated him.
“It hurts to hear that you do not have even the tiniest bit of faith in me, Tara. Ouch.”
My eyes shot wide. “This is not a joke, Aidan!”
His expression took on a more serious note. “I know it isn’t, Tara. Come on, let’s leave and get her cleaned up first,” Aidan said, gesturing to the girl who had started shaking like a leaf, most likely coming down with a high fever.
Aidan’s fate was hanging by a thin thread, and all he was
concerned with was someone else’s predicament.
I shook my head as I motioned for the girl, and she shuffled her feet towards me.
“Can you tell me your name, hon?”
“Z–Zora.”
“Come on, Zora, let’s stitch these up and get you some pills,” I said, soothing her arm as I led her outside. Turning to Aidan, I
36 Saying Goodby
glared at him. “This conversation is not over.”
With a small nod, Aidan walked after us.
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Soon, we were seated in Aidan’s car, driving to where he was staying for the time being, and I quickly brought out my phone to call Jenna.
I needed someone to keep an eye on Nadia just in case I didn’t come back soon.
She picked up on the first ring and then confirmed that it was okay to look after Nadia, but I owed her for the last–minute change of plans.
After offering her my thanks and ending the call, my mind wandered in different directions for the rest of the ride. I was unsettled.
First, we stopped at my house to get a first aid box and some pills for Zora’s fever, and then Aidan drove off to his place.
We finally arrived at Aidan’s hotel, and he spent a few minutes in the reception area, booking a room on the same floor as his for Zora.
It took Zora a while to get settled, and I immediately got to work on her face once she did..
All the while when I worked, I kept questioning myself.
Why in the moon goddess’s green earth did I push Aidan to this extent?
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