Harry snarled and lashed at her, his claws tearing through her skin. Rose fell back, and Harry slowly walked over. “That’s for punching me in front of everyone.” He growled.
He then kicked her, hard. “That’s for humiliating me in front of everyone.” He growled, kicking her once again.
He was taking another step towards her, but at the last moment, Rose twisted. Her legs slashed out, tripping Harry over. Surprised, he fell down, and Rose used that moment to get back on her feet.
“You can’t even keep a weak little girl down,” Rose said, panting. Harry was getting more and more furious at her words. “What must all your friends think? Even if I lose this, they won’t forget that you had such a hard time with a girl half your size.”
Harry growled, attacking Rose with his claws. He was furious, his ego was under attack. Rose continued jumping out of his way, taunting him every time. Slowly, but surely, her plan started to work. Harry started to get angrier and angrier, and as he did, he stopped using his brain. He attacked her ferociously, but he left himself wide open, allowing Rose to land multiple blows.
Then, she finally got the upper hand. Rose remembered that Harry had a severe old injury on his back-left leg. She managed to find her moment and pounced, sinking her teeth into his leg. He howled, as his old injury reignited.
Rose used this moment to jump at him, clawing through his stomach. Harry kicked her off, and they started the dance again. Rose repeated her strategy of taunting him, and slowly started to wear him down. Taylor had started shouting, joined by his friends. He taunted Harry, who couldn’t take the attacks to his ego. He grew angry and more reckless, and Rose slowly started to get the upper hand.
She managed to bite his injured leg once more, and this time she bit down hard enough that his bones broke. Injured, bleeding, and unable to move, Rose pinned him down. It was an impossible victory, but it was still a victory. She won.
Chapter 16
Taylor
Taylor stood with his friends, who were all drinking. These parties used to be a lot more fun when he could drink. He spotted Rose walking over and excused himself.
“Congratulations. You really beat Harry up real good. I think you are going to win this championship,” he said to her, smiling.
“I am not going to win. Trust me. Hey, so I just wanted to talk to you, and I was wondering if you will go on a walk with me,” Rose said.
Taylor smiled at her, offering his arm, which she took. They walked out of the party arm in arm. Outside, the sky was a beautiful navy blue, decorated with stars and a full moon.
“Taylor, the more I get to know you, the clearer it gets to me that you are the nicest, kindest guy I have ever known. Your past has been questionable, but you have worked so hard to improve. Not only that, you made me a better person too. I have thought long and hard about us, and I am starting to think that maybe the moon spirit was right. She saw something that I couldn’t imagine, and if you want it as well, we can give us a try,” Rose said.
Taylor didn’t know what to say. He felt so overwhelmed with emotion.
“That would be nice. But I don’t want you to say yes to be my mate just because the moon spirit said so. Let me take you out, let’s get to know each other better, before we commit to this eternally,” Taylor said.
“That would be genuinely nice. This can be our first date,” Rose said, laughing.
“This? A stroll under the moon? I was planning on something bigger!” Taylor said.
“Is there anything better than the stroll under the moon? It doesn’t have to be an extravagant or a luxurious date,” Rose said, letting go of his arm. She walked a bit, before starting to twirl.
Taylor watched her in awe, mesmerized by her beauty. She continued to twirl, her beautiful long hair flying as she did.
“No?” Taylor asked, smiling.
“Of course not. Is there anything more beautiful than the moon? Is there anything better than being under the trees?” Rose asked, she sounded incredibly happy.
“Well, when the kids ask us what our first date was, I would like it to be more impressive,” he said, smiling.
“Kids?” Rose said, turning to look at him. “Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?”
“I don’t think so,” Taylor replied, grinning.
“Taylor. I want you to know I have decided to forfeit the championship,” Rose said.
Taylor felt his smile disappear and he said, “What… Rose…”
“No, let me finish. I have proven myself enough, and I am happy where I got. Winning this championship was a way to prove myself, and I have done that. You gave me what I needed. You gave me the confidence and the belief. You helped me prove to everyone that I am one of the strongest warriors in this pack. Now I am going to give you what you need. The purpose that you need. You are the best suited to the captain of our army. Protecting our pack, training our warriors, that will be your purpose,” Rose said.
Taylor shook his head and said, “No, Rose. If being the captain and protecting this pack is going to be my purpose, I will get it fair and square. We have both made it to the finals, and I am going to meet you as my opponent. I need you to promise me, Rose, that you will give this your best. When you stand in that ring tomorrow, you will fight me like you want to win. I want to win this rank; I want to deserve it.”
