Chapter 2

GAVIN.

The females had started to enter the Claiming Arena and my eyes wandered to look for the two females that I wanted to see — my mate and Clair. 

I didn’t see my mate, but I spotted Clair.

My hands coiled into fists as I witnessed her behind held towards the entrance. The man holding her by the arm has forced her to step inside and I could see her eyes even from afar, she was fighting off the tears from falling. 

If Jake was here, this would have been over. He would never let them take his mate just like that, but he´s not here yet and it was my duty to take his place until he arrived.

As soon as the signal for the Alphas and Betas was fired, I watched as all the Alphas entered the entrance in a hurry, including Alpha Aeon. 

The fucker couldn’t wait.

I needed to get going as well. If he would mark her on the forest grounds, there was nothing more I could do.

I silently prayed to the goddess to protect both my mate and Clair and to place them with people who would care for and love them. I knew who Clair should end up with, my only hope was that my mate wouldn't be claimed tonight so I would have my chance with her someday, but if not, I prayed she would be with someone who would love her more than I could.

As I entered the arena, I pushed all thoughts of the beautiful female in a green gown to the back of my mind, much to the chagrin of my wolf.

'We are a Beta, Kurt. We uphold our duty before other things.' I reminded my wolf, to which he replied with a loud growl, definetely disagreeing with me. 

I ignored him.

I carefully tread my way through the forest ground, using my nose to scent Clair. She wasn't far ahead now but I could smell another scent mixed with her, it must be Alpha Aeon following her track as well.

I needed to move faster, or it would be too late if Alpha Aeon had marked her already.

As I neared the end of the forest line, I heard voices. I could tell one of them was Clair and distress was in her voice.

I hid behind a big oak tree to witness the confrontation between her and Alpha Aeon. 

"Alpha Aeon, please don’t. This is a mistake. I don’t want to be claimed. Let me go." Clair pleaded. Her hands were up as if that would help her from being taken.

"Don’t think about it. You can’t run away." He smirked, knowing the power he had over her at this moment. "I know I’m not the one you expect to claim you tonight, but this is how the Claiming works, my love." 

My forehead creased in confusion at his statement. What the fuck was he talking about? Was there another one that was supposed to claim Clair and he just came here to intercept? Or was it his way of absolving himself of the kidnapping?

"Please, Clair. Don’t make a fool out of us, just give me a chance. You know I could have easily marked you within the forest grounds, but I took my time. I want everyone to see when I claimed my Luna, hence, I waited until you appeared here."

I could sense Clair’s fear as she squinted her eyes, based on experience, she would be shedding tears soon. I better make my move now and delay him further until Alpha Jacob arrives.

"Wrong move then, Alpha Aeon. You just gave me my chance with her. I challenge you for Clair Montrell." I called out as I stepped out from the forest line towards the main Arena. I took off my coat and threw it on the ground.

I saw shock register on Clair’s face, but Alpha Aeon just cocked his head to the side, smirking. "I knew it was you. But then feel free to be challenged, Beta. You know I’m of Alpha blood. I can easily take you down. I also knew you have no Beta blood within you. You are just a chosen Beta."

"You might be right. I'm just an ordinary male. But don't forget that I was trained by a great Alpha. I’m not going down as easy as you think." I answered cockily, I didn't want him to think he could intimidate me.

Being an Alpha doesn´t guarantee he could overpower me but I knew the stake I was in. My wolf could sense our mate somewhere and I knew if I let Kurt out, he would have a hard time concentrating on Alpha Aeon. I must try to fight him off in human form if I wanted to win this challenge.

"Fine! Let’s get started!" Aeon smirked while he rolled the sleeves of his shirt up.

"No!" Clair stood up from the ground and was about to launch herself between us.

I snapped my head in her direction and shouted. Aeon did the same thing as both our voices echoed around the arena. "Step back!"

Clair looked at me, glaring. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"I´m taking you home, Clair. Now behave and stay back!" I said in a calm voice before facing Alpha Aeon again. Clair could be too naive sometimes. Does she think I would be mating with her?

I shook my head and put all my focus on the Alpha in front of me, hoping the duel with Alpha Aeon would be enough time for Jake to come and claim Clair. 

*****

I was at an advantage at the beginning of the fight, but Alpha Aeon decided to let his wolf out, and I knew right away that I was doomed!

I would not be able to fight him in my human form since his wolf towers over me. I had no choice but to let Kurt out, all the while pleading with him to focus on Alpha Aeon.

But as soon as we shifted, Kurt let out a loud growl and turned his attention to the arena stage, where the spectators were seated. He could sense our mate there - it was either she was just watching or she had already been claimed.

And the thought of her being claimed had led me and my wolf to lose focus.

Alpha Aeon’s wolf had been relentlessly attacking, and I could barely fight him off.

My wolf was fucking losing his shit. 

Aeon’s wolf slammed his body into mine, making Kurt drop to the ground. His paws scratched my stomach deep enough for blood to ooze out before he stepped into my legs. I heard my bone snap.

I stumbled into my wolf feet, but before I could pick myself up, Aeon’s wolf fangs sank into my shoulder from behind me. His teeth ripped through my shoulder blade, and my whole body shuddered from the pain as blood trailed down my body.

His teeth clung to my wolf tightly, and he flung me afterward. I hit the ground with a loud thud as I howled in agony. I could feel my whole body shaking from pain, and I had no idea what else was broken.

When I couldn’t take the pain anymore, I shifted back to my human form. My shoulder was dislocated, and I had a big wound that kept bleeding. He really got me.

Aeon’s wolf wasted no time and hovered over my human form. With his saliva dripping on me, his front paws held my neck down, threatening to claw out my throat. One wrong move and my life could end.

"Yield, Gavin! Please!" Clair screamed from behind him.

I knew Aeon held my life in his hands, but I wasn’t a coward. I turned my gaze back at Aeon, throwing him a hateful glare, and shook my head. Aeon’s wolf let out a loud growl and pushed his paws harder against my throat.

I coughed hard as my head started to feel light, and the face of my little lamb flashed in my mind. I sacrificed her, so this must be worth it. I couldn’t lose this battle.

I closed my eyes and tried to find the strength to keep myself awake.

’Jake! Man, I can’t keep it up anymore. Where are you?’ I mindlinked Alpha Jake, hoping he was nearby and could hear me.

Silence. He wasn’t here yet.

"Please don’t." My eyes snapped open when I heard Clair’s voice. She was clinging to Aeon’s wolf, trying to calm him and stop him from pressing his paws further into my throat but her eyes were on mine, begging. "Yield now." 

"I can´t. I promised him I´ll keep you safe until he comes." My voice croaked. I could feel my body giving up, but I would not let my Alpha down. 

"Enough, Gavin. Yield now. Your Luna ordered you to do so." She spoke softly, her eyes flashing obsidian black before a soft sob escaped her throat. "I'm not worth your life, Gavin. Please... Yield."

And I couldn’t do more when it was my Luna commanding me to submit.

I gave Clair one last look before tapping the ground beside me, my eyes apologizing for disappointing her again. 

Alpha Aeon immediately loosened his hold on me, and everything went fast as my head buzzed with different sounds all around me.

'Jake?' I tried again.

‘I’m here. Where are you?’ I heard him reply, he was panting, and desperation was in his voice.

‘Arena. Come here now! I’m fucked already.’

I opened my eyes and saw Matteo as he hovered over me to lift my body. I couldn’t feel anything from it. I tried to lift my unharmed arm and hold onto his. ’Mindlink the Alpha and make sure he gets here on time to save Clair.’

He nodded just in time before my whole body shuddered and my mind shut down as blackness took over.