The One 138

THE ONE 138

Chapter 138: Challenge Hunter We walk into the back of the packhouse and into the dining hall. Sophie’s head pops up and she sees me with Penny, I nod, letting her know that Penny agreed, and her smile is as fast as mine. “Attention everyone! I have an announcement to make. We’ve been without a Ga**a for a long time now and your Beta and I have been in discussions as to who we think can fill those shoes. Just like everything else in our pack, we are setting a new trend, and I give you our nomination for G***a, Penny.” There’s a moment of silence before the warriors begin to cheer, making her smile. “Tomorrow morning during warrior training, anyone who wants to challenge Penny for the Gamma position is welcome to do so. If she goes undefeated, we will be having a Gamma ceremony tomorrow night, and we will be bringing her mate, Jaime, into our pack as well.” The warriors cheer again, recognizing Jaime’s strength and how that will strengthen our pack. “We have a lot to be thankful for in this pack and having Penny and Jaime as our Ga**a pair will only make us stronger. If you have any questions or concerns, please see me or Beta Lucas today. Otherwise, we’ll see you on the sparring field tomorrow morning.” 11 282 Vouchers With that, I head over to Sophie, pulling her into a hug before putting my hand on her stomach and feeling my pup. I love holding Sophie and feeling my pup at the same time. “Do you think anyone will challenge her?” she asks. “I’m not sure, but even if they do, I don’t think anyone can defeat her.” All that day, we plan for battle. I spend the morning on the phone with Dutton and Amelia, all of us pulling in our Betas and Ga***as. For me, that includes Penny and Jaime. I can sense the dissatisfaction from Amelia’s Ga**a, but he’s smart enough to not directly confront her on this call. We confirm our plan of attack, time when we plan to attack, which will be early in the morning, and that we’ll all be in place early so that when Amelia howls the attack, we’ll all be ready.

In the afternoon, I spend the time with my warriors, making sure everyone is aware of the coming attack, selecting the group that will join me and Penny, and then running drills with those warriors. Lucas spends time with the warriors that will remain in the pack, making sure they understand the possibility that some members of Alaric’s pack may cross into our pack and how that should be handled. The next morning, when we meet for warrior training, I make sure to be on time. It’s the first time that I’ve been on time since Sophie came to the pack, since I much prefer to wake my mate up properly in the mornings. “Before we begin sparring, I’m opening up the field for challenges to our nominated Gamma,” I announce. It’s quiet for a moment, then Brutus walks up. “I challenge you, 13.03 m Chatom 1** Challenge 298 Vouchers Penny.” She frowns at him. “You want the Ga**a position?” It’s a good question. He’s a bit old for the G**a position, but honestly, he would be my next choice. “Nah, I just haven’t had a chance to spar with you and I wanted to make sure I got my chance,” he says, waggling his eyebrows at her. “Really, Brutus?” she asks him. “Really, Penny,” he says, and gets into a fighting stance. “Alright, old man, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” “Show me what you’ve got, pup,” he says. The two begin fighting and I can see almost immediately that Penny will win. She’s much faster than the older and larger Brutus. What I wasn’t expecting was Jaime to coach her through it. He’s a natural. “Keep your elbows tucked, Penny. That’s right, use your speed to take him off balance.” He continues giving her pointers and there so spot on, that I look at Lucas. “Looks like you have a

new sparring leader,” I say. “Good, maybe this one will show up on time,” he says, making me snort. “Sorry, my mate’s too delicious to leave in the morning.” “And mine isn’t? Try getting up a few minutes earlier,” he quips, both of us watching the battle. 46.05% O 13:04 forsson recognition of her winning orabe See “Good Mang Angus heats fed, or fd be no good for the ke says good ranuredy Box” he dd wam you Penny says, justes good naturedly and no one cotes forward to challenge her ready then, Jame, stay after training. The rest of you, do to have a modified Ga**a ceremony and celebra tonight, but those of you coming with me will need to get to bed early Battle time is kami tell them sparring ends, I call Sophie and Kinsley out to the sparting Such can you bring the ceremonial knife and cup, please? I ask “dready have she says out loud, smiling as she walks up. 1 ched to us what would happen. Brutus is still grumbling, but I think he’s just hoping that Lah will kiss him and make it better,” he say lahing “Want! Beth ads, waking up with Chee “You want to pin the pack as we ask them. *ove ideje, we’re staying” Beth says, and Chloe Chapter 1** Challenge Text © owned by .

nods. “Then step up. You’ll accept them as your Ga**as tonight during the ceremony. Right now, you’re just accepting me as your Alpha, Sophie as your Luna and Lucas and Kinsley as your Betas,” I tell them. “We understand,” Beth says, as Chloe moves to stand beside Kinsley. Kinsley immediately puts an arm around her, comforting her, as we begin. Penny stands proudly while Jaime accepts us as his ranked members, then Beth, and finally Chloe. I can tell that she’s a gentle soul, someone like Brooklyn. We’ll need to find a good position for her in the pack, something where she can thrive. ‘I already have an idea about that,’ Sophie says in the mind link, making me smile. She’s getting better at m**y multi-tasking. ‘What idea is that, my love?’ ‘We’re going to need assistance in the nursery very soon. I think she’d be perfect.” ‘Yes, I think you’re right.” sedates theevan A