Blood Challenge (10 page)

Ellie watched as they removed their robes by opening them and handing them to their Guardians. She felt a hand on her shoulder and saw Golatia standing slightly behind her. She tried to give her a shaky smile.

“Your coat and boots, Ellie.”

She nodded, stepping out of the boots as her clumsy fingers fiddled with the zipper. She finally opened it and forced herself to strip off the coat in one quick movement. As soon as she handed over the covering, she became aware of how cold it was, even this close to the fire. Her nipples beaded, and gooseflesh puckered her exposed skin. She resisted the urge to hug herself, noting the proud stances of the other girls. She tried to mimic it as a few men broke from the circle and joined the already-large group.

She was vaguely aware of the eyes examining her, but was only reacting to Rica’s, as they skimmed over her. He didn’t betray his reaction, except for the way his cock visibly hardened. She bit back a smile, striving to keep her expression as closed as the girls standing near her.

“Who challenges for Clara?” As Viggo spoke, a girl in the middle of their line stepped forward. She was short and stocky, with a solid build. Her breasts were large, as were her hips. She wasn’t beautiful, but she was striking. She used her dark hair to cover her bosom.

Ellie wondered if that was why all the girls had long hair. Did they grow it out in anticipation of this moment? She wished she hadn’t favored practicality over femininity for the last few years. Her short cut wouldn’t hide anything, except her ears. She didn’t think there would be many eyes on her ears when it was her turn to step forward.

Immediately, four nude men surged forward, breaking away from the group of challengers. Two men similar in appearance, with brown hair and brown eyes, took another step forward. “Belo and I will challenge for her.”

“The Jescu brothers have announced their challenge.”

“I’ll challenge.” This challenger was on the short side, but with massive muscles that didn’t quite look right with his slender frame. He had a challenging air about him before he even spoke up. He seemed arrogant to Ellie.

“Eugen.”

Another man stepped forward. He couldn’t have been much older than eighteen, with light-brown hair and dark eyes. He crossed and uncrossed his arms several times as he stuttered, “M-m-me too.” His flaccid cock indicated he was either cold or nervous.

“Paul.” Viggo motioned the brothers forward. “Who will begin the challenge?”

“I will,” said the one who hadn’t spoken before. He must be Belo. “I will challenge Paul.”

Ellie couldn’t help noticing Paul looked close to wetting himself as he stepped up to meet Belo. They didn’t shake hands or bow to each other. Instead, they immediately began circling each other. Paul seemed close to tripping on his own feet. Each time Belo lunged at him, he flinched. He didn’t seem to be an offensive fighter. Rather, he looked like he was bracing himself for attack.

When it came, he wasn’t prepared. Belo leapt at him, transforming into a wolf in mid-leap. Paul put up his arms and backed away, but the wolf landed on him, snarling. Paul cried out when teeth ripped through his shoulder. He tried to transform, but apparently couldn’t summon the ability in his distress. Within seconds, he was crying, “I yield.”

Immediately, Belo withdrew and transformed back into his human form. He offered a hand to Paul, assisting him to his feet, and clapping him on the back. He whispered something to the younger man before walking back to his brother. Paul slunk off into the crowd.

Ellie felt reassured by the combat. She had wondered if it might be a fight to the death, but it appeared civilized. Well, as civilized as such a barbaric custom could be.

She had been wrong, she thought a few minutes later, watching as Eugen circled the unnamed brother, lying on the ground. They were both in wolf-form, which made it easier to pretend the blood flowing from the brother’s wounds wasn’t real. He was whimpering continuously as he struggled to gain his feet. Each time he tried to rise on his front paws, Eugen lunged forward and bit him again.

“Enough,” Belo said, stepping forward. “Cedru concedes.”

“Do you forfeit your challenge, Belo?” Viggo asked.

“No. I will take my brother’s place.”

That seemed a little unfair to Ellie, but she didn’t voice her protests. She had a feeling this ritual was as old as the Pack, and they had obviously decided the best way to conduct it. She held her breath as Cedru returned to his human form with much difficulty. Two men not waiting to challenge stepped forward and carried him away from the circle.

The fight between Belo and Eugen was just as vicious, although Belo was clearly a better fighter than Cedru. In the end, he finished up pinned under Eugen’s paws. He transformed to human form, saying, “I yield.”

Eugen backed away and transformed to his human form. He didn’t offer his hand, although Belo clearly needed some assistance to rise. Once more, men not waiting to challenge came forward and helped him to his feet. They supported him as he limped from the circle, presumably to join his brother.

“Will any other challenge for Clara?” Viggo scanned the circle and waited at least a minute. No one spoke up or stepped forward. “Eugen, claim your mate.”

Clara didn’t look thrilled as Eugen stalked toward her. Blood smeared his chest, but he didn’t pay attention to it as he crushed her against him, branding her with a hard kiss.

Viggo approached them, subtly interceding between the couple. He faced Clara’s Guardian, a middle-aged woman in a black fur robe. “Will you give this union your blessing, Guardian?”

The woman traded looks with Clara, who hesitated before nodding. “I will.”

Viggo turned to Clara. “Will you accept Eugen as your mate?”

Clara bowed her head. Her blush was evident in the firelight. “Yes.” The word was barely out of her mouth before Eugen pulled her back into his arms. He kissed her once more, but it was quick. His hands kneaded her breasts as he held her against him.

Ellie turned to Golatia, lowering her voice to a whisper. “What’s he doing?”

“Mating with her.” She clicked her tongue. “He needs to learn finesse. I suspect he is insecure about his prowess and intends to rush through the consummation.”

Ellie’s eyes widened. “What?” She was aware of eyes turning in her direction and lowered her voice. “What are you talking about?”

“I told you about the consummation, Ellie.” Golatia was frowning.

“You didn’t tell me it was in front of the entire Pack.”

Golatia blinked. “I didn’t? It must have slipped my mind.”

Ellie shook her head. “More likely, you figured I would back out if I knew all the details.”

The older woman gave her an innocent smile. “I’ve never doubted you would complete the ceremony.”

“Hmm.” She growled the sound under her breath as she turned back to watch Eugen and Clara. She felt like a pervert, watching the man stroke his new mate, but it was compelling. She couldn’t seem to tear away her gaze.

As Eugen lowered Clara to the ground, her eyes caught Rica’s. She could see the heat in them. He was aroused, but she didn’t think it was from watching the young couple before them. No, his arousal came from picturing them in the same position, she knew, because it was the same for her. Imagining them together caused her heart to race and moisture to drench her pussy.

Clara’s cry caused her gaze to drop to the couple on the ground. The girl appeared to be struggling with pain and pleasure as Eugen thrust his cock into her. She seemed to like his hands playing with her nipples, but wasn’t responding to his thrusts.

“He better make that up to her later tonight, or he’ll never hear the end of this,” Golatia said with a low cackle.

The mating ended in a couple of minutes. Eugen stiffened and cried out, surging inside his mate. She looked relieved when he rolled away and stood up. His now-limp cock looked forlorn. Ellie almost laughed, although she didn’t really find the situation funny. If anything, it was sad that Clara’s first time with her mate had been short and obviously not enjoyable.

She wondered how it would be with Rica. She didn’t doubt his skill, but was afraid she wouldn’t be able to get past all the eyes watching to enjoy the act. Ellie half-hoped Rica would rush through the consummation and make it up to her later.

Once Eugen and Clara left the circle, Viggo called the next challengers for Lia. She stepped forward, revealing her glorious beauty, but refusing to look at any of the ten men who stepped forward to challenge for her. Instead, she kept her gaze fastened on Rica as she cupped her own breast and tweaked the nipple before stepping back to stand in front of Belia.

Most of the matches went quickly, with one fighter clearly superior. The only one to become bloody was the last match between two equally worthy combatants. They had the same build and equal strength. The only obvious difference was one had black hair and the other had blond hair.

After ten minutes of a stalemate, Viggo paused the fight. He drew the two contestants away from the group and whispered with them. Ellie saw both exchange glances, say something to Viggo again, and shake hands. Together, the three of them approached Lia.

“Lasile and Jan have formed an alliance.” He stood in front of Belia. Ellie couldn’t help but notice Viggo’s stiff posture and the dislike he tried to keep hidden when his eyes rested briefly on Belia. “Will you give this union your blessing, Guardian?”

Belia turned her back. Viggo glowered at her before turning to Lia. “Will you accept Lasile and Jan as your mates?”

Lia tossed her hair, still refusing to meet the gaze of either man. “No. They aren’t worthy of me.”

Viggo nodded before turning back to the men. “Will you invoke a moon-cycle claim?”

The two men whispered together for a long moment. Finally, the blond took a step forward. “We will claim her as mate for one moon-cycle.”

Lia looked outraged, and she began to screech. Belia stepped forward, adding her own opinion in loud tones. It took Viggo several seconds to restore calm. He raised his voice to a shout so everyone could hear. “You know there are only three things that will allow a girl to refuse the moon-cycle claim. Is Lia carrying another man’s child?”

Lia glowered at Viggo when she shook her head.

“Has Lia made it known she intends to leave the Pack? Will she accept banishment to deny the claim?”

“No,” Belia said sullenly.

Viggo nodded. “Does Lia intend to take no mate ever? Remember, if she announces that intention now, she will not be able to change her mind. She has given a vow to live chastely, and should it be broken, she will be banished.”

“It’s not fair,” Lia said, with more than a hint of whining in her tone. “If I don’t take these two, I can never have a mate. I don’t want this.”

“This is our way. Do you give your vow to live chastely?”

She shook her head. Her anger was obvious. “I’ll accept the claim.” She didn’t seem happy about it.

Ellie expected the men to take her, but all they did was gather her between them. Viggo removed the sash around Lia’s hips and used it to bind one hand of all three together. “The moon-cycle begins tonight. You have until the next full moon to convince this woman to accept you as her mates.”

As the three walked away, Lia obviously unwilling, Ellie turned to Golatia again. “What about the consummation?”

“That will happen if she accepts them as her mate at the next full moon. The deed is required to bind the union. Much as an exchange of vows in front of a religious officiator, like a priest, in your world.”

Ellie lifted a brow. “So, the sex is the marriage ceremony?” Did she really want to marry Rica, knowing she would be leaving him? It should reassure her to know the ceremony wouldn’t be legally binding anywhere except Corsova, but it didn’t. It still felt dishonest, even though Rica knew she planned to leave him.

Golatia nodded, but didn’t speak as Viggo called forth the next girl. She didn’t have as many challengers as Lia had, but the battles were more intense. When the victor finally emerged, he was battered and bloody. Tenica, the other girl who had been part of Lia’s group, and her father didn’t hesitate to accept Veelad. He was more skilled than Eugen, or less concerned with the audience, and her cries of pleasure echoed around the circle as he made love to her.

Ellie was surprised how it increased her own ardor, watching these two consummate their union. Once more, she met Rica’s eyes, finding them locked on her, and not paying any attention to the couple. Her breasts tingled, but not because of the cold. In fact, it had gotten hot, and the sash around her waist seemed to chafe her skin. She wanted to throw it off and go to him.

She didn’t even care about the others who would be watching their consummation. Right then, she wanted him any way she could have him, even if it meant in front of a gathering of two hundred. All thoughts of rejecting him had fled in the face of her desire. She ached to have Rica, even for a few months.

She would soon have her chance, because Viggo called her name.

Ellie stepped forward, conscious of the eyes examining her nude body, but only caring about Rica’s, as they caressed every inch of her. She could feel her pussy warming, and electric tingles ran under her skin wherever his gaze paused.