Chapter 52
Avery's POV.
"I oppose that decision." Erik's voice booms in my head.
Not again!
What does he want?
I turned around and faced him, he was advancing towards me.
"State your reason please." I muttered.
"I wish to be given a chance to fight with your chosen training partner, if he defeats me...he'll be your training partner otherwise... I'll take his place." He explained as he came closer to me.
He smelled weirdly and I don't like the smell a bit, I don't know if others could perceive the odd smell coming from him or is it just me.
I looked around to see and the general came forward.
"Beta Erik, I don't think that's possible, the Luna has already chosen Xander as his training partner and she didn't choose casually, they had a fight amongst themselves to prove themselves worthy. I don't understand why you wish to " the general explained and the crowd murmured in agreement
"I'm not against the capabilities of the warrior chosen by the Luna, I just want him to prove he's capable and have the capabilities to train our Luna here. I don't mean to disrespect you general but I just wish to prove myself and know that the Luna who's very close to my heart is in safe hands." Erik said and I wish to silence his voice but I was so sad, I didn't get such supernatural powers.
Even if I have such powers, I haven't discovered it yet.
One elder stood up and gave him a go ahead, that is if the general is ok with the decision.
The general is in charge of the warriors and whatever goes on in his training center should be approved by him.
The general doesn't seem happy with the decision of the pack elders, "I have no problem if the Luna is ok with it." He said and I immediately mind linking Xander.
‘Are you okay with the decision?’ I asked through the mind link.
‘Mmm.’ Was all he replied and I nodded an approving nod at thegeneral who bowed abs asked me to take my seat.
I wished Xander and Erik good luck and went to my seat with Leilani tagging behind me as always.
"To decide who the best fighter would be to protect and teach our beloved Luna the appropriate war skills, we've decided to hold another fight here between the Beta in place of Erik and our able warrior in place of Xander." The general announced and despite the murmurs in the crowd, an applause sounded.
"The game would start in the next thirty minutes, Xander gets some treatment from the healer, Erik...get to your locker and change into something more suitable for the fights." He ordered and the two dispersed.
"The rest of you, follow Xander to the healer and get some medicine." He said and went straight to his office.
The crowd began to disperse, I'm sure they'll reassemble here in the next thirty minutes.
I kept wondering about Erik, what's wrong with that imp?
Why can't he just leave me alone, everything would have been settled now and I'll get to train with my mate but that murderer came and ruined everything.
"Damn him!" I muttered and bang my fist on the table next to me.
"Luna!" Leilani almost shouted.
She took my hand and immediately began to examine it, "I'm fine Leilani, I'm just angry." I confessed.
"I know, I'm pretty angry too...everything was going fine till he showed up." She said and sighed softly.
"I just don't know what's wrong, everything would have been fine by now. I'll have gotten my training and things will finally begin to fall into place for me but nah..some people hate to see me happy!" I said getting grumpy.
I'm really hating the idea of having to see Xander fight again, he just had a hectic fight a few minutes ago and now he'll have another one.
All this is bullshit and I really wish I could stop everything, but if I did something that favors Xander now, things might get a little complicated.
Most of the pack elders already have this nonsensical thought that Erik is the right mate for me and they'll blindly support that murderer.
I need to play neutral right now, I can't afford to take sides that would make things worse.
I'm sure Xander can pull this off, he fights with his brain and strength and he's courageous and daring.
I'm happy and feeling blessed to have him as my mate, even the general had a soft spot for him though he didn't show it but the general is very proud of Xander.
I could see admiration in his eyes for his best warrior.
"Luna Avery?" Leilani's vice interrupted my thoughts and I looked at her with a confused expression.
"Are you alright?" She asked and my confused facial expression deepened.
"I'm fine Leilani, I'm not just comfortable with the idea of another combat, I think I made the wrong decision by accepting Erik and Xander to have another combat when Xander just had one and Erik had none, it seems unfair to Xander." I explained and Leilani smiled at me.
"You don't have to worry about Xander, he's a very good warrior and I'm sure he'll come out victorious again. He's more than you think he is."
"Thank you Leilani, I feel good just listening to your talks." I said honestly, talking to her made me forget my worries.
I dearly wish to see Xander right now but I don't know what kind of excuse to formulate to go and meet him alone.
Leilani would follow me wherever I go, that's her hobby currently.
‘Don't even think about going to him or I'll do something unimaginable to you. Let the poor boy be, you've hurt him enough already. He would soon come, seat your ass down and don't you dare move an inch.’ Kira warned me and I had to obey.
Though she's harsh with her words but she's telling the truth, Xander needs everything now except my distraction.
"Don't be too worried, everything will be alright." Leilani assured me and I nodded gently.
"Here...have lunch. It's time to eat." She immediately provided food from the bag she brought with her and I smiled as I took the food.
The girl does take care of me, it feels good though but I'm still worried for Xander.
Few minutes later, the training center began to fill up with crowds.
This time, it's three times more than before.
Looks like everyone wants to see the Beta fight.
I wish he would lose the fight to Xander, I don't want Erik near me.
His presence irks me very terribly.
The general joined them later and announced the commencement of the hand combat after repeating the only rule guiding the game.
Xander and Erik took a stand and positioned themselves in a fighting stance.
"BEGIN!" The general gave a fierce command and the combat began.
Erik launched an attack on Xander in which he dodge smoothly.
Xander averted all his attacks for like three minutes, he doesn't seem interested in punching Erik first.
Erik gave a swift blow on Xander's chest and it made him stagger.
Erik took advantage of the imbalance and hit Xander hard on the back and pushed him backward.
Erik staggered and fell on his knees, the hit was hard on him and Erik looked at me and smiled proudly.
I gave a fake smile while deep within me, I wish to slash him with my claws in different directions of his body till his wounds won't be able to heal by themselves.
My eyes went to Xander and my heart ached for him, he stood up and balanced himself.
Erik looked at him with pure disdain and anger, I noticed it with the way he clenched his fist and my ear picked the sound of his gnashing teeths.
The hand combat began again and things really got heated this time around.
Xander delivers as many blows that Erik gives him.
I smiled broadly where I sat.
That's my mate!
I nearly screamed but I restrained myself by holding Leilani's hand in anticipation.
Erik was angered and muttering something inaudibly, I didn't bother to listen to him.
I'm excited to see Xander winning.
With one swift blow, Xander sent Erik flying a few meters away from him.
I nearly stood up to shout his name but I tried to calm down, I'll reward him later.
The audience were wild with excitement and I'm sure they supported Xander too.
The audience began to shout Xander's name when Erik tried to stand up and couldn't.
Wow, the blow did get him badly.
Bravo mate!
I hailed Xander in my head and I could hear the excited noise Kira was making in my head.
The general was all smiles and we were about heading down to declare Xander the winner when u heard bone cracking.
I looked towards the source of the sound and it was Erik.
Erik had shifted and was heading towards Xander, to make things more terrifying..............Xander's back was turned to him.
Before anyone could process what's happening, Erik jumped on Xander and used his claws to tear his back.
His clothes ripped off and blood oozed out.
Xander winced in pain and turned to fight off the attacker but he couldn't, Erik wasn't giving him any chance to shift.
Anger boiled in me and I felt my temperature begin to rise and my bones crack and rearrange themselves. I shifted into my giant wolf.
I let out a loud roar and went to save my mate.
