Endangered Species Ch. 41-48

"Too many to take in a straight-up fight, and they know it," he replied. "No sign of the Alpha yet."

I expanded the link to the whole Pack. "I'm heading in. If they shoot me, Melanie is in charge. Disengage and return to base."

This was the fun part. The Pack defenders had working spotlights, and one shone in my eyes as I got out of the lead truck. Wearing my Army uniform and sidearm, I took the white flag in my left hand. Ted and Lois flanked me as I approached, both in wolf form.

It was a long walk. "Don't worry, Alpha. If they have any skill with those rifles, you'll be dead before you hear the shot," Bruce sent.

"That's supposed to help?"

"You're taking a big risk, Alpha."

I got to within ten yards of the gates before a voice told me I'd come far enough. "State your business," he said.

"I am Alpha Summers of the Renfro Pack."

He sniffed, trying to pick up my scent. "Are you here to submit to Alpha Edward Winters, the Supreme Alpha of the Northwest?"

I snorted. "That's what that coward is calling himself? Hilarious."

My words had them bringing rifles to bear on me. Tensions were high. "Lay down your arms and submit, and you will live," the Beta yelled.

"No. I, Alpha Angela Summers, challenge Alpha Edward Winters to single combat for the leadership of the Quinalt Pack."

Some men laughed at this while the Beta was linking his boss. "Alpha Winters does not accept challenges from women."

"Pack Law and our traditions do not allow him that power," I replied. "Either he accepts the challenge or forfeits the Pack to me."

"He is coming."

"Alpha, we have movement at the tunnels. Another fifty or so warriors are surrounding Alpha Winters."

"Just as we planned, Bruce."

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE," Alpha Edward screamed a few minutes later. He pushed through the warriors gathered at the gate, pointing at me as I sat with my escorts. "WHY ISN'T SHE DEAD YET?"

Beta Todd lowered his head. "She has issued a formal challenge, Alpha. Pack Law protects her until the challenge."

He looked me over, instantly dismissing me as a threat. "Open the gate and let her in," he ordered. "This will be over quickly. The challenge area is this way."

"Unless I can bring my Pack in, the challenge should be right here," I replied. "Under the law, we are both required to have all Pack members in attendance."

He looked out at the forces I'd brought and snorted. "Fine. We'll do it here."

I had the Pack members in wolf form approach, forming a semicircle behind me. One came up with a bag. I started to remove my uniform, starting with my gun belt. I placed everything in the bag as spotlights illuminated my nakedness. A few males made lewd comments, which I ignored. I shifted into my silver wolf, letting out my Alpha power as I did so.

It rolled over the gathered wolves like a wave. Some men lowered their weapons, while others dropped to their knees. Suddenly, the challenge wasn't an easy battle. "Kill her," the Alpha ordered.

His Beta was the first to speak. "Alpha, we cannot attack one who is moon-blessed. She is a messenger from the Moon Goddess herself! It is blasphemy!"

"How can I be challenged by someone I can't fight," he asked his leadership.

Instead of backing him up, they knelt to me. The Beta turned on his Alpha. "You gained your position without honor, Edward. Is it any shock Luna has sent her messenger to remove you?"

Enraged, Alpha Edward grabbed a rifle from his guard and pointed it at me.

I heard a shot.