The challenge two alphas one girl
Chapter 7: Apologies and Announcements

Chapter 7: Apologies and Announcements

Friday’s POV

Thaddeus looked so broken all of a sudden. I pulled his head down towards mine, pressing my foreheadagainst his. He touched the tip of his nose to mine.

How could I have thought this was a prank orchestrated by my cruel brother? My brother, Fang, was aBeta not a supreme being. He could not command two Alphas to behave like this.

A knock on the door broke us apart.

It was Astrid, Fang’s mate. She despised me. She stood there in a matching yellow tube top and shortshorts. Her makeup was expertly contoured and her hair was in an elaborate bun.

or M

attention and before she discovered she was my brother’s mate, she had already thrown herself at all thealphas, betas and gammas she had encountered. She loved being high up in the pack hierarchy and shehated me, the wolf-less lowest ranking she-wolf. She would be livid that two Alphas had challenged eachother for me. That was probably her dream. I really just wanted one mate who truly loved me and I hopedThaddeus or Maze could be that one.

“I have to steal Friday,” she drawled. “She has to be properly attired for the Celebration so she can lookshe like the prize two Alphas would compete for.”

Thaddeus stiffened, picking up on her thinly veiled insult regarding my looks. I grinned. Thaddeus wassuch a cool alpha, so perceptive and considerate.

“She already is that,” Thaddeus said. “But, I’ll let you dress her up, even prettier.” He winked at me. Ikissed his cheek.

Astrid led me to a room in the pack house I had never seen or even heard of before on the same Alphafloor. It was a walk-in closet filled with formal wear for a woman. Gorgeous gowns lined the walls. Therewere also headpieces, crowns of jewels, flower crowns and wreaths.

“This is the dressing room for the future Luna,” she said, eyeing me as though I was clearly not the futureLuna. Her drawn-on eyebrows did not match her angry expression.

She put me in a dress that was short in the front but long in the back. The material was a pastel pink butwas laced with gold thread so it would sparkle in the moonlight tonight. My hair was really wavy, almostcurly. She curled it into loose ringlets and actually loved it but I did not say anything because she lookedso p*****d off. She put a huge beautiful flower crown on my head. I marvelled at it. The pink and goldroses matched my dress perfectly. I was given heels that were clear as though they were made of glass.They were surprisingly comfortable. She did my makeup a lot less heavy than hers but it suited me. Iwas shocked at how pretty I looked. I could scarcely believe it. I really looked like a Luna two Alphaswould be fighting for.

Thaddeus’ POV

After that scantily clad woman with the strange eyebrows took my little Luna away to get dressed, I alsogot ready for the ceremony. The men would wear blazers and shirts with trousers. The women would beall decked out in flowers and beads and whatever else.

imet my Beta, Theo, downstairs in front of the packhorse. There was a huge bonfire and the entireMarigold pack was gathered on the grounds, all chattering excitedly. She-wolves were eyeing mehungrily.

I looked around for my mate. Alpha Maze came into view. Ugh that son-of-a-b*tch. If it weren’t for him, 1would be heading back home with my Luna tomorrow. I had to stay in Marigold two more weeks and then Maze’s Beta, Fang, was leading the most beautiful woman i naa ever seen towaras us. It was my Luna,Friday, all dressed up, crowned with flowers for the Celebration and Challenge Announcement.

Even though Fang was my mate’s brother, she seemed extremely uncomfortable around him sol didn’treally care to get close to him. He would not be that sort of brother-in-law. They seemed to have aterrible relationship which I was sure was mostly or rather entirely his fault as the elder and moreinfluential of the two.

Fang led Friday to Maze and myself. I linked my arm with Friday’s right arm and my challenger, Maze,was on her left.

Maze‘s POV

I drew a sharp intake of breath. There were gasps from my pack members as they recognised Friday, theshunned wolf-less she-wolf, adorned in flowers and shimmery fabric like a queen. She looked sobeautiful. I sighed, noticing Thaddeus immediately linked his arm with hers. Her left arm remained at herside, where I stood. I took another deep breath. I still was not sure why fate had aligned me with thiswolf-less girl but it was now or never.

“Friday,” I whispered to her. She seemed surprised I was addressing her. She looked up at me, her eyeswide. I remembered how crest-fallen she had looked when I had rejected her and felt a pang of guilt. If Ihad wrapped her in my arms and marked her immediately, Thaddeus would have missed his chance andI would not have this whole challenge to deal with.

“I’m sorry for rejecting you,” I said softly. Her doe eyes grew even wider with shock. “I take it back. I hopeyou will choose me and stay in Marigold where you belong,” I said.

Thaddeus was clearly listening to our conversation. “You look like a goddess, Friday,” he said. “I can’twait to worship you!” Friday blushed and looked at the ground, away from both of us, overwhelmed by allthe attention.

Fang addressed the crowd, in his most powerful Beta voice, “Welcome, werewolves of Marigold, to thePeace Treaty Celebration!”

The pack members cheered. The visiting warriors hooted. Beta Theodore was clapping.

“We welcome our allies from the Berryndale Pack, Alpha Thaddeus Hawthorne and Beta TheodoreRosewood,” boomed Fang.

The cheers were deafening. Many she–wolves in scantily clad festival outfits were whispering. I could tellthey had heard that neither I nor Thaddeus had a Luna. Well, they were about to have their gossipupdated.

“Tonight is a very special night, not only do we celebrate our allies but we also welcome a peacefulchallenge between allied packs,” continued Fang.

There were gasps and murmurs of excitement. “Alpha Maze Mason of Marigold was fated to mate FridayFenestra,” Fang said. The crowd gasped collectively. The shock was tremendous. “…whom he initiallyrejected yesterday,” continued Fang.

More reactions came from the crowd: shock, sympathy for Friday, sympathy for me, agreement with myrejection of a wolf-less girl.

“Today Alpha Thaddeus Hawthorne of Berryndale discovered he was fated to mate Friday Fenestra, hersecond chance after rejection,” said Fang.

Thaddeus’ POV

“Alpha Thaddeus accepted Friday as his mate and Luna and Alpha Maze rescinded his rejection ofFriday, also accepting her as his mate and Luna,” said Fang, enjoying the rapture of the crowd thoughhis sister was caught in the middle of this debacle.

I would think a brother would be much more protective and frankly disgusted that his sister was beingfought over like a delicious piece of meat or a desirable woodland territory. My heart went out to my littlemate. I had to get her away from this place.

The crowd was in uproar, all wondering what the conclusion to Fang’s tale would be.

“I know, I know,” Fang said, prompting the crowd to quiet down so they could hear the rest.

“Both Alphas have agreed to enter into a challenge marked by this full moon and ended by the next fullmoon. They have a month to win Friday’s heart and allegiance as Luna. The first two weeks of thechallenge, including this very ceremony, will be held in Marigold and the last two weeks and endingceremony where Friday gives her answer and chooses her Alpha and mate will be held in Berryndale,”Fang summarised.

The crowd cheered, satisfied with this drama and the conclusion which promised more drama. Therewere some murmurs of disappointment that they were hosting the beginning ceremony, and not theending ceremony, where they would learn who Friday chose, but they knew the gossip would reachMarigold at the speed of lightning so they were not too worried.

Friday was still looking down. She seemed uncomfortable. “You ok, Friday?” I asked her. “I wonder if Icould sit down,” she said softly. “In a moment,” said Maze gently. “She sits now,” I said dangerously.Maze glared at me.

I led Friday over to a row of five chairs for the pack leaders several yards away from the bonfire. Thecrowd parted for us. Maze followed us. I helped Friday into the middle chair and sat on her right. Mazesat on her left. Theo sat on my right at the end and Fang sat on the other side of Maze at the other end.

“Better, little Luna?” I whispered in her ear. She blushed and nodded. Friday’s POV

I was sitting between two alphas and the whole pack had their eyes on me. Yesterday I was banned fromthe pack house twice, once by the beta, my own brother, and then by the alpha, my own mate whorejected me on the spot. I was an emotional wreck but I had no time to process any of it. It was all so

surreal. The auras of the two alphas were overwhelming me. I felt something stir inside me.Thaddeus’ rainforest smell mingled with Maze’s orchard smell. I smiled a little.

“What are you dreaming of, Friday, tell me so I can give it to you?” Whispered Thaddeus, making metremble.

I bit my lip. “You smell really nice,” I whispered to him. He chuckled. The pack members were dancing tothe beating of drums now. The feast was being set up, buffet style, in the field and light refreshmentswere being served on huge platters for the while. I had not been to any pack celebration in more thantwo years, including the alpha ceremony last night. The pack members were gleeful: two partiesconsecutively!

They were having the time of their lives. The platters came our way, bearing a variety of treats.

“What’s this?” I asked politely, smiling at the server who was holding out a platter of small yellow

“It’s quiche,” the server said, looking at me strangely. “Same as last night, Miss.”

“I wasn’t there, sorry,” I mumbled, trying one. I didn’t like it. Thaddeus finished it for me. Alpha Maze waslooking a little guilty.

“You should have been allowed at my welcoming ceremony,” he whispered in my other ear. “Your brotherwas too harsh and I agreed with your ban only because…I couldn’t handle being near your smell and…still…resisting you. You…smell delicious.”

I felt a little tingle in my stomach at being complimented by Maze, but was it really necessary to resist meat all? Thaddeus accepted me immediately. I had thought that it would be impossible for an alpha to beproud to have me untill saw Thaddeus’ reaction. I realised the world was much bigger than Marigold andtheir ideas.

“Thank you, Alpha Maze,” I whispered back.

I suddenly had to use the bathroom. I realised I did not even know where that was. I was so unfamiliarwith the pack house.

“I really need to use the bathroom,” I whispered to no one in particular.

Thaddeus sprang to his feet, offering me his hand. “Do you even know where the bathroom is?” AskedMaze, rolling his eyes. “Of course I do, my bathroom is adjacent to my room,” said Thaddeus simply.“You’re taking her all the way to the alpha floor to use one of the master bathrooms?” Retorted Maze.“Which other bathroom would the Luna use?” Spat Thaddeus.

He was right. If they did indeed both wish me to be their Luna, I should be allowed to use the alpha floorbut my heels were starting to bother me. I was not so sure about the five flights of steps.

“Thank you, Thaddeus, but my heels,” I mumbled. “I’ll carry you up the stairs, baby. It’ll give us somemuch needed alone time,” he said suggestively.

I blushed. Maze looked furious. He sprang to his feet and got in Thaddeus’ face. “I’ll escort her to thenearest bathroom,” offered Fang.

The alphas both nodded.

“If so much as a single shiny hair on her beautiful head is harmed, I will personally ensure that there isno more peace between us,” warned Thaddeus, his tone deadly.

Whoa. Thaddeus suspected that my brother was mistreating me. It was common knowledge among myactual pack members but no one really cared and they had been putting on a show for the visitors since Ihad suddenly became important.

Fang nodded. “Of course, Alpha Thaddeus, I wouldn’t dream of doing anything like that. She’s my babysister!” He protested.

I snorted with laughter, unable to hold it in. Fang glared at me. I looked down, my go-to move to avoidwrath.

Alpha Maze surprised me by adding, “Be careful with her and bring her back quickly, Fang.”

I smiled at him. I wanted to kiss Thaddeus on the cheek as I had done the last time we parted but I wasafraid to start a war. Thaddeus seemed to guess my thoughts. He was very good at that. He blew me akiss and Theo winked at me. I was so grateful they had suddenly burst into my lame life. That remindedme of someone l needed to check on! My cat, Saturday. I was sort of a Luna now. Maybe I could try togive

a small command. I was scared but I loved my cat. .

Thaddeus smiled. “We have a kid already, baby, a fur baby. Hey, it’s not the alpha heir I wanted but I’llput that in you soon enough,” he joked.

Maze looked like he was ready to kill. “Yeah, we’ll go get the cat and come back,” muttered Fang.

He led me into the pack house. It was decorated beautifully in gold and green. The alpha ceremony andthe treaty ceremony had made the pack committee go all out. There were streamers and balloonseverywhere. Glitter was all over the floor. I snatched a stray gold helium balloon, giggling. Fang looked atme like I was an i***t but he did not say anything. The pack house she-wolves’ bathroom was like amall’s restroom with multiple stalls and a long line of sinks under a wall-long mirror. Everything gold andgreen. I quickly relieved myself and washed my hands, still shocked every time I caught a glimpse ofmyself. Around this time last night, I was crying myself to sleep on a mattress on the floor in a thinnightgown. Now I was dressed up like a princess, nervous but very much coddled by everyone all of asudden. I was happy for all the times I felt like giving up but did not. Life was full of surprises, even forthe most downtrodden.

“Friday!” Fang called, snapping me out of my inner monologue.

Thurried outside, treading lightly and carefully in my heels on the tiled floor, before he could destroy theshe-wolves’ bathroom. I was shocked when I saw him flanked by my other brothers, the identical twins,Fargo and Fallon. My parents adored them almost as much as their first-born Fang because the pack felttwin warriors were good luck.

“Hey, Friday,” said Fallon. He was the least mean. “We all wanted to say sorry actually, for treating younot great for being wolf-less.”

“We hope you stay,” added Fargo. “Sorry.”

“I’m sorry, too, Friday,” said Fang, his apology surprising me the most. “I hope you stay in Marigold andbecome Alpha Maze’s Luna.”

It made sense now. If I left with another Alpha, Maze might put the blame on my family for mistreating meand they would not be as well-liked in the pack if the Alpha withdrew his favour. My choice would affectthem and their status.

“Ok,” I said, not certain of their sincerity.

“Mom and Dad would have come to say sorry for kicking you out too but they’re drunk already at thecelebration,” Fang added.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Both of my parents had a drinking problem that worsened when myfather transferred the Beta position to Fang. The Beta position was the only thing for which he would getcleaned up and sober.

“Thanks,” I said. “Good,” the twins said in unison. “Great,” said Fang. “Let’s go get Sunday!” “Saturday!” Isaid indignantly.

“Whatever,” said Fang.