The Werewolf King’s Mate
Chapter 29

Lucas' POV:

Cory's shift took a toll on her body, but she recovered faster now. Ever since the shift, we noticed she was much faster and stronger. She was also recovering more quickly than before. After our training, we go to the woods so she can get used to shifting. "Close your eyes, babe." She slowly closed her eyes.

"How am I going to shift?"

"And think that you are a wolf. Think about Hotah. Slowly, let your body relax and shift." I added.

It was difficult the first few tries, but eventually, Cory could shift into her wolf smoothly. And in the woods, our wolves ran around and rolled in the grass. They had been waiting for this, and finally, they met. "Ready, fighters?"

Ellie's voice brought me back to the present. Cory was now in the ring, face-to-face with this pack's Alpha. I focused on her when Ellie announced the next pair and noticed Cory standing up. I only realized that she would face Austin when everyone started discussing

it.

"She's going to fight our Alpha!" one member was surprised.

"How is she going to handle it?"

"If I were her, I would have surrendered by now."

"There's no way an omega could fight against an Alpha!"

"It's easy to predict who's going to win."

"I doubt there will be round 2."

I was surprised, but I know Cory can handle it. These people don't even know what they are talking about. Cory is so much more powerful now. She has beta blood on her. And that look on her face, she was already studying her opponent and strategizing. She was very determined to win this. She's breathing in and out to calm her nerves down. And when the bell rang, she immediately switched to her defense position. She knew the defense would play a key role in her game plan.

"Are you not going to stop the fight?" Silas mind-linked me.

"I thought about it. But, she'll be mad if I did."

"Sure about that?"

"Yeah. We talked about it. She will do this no matter what. So who am I to stop her?"

"But?"

"But, if I see anything inappropriate, I'll snap the Alpha's neck." Just thinking about it made me wonder if I should stop the fight.

"Just as I thought." I saw him shake his head.

In a matter of moments, I saw the Alpha make a move. He tried to side-step, but Cory easily moved her body to avoid any attacks. This match was nerve-wracking for me. They are now at the 5-minute mark, with no attacks from either. They circled each other again, but Austin sprinted toward Cory this time and landed a combo attack. He cornered Cory and continued to land jobs and kicks.

"Damn it!" I couldn't help but curse.

"Your majesty..." Elias tried to calm me down.

"I know. I know. But damn!"

I expressed my frustration by slamming the armchair. A few pack members near us heard me and turned their heads in my direction. I sat down and continued to watch how Cory would react. Austin continued to hit her sides, trying to break her defense. That's going to leave a mark. Kali commented.

I know. And I am trying so badly not to go there and stop this match!

She can handle it, Lucas. She's our freaking mate!

It has been 10 minutes now, and Cory hasn't attacked. But Austin was slowing down. That's when I realized that she was trying to tire him down. With the continuous strikes and combos, she knew Austin would eventually lose energy. This was a gamble for her. Just as I thought, when Austin slowed down on his attacks, Cory threw a right hook and knee. This caught Austin off-guard, and he stumbled.

"YES! THAT'S IT, BABE!"

"Uhm, your majesty, please calm down."

"Did you see that? Ha! That's my girl!"

Silas and Elias just shook their heads and tried hard not to laugh.

Cory continued to land strike after strike at Austin. One punch landed on his cheek. Everyone gasped in surprise when they saw their Alpha punched in the face. When Cory was about to land another kick, the bell rang. Round 1 was over. At the end of the first round, both catch their breath and prepare for the next round. I quickly went to Cory's side and gave her encouragement.

"You did well, babe! That was a gamble, but it worked! You made me so proud!"

I helped her wipe her sweat and gave her a drink. And she was breathing heavily.

"I-I didn't t-thought it would w-work."

"Breathe in, breathe out, babe."

"I-I am nervous. I am unsure i-if I could shift."

"Relax, babe. Continue with the breathing exercise. And don't forget about our practice these past few days. Think about Hotah. Think that you are a wolf. OK?"

Ting! Ting! Ting!

That signals the start of the second round.

"Good luck, babe! You can do it!"

As soon as they entered, Austin shifted into his wolf. He is trying to strike fear into Cory. He was trying to dominate the ring by showing her how big an Alpha wolf could be. Again, people whispered and murmured about how this fight would end. I watched how Cory would react, but her face didn't say anything. She was not fazed or intimidated by this at all.

"Shift! Shift! Shift!"

The crowd chanted in unison in the arena. They ridiculed someone they believed didn't have a wolf. Ellie attempted to halt their chanting and noise-making, but no one listened. All were completely stunned and were left unspoken by her transformation. Even Austin didn't expect that he would come face-to-face with a wolf - Cory's wolf!

"ENOUGH!" I growled. A hush fell over the group, and no one uttered a word.

"Alright. We will proceed with the battle. If you surrender, just raise your hand, and the match will end. OK? Ready! Fight!"

As soon as it left Ellie's mouth, Cory shifted. She was standing loud and proud on all fours. No one expected this, even Ellie, Iris, Silas, Lola, Elias, and Tommy. No one knew that she had shifted. With disbelief in everyone, Hotah used this opportunity to attack Austin. She jumped in front and pushed his wolf.

"Good one, babe. Try to bite him." Whispering to myself.

Hotah made another swift attack, charging forward. She tried to bite one of his legs this time, but he defended himself and quickly changed position. Austin's wolf is a bit bigger than Hotah, and given his Alpha blood, he is faster and more agile. They once again circled each other. Hotah kept trying to strike forward, but Austin showed great defense.

"What are you waiting for?" People were starting to protest.

"Come on! Stop running in circles!"

"Alpha, show her what you've got!"

A few of them earned a glare from me. Then, in my periphery, I saw movement. Both wolves seemed to be engaged in close combat now. They were attempting to sink their teeth into one another's skin. All of a sudden, we heard a hurtful howl and blood splattered in the ring.

Was it Hotah's?

I don't know, and I can't see it. They are still biting each other off.

Damn!

Then, Austin's wolf put some distance between him and Hotah. When he walked, he was limping...Therefore, the one injured was Austin! I looked closer at his injury. Blood continued to flow out of his leg. Hotah successfully landed a powerful strike on his wolf. And as if she read my mind, Hotah launched yet another attempt. With his injury, Austin could not quickly avoid Hotah's advances. He snarled when Hotah bit his tail. He attempted to retaliate, but she swiftly evaded his attacks.

Five minutes left. The time remaining could make it or break it for Cory. Austin knew this; he swiftly moved side to side and tried to confuse Hotah. He bit Hotah's side, which earned her an angry snarl. She tried to shake him off, but Austin's wolf was trying to hold

on.

"Come on, babe! You can do this!" I cheered for Cory.

Then, Hotah positioned herself like she was about to charge forward. She put her paws in a running position, then ran in circles. I realized what she was doing. She was putting more speed, and she ran for a few more. Then, she stopped. Austin's wolf flew to the other side of the ring!

Ellie went to where his wolf was and started counting.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5..."

He couldn't move!

Ting! Ting! Ting!

That ends the match! Austin couldn't move, so that meant...

Cory won the match!!

"Match #22 is now over! The winner of this battle is...Cory Hemmings!"

The crowd was initially taken aback, but once they grasped what had happened, they erupted in cheers and shouts of joy throughout the entire arena. I quickly entered the ring and joined Cory. She had already shifted back, and Ellie covered her with a blanket. "Congratulations, babe! I knew you could do it!" I hugged her tightly.

"Thank you! I-I couldn't believe it! Did I really win?"

"Yes, babe! You did! You are the winner!"