And like that, the fight began. Kenneth charged Garrett and they began trading blows. Garrett was faster, able to dodge most of Kenneth's punches; however, the ones that connected weren't anything to shrug at. Garrett delivered punches faster than Kenneth, taking advantage of Kenneth's slower reaction time. The other wolves and felines watched with interest at who would be victorious. If Kenneth lost, his pack would belong to Garrett if he wanted. If Garrett lost, his life would be forfeit if Kenneth chose that route as it was his right to do.
"I need to stop this. This is not what I wanted," Lily said. She was excited by the brutality of the display before her and did feel that her father deserved every punch, but she was anxious as she didn't know who would win. 'You need to have more faith in him, little she-wolf,' the mysterious voice spoke to her again. His tone was light as if he found the situation amusing.
"You can not interfere with an Alpha challenge. We have to let them settle it on their own," Debra explained.
"You can't take away a man's right to defend," Tiffany added.
Garrett got the upper hand, delivering a right hook to Kenneth's head. Kenneth fell backwards and Garrett rushed in to finish him off. Another punch would incapacitate him and he could end this. 'His claws!' Berric roared within him, warning Garrett. He jerked back and narrowly missed having his eye clawed out; however, Kenneth's claws dug into his face, ripping down the side of his face, tearing off the silicon mask.
"You fing cheat," Garrett growled, stumbling backward. Blood clouded his vision as he went on the defensive.
"You're not scarred?" Lily said, causing Kenneth and Garrett to stare at her as she picked up the pieces of the silicon mask from the ground. The clearing erupted in commotion as everyone was discussing this revelation. Garrett was not scarred, in fact, he was very handsome. Lily's emotions spiked as she glared at Garrett, who looked solemn. "Why would you lie to me?"
Before Garrett could answer, Kenneth interrupted. "Because he is a freak, a weirdo, a disgrace to the Alpha title. Like a pathetic weakling you decided to hide away from the world because you couldn't handle the truth that you were inferior to your little brother," Kenneth mocked.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Garrett responded.
"I know everything boy. Do you think you were the only one that had investigators? I thought at first you wore that stupid mask because you felt guilt that your twin died, and you didn't. It was idiotic as everyone dies. I thought you needed to grow up and be a man. But, no, you hid away because you didn't have the balls to confront your brother," Kenneth taunted.
"Shut your mouth," Garrett growled.
"Oh, yes. You are all bravado but you did nothing to stop your fated mate from dying,"Kenneth stated smugly.
"There was nothing I could do. I couldn't...I couldn't reach her," Garrett snapped, his voice filled with regret and sorrow.
"And then you tried again with a chosen mate, only for you to fail to act. You allowed your brother to f her and you did nothing but let it happen," Kenneth continued to taunt, "And you dared to challenge me! No wonder your father wanted you out of his pack. You're a disgrace. You're..."
"He is a better man than you'll ever be," Lily snarled, silencing Kenneth.
"What did you say to me?" Kenneth questioned, daring Lily to repeat herself.
"Garrett is a better man than you'll ever be," Lily repeated, walking over to Garrett. She was upset with him. He had lied about so much, and she definitely felt betrayed; but she knew that the care and love that Garrett had shown her was real. She could sympathize with him. 'We'll kick his ass later, but he needs our support,' Dina agreed with Lily.
Kenneth snarled. "How can you be so foolish? You would align yourself with such a failure?"
"Yes, if it meant I had no association with you. You disgust me. I don't need to know why you did what you did. I am sick of knowing that I am tied to you," Lily answered.
"You don't have a choice. You belong to me and you will do as I say," Kenneth declared and then, commanded through the Alpha call, "Now, come to me, because we are leaving."
The Alpha call hit her like a punch to the chest. Lily grits her teeth in pain as she struggles against it. Her struggle only lasted for a few seconds before her body began to betray her and she started walking toward Kenneth.
Garrett snarled in rage as he felt the Alpha call. All the Alphas were angered, growling in unison with Garrett. The Alpha call was never meant to be used like this. It was supposed to be used in serious situations that were life or death, not forcing the will of their weaker pack members. Due to the Alpha challenge still in place, none stepped forward.
'Garrett, I am coming to you," Jack's voice flooded Garrett's mind and it hadn't happened in a long time that Garrett felt relief hearing his father's voice. This did not go unnoticed by Jack.
Jack was a hard and complicated man. That did not mean that he did not love his pups. He cared for Garrett in his own way and he would not stand for his abuse or mistreatment.
'No! No, I don't want this,' Lily thought in alarm. 'Dina, stop this!'
'He is our Alpha. I can't fight against the Alpha call,' Dina whined as she didn't want this to happen.
'If you don't want to be commanded by him, then you know what you need to do,' the mysterious voice advised. 'It will hurt.'
'What will? What are you talking about?' Lily asked.
'Break your pack bond. Your mother's family is willing to accept you,' the mysterious voice answered.
Garrett noticed the determined expression on Lily's face. He didn't know what she was thinking, but he had seen that look on her face. Lily was about to do something rash. 'Stop her before she does something that will make her emotional. Remember the medicine won't work if she is in a heightened state,' Berric warned.
"Lily, wait,"
"I, Lily Bray and my wolf, Dina, reject our pack bond with the Blue Creek pack and embrace our new rank as rogue,"