––––––––

THE NEXT MORNING, DAVID and Sarita entered the dining hall for breakfast. Rose and Danielle had cooked breakfast and had taken a seat at the table with them. Tired and resigned to another day of training, Sarita ate while muted conversation surrounded her. Before they left Isodora last night, she told them Nadira had made the challenge. The clock was ticking.

During yesterday’s training, Sarita learned she wasn’t as good a fighter as she needed to be to win against Nadira. She’d been slammed, pushed, kicked and hit with so many energy balls bells rang in her head all night. The idea of more of the same today dampened her spirits.

Her mom walked in, leaned down and hugged her from behind. “Morning, honey. How’re you feeling?”

Sarita cut her eyes at David who stared at his plate. At practice, he’d told her to stop complaining and focus on not getting hit. She had thrown a ball of energy at him which he caught and threw it back at her. They went back and forth like they had in middle school until Isodora told them to focus and practice.

“Okay.” When David looked at her, it was all she could do not to stick out her tongue. It had been years since she’d done that to him.

He smiled and shook his head.

“That’s good, today’s a new day, filled with endless possibilities,” her mom said while fixing a plate.

“When last did you talk to Damian and Gem?” Sarita asked to alleviate the funeral atmosphere.

“Last night, he said to give you his love and he would meet you at the compound. He said he couldn’t get through to you?” Asia said.

“There’s some kind of interference.” She shrugged. “I couldn’t reach Daddy either.”

“What time did they get in last night?” David asked.

Rose and Danielle frowned. “I don’t know,” Rose said. “Late, I’d gone to bed. But he and Cain are here.” No one added Nadira had arrived.

Sarita stood, took her plate to the sink and washed it. Turning, she pasted a smile on her face as she walked toward the door. “I’ll see you guys later, going to practice.” She waved and left rather than sit in the awkward silence.

Everybody knew she wasn’t ready. Fear of her failing filled the dining hall. David had to feel it. Inhaling she looked up at the sky and offered a prayer to the Goddess and then to Salah. Within the next 36 hours she and Kim would meet Nadira at the field in a battle she prayed they’d win.

David walked out the dining hall and strode toward her. Smiling she extended her hand, he took it, pulled her close and kissed her. The man made her toes curl. He’d always had this effect on her but now he was more potent. The idea of lying on a beach with him for a week made her panties wet.

They broke apart and jumped backward together as Kim appeared dressed in a bronzed colored jumpsuit.

“What?” Sarita looked around. “What are you doing here?”

Kim frowned. “The fight is here.” She looked around. “Surely not here, someplace nearby?” She looked at Sarita.

“At the field.” She pointed. “You want to practice here?” In a way that made sense, it’d be a good idea to check out the space.

Kim frowned. “Practice? We did that. Today we fight.”

Sarita’s heart dropped. She wanted to scream she wasn’t ready. Fear coated her throat. David pulled her close and sent warmth through her.

“Breathe,” he said.

Leaning against him, she took a few deep breaths as Kim walked in the direction of the field. Sarita refused to give voice to her concerns or fears. David put his palms on her cheeks and drew her gaze to meet his. “You’ve got this. It’s in here baby, just unleash it.”

She prayed to have his confidence and rather than speak, she nodded as La Patron and Mama Jasmine headed toward them.

“The fight is today?” Silas asked, his gaze landing on David and then Sarita.

“Kim’s here,” David said as his mom took Sarita into her arms and rocked her. “Says she’s ready to fight.”

“I don’t care what she says, we’re not ready. I just got in last night, haven’t had time to work with Rita,” La Patron said ruffling her hair.

Grandfather appeared and headed to the field.

“Excuse me,” La Patron said and went toward the field.

“Be right back.” David looked at her and then followed his dad.

The three men stood close together talking and then turned to look at the field. A large translucent dome covered it.

David looked at her.

Sarita’s heart sank.

Time had run out. There would be no more practices. Inhaling deeply, she watched Isodora and two others appear near David. Renee, Jackie, Rose, Danielle, and Bella walked over to her while her parents, Tyrone, Storm, Quinn and Adam headed over to David. In a show of support, they stood together watching the field change into something like a football field. Yesterday’s weeds, debris, and small stones were replaced with green grass which looked out of place in this part of Canada.

Cain walked over to Silas and then headed toward the field. David joined him. They walked around looking at the ground. Soon Adam joined David, and the rest of them followed. Each making sure there was nothing Nadira could use as a weapon during the fight.

La Patron returned to them, his anger palatable.  “They won’t give me an extension despite the fact as her Alpha I just arrived. Nadira refused to agree. She wants to do this now.”

Staring at the field, Sarita nodded. “I need to change.” Turning, she headed to their cabin and pulled her shirt over her head. Instead of thinking about the fight, she thought of the pups running around in Isodora’s large nursery wanting their parents, and those in the infirmary fighting to live despite the abuse they suffered. Focus on the need to win, she told herself. She and David needed to help those pups in any way possible.

The door opened.

She stiffened as David placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her close. With his arms around her waist, he kissed the back of her neck and whispered. “You’re mine, I love you.”

Throat dry, barely able to speak, she nodded. “I love you too.”

“I did not wait all these years for you, to lose you.” He turned her around to face him. “We’re one. When you’re fighting, I’ll be there with you. You will never, ever be alone. No one and nothing comes between us. Do you understand?”

She stared up at him and swallowed hard. Solid determination filled his eyes, he wouldn’t be denied or lose. The last time she had seen him look this serious and single-minded had been when she showed him the lines on her back and he promised to help fix her. .

“Do you understand what I’m telling you?” he asked again.

“Yes,” she said softly, breathing easier. The profoundness of his words flowed through her, dug deep and took root.

“You’re my mate, my woman, you don’t fear that bitch or any other bitch on the planet. We’re one,” he said again in a calm, yet implacable tone.

“One,” she said as it settled on her.

He nodded and brushed a kiss against her lips before pulling her close. She felt the warmth of his breath on her scalp

Sarita inhaled his scent and allowed it to fill her. Feeling better, she put on a similar outfit as Kim’s. David laced her lightweight boots and brushed her hair before braiding it and securing it in a skull cap that wouldn’t come off until she removed it.

Dressed, she met his gaze and smiled. “I’m so glad you waited for me.”

“What’re you talking about? You’re my heart, what else could I do?” He touched the tip of her nose, opened the door and walked by her side to the field.

Everyone watched them approach. When she reached Isodora and Kim she saw Nadira sitting in a lotus pose on the other side of the field dressed in a similar outfit, except it was cobalt blue.

“I’ve gone over the rules with everyone,” Isodora said. “Direct interference is forbidden. The Goddess has blocked everyone’s ability to grant assistance.” She looked at Sarita. “Otherwise, Nadira would be allowed to walk free.”

“I’m here, baby, they can’t block mates,” David told her.

“Nadira prefers to fight both of you at once but the choice remains yours,” Isodora said looking at Kim and Sarita.

“One at a time,” David said. “Let Kim go first since she’s so eager to get it over with.”

“I’ll go first,” Kim said. “Hopefully, there’ll be no reason for you to fight.”

Sarita appreciated the confidence in Kim’s voice, and agreed with her since she didn’t want to go first anyway. Maybe Kim would wear Nadira down, or they could develop some kind of strategy after seeing Nadira in action.

###

ISODORA NODDED AND went to stand in the middle of the field. Just as she raised her hand, a shimmering light engulfed her and then separated. The two talked for a few seconds and pointed at Kim.

Kim fell to the ground in her wolf form. Several people gasped as Kim struggled to stand.

“That’s not a female,” Adam said.

Sarita looked and noticed the wolf’s penis. “What?”

La Patron strode across the field and talked with Isodora.

Nadira disappeared.

David and Sarita followed La Patron to find out what was going on. Before they reached Isodora, the other person left.

“What happened?” Sarita asked looking at Kim who lay on her side looking at them.

“When you said you didn’t sense a connection with Kim, it was strange. I know the two of you are litter-mates because I was there at your birth,” Isodora said. “I asked Salah and she looked into it. Kim is pregnant, this is her mate, Jake. They changed forms after she left the mountain, so he could fight in her place.”

“Pregnant? She can’t fight,” Sarita said aghast. “She would lose her pups.”

“That’s why Jake took her place,” Isodora said. “But it’s not permitted. As her mate, he can assist as mates do but not take her place. Otherwise, David would fight for you, something I’m sure he would love to do.”

“She’s right,” David said.

“Can we postpone this until Kim is ready to fight?” La Patron asked.

“The challenge was made and accepted. Nadira would have to agree to a postponement which would mean more years of captivity for her.”

“She won’t agree to that,” Cain said.

“But if Kim doesn’t fight now, will she have to fight Nadira later?” Sarita asked.

“If Nadira wins against you, she can demand a fight against Kim immediately and has the right to a fight wherever Kim is,” Isodora said watching Sarita. “You must still fight her, Sarita. The battle is delayed, not canceled. I must deal with this deceit of Jake and Kim first.”

Isodora turned to the wolf on the ground. Jake had always been cool with Sarita and was crazy about Kim.

“Wait,” Sarita said realizing she’d rather fight Nadira alone than have Kim and her pups die. “Don’t hurt them. We’re supposed to save pups and that’s what they did, saved the life of their pups. You can’t expect any of us to save others if we can’t save ourselves.”

“Well said, grand-daughter,” Grandfather said moving toward the wolf on the ground. He snapped his fingers and Jake stood in human form facing them.

Red-faced he took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry, Sarita. Kim was sick over you going through this alone and planned to fight alongside you. I decided this was the best way to save my mate, pups and you. I don’t know what to tell her, she’s going to be so upset.”

“Tell her that I’ll take care of Nadira. She and her pups won’t have to look over their shoulders ever again. Keep her calm and after this is done, David and I’ll come see you guys and the pups.” She smiled and hugged him praying she’d just spoken the truth.

“Thank you, Sarita.” He swallowed hard. “That’ll make facing her a lot easier. Please be careful and Goddess bless.”

Grandfather snapped his fingers and Jake disappeared.

“I didn’t need your assistance,” Isodora snapped at him.

“True but now it’s not your fault he was unpunished,” Grandfather said.

“Not today anyway,” Isodora said looking at him.

He smiled.

“What you said and did for Kim was kind of you,” Isodora told Sarita. “She is in her first trimester, a vulnerable time.”

Sarita had no idea. “Wow, she never told me.”

“Something else you can talk to her about when you visit.” The Priestess paused. “Are you ready?”

“Sure.” Sarita exhaled and walked into the middle of the field as fear threatened to choke her.