Challenge Accepted
1500 Words
**Amelia's POV**
The day of my wedding was meant to be magical and exciting. After I explained my plan to everyone in my dad's office, we sent out word that Roman and I are to be married as scheduled. We also emphasized that I will still go through with my transition into a wolf no matter what the Council says. I figured once word reached Elder Hamilton and his son, then they would be here before any other Council member, and Roman can antagonize them until they say the magic words.
I was originally going to wear my own wedding and Luna ceremony dress, but I did not want to ruin the surprise for Roman for when we truly marry, so my mom let me borrow hers. The long lace dress fit almost perfectly and only needed a few quick alterations. Mom curled my hair and then loosened the strands with her fingers as Maddie did my make up in a soft natural look. When I saw my reflection in the mirror, tears instantly blurred my vision. I wanted today to be real. I wanted to marry Roman and start our lives together, but sadly that is all on hold.
"You look perfect." My mother sobbed. "I hate that we have to go through such lengths for you to have the life the Moon Goddess designed for you."
Maddie was awfully quiet and when I looked at her through the mirror she had quiet tears streaming down her face. "Maddie?" I whispered as I turned around to face my little sister. "Why are you crying?" I hugged her close to me.
Her arms wrapped around my waist and mine wrapped across her shoulders. She cried into my shoulder and I cried into hers. "I-I-It isn't r-right." She stuttered. "You deserve happiness and love. You deserve Roman, and these old pricks think they can take that away because they are afraid. Why can't they make a treaty with us instead of assuming we would be an enemy?"
I held her at arms length and wiped her tears away. "Everything will be okay. You know Roman's love for me. Do you honestly think he is going to let anyone else have me?" We both chuckled.
"He would burn down this world for you." She smiled sadly.
"He would." My mom smiled at us both.
We all hugged each other until there was a knock on the door. Mom called out that it was open and in walked my dad and little brother. My dad looked like he was ready to cry his eyes out, but Brandon Jr looked like he was ready to shift and rip someone's throat out. I know what he is thinking without him having to say it. This day should be real, this moment shouldn't hurt.
"It'll all work out." I nodded to Brandon and he seemed to calm down.
My dad gave me a quick hug and kissed me on my forehead. "My little girl is all grown up. Even though this is all a set up, you look beautiful little warrior."
"Thank you, daddy."
I hooked my arm into my dad's and we walked out of Maddie's room after everyone else. We stopped and waited behind the closed front doors. Originally my wedding was to be in the garden, but I didn't want this fake ceremony to be anything like the real thing, so we moved it to the front of the house. When we heard the song begin, my dad fought back the tears as the doors swung open.
"It still feels too real. Like I am giving you away." He cleared his throat.
I tip toed to give him a soft peck on the cheek. "Even on my real wedding day-" I whispered. "You will not be giving away your daughter. You will be gaining another son."
We walked slowly down the aisle that was between the lines of chairs that sat my family, friends, and a few dozen pack members. When my eyes found the eyes of my mate, it took every bit of control I had to not run to him and beg him to change me immediately. I wanted to be bound to him in every way, but I could not be selfish. I could not risk the lives of my pack members, in case the Council followed through on their promise.
Before I could reach Roman, just as planned there was a loud growl a few yards behind the make shift alter where Roman was standing. All eyes turned to see Elder Hamilton and his son stalking towards us. "YOU DARE DEFY THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL!" Elder Hamilton roared.
"The Council has no right to interfere with the will of the Moon Goddess." My mother spoke softly. "We do not care if you believe us or not, but the Moon Goddess has made it clear that this is my daughter's fate. She will marry her mate, Roman, and he will change her tonight!"
"HE WILL NOT!" The Elder yelled back.
"Actually." Roman chimed in. "The Alpha and I studied the werewolf law very carefully after you left. No one has challenged me for my mate, so therefore you cannot stop this."
Elder Hamilton growled at Roman and Roman growled back. "The Council has declared that Amelia Cruz cannot be Luna and change into a wolf unless she follows our demands."
"Your demands do not affect me!" I yelled. "I am human, and until I am changed into a wolf, your laws do not apply to me! I can marry Roman, and be changed and until my first shift, your laws have no weight on me!"
Elder Hamilton's son began to stalk towards me, but Roman blocked his path. "You stay the fuck away from my mate." Roman growled.
Even though we planned this and this is exactly what we wanted to happen, it did not lessen the fear and anxiety I felt. I hated watching my mate protect me again, and put his life in danger for me. The tension between the two seemed to build and build. They were now standing chest to chest.
"You cannot have her. You'll never have her. I will marry her, mate with her, and then change her into a wolf. There isn't a damn thing you can do about it." Roman smiled. Hamilton's son seemed to be losing his grip on his anger. "She will be the most magnificent wolf, so powerful and strong, and she will be mine." Roman continued to anger him.
"Son, step back!" Elder Hamilton ordered, but his son did not move. "NOW!"
"She is not even twenty feet away from you, but she is still not within your reach. The Moon Goddess paired us together when we were toddlers. You think a bunch of old fools can interfere with that? You have no power over us. Your law does not mean shit here." Roman chuckled. "Even if we were afraid of you, there is NOTHING you could DO, NOTHING you could SAY that would stop us from being together."
"STEP AWAY SON, YOU WILL RUIN EVERYTHING!" Elder Hamilton roared, but his words fell on deaf ears. His son was too far gone in his anger. Roman had him exactly where we needed him. On the edge. Just one more little push.
"You are no match for me." Roman shrugged. "Where is the fun in fighting you when you are not even a challenge."
Elder Hamilton's son growled as he pushed Roman away from him. "I will have her! Damn what the Moon Goddess says, I can have anyone including your mate because werewolf law says a challenge must be honored!"
"SON, NO!" The Elder yelled.
"A challenge has not been made." I said. "I am free to marry and mate with Roman."
Elder Hamilton saw what was happening and he tried to rush to stop his son, but his feet were not faster than his son's tongue. "I, MARKUS HAMILTON, SON OF ELDER HAMILTON, CHALLENGE ROMAN ZAMORA FOR THE RIGHT TO MATE WITH AMELIA CRUZ, DAUGHTER OF ALPHA CRUZ!!!!"
"Challenge accepted." Roman answered.
Everyone smiled as our planned worked perfectly. Roman knew as soon as he saw Markus that he would be the easiest to anger. He had more pride and less control than his father. Markus stood there, like he was victorious, but he was ignorant to his own mistake. Elder Hamilton walked up to Markus and slapped his clear across his face.
"Father! I stopped them why are you angry!" Markus held his cheek out of shock. "All I have to do is kill him and she is mine!"
Elder Hamilton slapped him again, harder, and he fell to the ground. I felt a little bad for Markus, he seemed to only want to please his father, looked like he fought for his approval, but he messed up without even knowing it.
Elder Hamilton stood over his son. "You have no idea what you've done!"
- Writer
