the pack house. Her body felt heavy in his arms, a

la," he whispered

the medical wing. Alfred kicked the door op

!" Alfred call

kind eyes looked up from his des

examination bed. "Something strange happened back there.

ella's pulse and breathing. "Her vital

ck and forth like a caged animal. His

Bella? How dare the elders

re interrupted when

he pack elders. Her face was flushed wi

d breathlessly, "

hout looking at her. "Can't you s

. He was the oldest of the elders, and his voice carrie

up from his examinati

ther elder, Elder Thomas, explained. "Everyo

th anger. "So what? Maybe she was scared. Maybe

ould see the calculating look in he

I know you care about this girl. But

oint," Alfred

Alfred didn't like

ia announced. "For the rig

ent comple

d said, his v

cording to pack law, any female member can challenge for the pos

fred said. "Bella isn't

confidently. "And when she

his throat. "Actually,

d. Bella's eyes were fluttering o

Martin said gently, hel

e room, confused. "Wha

fred said, moving to her side. "

lders, the talk about curses, and then

eel?" Doctor

hough she still felt a li

ger. She stepped forward wi

finally awake," she sa

embered this woman from earlier - t

want?" Bella

. "I want to give you a

n't," Alfr

a Marcus Whitmore, challenge you, Bella White, to a trial

s went wide

cient pack tradition. Two females fight to determine who is worthy t

asked, though she was a

forever," Lydia said happ

"This is insane!

d firmly. "The challenge has been made acco

't have to do this. You don't ha

er face. Something was stirring inside her - not her wolf, bu

rules?" Bella

aid urgently. "Don't

ng at Lydia. "I said

. We fight until one of us submits or can no longe

Bella repeated. "But

not mine," Lydia sai

able. "Perhaps we should reco

prising everyone. "I

oom e

rabbed her arm. "She has a wolf! You'

said calmly. "Bu

e. "I'm the Alpha! I can choose whoever I wa

with sad but determi

ked, his voice b

ination bed. She was still a little

elong," she said. "Everyone will always think I'm just some wea