Ethereal

Chapter 10: Challenge

Mar 04, 2026 10 / 15

"Oooh" James wooed as he stared at Lily with a smirk. Lily seemed to be glad that I said those words. She most probably thought that I was the daughter of an Alpha who would spend her times being a brat and doing shopping. Little did she know that I was one of the best fighter in my pack. I motioned her to come on the field. I didn't have emotion on my face.

"You're not fighting" Roman suddenly said as he stepped in front. I could see worry in his eyes. I was glad that he was worried about me but fuck him for thinking that Lily could actually beat me. Zack stepped beside me.

"She's actually really strong" Zack warned. I could sense Lily oozing pride as she walked to the middle of the field. I turned and glared at Roman's beta.

"So is Avanessa" James mumbled from next to me.

"There will be no fight" Roman growled.

"There is a fight" I said out loud, while glaring at my mate. "Thank you for your trust in me" I continued sarcastically while rolling my eyes. At first, he seemed surprised by my words. Then, realization settled in. "Everyone get out of the field" I ordered. James and Josh bowed their heads as I unwillingly used my Alpha tone while Zack nodded. Lily stood in front of me, that sick and annoying smirk still plastered on her face. Roman reluctantly walked out of the field and went to stand by Zack.

"Wolf or human?" Lily asked.

"Whichever you want" I told her as I took my place and stretched my arms and legs.

"I'm best in both" She boasted.

"Not for long" I added. "Human form" I said. She nodded. It was more difficult to fight in human form as our wolf side was not the one controlling.

"You're going to embarrass yourself" Lily teased.

"We'll see" I said and motioned Zack to give the count down.

"Three" Zack started as Lily and I both faced each other. "Two" I wanted to wipe that smirk off her face. Confidence is good. But over confidence was not. "One. Start" Lily took a few steps backwards. Her eyes were fixed on my feet. She was observing me.

That was a good technique.

"Defensive?" I asked with a scoff. "I thought you'd attack more knowing that Roman left you because of me" I said with a fake pout. I watched as she clenched her jaws and lunged at me. I quickly moved away and landed a punch on her stomach, making her drop to the floor. I motioned her to stop.

Breathe, Lily, breathe.

"Never let your emotions guide your moves" I said out loud to make every other pack warriors know that I was talking to them. "When you let your emotions take over, your moves become predictable" I told them. "Hence you'll lose the fight and look like an idiot" I added while motioning to Lily who was not glaring and standing up.

"The fight is not over yet" Lily snapped as she went to lunge at me again. I jumped. I was good with fighting. I moved so fast that she didn't see me coming. I was not standing behind her. I kicked her right leg, making her drop to the floor. I was about to punch her then I realized that I shouldn't. I walked around so that I was in front of her. Without losing another second, Lily punched me on my stomach, making me groan on pain. I dropped to my knees too. I rose my head to look at Lily. I clenched my jaws and punched her on her face. She didn't bulge. I stood up and took some steps backwards. I waited for her to stand up, then I kicked her right on her face, making her fly backwards. I chuckled as it seemed so filmy. Apparently, Lily didn't like the fact that I laughed as she growled and lunge herself at me. The only difference was that she was shifting.

"Oh No " Josh mumbled. Lily landed in front of me as I moved slightly so that she wouldn't attain me. Josh knew that if I shift, then things would be more serious. I was about to walk away but Lily lunged and bit my leg, making me groan in pain. I growled as pain turned into anger.

Fuck this.

I clenched my jaws and closed my eyes while concentrating well enough for me to turn into my wolf. I could see someone moving from behind me. It was James.

"Ava, don't" He said softly. I growled and turned to look at Lily's brown wolf. She seemed to be taunting me. I was about to break my own rule. I was about to let my emotions take over but I finally let go of everything. I turned to James and gave him a curt nod. "Ellie get me a piece of cloth" He ordered to Ellie. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my wolf. Having Lily in front of me was not helping. I growled while looking at her. I closed my eyes and visualized my human form. Soon, I was standing naked on a field full of male pack warriors. A loud growl was heard. It was Roman.

"Turn around!" he growled to all the male standing in the surrounding. Everyone did. Even Josh and James. Ellie ran back to the field but Roman quickly pulled the cloth from her and walked to me. "You could have shifted behind a tree" he snapped. I took the cloth from him and noticed that it was a large shirt. I put it on and when I realized that it was long enough to hide my butt, I breathed in relief. I clenched my jaws when I noticed blood running on my leg. I turned to look at Lily who was still in wolf form.

"It's not over" I snapped as Roman pulled me behind him.

"Let's go home. No one is seeing you like this" he said while glaring at the back of the male pack members.