A shovel of dirt landed on top of the wooden box sitting in the hole in the dirt – in the cold and dead ground. It was a sign of finality. The final resting place of Marie Harmonns – beloved by her family.

Her grave sat in the far corner of the small cemetery on the pack lands. It was a quiet place – a place that Eve hoped would bring her mum the peace that she had long deserved. A peaceful death was the least that she deserved after a lifetime of pain and suffering.

Joanne squeezed Eve's hand. There were not any words that they could share in that moment. Their feelings could not be simply summed up with words.

With a singular nod, Eve turned away and began to exit the cemetery – Curtis and Joanne following at her side. They were silent, taking comfort in the presence of each other.

Their calm was not destined to last, however.

Awaiting them at the low gates of the cemetery stood a group of warriors along with the Alpha, Beta, and their mates.

'Alpha Blake, we are leaving as you requested. The funeral is over, we will depart,' Curtis said stepping just in front of Eve and Marie.

Blake said nothing, instead pushing forward the girl that stood beside Adrian. She looked unsure but turned to face the three at the harsh look from her alpha.

'I am Emily Hanes – Beta female of this pack. I declare a challenge to you for the right to claim Adrian Alfort as a mate,' she spoke strongly – yet there was hesitancy hidden below.

'Now w-' Curtis started

'Are you serious? You are joking right? You challenge me for a mate that never wanted me – a mate, frankly, I do not want. Not only that, you challenge me moments after I watched my mum's body be lowered into the ground. This is what you want?!' Eve spoke completely overrun by rage and grief.

Emily looked taken a back for a moment.

'I-I... yes. The challenge has been given. Do you accept?' Emily managed to stutter out practically feeling the glare of Alpha Blake at her back.

'Fine. I will fight you and I will win. But I will not become the mate of him. He is not worthy of me. You will be stuck with him,' Eve said the bite of her words making Emily flinch back slightly.

With a angry huff Eve stalked past the group blocking her way and toward the small clearing of grass at the centre of buildings of the town. Curtis stood shocked for a moment before hurrying off in Eve's wake.

"Eve! Eve, please wait just a second' he called out once he was only a few metres behind her.

She slowed down trying to focus on preventing the tears from leaking out her eyes. She turned to face him.

'I know that this is something you need to do. I would never try to talk you out of something that you need to do. But I just want to you to know I am here for you. I know your hurting at the moment – just don't let your pain make your loose focus,' Curtis said with an understanding nod.

'I've got this. You have taught me well,' Eve said reassuringly.

'Okay. Lets go then,' Curtis said with a little smile.

As Joanne caught up to them, she started speaking rapidly. After a few moments of reassurance she shakily agreed that she would stay out of the fight – no matter what happened. Eve kissed her cheek as a brief goodbye as they reached the clearing where members of the pack had gathered.

Eve glanced around recognising quiet a few faces that looked at her with pity. These people had been her family. They had watched her grow up. They had been constant features in her life up until a few months ago. She shot them a bittersweet smile before walking to the middle of the loose circle of people.

Emily followed her into the impromptu fighting ring as Eve shrugged off her jacket and slipped her shoes off. After a moment of consideration, she pulled a hair tie from her pocket and swiftly pulled her hair into a low ponytail.

Emily followed her lead removing her shoes and jacket. The stood across from each other as Blake stepped forward.

'Ready?' He asked the two. They nodded in affirmation.

'Okay. Begin,' Blake said stepping back into the wall of people.

Immediately, Emily lunged forward trying to catch Eve off guard. Eve stepped to the side out of the path of harm.

Swiftly, Emily turned back to face her with a look of determination cemented on her face. She was wary now that she had seen the obvious speed that Eve possessed. But clearly not wary enough as she jumped forward once again.

This time instead of jumping out of the way, Eve bent her knees and sunk her weight down to the ground. As Emily's fist flew towards her head, Eve ducked and kicked down towards her knees. She was not going to hold back.

As Emily buckled and started to fall Eve threw her fist out with her upper body twisting out to connected with her abdomen. She jumped back as Emily threw a wild and uncoordinated punch.

Emily jumped to her feet trying to stay light on her feet as she tried to suck in deep breathes. She stepped back warily as she took in Eve standing in front of her.

Eve did not give her the opportunity to find her footing properly. She lunged forward like a blurred streak and landed a solid punch again. Within a moment Emily was pinned to the ground with Eve holding her arms down under her knees with hands pushing threateningly on Emily's throat.

'We are done here. Its over,' Eve spat out leaning down to put her face right in front of Emily's who nodded in submission.

With a huff Eve stood up to face the crowd.

'Is that what you wanted huh? Are you happy?' Eve spat out in Blake's direction. He turned and started to walk away.

'No! You do not get to walk away from this. Everyone here is going to hear what I have to say,' Eve called out making him stop in his track.

'You are the reason we are here after all. Aren't you? You were the one who forced my mate to reject me. And then you felt threatened by me, so you made this replacement fight me to justify your actions. You are just as bad as your father – of wait, our father. The man who refused to acknowledge and tortured my mother up until the moment she died,' Eve spat out evoking a shocked gasp from the crowd who started to murmur amongst themselves.

'I did the best for my pack! You would never be enough to lead these people,' Blake said whipping back around as his voice dripped with venom.

'How would you know? You have never known me. What reason could I have possibly given you to make you think I would be inadequate?' She shook her head as she questioned him.

Before he could speak, Curtis stepped forward.

'The Council has reviewed leadership of this pack over the last few decades, and it is clear to us that there has been moves taken that directly go against the wishes of the moon goddess. As such, authorities will be moving in to monitor the progress of this pack. Now the fight is over and we shall be departing. Alpha Blake, I suggest you move on and focus on your role as Alpha for now,' Curtis said in a flat voice whilst pulling Eve to his side.

'You have got to be joking you- ' Blake began to step forward as Luna Ariel put a hand on his arm to stop his advance.

'Thank you, we look forward to receiving this representative – I'm sure that they will do the best for our pack,' Ariel said silencing her mate with a steely glare.

With a nod of respect, Curtis and Eve turned to leave.

'Evie...' Adrian finally broke his silence.

Eve looked back. Adrian stood just behind Blake having left Emily on the ground. He seemed to not even have looked at her since the fight had been concluded. He hesitated opening and closing his mouth a few times.

'Say what you have to say and get it over with,' Eve said with a shake of her head.

'I- I'm sorry,' he said looking down with shame.

'Oh! Are you? You are sorryfor all the pain that I have suffered through. The pain I that ripped me apart everytime you had sex with another person. Your sorry for forcing me to flea from myfamily and from my home. My face got torn apart by rouges as I ran for myfreedom and life. Or maybe your just sorry for being weak and rejecting me. Ido not care, whatever the answer may be. You did me a favour – truly. I'mbetter off without you,' Eve turned and walked off. She did not need to hearhis response.