Beta’s Challenge by Mildred Trent and Sandra Mitchell Page B

that is yet unheard of. Why was that so hard for you to understand? Why did it have to come to this?” Mikal screamed, spittle flying from his lips.
    Mikal was so into his self-righteous speech, he didn’t notice the changes in Sasha until it was too late. Suddenly, Mikal felt a pain he would never forget. Sasha, blood boiling, furiously mad, had partially transformed her hands into paws and with all the force in her body, she curled her paw around Mikal’s dick and balls, nails digging in, and squeezed for dear life.
    White dots of pain clouded Mikal’s vision. The pain was so intense, he couldn’t even scream. He dropped to his knees, taking Sasha with him. His hold on her loosened and his hand fell away.
    “You self-righteous bastard,” Sasha began. “You spout all this bullshit about unconditional love, respect, and unity and yet tie me to your bed and kept me there until I conceived. You took me in ways no female should ever have to experience, then you threatened to kill me if I don’t agree to carry this bastard young of yours,” Sasha said, the venom thick in her voice. She tightened her grip and twisted. “You don’t deserve these and if I were in my right frame of mind, I would rip them off to make sure you never do to another female what you did to me.”
    Sasha was shaking so badly, she barely felt the soothing hand land on her shoulder. She spun so fast, her motion wrenched a groan of pain from Mikal.
    “Let go, Sasha,” Tara said in as soothing a voice as she could. “He isn’t worth it. You’re with family now and he’ll never hurt you again.” Tara rubbed her back, whispering words of comfort and love to her newfound sister-at-arms. “It’s going to be okay. I promise you. We will raise these young and care for you as family should. Look around you, Sasha. See the faces of your family, your pack. They are here for you and so am I.” All the while Tara was soothing Sasha with her words, her hands were frantically prying Sasha's claws from Mikal’s groin.
    Finally releasing her hold, Sasha fell into Tara’s arms and wept.
    “Let’s get you inside and clean those wounds,” Tara crooned as she helped Sasha up and led her back into the cabin.
    “Mikal, again I ask, do you yield ? Nod your head for yes or shake it for no. I know you are having a difficult time finding your voice right now,” Marcus said to Mikal, barely holding back the laugh threatening to erupt from his throat.
    “FUUUCCCCKKK….”
    “Yeah, yeah, I know. Fuck me,” Marcus said, now tired of the routine. “I think it is safe to say you won’t be fucking anything or anyone for a while.” Marcus returned his attention to the members of the Seeley Creek pack. “Seeing that Mikal is unable to verbally yield and a unanimous vote has been noted, as the sheriff of the wolf clans in Montana, I decree Mikal Mitchell is no longer alpha of the Seeley Creek pack.”
    Marcus returned his attention to Mikal. “You will no longer be alpha of this or any other pack in Montana. You are now subject to wolf and human laws as punishment for your crimes. That brings me to my next order of business. There needs to be a new alpha. We are adopting the human form of justice so we may as well put this to a vote also.”
    “I nominate Gabriel. He should have been the alpha all along,” came a response from the pack.
    “I second,” came another reply from the pack members.
    “And I third,” came still another response from the pack.
    “Gabriel,” Marcus said, “your pack has nominated you as the new alpha. Do you accept the nomination?”
    “If I accept, will everyone be able to accept and respect my human Prima as alpha by my side?” Gabriel asked, looking out over the pack.
    “Yes!” came the unanimous response from the pack. “We will protect her as our true alpha, which she is.”
    “Will you all be willing to move forward toward a more civilized way of life?” Gabriel asked the pack.
    Again, the “yes” was