Amber was taken aback. Over and over again he, relatively easily, countered her attacks and actually caused her to on the defensive.
Amber was a true Alpha which meant she was born an Alpha she did not become one through battle or necessity. She was always the strongest. She had abilities unseen in werewolf lines in centuries, and she naturally sensed the natural role of any werewolf around her.
She sensed nothing about Stefan except that he was hers and she was his. Her heart twisted in her chest as she thought about the fact that he did not want her.
The fact.
This fueled her in this fight. It focused her because she wanted to show him what it was that he decided to shun. She wanted him to both see and physically feel her value.
He came at her throat with a clawed hand. Had his claws grown thicker and longer? She grabbed him at the wrist and just as she twisted him away he twisted out of her hold.
How many times would he surprise her? How could anyone break her hold?
She already knew that this would end in a draw. But she wanted to prove herself wrong.
She lunged at him. A fierce mess of beautiful green tresses, claws, and teeth. Stefan had realized, almost from the beginning, that he was not going to actually defeat her. He didn't want to either, it was counter intuitive to his plans.
He deflected her strike even as she drew blood from his palm and caused her to flip away from him in a defensive move.
Many would say that Stefan was not a true Alpha. They would be wrong. He was born an Alpha but, much like his father he was a quiet Alpha. This type of werewolf was uncommon and those that did come about were quickly culled from a pack mostly due to their odd behaviors and ideologies. One of his Alpha abilities was his intellect and that was what he focuses on before becoming Alpha.
He used foot work to get close to her but had to defend and retreat when she saw through his moves. He noticed the stinging pain across his abdomen but he didn't look down and he shoved the pain into a recess of his mind.
He had never had an opponent like this and it was becoming thrilling. A large smile bloomed on his face to be rewarded by one spreading across hers.
Again they both fiercely came at each other. Their movement techniques completely different and seemingly compatible. Their hand to hand combat evenly matched. They looked into each other's eyes and decided it was time to use abilities.
They again sprang from each other. Neither of them was tired, their minds clear and focused. Their bodies riddled with wounds that looked grievous but were inconsequential to them.
Amber tilted her head as she glanced at him her smirk a bit to alluring to him at the moment.
"You are actually better than I thought you would be. A true Alpha becoming an Omega." She shook her head slightly sadness creeping into her eyes for the briefest of moments only to be replaced by resolve. "Accept me and I will walk beside you and your revenge will be my revenge. Your enemy will be my enemy."
Stefan's smirk faltered as his heart squeezed in his chest. Her words rang sincere. He could feel the heart, depth, and yearning behind them. But his thoughts and his slip were only the softest of whispers on the fabric of time. And is original smirk seemed to instantly move to a condescending sneer to everyone but her. She could feel his true emotion through their unconsummated soul tie. But she could never rebuke him. She realized, during her three day meditation-fast that she loved him with her whole heart and soul and she learned long ago denying a truth always did more harm than good. So she played the game and kept up the mask as he spoke to her.
"And how, my dearest Alpha, do you think you could defeat any enemy of mine? Try to defeat me first before you pretend to rake on any of my burdens."
It hurt her but it was also true. Being a werewolf was a constant show of strength. It was forever proving yourself. Why would it be any different in matters of the heart. Determination filled her. If he needed her to prove her love for him he would get his proof.
Her ruby eyes gleamed as she set her stance and took a slow cathartic breath. She moved so fast that he even thought she was flying for a moment. He stood, amazed at her foot technique, frozen for a second too long. When he regained himself and shifted he was too late. The wound to his side was not fatal but it was the worst one thus far and she was the one to deliver it.
He shook his head and smirked again. He was getting too distracted. He, of all people, understood her strength and her resolve. She did not anyone at her side, especially not a weak wolf.
The crowed was so enthralled and so much was happening at once the commentary was off. It was like watching a television show but the audio lagged behind what was actually shown on screen.
"He's a true Alpha is that what she said?"
"I think so."
"Our Alpha declared her loved for this mongrel."
"Mongrel? Please go say that to his face. No better yet say to his little sister."
They fought hand to hand, without tiring, for a full day. Then they looked at each other, smiled, and chose weapons. Amber chose a black staff with silver etchings and Stefan chose a long sword that glowed a soft blue in his hands.
Amber scrunched her nose and threw her chin toward the sword in Stefan's hand. "Why would you choose a long sword?"
Stefan looked at the long sword, turning over expertly in his hands, and shrugged. He looked at her with innocent curiosity. "Why did you choose the staff?"
Amber smiled and set her stance, he followed suit.
The truth was they both chose one of their weakest weapons to make things interesting but neither one of them could admit that this had become enjoyable. They knew that there would be no victor. They had honestly measured each other and knew that they were evenly matched, for now.
They had both decided to become better than the other. Setting their bar of excellence at nothing less that devastatingly defeating the other.