AN: Enjoy this chapter! Happy Reading! :)

Chapter 18

SPOV

I pull up to Alcide's house and my skin is tingling once more and I let out a small sigh, rubbing my hands over my prickly skin as I want for nothing more than to return to my loves, to ensure Godric's memories are truly intact once more, but, unfortunately at the moment, duty calls.

God, I just hope this night can go by quickly as I know thoughts of Godric as well as Eric will be keeping me distracted throughout the evening. I try my best to shake off the incessant yearning, taking a deep, calming breath and tell myself I will be reunited with my two loves soon enough.

"Yo, babe, lookin' good," a low, rumbling voice sounds beside me before I turn to take in Quinn's smirking face. I grin up to him, watching his gorgeous, lilac eyes twinkling in the soft light of the many lit torches lighting up the yard.

"Hey, pussycat, not lookin' too bad yourself," I throw back with a playful wink, earning a low chuckle from the weretiger before he wraps his massive arm around my shoulder and proceeds to lead me towards the backyard that's already all set up for tonight's challenges.

"Babe," Quinn says lowly, halting our steps as he looks down to me warily. "You gettin' yourself wrapped up with vamps now?" he questions hesitantly as I let out a sigh, knowing he's scented my vampires on me.

"Quinn, I know you're not exactly a fan of the fang, but trust me when I say I know what I'm doing, alright?" I beseech of my friend, knowing he's only looking out for my wellbeing as he lets out a small sigh, rubbing a meaty hand over his shining, bald head.

"Alright, I know you've got a good head on your shoulders," he assures me. "Just know that if they fuck with you, they're fucking with me, got it?" he adds grimly with a raised brow as I nod to him, patting his heavily muscled arm lightly with a small smile.

"I know you've got my back, but I promise you don't have to worry about me, at least not when it comes to my vampires," I assure him before he nods his consent.

"Oh, thank God," Alcide's voice sounds, bringing our attention to the obviously distressed were as he's quickly approaching the two of us. "I'm ready to get this night over with already," he informs us, bringing a snort of amusement from me as Quinn chuckles lowly, throwing his other massive arm around the Alpha's shoulder.

"No need to worry, my man, Sook and I will make damn sure everything runs smooth for ya," he assures the nervous werewolf with a smirk. "And just think, by the end of the night, you'll have your very own, wolfy little lady by your side," he adds with a wink to bring a genuine smile from Alcide as he nods up to him, letting out a small sigh of relief.

Quinn clears his throat loudly then, lowering his massive arms back to his sides, his professional, stoic face falling automatically in place as we approach the gathered crowd of weres. The three of us draw ever nearer to the torch lit crowd that's gathered tightly around the large, dirt circle in the center of the backyard where the impending fights are to take place.

Alcide takes his appointed seat, his own face stoic as he settles upon the traditional, forged stone throne that's adorned with the many, worn, ivory skulls of the pack's previous Alphas. The excited crowd quiets, each turning to stare up to their leader in revered silence before he nods to Quinn to start the proceedings.

I take my appointed position, standing tall at Alcide's side before reaching over to gently pat his shoulder for comfort as Quinn begins his opening spiel, wooing the crowd with his familiar, over the top theatrics as he begins introducing each of the night's competitors. I look on as the women begin trailing slowly forward in a single file line from the back of the house, each clad in old, worn clothes and each wearing, matching, grave expressions across their faces as they proceed to line up, shoulder to shoulder across the dusty circle, to stand on display before their Alpha.

Alcide nods up to me then and I make my way to stand before the women, lowering my mental shields as I come to the first in line. I close my eyes, reaching out with my telepathy before beginning a slow, deliberate walk before the line of women, concentrating upon each of their thoughts as I listen carefully for any signs of deceit.

I make it almost to the end of the row before I'm stopped dead in my tracks, catching the worrisome thoughts of one of the weres. Shit. I already know the identity of the culprit before opening my eyes to come face to face with none other than fucking Debbie. Goddamn it. It's clear as day she's back on V, apparently having pumped herself full of the healing bloods just prior in an attempt to give herself an edge on tonight's fights.

"Sookie?" Quinn questions softly, walking up behind me to determine the cause of my unease. I rise to my tiptoes, leaning close to his ear before revealing what I've discovered. He nods firmly, not questioning my findings for a moment before turning back to the crowd.

"Debbie Pelt is hereby disqualified from challenging for Lupa," his booming voice calls out as Debbie hits me with a death glare, her face reddening in ire.

"You little bitch!" she cries out furiously, setting her wild eyes upon me before lifting her hand into the air before me. Oh, shit.

"Don't even think about it, bitch," Quinn growls out, his lilac eyes shining menacingly as he takes firm hold of Debbie's raised arm to bring a small whimper of pain from her. "You're out, now go," he tells her, pointing over the crowd into the darkened night as Debbie huffs indignantly.

"This isn't over, blondie," Debbie spits out at me before spinning on her heel to march away from the circle. God, what a bitch!

"You alright, babe?" Quinn asks softly as I nod to him shrugging slightly, grateful for his backup with the crazy were.

"Kinda saw that one coming," I tell him with an eye roll. "Let her stew, we've got a competition to get started," I tell him, waiving my hand dismissively through the air as he nods firmly. I make my way back to a concerned Alcide then who reaches up to take hold of my hand.

"Just what the hell was that all about?" he questions softly as I let out a defeated sigh.

"Debbie's back on V, Alcide," I inform him, seeing his jaw tick in irritation as he nods his understanding. "I'm so sorry," I add, knowing just how devastating this must be for him.

"No, don't be," he sighs out, shaking his head. "I've given her too many chances as it is, she did this to herself," he concedes, bringing a small smile to my face before I squeeze his hand softly.

"You're really better off without her, you know," I tell him as he nods lightly, letting out a loud sigh of defeat. Quinn calls the crowd back to attention then and we both turn back to the center ring to see the remaining contestants spreading out over the ring.

"Let the shifting commence!" Quinn's booming voice bellows out before the collective crowd is throwing back their heads to the sky, beginning to bay loudly in harmony as they fill the cool, night air with the sounds of their mixed, predatory howls.

I'm left looking on in wonderment, still finding this part completely fascinating as the women begin groaning and hissing as their bodies are contorting violently under the moon washed night sky. Fur of all shades begins to emerge from breaking skin amongst the throng before each of the women are falling to the dirt covered ground, their bodies shifting from their human form to their animalistic counterparts before the ring is filled with a variety of female wolves.

The crowd's baying quiets before volunteers are stepping forward to hold back the competitors as the first pair of hopeful Lupas square off at the center of the large ring. I know logically, the fight for Lupa is not to the death, but I still can't help feeling a bit anxious watching the two females snarling menacingly at one another as they bare their dripping, razor sharp fangs in an intimidating display.

Quinn calls for the first round to begin and I find myself standing completely memorized as the two wolves begin their savage fight, each using fangs and claws to their best advantage as they compete for the chance to lead the pack alongside their Alpha. The air is thick with tension as the pack looks onto the brutal, ongoing fight and once one of the females is caught by the throat by sharpened fangs, the first round is called, the winner being granted permission to move onto the next match as the injured, bleeding wolf is led away towards the pack's healers.

"Stiff competition," I whisper to Alcide, who nods firmly before looking up to me with a grim expression stretched over his face.

"So, about these witches," he starts hesitantly. "Did the other groups agree to join in the fight?"

"Yup, all of them," I inform him with a small smirk before he lets out a sigh of relief. "They won't destroy your business, Alcide, I promise we'll find a way to defeat them," I assure him as he grins up at me, nodding his agreement. "So, you talk to Maria-Star?" I question teasingly, bumping my hip playfully against my friend with to bring a low chuckle from him.

"I did," he concedes with a fond smile. "It would appear the two of us are rooting for the same Lupa forerunner tonight," he adds with a smirk before a wide grin stretches over my face.

"Good for you, Alcide," I tell him before bending down to pull him into a hug. Quinn calls out the next two competitors then and Alcide and I turn our attention back to the ring, looking on as the next round starts, soon filling the night air with sounds of snapping jaws and pained yips as the crowd begins cheering in earnest.

A strange humming pulses through me then, making my brow pinch in puzzlement. What the hell was that? My purse begins buzzing then and I let out an annoyed sigh before fishing out my phone to see Eric's name flash across the screen. I quickly excuse myself, apologizing profusely to Alcide, before trailing away from the rowdy crowd to answer my vampire's call.

"Hello? Eric? Is everything okay?" I answer the call nervously, having to cover my open ear to block out the incessant cheering of the rowdy crowd. God, please, please be good news.

"Sookie? Is that you?" Godric's voice sounds nervously as my heart begins pounding in elation. Oh, thank God!

"Godric! You're awake!" I cry out excitedly, realizing his waking must explain the strange sensation I felt before. "How are you feeling? Are your memories restored?" I question eagerly, crossing my fingers that I didn't manage to screw up my wish a second time.

"We believe I am back to myself once more, my love," he assures me as I let out a loud sigh of relief. "When will you be able to return to me, my beloved?" he questions eagerly, bringing a low chuckle from me. It seems some things still haven't changed.

"I promise I'll be back just as soon as I can, alright?" I assure him, feeling his anxieties flowing through me as that tingling sensation washes over my flesh once more, begging to be reunited with my soulmate.

"I miss you, my love," his voice sounds dismally as I let out a small sigh, feeling the exact same way.

"I miss you, too, Godric," I assure him. "I love you," I admit softly, feeling his elation at hearing my words as a small smile pulls at my lips.

"As I love you, mo anam chara," he replies as I feel the extent of his affections flowing through me to bring a soft sigh from my lips. "Return to us quickly, my beloved, and please do be careful."

"I will, I promise," I answer with a soft smile. "Send Eric my love and I'll see you both shortly."

"Consider it done, until we're reunited once more," he says softly before the line goes dead. I stare down at my phone for a moment, a goofy grin stretched over my face. Godric is back, his memories are returned and he's waiting for my return along with his child. In this moment, life is certainly good.

Low, menacing growling sounds then and I'm pulled from my thoughts as my head whips around just in time to see glowing, amber eyes shining menacingly behind me. Oh, fuck me, it's fucking Debbie. I turn back to the pack, sprinting back towards the gathered crowd as I call out for help. A pain filled scream is then ripped from my throat, feeling sharp fangs biting harshly into my calf to send waves of excruciating pain through me as my body slams into the ground.

"Alcide! Quinn! Help! Help me, please!" I'm screaming out frantically, my vision quickly blurring as the incensed wolf proceeds to rip into my leg, separating muscle from bone as blood is spurting from me in crimson waves, to leave me feeling woozy. Oh God, I'm gonna pass out.

Two, burly shapes are bolting towards the two of us then and I see Alcide's large form lean down to grip unto the neck of Debbie's wolf form harshly before he's pulling her off me, lifting her whimpering form into the air. He proceeds to throw the wolf across the yard and a loud yip of pain sounds from the were as her body slams into a nearby tree.

I then find myself being gingerly lifted from the ground before being cradled against a burly chest as I hear Quinn's soothing, low voice sounding softly against my ear. I can't make out his words, finding myself slipping in and out of consciousness at this point and my last cognizant thought is that my vampires are on their way before my world goes black.