“Time to go,” my brother Blaze called out, his voice echoing through the trees as I emerged from the woods. “And you reek of Connor.”
I shot him a glare, which only made him laugh. Did he really have to bring that up?
“Where’s the rest of the gang?” I asked.
“Some are still getting ready, but Jyn’s already in the arena,” Blaze replied. I gave him a smile, and we started walking towards our usual spot.
“Who am I up against?” I asked, stepping onto the platform, ready to show what I was made of. Jyn glanced my way and pointed towards the front.
“Alpha Mirko?” Blaze muttered, his voice filled with surprise. “Are you kidding?”
I looked at the alpha standing before me, a smile slowly spreading across my face.
Alpha Mirko was one of the most powerful alphas from his pack, the Full Moon Pack. He’d been eyeing the throne for a while now, and everyone thought he was a shoo-in.
“Alpha Mirko is no joke, Elaine,” Blaze whispered from behind me. I could feel him shifting uncomfortably.
“Mirko,” I murmured, a hint of delight in my voice.
I was well aware of the rumors about Mirko—the alpha with a permanent Fuck Off sign on his forehead.
Everyone was scared of him and kept their distance, which suited him just fine.
He was the kind of alpha who looked down on women, and despite being in his thirties, he was still without a mate. The absence of a female by his side was a blow to his pride.
“He must be fuming, knowing he has to fight Elaine,” Arye chuckled, joining us.
“I’d bet on that,” I replied, chuckling along.
“Are you going to shift?” Jyn asked as I slipped on my gloves.
“No.” I frowned. “Why do you ask?”
“Mirko will, so you should too,” Jyn advised, his brow furrowed. “I think you’d have a better chance if you shifted.”
I didn’t get why they were so insistent on me shifting. I didn’t want anyone to see my wolf.
I knew they were just looking out for me, but this was my decision to make. I was the one who would be in the ring, not them.
“Jyn,” I sighed, “I’ve told you before, I’m not shifting. And this fight will be over before you know it.”
“Why are you so sure of yourself?” Arye asked, a curious smile on his face.
“What?” I laughed. “Can’t a woman be confident in her abilities?”
“That’s the problem; you’re too confident. You let your guard down,” Jyn sighed, leaning back in his seat. “Mirko could kill you.”
“Let him try.” I shrugged.
Everyone exchanged worried looks.
Here we go again.
“Trust me on this one,” I said, standing up and heading towards the platform.
“That’s the problem,” a voice said from behind us. We all turned to see who had spoken.
We bowed our heads in respect, waiting for him to continue.
“You’re always stirring up trouble. Can’t you just stay home and behave?” my father, Alpha Atlas, growled. “You’re risking your life—”
“I don’t mind,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “It’s my choice.”
My father walked over and gripped my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His piercing blue eyes, identical to mine, were filled with anger. I was defying him.
I pulled away from his grip and glared at him.
“And you get to decide that?” I retorted. “I don’t care who I’m up against; I will win.”
My father was about to respond when the alarm sounded. It was time for my fight.
“I have to go,” I said, walking past him. I didn’t need to hear any more from him. He’d never cared before, so why was he so against this now?
I climbed the stairs and stepped onto the white platform. I was doing some stretches when Mirko climbed onto the platform. His face twisted in annoyance as he looked my way.
“A woman?” Mirko spat.
“One who’s going to kick your ass,” I smirked.
Mirko growled at me, which only made me laugh harder.
The announcer started the countdown as we took our positions. As soon as the signal was given, Mirko lunged at me. I was taken aback by his speed.
He didn’t shift, choosing instead to attack me in his human form. That was unexpected. I was prepared for a wolf, not a man coming at me full force.
He managed to land a hit on my face. I tried to dodge his claws, but he still managed to scratch me.
I stumbled back, touching my face. I was bleeding.
Gritting my teeth, I lunged at him. To my surprise, he was good. He dodged every move I made. I tried to land a punch, but he ducked and hit me in the stomach.
I fell to my knees, gasping for air. I looked up at him, wide-eyed. He was serious about winning this.
What the hell was happening?
Mirko chuckled and kicked me in the face. I stumbled back until I hit the wall.
I got back up and lunged at him again, but this time Mirko grabbed my arm and twisted it. I grunted in pain.
“A woman should know her place,” Mirko growled. I managed a smile and stood up. I flipped him over, slamming him onto the white marble floor.
A crack appeared around him as I grabbed his arm and twisted it until it snapped. He let out a piercing yell.
“BITCH!” Mirko snarled.
“Queen,” I hissed back, causing his face to partially shift.
Mirko bared his teeth and shifted into his wolf. He was injured, but I could see his wounds healing with the help of his wolf.
I quickly ran and slid under him as he snapped at my neck. I grabbed his tail, yanked it, and threw him against the wall.
I sprinted, then spun around and landed a punch square on his face, breaking his jaw. My clenched fist connected with his chest and then his gut.
I was seething, but nowhere near ready to call it quits. I grabbed his leg, dragging him until we were center stage on the platform.
Mirko squirmed, trying to escape my grip, but I pressed down on his other arm and, with a swift jerk, dislocated it.
The sound reverberated around the room, silencing the crowd. He howled in pain as I lifted him by his fur. I held his snout and landed another punch, knocking him out cold.
I watched as his body slumped back. The purple bruises blooming on his skin made him look even worse.
As the winner was announced, I turned to leave. I felt a pair of eyes on me and glanced sideways to see my father scowling.
I rolled my eyes at him and stepped off the platform.
“That was unexpected,” Arye commented, frowning.
“What was?” I asked, catching my breath. My brothers exchanged glances before Jyn cleared his throat.
“We thought you’d lose,” Jyn admitted. I raised my eyebrows.
I wasn’t surprised. They didn’t know I had a knack for reading my opponent’s moves.
“He was supposed to win. You can’t just turn the tables like that,” Arye mused, deep in thought. He shook his head and looked at me. “What did you do, Elaine?”
I paused and looked around. A few other pack members were watching us.
“Arye, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but all I did was use my training and skills,” I lied. “So whatever crazy theory you guys have, just drop it.”
I grabbed my stuff and headed to my tent. The whispers followed me as I walked past.
I knew they were all wondering how I did it, but I wasn’t about to spill my secret. This was mine to keep, at least for now.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I was dressed in black gear for tonight’s fight.
I adjusted my suit and boots, keeping my mind clear. My wolf was quiet, preparing for the battle ahead.
I bent down to tie my boots. I didn’t know who my opponent was, but I had a gut feeling about who it might be.
I was ready and had a few tricks up my sleeve. This was the moment I’d been waiting for, and I wasn’t going to let anyone take it from me.
Even if my father disapproved, I was going to prove that a woman could claim the throne.
Once I was ready, I grabbed my cloak and draped it over myself. After one last look in the mirror, I stepped out of the tent.
My brothers were nowhere in sight, which meant they were already at the arena.
The final fight would take place in the main arena, where the new alpha and king were announced. It was the largest arena in the pack and was only used every ten years.
So, with steady steps and confidence, I made my way there.
Several pack members were milling around. Some were chatting, others laughing.
As I walked by, they all turned to look at me. I didn’t need to see their faces to know they were wondering how I’d won the last fight.
The roar of the crowd reached my ears as I approached the towering walls of the arena. My heart pounded as adrenaline coursed through my veins.
My wolf was restless in my mind, but she remained silent.
No words, no comments, just her unwavering confidence.
“Ready?” Jyn called from ahead. I looked down to see my five brothers standing there, grinning proudly.
“Always,” I murmured.
My brothers stepped aside, forming a path for me as I walked into the crowded arena. All eyes were on me as soon as I entered.
If they thought their stares would intimidate me, they were wrong. It only fueled my excitement.
I found my spot and shrugged off my cloak. The black leather hugged my body. I could feel the lustful gazes of several wolves on me.
Go ahead, look all you want, but you’ll never get to touch.
“Black, huh?” Regulus commented, a sly smile on his handsome face.
“Isn’t that the gear you never use?” Blaze asked, smirking.
“Yes, I was saving it for this occasion,” I replied, grinning.
My brother Jyn couldn’t take his eyes off me. His emotions were written all over his face. I sighed and leaned over to look at him.
“What is it, Jyn?” I asked.
“Forfeit,” Jyn blurted. I pulled back.
Not this again. Of all my brothers, Jyn was the last one I expected to hear those words from, to see him afraid for me.
“Tonight, you have a sister who’s about to become alpha,” I began. “You should be excited, don’t you think?”
Jyn sighed. I knew he was uncomfortable with all this, but it wasn’t his problem. If I lost, then I’d learn from my mistake.
“If you want to leave, then go,” I snapped, turning towards the platform. “But that won’t stop me.”
I adjusted my gloves and started climbing the steep stairs. The six long steps felt like a mountain as I finally reached the top.
My gaze landed on the person standing opposite me. He glanced over his shoulder and scoffed.
“Elaine,” Connor murmured. His voice was devoid of any emotion.
“Connor,” I replied.
Tonight was my final fight, and I was going to win. After that, I’d become the alpha of the Black Rose.
