The Alphas stood in the middle of the training ground, their eyes locked on each other, the first challenge about to begin. But it wasn't just the competition that had everyone on edge. It was the silent of the Alpha, Dorian, Rorys father.
His voice, when it came, was a deep rumble that cut through the murmurs of the gathered crowd.
"Enough." Dorian's gaze swept across the field, landing on Lila and Mira, his other daughters, the two girls had been mocking Rory's state, whispering cruelly about her state, coma and the upcoming tests.
Dorian's anger simmered just below the surface, his fists clenched at his sides. "Do you think this is a joke?" he snarled, his voice was cold and unyielding.
Lila, with her face flushed with frustration, stood taller, she had defiance in her eyes. "What's the big deal, Daddy?"
His eyes flickered with irritation as he stepped closer, towering over her. "It's not just any other girl, its your sister" he said with a sharp voice "And I'm disappointed in both of you. Mockery is for the weak." He turned to the side, signaling for the guards to take them away.
Lila's eyes welled with tears as she stormed off, muttering under her breath. "You love her more than you love us!" She ran from the grounds, her sobs echoing in the distance.
Mira hesitated for a moment, glancing at Dorian, but he ignored her. The damage was done.
The air was heavy with the sound of her departure, but Dorian turned his attention back to the competition. There was no room for weakness, not when everything was at stake. Not when Rory's fate rested in hands of different men who only percieved her scent.
The first challenge was set with the arena buzzing with anticipation. The Alphas stood at one end, each lined up for the test of raw physical strength and combat skills. They had all been preparing for this moment for days, knowing that the first challenge would be a true test of their abilities.
"Let's see who truly deserves her," Gregor's voice rang out, echoing off the stone walls of the arena.
Maverick cracked his knuckles, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. He was confident, maybe a little too confident. He had spent years training his body, honing his skills. This was his moment to prove that he was the strongest, the most capable.
Lachlan, standing silently beside him, gave a brief nod. "May the best Alpha win." He whispered with a smirk.
Alexander, ever the strategist, remained calm. His eyes flickered between his competitors, studying their every movement. He knew that mere strength wasn't the only thing that would win this challenge.
One of the elders stepped forward, raising a hand to silence the crowd. "This will be a one-on-one battle. The rules are simple. Fight until your opponent yields or is unable to continue."
The crowd went wild as the first two Alphas, Maverick and Lachlan, stepped forward to face off.
The fight was brutal. Maverick's punches were fast and powerful, landing with a thud that could be felt in the bones of everyone watching. Lachlan, however, was more calculated. He dodged with precise movements, countering Maverick's attacks with grace and agility.
At first, it seemed like Maverick would dominate. His strength was unmatched, and his fists landed with force. But Lachlan was patient. He waited, his eyes focused, studying Maverick's every move.
Then, in an unexpected twist, Lachlan stepped aside just as Maverick swung, causing the Alpha's momentum to send him crashing into the dirt. The crowd gasped in surprise.
"Gotcha," Lachlan murmured under his breath with a smile, stepping back.
Maverick, panting, glared at him, his anger flashing in his eyes. "You're lucky," he muttered, pushing himself up.
Lachlan didn't reply. His face was stoic, revealing nothing of the satisfaction that bubbled beneath the surface.
Next, it was Alexander's turn. He faced off against Maverick, who was still seething from his earlier loss. The air crackled with tension as the two Alphas squared off, ready for round two.
Maverick's anger fueled him as he lunged at Alexander with all his might. But Alexander was prepared. With a swift movement, he dodged, his eyes never leaving Maverick.
Instead of relying on brute strength, Alexander used his cunning to outmaneuver Maverick. He darted left, then right, always staying a step ahead. Maverick grew increasingly frustrated, unable to land a solid blow.
Finally, Alexander saw his opening. With a swift kick to Maverick's side, he sent the Alpha sprawling to the ground.
The crowd was silent for a moment, before erupting into applause. Alexander had won, not with strength, but with strategy.
Lachlan was still catching his breath when the arena shifted once more. A new figure appeared at the edge of the grounds, a mysterious presence that seemed to make the air itself hum with power.
Ethan, the fourth mate. His golden eyes glowed in the low light, his aura pulsing with an energy that sent ripples through the crowd. His presence was undeniable. He walked with a purposeful stride, his movements fluid and effortless.
He stepped into the arena, eyes scanning the three Alphas who stood before him.
"I'm sorry for being late," Ethan's voice rang out, calm but tinged with an unfamiliar intensity. "But I couldn't ignore the scent any longer."
The words hung in the air like a cloud of thunder before a storm. The three Alphas turned toward him, eyes widening in recognition.
Maverick's voice was a low growl. "You…"
Lachlan's face remained emotionless, but his fists clenched at his sides.
Alexander's jaw tightened as his gaze locked onto Ethan's. "You're the fourth."
Ethan nodded, his golden eyes never leaving Alexander. "Yes. And I'm sorry for the... little disaster I caused on my way here." He smiled, though there was a hint of something darker beneath it. "But once I caught that scent, I couldn't help myself."
The Alphas bristled, their eyes narrowing. "You weren't supposed to be here," Alexander spat, his voice laced with hostility.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "I didn't have much of a choice. That scent... it's undeniable. And it's driving me mad."
For a brief moment, the tension was unbearable. The four of them stood in a standoff, the weight of their shared connection hanging heavily in the air.
Ethan's eyes flickered from one Alpha to the next, a flicker of amusement in his expression. "It seems the competition just got a little more interesting, didn't it?"