The Challenge
676 Words
The banquet hall fell silent.
Every conversation stopped.
Every eye turned toward Amelia and Scarlett.
Even the musicians seemed to sense the tension.
Scarlett stood with her arms folded.
Perfect posture.
Perfect hair.
Perfect smile.
The kind of smile that wasn't really a smile at all.
It was a challenge.
Amelia had seen that look before.
Usually right before a fight broke out.
"You don't belong here," Scarlett repeated.
Amelia slowly looked around the room.
Then back at Scarlett.
"Interesting."
Scarlett frowned.
"What?"
"I was just wondering if everyone in your pack introduces themselves by insulting people."
A few nearby wolves snorted.
Scarlett's eye twitched.
"My point is that you're an outsider."
Amelia nodded thoughtfully.
"Pretty sure everyone here was an outsider until they walked through the front gate."
A laugh escaped somewhere behind her.
Amelia didn't need to look to know it was Owen.
The traitor.
Scarlett stepped closer.
"You spent your life in Tinder Paw."
"And?"
"A forgotten pack."
Several wolves shifted uncomfortably.
The insult wasn't just aimed at Amelia.
It was aimed at everyone from Tinder Paw.
Amelia's smile disappeared.
That changed things.
She could take insults.
Her pack was a different story.
"You should be careful."
Scarlett blinked.
"Excuse me?"
Amelia tilted her head.
"Every warrior I know from Tinder Paw could run circles around most of the wolves in this room."
Now several Nightfall warriors looked offended.
Owen looked delighted.
Garrett buried his face in his hands.
"Here we go," he muttered.
Scarlett laughed.
The sound wasn't kind.
"Is that supposed to impress me?"
"No."
Amelia's voice remained calm.
"It's supposed to warn you."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
For a moment, even Scarlett looked surprised.
Not by the words.
By the confidence.
Because Amelia wasn't bluffing.
Everyone could tell.
Across the room, Kieran watched the exchange carefully.
His wolf was thoroughly entertained.
Mate is fierce.
"She is."
Good.
Kieran hid a smile.
Most wolves became nervous when challenged by stronger packs.
Amelia looked completely unbothered.
As if she'd rather be discussing training schedules than social politics.
Which honestly seemed accurate.
Jace appeared beside him.
"You look proud."
"I'm not."
"You're smiling."
Kieran immediately stopped smiling.
Jace laughed.
"Too late."
Back in the center of the room, Scarlett wasn't finished.
Unfortunately.
"If Tinder Paw is so impressive..."
She smiled coldly.
"...prove it."
Amelia immediately regretted asking questions.
Because that sentence never led anywhere good.
"What exactly do you mean?"
Scarlett's smile widened.
"A challenge."
Several wolves murmured.
Alpha Damon looked tired.
Very tired.
As if he'd seen this situation coming from a mile away.
"You are not fighting in my banquet hall," he said firmly.
Scarlett looked disappointed.
Amelia looked relieved.
Then Scarlett continued.
"Tomorrow."
The relief disappeared.
"Tomorrow morning."
Amelia sighed.
Of course.
"Training grounds."
Of course.
"A demonstration match."
Of course.
The room erupted into whispers.
Amelia looked toward Garrett.
The Alpha looked back.
Neither said anything.
Years of knowing each other allowed entire conversations through eye contact alone.
Garrett's expression clearly said:
Don't.
Amelia's expression clearly replied:
Too late.
The Alpha sighed.
"What kind of match?" Amelia asked.
Scarlett smiled.
"Simple."
Nothing was ever simple.
"Three rounds."
Amelia knew she was going to hate this.
"Continue."
"Combat."
Murmurs spread.
"Obstacle course."
More whispers.
Then Scarlett smiled.
"And wolf form."
The room exploded with excitement.
Several young warriors immediately began taking bets.
Nightfall staff looked horrified.
Amelia should have declined.
She knew that.
Garrett knew that.
Alexander definitely knew that.
Unfortunately...
Scarlett picked that exact moment to glance toward the Tinder Paw delegation.
The dismissive look on her face said everything.
Weak.
Insignificant.
Forgettable.
Amelia felt something sharp settle in her chest.
Not pride.
Loyalty.
To her pack.
To her people.
To the wolves who had raised her.
The wolves who had loved her before anyone knew she was a Blackwood.
Amelia smiled.
The dangerous smile returned.
Scarlett immediately looked pleased.
She mistook it for confidence.
It wasn't.
It was acceptance.
Someone was about to have a very bad day.
"I accept."
The banquet hall erupted.
- Writer
