The Alpha's Daughter

Chapter 10:The Tournament Part 2

There was a short break before the next round started. My recruits fussed over my injuries, but I was really only concerned about Mason. He was still unconscious, and the pack doctor was working on him. I opened my mind linked to Blue. “You didn't have to beat him so hard!” I rebuked him.

“If I didn't, Max would have taken it out on me,” Blue replied sadly.

I knew he was telling the truth, but I cut the link; I was too angry to continue talking to him. I did not understand the need to be so brutal just for a stupid demonstration. I knelt down by Mason, “Come on, Mason, please wake up.” I tried mind-linking him, but there was no response.

"Viviana, I know that you are worried about Mason, but we need to tend to you, too," Saphira spoke softly, touching my shoulder.

“I’m fine," I replied, biting my bottom lip in anger. “I could kill him,” I gritted out barely above a whisper.

Saphira joked, “I could help you with that.”

“Promises, promises,” I replied bitterly.” I have already broken one of those today.” I said, shaking my head and glancing over at Zander. He seemed busy with his recruits, but I am sure he will not forget our little discussion last night, and I will undoubtedly hear about it later. He may not even get me a present after this fiasco today.

“What are you talking about?” Saphira looked at me quizzically.

“I promised Zander that I would not get hurt,” I said matter-of-factly.

“Even you can't guarantee that. That's why you told him not to watch,” she chuckled.

I could not help but smile. "Zander was right about this, though,” I sighed regretfully.

“Right about what?” Saphira asked.

“Sacrificing our warriors for sport, and everyone cheering like it's a good thing. I have at least two broken ribs, and Mason here will take at least a week to heal, according to the pack doctor. She is going to take him to the hospital after the next event starts.” I said regretfully. I was so excited for this event, but it has lost all its appeal for me after what I witnessed. “To put it in perspective, Saphira, if we were to be attacked right now, we would have four injured wolves.

“Well, it’s about to be five since the next round is getting ready to start.” She added.

Beta Rex stood up, gathering everyone's attention as he announced, “The next round of the tournament will start soon,” Upon gaining everyone’s attention, he began explaining to the crowd what would take place, “for the next section of the tournament the teams will shift into their wolves to simulate a battle. All contestants must start in human form and shift into their alternate form after the gun is fired. In this round, our challengers will be Victor and Zander, Shiloh and Zavier, and Jesse and Michael.

I could tell Victor was fuming. His face was hard, and his eyes were jet black as he glared at the Beta Rex, who knew as well as the rest of us that Shiloh and Zavier were anything but a fair fight.

Shiloh could not shift properly for a fight, and Beta Rex knew it. He could have chosen anyone for this match-up, but instead, he planned to make Victor look like an incompetent leader and Shiloh like a defective wolf. Shiloh was still struggling to fully connect with his wolf, and as a result, the shifting process took longer than average for a wolf. Zander looked a little bewildered by this match-up. No doubt he was trying to come up with a situation where his recruit, Zavier, could fight Shiloh without hurting him.

I was looking at my father. I could tell Alpha wanted to object, but he had given the matchups to his Beta and probably did not want to go against him in such a public place. It was also my father who had given the order that there was to be no interference. Regardless of what would happen, poor Shiloh would be on his own.

Shiloh and Zavier were announced as the first contestants. Victor clenched his fists as he patted Shiloh on the back, obviously trying to offer him some encouragement, though all of us in the Alpha squad knew this was going to be brutal. As soon as the gun fired, the fight was basically over. Shiloh was not even entirely shifted before Zavier grabbed him by his neck and pulled him to the ground, effectively defeating him in one quick move. It was disheartening to watch, but the crowd loved it and cheered. One day, hopefully, Shiloh will be able to shift regularly. It was also the most merciful way that Zavier could take him down without injuring him, which, if I know Zander, is precisely what he told him to do.

Jesse and Michael were up next. When the gun went off, their shift was seamless. Jesse and Michael circled each other with their teeth bared. Michael, as always, held back as Jesse charged. Jesse was ruthless and sank his claws into Michael's back leg, flipping him over and burying his canines into Michael's neck, causing him to whimper and yield. While this fight was also quick, it only heightened the crowd's anticipation for the final match.

Victor and Zander made their way to the field, and the gun fired. I held my breath as I watched them shift. Victor’s large black wolf appeared; Zander was right behind him; his shorter gray wolf looked like ashes in a fire. Victor may have stood bigger than Zander, but I knew Zander could hold his own. While he should have been fighting, Victor's mind linked me, “Any last words?” he joked.

“Victor, stop goofing around and take him down,” I laughed. Then I mind linked Zander quickly, “Watch your six,” I giggled.

Zander dropped his head and shook it. I knew he heard me, but he was concentrating on this match. My nerves caused me to fumble with my hands, and my stomach rolled as I watched them go at each other. My gaze was broken when I heard my father's voice over mind link, “Whoever wins, Viviana, make sure to control your reaction. We don't know who may end up being your mate tomorrow.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I replied dryly.

“Viviana,” his tone a little harsh.

“Yes, Father.” I could see his face from across the field, and our little game brought a smile to his face. I turned back to the match. I continued to watch eagerly, but I was distracted momentarily when I saw the doctor working on Michael's injured leg. This was supposed to be a fun day, and now we have another injured wolf, two of which belonged to Victor’s squad.

Part of me feels like this must have been Beta Rex’s plan all along. An event planned by Beta Rex to humiliate me and weaken Victor publicly, while at the same time making his son look like the best warrior of the pack.

My eyes were drawn to blood pouring from wounds on Zander's front leg, as well as blood I could see trickling off of Victor's back. They were each holding their own, but I did not want to see either one lose. I especially did not want to see either of them seriously wounded. Then, without meaning to, I mind linked Victor, “Come on, Victor,” I pleaded. "Please hurry up and end this before someone gets hurt."

“I didn't know you cared,” came his response.

I was surprised by his voice; I hadn't meant to say that to anyone, especially not him. I blushed like a little schoolgirl. Victor found his opening, pulled Zander to the ground, forcing him to yield. “Maybe you are my good luck charm,” he teased in my mind.

Causing a slight giggle from me, “Not a chance, Vic-tor.” I know he hated it when I dragged his name out, but I had to stifle a laugh anyway.

“I plan on showing you my appreciation later, Viv,” he mind-linked me.

My face reddened all the more, but I did not respond. I was at a loss for words. Zander and Victor left to shift.