Blood Moon Rising

Chapter 18: The Combat Batte

Every pack gathered back to the arena of the Crimson Claw. It is the second day of the tournament and the Crimson Claw was filled with enthusiasm and competitiveness from the participating pack. Everyone was excited for the second event, the combat battle. It was not just a display of strength, but also of skill, strategy, and the unspoken rivalries that ran deep between the packs. The air around the arena was thick with anticipation, the tension palpable as the wolves gathered around to watch.

The Silver Moon pack stood in a tight group at the edge of the arena, their eyes focused and ready. Caius, their alpha, had chosen his warriors that would fight in the combat battle with him: Tobias, Mavis, and Karina. Each of them had something to prove—not just to their opponents, but to themselves.

Derek announce the matches for the combat battle, and Karina’s heart raced as she heard that she will be fighting against the Alpha of the Crimson Claw, her former mate, Derek. The wolves that came to watch the battle were surprised. All the alphas from each pack were matched to fight in the battle, but Karina’s situation was different. She had been paired with Derek while Caius would be facing Ryder instead.

“That son of a b*tch! He’s really trying to harm you!” Tobias’s frustration didn’t affect Karina at all.

Caius tapped her shoulder, his expression where soft, full of concern, but she smiled at him despite having unsettled emotions. “I need to face him sooner or later. I guess this is fine.”

Caius nodded at her, respecting his decision. Others might think this is Crimson Claws deliberate move to mess with the Silver Moon but for Karina, this battle was particularly daunting. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about confronting her past, which had come back to haunt her in the form of her old mate, Derek, who was now staring at her with looks she couldn’t put word for.

The sun was already up, casting blazing light over the arena as the first match was called. Mavis stepped forward, her face a mask of determination. Mavis was matched to battle a broad-shouldered wolf from the Iron Ridge pack. He cracked his knuckles as he entered the ring with equal arrogance. The signal was given, and the two fighters circled each other, testing the waters.

Mavis was quick on her feet, darting in and out with swift jabs, but her opponent was patient, biding his time. When Mavis attempted a more aggressive move, he seized the opportunity, catching her off guard. With a powerful swing, he sent her sprawling to the ground, the breath knocked out of her. She struggled to get up, but it was clear the fight was over. The Iron Ridge wolf had won.

The Silver Moon pack watched in silence as Mavis was helped off the field, her defeat a heavy blow. But there was no time to dwell on it; the next match was about to begin, and Tobias was up.

Tobias walked confidently into the ring, his opponent—a lean, wiry wolf from the Shadowclaw pack—already looking nervous. Tobias didn’t hesitate and was already on the attack the moment the signal was given. He moved with blinding speed, his strikes so fast they were almost invisible to the naked eye. Within moments, he had his opponent pinned to the ground, the fight over almost as soon as it had begun. Tobias won, a victory expected from Karina’s trainer.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Tobias stepped back, victorious grin plastered on his face. He had effortlessly gained back points for the Silver Moon pack, and the energy among their ranks lifted. But for Karina, the tension only grew. Her match was drawing near, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that gnawed at her.

Caius’s battle was called next. He stepped into the arena with the calm, steady presence of a true alpha. Across from him stood, the arrogant warrior from the Crimson Claw, Ryder, his gaze cold and unyielding. He hadn’t forgot his harsh words to Karina when they visited the Silver Moon’s territory—it was a grudge match, a chance to settle old scores.

As if the audience understood the tension between the two, they arena went silent as the signal was given. The two clashed without hesitation as if they have been waiting for this moment to face each other. The sound of their strikes echoed through the air, each blow calculated and powerful. Ryder was strong, his moves precise, but Caius was just as skilled, anticipating Ryder’s every move. The fight dragged on, neither willing to give an inch, until finally, Caius found an opening. With a powerful strike, he sent Ryder crashing to the ground, claiming victory for Silver Moon.

The crowd erupted into applause, the Silver Moon pack cheering loudly as Caius walked away from Ryder who hasn’t got on his feet. But the moment of triumph was short-lived for Karina. Her match was next.

Karina stepped in to the arena with her heart pounding wildly on her chest. She had faced many challenges since leaving the Crimson Claw pack, but this was different. This was personal. She is about to face the mate who treated her ruthlessly and rejected her like she was nothing. His eyes were unreadable as they locked onto hers, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Karina braced herself when the signal was given. She was confident with herself, confident of the training she had. But she couldn’t deny the fact that she was a mess of emotion standing in the arena. Derek was fast, faster than she remembered, and his strikes were relentless as if he was trying to force his way into her defenses. But Karina was no longer the omega who had once been rejected and mistreated. She had trained hard with the Silver Moon pack, and it showed in the way she moved, deflecting his blows and countering with her own.

But as the fight wore on, the familiar, unsettling surge of energy began to build within her. It was the same wild, uncontrollable power she had felt before back at the magical lake. She tried to push it down, to focus on the fight, but the more she tried to control it, the stronger it became.

Derek lunged at her, and in that moment, everything went wrong. The energy she tried to suppress surged through her, and before she could stop it, she released it. A pulse of invisible force hit Derek, sending him staggering back. He crashed into the ground, a look of shock on his face as his eyes landed on Karina.

Karina froze, her breath catching in her throat. She had lost control, just for a moment, but it was enough. She expected Derek to call her out, to reveal the secret she had been hiding from everyone.

But instead, Derek slowly got to his feet, his eyes locked onto hers. There was something in his gaze that made her heart skip a beat—recognition, but also something else. Understanding? Pity? She couldn’t tell. He said nothing which made her even more terrified. Derek raises his right arm, getting the attention of the referee.

The referee went to Derek’s side. There was deafening silence as they talk, making Karina looked at Caius with wary. Caius was worried to but it doesn’t look like he notices what happened, nor even the wolves watching the battle.

The crowd, oblivious to what had just happened, erupted into cheers as the match was declared in Karina’s favor. But she couldn’t celebrate. Her mind was spinning, trying to make sense of what had just occurred. She looked at Derek who was now limping out of the arena. It looks like he had a sprained ankle and his arms was bleeding, which made her even more puzzle. Her attacks didn’t hit him; there is no possible way he got injured by the force that pushed him away. Why hadn’t Derek said anything? Was he trying to protect her? Or did he have some other plan in mind?

The uncertainty gnawed at her, but there was no time to dwell on it. Caius was at her side, his eyes filled with pride as he congratulated her on her victory. She forced a smile, but the questions lingered, unanswered and unsettling.

As the Silver Moon pack regrouped, celebrating their successes and preparing for the final event, Karina’s mind was elsewhere. The tournament was far from over, and with each passing event, the stakes grew higher. And somewhere in the shadows, Derek was watching, his motives unclear, his silence a mystery that haunted her every thought.