Tournament of Alphas

Chapter 4

No, he didn't return.

The lost Alpha didn't come back for me, to continue what I could only assume and pray was a passionate act of dominance. With a lust clouded mind, I got out of the tub, water droplets dripped down the curves of my body.

"Zara, are you alright, dear? You look flushed," my grandma commented. 

She raised a withered hand to my flustered cheeks to check my temperature only to hum with a small gruff voice. She ushered me over to a woven basket.

I shook my head in hopes of gaining control of my muscles again. I felt so numb. "Granny... what happened?" I asked.

Granny weaved my hair between her bony fingers, her wrinkled face lifted upwards as a smile crept into the creases of her mouth.

"You tell me, dear," she winked.

I fell silent to her statement. She must have surely known what I felt on the inside. I only prayed she wouldn't tell anyone. Her fingers combed through the strands of my hair, and through the mirror I saw my mother walk into the tent, approaching us. Her hands sunk into the open basket and received a long piece of white. My dress.

Mum helped me dress into the beautiful gown, whilst my hair was braided and tied with flowers. The silk straps of the dress fell off my shoulders and the train was thin - you could see through the light fabric.

I was ready. Night had claimed its time and tonight I would walk into the forest, to only return as the Claimed. 

The official month of winter would be here in two weeks. I had until then.

"Zara, look at me," my eyes opened to stare at my mum. Her voice was soft and gentle but her face was only contorted with pain. Granny had left us alone and I wondered what mum had to say. She only muttered one word: "Survive." 

We were at the moment I anxiously waited for. It hardly felt that exciting as I thought it would. I was only eighteen. My escorts were both Rowen and Alice. Mum, dad and granny were waiting for us by the cliffside with the competing Alphas.

I felt like I was getting married but it wasn't my wedding. Was it? Or was it the execution of my mentality and virginity?

"Ready?" Alice asked. I held my breath for a moment and nodded. "Ready."

Rowen and Alice drew the tent flaps back, allowing me to walk through and immediately all eyes turned to me. My audience silently judged me or praised me, hoping their successor would win this fertile vessel that I was. Under their stares, I grew a heavy fever of anxiety. However, Rowen clasped his hand around my own and it stopped shaking. Knowing he was there for me, I could relax. I smiled faintly from the corners of my mouth as I neared the cliffside.

I paused when I didn't smell him. One of the Alphas was missing from the lineup. My heart sunk into the depths of my bowels and my voice whimpered a pained and silent cry.

I resumed walking forward because I didn't want to draw any more attention than I already did.

The friends I made, I would stare into their eyes and only see lust. But not the lust I wanted.

My dad's mouth uttered quiet words to my mum and her eyes looked at the lineup, nodded and resumed speaking with him. I guess my mystery Alpha wouldn't be joining us this evening...

I stood before the Alphas, my back facing away from the glowering eyes of their pack members. Parents bidding their sons farewell.

My father began the ceremony.

"On this night we gather. Upon this cliffside, the very first tournament took place years ago. Now, our ancestors guide our Unclaimed Luna. To discover the road of her s****l nature, her blooming maturity as the role of Luna and to become the fertile bride of the future generations!

"Your sons have offered themselves to the tradition. Nothing was won without sacrifice. The Alphas must compete in order to claim victory. Should they die, let it be with honour. Should they submit and return upon this cliffside, they shall not be thought of as a coward.

"We will now begin the ceremony, the Unclaimed will select one Alpha to temporality bond with. This bond will last until the sun sets again." 

When my dad finished the speech, all fell silent on the blowing wind. Although I liked the different personalities of the males in front of me - all but Greyson - the one I wanted was...

"Apologies for the interruption, but I dare to say that honour falls to my son," a voice spoke.

I spun on my heel quickly. I spied with my curious eyes a group of males.

Rowen and Alice pulled me close to them, growling through the chilling wind. I bit my lip, my body gained the interior heat it was lacking until now.

Something stirred inside of me.

"I don't think that would be appropriate, Lucian. Your son was late and should, therefore, be the last for the Alphas' take off," dad's words were spat from his mouth like a mouthful of poison.

My growl of annoyance didn't go unnoticed as my father and I glared at one another.

Who I assumed was Lucian, another born of Native American heritage only chuckled bitterly. His arms folded over his chest as his burning red eyes glistened in the moon's halo.

"I'm afraid that the decision doesn't fall to you. The Unclaimed can freely choose whomever she desires. And I think..."

His eyes finally landed on my form, behind Rowen and Alice. His lips turned upwards and I could see the dimples in his face become deeper and deeper. "My son has an advantage," Lucian concluded. 

A figure from behind him came forward and my heart fluttered. It was the Alpha. When I peeked over Rowen's shoulder, I inhaled the air desperately. It was him for sure. The one from the tent.

I shoved past Rowen and Alice, earning a shriek from both of them but I completely blocked them out. My eyes widened at the pure beauty before me. A finely shaped, sharp jawline. A pair of hunters eyes bathed in the crimson shade, the same ones my soul was stolen by and the same eyes that brought that intimate edge.

"You..." my voice brought a tight smirk to the Alpha's wide lips, the desire to press my own against his became a strong feeling whirling around in my stomach. My head turned to look over my shoulders. My parents, Rowen... Alice...the Alphas both held aggression and shattered hope in their eyes.

My eyes returned to the Alpha that had caught my attention so quickly. His body was clad in a black, leather trench coat, black combat pants and boots. His sculptured form, I could admire for many moons to come. He was what I could describe only as a trained killer with a large s****l appetite.

His father laughed, his breath becoming thick airborne particles in the atmosphere. "I see you take a liking to my son, Genesis."

Genesis.

"Don't be shy, my dear. He won't bite... much..." Lucian's laugh hexed the air with a wicked spell. 

That feeling returned once again, heat spreading through my veins and my thighs becoming agitated with the need to rub together, in hopes of vanquishing that feeling inside. I walked the distance to reach Genesis, his blood hued eyes stealing the essence of my soul away and bringing only a hunger to the world of my predatory nature.  Only he could awaken the resting beast inside.

When I was in arm's length, his limb tugged me into the rock side he called the front of his body. The moon behind him was just like a halo, his face nearly hidden in complete shadow, but the aesthetic brought life to those eyes of his. And a primal rush in my veins. A savage need to be claimed.

The cold stare he gave me sent shivers down the course of my spin as he lifted a section of my skirt up. His hand delved under the fabric of my dress and soon enough, my undergarment was shifted over. His fingers caressed my sensitive region, tugging this way and that like a master controlling his puppet. My hands sank into the flesh of his shoulders, moaning quietly into the leather. The lust clouded my mind once again, but he suddenly pushed me away. I fell to the ground, shakily trying to get up. Rowen quickly dove and brought me to my feet, glaring at Genesis and Alice growling.

I watched as Genesis licked the glistening substance from his fingers but his eyes completely avoided mine. "I guess she'll do."

Genesis' words brought a stinging pain to my eyes and my heart shattered. Exploding into a million pieces. What?

Was he just using me? I...thought he was he interested in me...

My doe eye expression caused Genesis to finally look at me. His long, black hair resembled the wings of a dark angel. "Do you really think I care? I kill for sport, not for you," Genesis groaned, breaking my heart evermore.

Genesis approached me with steps echoing the drums of war. Rowen was quick to step in front of me, protecting me but Genesis shoved him aside. Two members held Rowen back from pouncing on Genesis. My eyes became wells for my tears. My chin was lifted and Genesis breathed something in my ear.

Alice ripped me from Genesis before he could do any more damage. My eyes fell to the ground for I feared the looks of betrayal on the others' faces. My dad hesitantly spoke as I joined him at his side.

"The Unclaimed has chosen...it is time," he said and turned to me. His hands paused on my shoulders and he embraced me, holding his girl close. Maybe for the final time.

"My daughter...I'm so sorry..." his words shook the fragile mirror of my childhood memories. I pulled away from him and he nodded to me. "Run."

His words triggered the flight response. I turned to the Alphas and their eyes all held Hell on a leash. This only ignited the feeling to run and I jumped off the slope. I ran down the hill as fast as I could.

I could see the refuge of the forest ahead and I urged my legs to move faster. When I reached the treeline of the forest, I didn't stop. Once I heard the first shot, one of the Alphas of random choice would come running after me, to find either me or shelter first.

My vision wasn't the best in the dark and I would occasionally fall down after tripping on a root. When the moon offered a beacon of light, I followed it putting my trust in the silver light. I stumbled, again and again, crying through my experience. The forest was filled with horrors and images played through my mind. Horrible images filled with death, violence and my brutal claiming.

I fell to my knees after who knows how long and the bile in my stomach threatened to make me vomit. But I was stronger than that. I looked around me and I saw it in this clearing I found myself in. A large mountain of stone was the tower. The beacon I sought after for refuge.

I climbed the moss-covered rocks of the tower-like formation. Passing by a tree that clung to the rocks and dirt patch I neared the mouth of the cave. Peering inside I saw it was empty. I crawled inside and the scent of the ancient Unclaimed before me filled my nose. This was the cave they chose.

Petals of flowers littered the floor, with furs, also huddled against the floor near the back of the cave. I crawled onto the furs and sighed, tired of the day's events. That was when I heard the first shot. I neared the entrance to see a bright red light flying up into the night sky.

I backed away from the mouth of my new found shelter and I brought my knees to my chest. As I counted each shot my mind continued to ponder over my thoughts and feelings.

How Genesis brought a wonderful sense of arousal. Greyson and how he struck fear into my chest. And my friends, the Alphas I had mingled with. Bonded with over the campfire.

The shots continued to echo until I counted the last one.

"Twelve..."

My eyes felt like they were led and I was pulled into a deep sleep, unable to keep my eyes open. 

The once clear water of the rivers became red with blood, and the sky was painted red. The tree branches became sharp claws reaching out for me. My own shadow became a bloodthirsty beast with jagged teeth. I just run in place, never escaping the horrors. Alphas fighting and spilling blood like savage and untamed creatures. I whimper in fear and shut my eyes to make it all disappear but to no avail. Opening my eyes I see bodies stacked upon one another as a hill of corpses.

Standing upon those lifeless bodies was a madly possessed Alpha. His identity shrouded from me. His eyes were wild and filled with savage victory. He lunges at me with his blood-stained teeth bared at me, a demonic snarl escaped from him as he pinned me down. His body invaded my own, viciously intruding me. I scream for nothing. No one could help me no matter how loud I screamed. I fight back, biting and scratching but when I try to run, he rips at my flesh and mounts me. Once again, he forces himself onto me as he laughs like a complete maniac, only becoming more rougher. I yelp and cry out in pain and despair.

"No!" I scream one final time.