The Alpha's Regret

Trial by Combat

The sun rose blood-red over the arena.

I stood in the center of the circle, my heart pounding. Marcus stood across from me, his sword gleaming with dark energy.

"The rules are simple," the announcer declared. "First to yield or die."

"Die it is," Marcus said, grinning.

The bell rang.

He moved faster than I expected4a blur of dark energy and steel. I barely dodged his first strike, the force of it sending me stumbling backward.

"You're weak," he hissed. "Just like your mother."

I roared and unleashed my power. Silver light collided with his dark energy, shaking the arena.

"You have potential," Marcus admitted, circling me. "But potential isn't enough."

He lunged again, and this time his blade found my shoulder. I cried out, the pain searing through me.

"Elara!" Damian's voice from the stands.

I can't lose. Not now. Not after everything.

I closed my eyes and reached into the deepest part of myself. The power I had been too afraid to touch. The power my mother had hidden in me.

It answered.

The silver light around me turned white, so bright the crowd had to look away. Marcus shielded his eyes, and in that moment, I struck.

"Yield," I said, my blade at his throat.

He laughed. "You think this is over? The Council will never accept you. Your mother was a threat. You are a threat. And threats are eliminated."

"Then I guess I'll have to change the Council's mind."

But before I could move, Marcus pulled a hidden dagger and lunged.

A body slammed into me, knocking me out of the way.

Damian.

The dagger had found his chest instead.

"NO!"

I caught him as he fell, his blood hot against my hands. "Why?" I sobbed. "Why would you do that?"

"Because..." He coughed, blood bubbling on his lips. "Because I love you. And I never should have let you go."

"You stupid, stupid man."

"I know." He smiled weakly. "But at least now you know the truth."

"Don't leave me. Please."

"The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways." He closed his eyes. "Maybe she'll give me a second chance."

I screamed as his body went still.

**Hook: Damian takes a fatal blow meant for Elara. Will he survive? And with Marcus defeated, can Elara finally take control of the Council?**