CHAPTER 13
1087 Words
WILLIAMS
“She liked it so much. You should have seen the way her whole face lit up the moment she saw the gesture,” Drew said as soon as we met up to walk to the combat field together.
I nodded, keeping my face straight and my gaze fixed ahead.
I shouldn’t care. My mind shouldn’t be filled with thoughts of how her face looked when she saw the field that was now hers. But deep down, I wanted to know.
“Why didn’t you just give her the gift yourself? Trust me, she would have appreciated it more if it had come from you.” Drew’s words were casual, but they struck something inside me.
I thought back to the field nights we had shared, the constant worry gnawing at me whenever she was there. It was dangerous, too dangerous for her. That was why I made this decision, why I went ahead and did it without thinking about that part of me that wanted nothing to do with her.
But this past week, I had learned too much about her to ignore. She was kind, soft-hearted, and gentle in the way she interacted with people. The way she spoke to them, the happiness on her face at the smallest things, it could make anyone rethink whatever harm they intended for her.
“Why are you suddenly smiling? Did I miss a joke?” Andrew nudged me.
I immediately wiped the smile off my face. Who was I kidding?
“Why do you always need to know everything? Mind your damn business.” I shot him a look before walking ahead, ignoring his chuckle as he kept up.
The combat field was crowded when we arrived. As soon as people spotted us, heads bowed, and greetings filled the air. We made our way to the center, and despite the noise, I felt a rare sense of calm. Here, in this place, I could train and forget about the troubles that burdened my pack.
“What is she doing here?” Williams’ voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I turned to see Elsa waving at me.
She was much younger than her sister, yet she spoke to her without an ounce of respect. That alone irked me, but even worse was the way she constantly threw herself at me. It was both irritating and exhausting.
“She’s coming this way. What are you going to do about her?” Williams mind-linked me.
I sighed as I watched her make her way through the crowd. In a field filled with warriors, where women were only allowed as spectators, she was the only one daring enough to climb through the ropes and approach.
“Let’s spar.” I spoke aloud, ignoring Elsa completely.
Williams smirked, pulling off his shirt to the loud, eager screams of the crowd. I shook my head. The way people swooned over him was always amusing. But today, I had no interest in entertaining them. I kept my vest on, ignoring the disappointed murmurs around me.
Gripping my sword, I took my stance.
Williams bowed slightly before pointing his dagger at me.
I chuckled, knowing that no matter how hard he tried, I would always win.
“I’m only letting you win, my future alpha,” he scowled.
I laughed as we began circling each other, the crowd growing in anticipation.
We moved like two predators, reading each other’s movements, waiting for an opening. The crowd’s cheers blurred into the background as the fight intensified. His golden eyes gleamed with excitement, but I knew him too well, he was holding back, waiting for me to make the first move.
Not today.
With a sharp pivot, he lunged, his blade slicing through the air toward my side. I dodged effortlessly, twisting away just as he spun and struck again. The blade stopped inches from my throat, his advantage was clear.
“Too slow,” I taunted.
His smirk vanished, replaced by a look of pure determination.
He attacked faster, his dagger flashing toward me in a relentless assault. I ducked, narrowly avoiding the blade, then kicked at his legs. He stumbled but recovered quickly, rolling to the side and springing back up.
The playful teasing between us faded. Instinct took over.
He rushed me, his attacks precise, ruthless.
Our swords clashed, ringing through the arena. I parried, twisted, and stepped in to break his rhythm, but he didn’t relent. Then, I saw it, the flicker in his stance that signaled a shift in strategy.
I reacted instantly. Before he could move, I surged forward, shoving against his chest. He stumbled, and in one swift motion, I knocked his weapon from his grip, sending it skidding across the dirt.
The crowd gasped as I pressed my sword to his throat.
Silence fell.
“You always forget one thing,” he murmured.
Before I could react, his free hand shot out, grabbing my wrist in a vice grip. In a blur of motion, he twisted, pulling me forward and sending us both to the ground. My sword was knocked from my grasp, and suddenly, he was above me, pinning me down with his weight.
The crowd roared in shock and approval.
He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my cheek. “You underestimate me, future alpha.”
I huffed, torn between annoyance and amusement. “And you always gloat too soon.”
Bracing my legs, I kicked up with all my strength, flipping him onto his back. In an instant, I was straddling him, my hidden dagger pressed against his chest. His eyes widened in surprise before a deep chuckle rumbled through him.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement turning into chants of my name.
I grinned down at him. “I win.”
He exhaled, shaking his head. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re still a sore loser.” I laughed, standing and offering him a hand.
He took it, and we shook before embracing, ending the fight as the cheers grew even louder.
I turned to the crowd, and there she was.
Her beautiful, enchanting smile. Her excitement as she jumped up in celebration.
A wide smile spread across my face.
Maybe, just maybe, this win was totally worth it.
Before I could bask in the moment, Andrew rushed up to me.
“It’s your father. He needs us back right now, there’s trouble.”
His eyes were filled with worry.
I didn’t need to ask what happened. Without hesitation, we ran.
- Writer
