THE ALPHA'S SECOND CHANCE MATE

A HEAT OF BATTLE

A HEAT OF BATTLE

ELENA'S POV

I peeked through the door, my heart still pounding from everything that had just happened. The room was empty. Liam wasn’t there. A part of me felt relieved, but another part... another part of me felt something else, something I couldn’t quite put into words. I swallowed hard, gathering my courage before stepping out of the bathroom, dressed in his clothes. His scent clung to me, wrapping around me like a second skin, and it only made everything more confusing.

I ran a hand through my damp hair, trying to shake off the thoughts swirling in my mind. What had just happened? What was I even thinking, pulling him into the bathroom like that? I let out a shaky breath, pushing the thought aside. I needed to get out of here. I needed air.

The house felt too quiet as I made my way downstairs and out the door. The cool evening breeze hit my face, but it did little to cool the heat rushing through my body. I walked with no real destination in mind, my thoughts replaying the kiss, the feel of Liam’s lips on mine, the way his eyes darkened when he looked at me. What did it all mean?

I shook my head, trying to focus on the present. It didn’t matter now. What was done was done, and I couldn’t change it.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, someone shoved me from the side. I stumbled, my arms flailing for balance, but I quickly regained my footing. Anger surged through me as I turned around, my eyes narrowing at the person who had pushed me. It was her. The girl from earlier — Maria. Her eyes burned with anger, a smirk playing on her lips.

“Well, well, well... Look who we have here,” she sneered, crossing her arms over her chest. “The little thief.”

I felt my blood boil, every fiber of my being tensing up. How dare she? Before I could respond, Ivana’s voice filled my head.

"Ignore her," Ivana mind-linked me, but I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening.

Ignoring her wasn’t an option.

“What did you say?” I growled, stepping toward Maria. The air between us crackled with tension.

Maria’s smirk only widened as she took a step closer. “You heard me. You think you can just waltz in here and take what isn’t yours? Liam was never meant for you. You’re nothing but a pathetic outsider.”

My blood boiled, and before I could stop myself, I shoved her back, hard. “You don’t know anything about me,” I hissed, my voice low and dangerous. “Don’t think you can push me around.”

Maria chuckled darkly, her eyes glinting with malicious intent. “If you’re so brave, then how about we settle this properly? I challenge you to a truce. Ten minutes. Warrior grounds.”

Her challenge hung in the air, and for a moment, I could hear Ivana’s growl reverberating in my mind. She was furious, her wolf pacing with anger.

“I accept,” Ivana growled through the mind link, and without hesitation, I repeated her words aloud, my voice laced with fury. “I accept.”

Maria clapped her hands together mockingly, her laugh echoing in the cool air. “Good. Let’s see if you can back up those big words,” she sneered before turning and walking away, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding with anger.

I stomped my foot against the ground, the sound reverberating in the empty space around me. I was seething. I made my way toward the warrior grounds, every step fueled by rage. How dare she challenge me like that? How dare she think she could humiliate me?

By the time I arrived, a small crowd had gathered, murmuring amongst themselves as they waited for the fight to begin. Maria was already there, standing in the center of the grounds, her arms crossed and an arrogant smirk plastered on her face.

“Ready to lose?” she taunted, her voice dripping with confidence.

I glared at her, feeling Ivana stir within me, her energy feeding into my own. “Let’s get this over with,” I growled, stepping into the ring.

The fight began, and before I could even process what was happening, Maria lunged at me with brutal force. Her fist connected with my ribs, knocking the air out of me. Pain shot through my body as I hit the ground, gasping for breath. I could hear the crowd around us, their voices a blur as I struggled to stand.

Maria didn’t give me a chance to recover. She was relentless, delivering blow after blow, each one more painful than the last. My vision blurred as I tried to block her attacks, but it was no use. She was faster, stronger.

I hit the ground again, my body screaming in pain. My ribs ached, my head spun, but I refused to give up. I wouldn’t let her win.

Maria stood over me, her foot ready to deliver the final blow, and then she leaned down, her voice dripping with mockery. “You’re nothing but a pathetic weak wolf. I’m sure Liam hates you. In fact, no one wants you.”

Something snapped inside me. The pain, the anger, the humiliation — it all surged together, fueling me with a new kind of strength. Ivana roared inside my mind, and in one swift move, I kicked Maria’s leg out from under her, sending her crashing to the ground. I was on her in an instant, my fist connecting with her jaw, knocking her unconscious in one clean hit.

The crowd gasped as Maria lay motionless on the ground. I stood over her, my body trembling with exhaustion and pain. I had won.

But the victory didn’t feel sweet. My legs wobbled beneath me, and I could feel my strength fading fast. My vision blurred again, and the pain in my ribs was unbearable. I was bruised, broken, barely able to stand.

Just as I was about to collapse, a hand wrapped around my waist, steadying me. I blinked, my vision fading in and out, and I caught a glimpse of the person holding me.

“Liam...” I muttered weakly, before everything went black.