Forced To Fight
537 Words
Selene's wrists ached from the rough rope binding them. She stood in the dimly lit training hall, her sharp gaze locked on Rael Thorncrest, the infamous Alpha of Obsidian Hollow. His cold, piercing eyes studied her, amusement flickering in their depths.
"You claim to be a fighter," Rael drawled, arms crossed over his broad chest. "Prove it."
A circle of warriors surrounded them, their eager expressions making it clear they expected her failure. Selene’s muscles tensed. She had fought for survival before, but this was different. This was humiliation packaged as a test.
A towering man stepped forward, muscles rippling beneath his leather armor. His smirk was full of arrogance.
"Try not to cry, little wolf," he taunted.
Selene clenched her jaw. She had no choice but to fight.
The first hit came fast—a brutal punch aimed at her ribs. Selene twisted at the last second, narrowly avoiding the blow. The crowd murmured in surprise, but her opponent recovered quickly, throwing another strike. This time, she wasn’t fast enough.
Pain exploded through her side, knocking the air from her lungs. She staggered, but didn’t fall.
"Not bad," Rael commented lazily. "But not good enough."
Selene ignored him, her focus on the warrior before her. He rushed in, expecting her to dodge. Instead, she dropped low, sweeping his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, cursing.
The warriors jeered, but a flicker of something else passed through Rael’s eyes—interest.
"Again," Rael ordered.
Selene wiped blood from her lip and raised her fists. Her body ached, but she refused to back down.
Her next opponent was faster. He landed a brutal kick to her stomach, sending her sprawling. Laughter rippled through the room.
Rael sighed. "I expected more."
Selene forced herself up. She met Rael’s gaze with defiance, her breath ragged but her will unbroken. "Then keep watching."
The warrior charged. Selene feigned weakness, waiting until he was close before driving her elbow into his throat. He collapsed, gasping for air.
Silence. Then, a slow clap.
Rael.
"Enough." Rael’s voice cut through the tension. He strode forward, stopping inches from Selene. "You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that. But stubbornness alone won’t keep you alive."
Selene straightened, ignoring the pain coursing through her. "I don’t need your advice."
Rael chuckled, a deep sound that sent shivers down her spine. "No, but you need me."
She hated the way his presence made her pulse race. He radiated control, dominance. But she was no one’s pawn.
"You’re wrong," she said. "I only need myself."
Rael’s gaze darkened. "We’ll see."
Selene lay in her cell that night, every bruise a reminder of her failure. Her pride stung more than her wounds.
She had fought, but she had not won. Not yet.
Footsteps echoed outside her door. A moment later, it swung open. Rael stepped inside, his imposing form blocking the exit.
"Tomorrow, we fight again," he said.
Selene sat up, meeting his gaze without fear. "Then tomorrow, I’ll be ready."
Rael smirked. "Good. Because next time, you’ll be fighting me."
Her breath caught, but she didn’t let it show.
The door slammed shut, leaving her alone with the promise of battlea nd something far more dangerous.
- Writer
