My Contract Mate

The Fight

Chapter Two – The Fight

(Seraphina’s POV)

The sky was a blend of fiery orange and purple as the sun rose, casting a heavy atmosphere over the pack. It was the day of the fight, and I could feel the tension in the air. The fight between Ronan and Marcus was set to determine the future of the pack. If Ronan won, he would be crowned the new Alpha. If he lost… well, we didn’t speak about that possibility.

I had prepared him as much as I could, pushing him to his limits, but deep down, I knew Ronan wasn’t ready. Marcus was too strong, too experienced. The pack was counting on him, but I wasn’t sure he could rise to the occasion. I hated to admit it, but it was the truth.

The sound of boots against the earth echoed in my ears as warriors began to gather around the arena. The open field was large and surrounded by high stone walls, the perfect place for a fight. My eyes scanned the crowd, and I caught sight of Marcus standing tall and proud across from Ronan. Marcus was a beast, his muscles rippling under his black leather armor. He looked ready, and he had the confidence of a man who had already won.

Ronan stood beside me, his face tense with uncertainty. His golden eyes were scanning Marcus, and I could see the worry in them. It wasn’t just about his strength—it was about what was at stake. If he didn’t win, everything would change. He wouldn’t just lose the title of Alpha. He would lose everything.

“Ronan,” I said quietly, grabbing his arm as I pulled him aside. “Listen to me, you’ve trained hard for this. You’ve got the strength. Don’t let him get into your head. Fight with everything you have. Don’t hesitate.”

He looked at me, his jaw clenched. “But he’s stronger. He’s—”

“No,” I interrupted firmly, squeezing his arm. “You can do this. Don’t doubt yourself. You’re better than him, but you have to believe that. You have to show him that you are the Alpha, not him.”

Ronan nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. I could see his resolve starting to form, but I wasn’t sure it was enough. I had one more thing to do to ensure his victory.

The pack’s warriors were preparing for the fight, the energy crackling in the air. I could hear the familiar growls and howls of wolves shifting as they got ready for the spectacle. The smell of earth and sweat filled my nostrils as I moved to the side of the arena, where Marcus’s water jug sat, unattended.

I moved quickly, my heart pounding in my chest. The vial in my hand felt heavier than it really was. I knew exactly what it could do—how it would weaken Marcus’s strength during the fight. He wouldn’t even realize it until it was too late.

I glanced around the crowded arena to make sure no one was looking. The pack was busy preparing, the warriors putting on their armor and stretching their muscles. The air was thick with excitement and nervous energy. But in the corner, no one was paying attention to Marcus’s water jug. This was my chance.

With a steady hand, I unscrewed the cap of the vial and poured the contents into the jug. The liquid mixed in easily, invisible to the naked eye. It was colorless, and if I was careful, no one would notice.

I stepped back, wiping my hands on my pants as I surveyed the scene. I didn’t feel bad for what I was doing. Marcus was a threat to Ronan, and to our pack. This was the only way. He wouldn’t just lose the fight—he’d be left vulnerable, and I couldn’t let that happen.

The sound of Marcus’s voice drew me from my thoughts. “I’ll show you all how a real Alpha fights. Ronan doesn’t stand a chance.”

He was taunting Ronan, trying to get into his head. I could feel the anger rising in my chest, but I kept my composure. Ronan needed to stay focused.

I walked over to him, my gaze sharp. “Don’t drink from that jug,” I told him quietly, making sure only he could hear me. “Marcus is playing games with you. He’s trying to get inside your head. Don’t fall for it.”

Ronan gave me a confused look, his golden eyes full of doubt. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, he’s trying to weaken you. Stay strong. Don’t drink from that jug. You need every bit of strength you have, and that water won’t help you.” I watched as Ronan’s eyes flicked over to Marcus’s jug.

“But I’m thirsty,” he said quietly.

“You’ll survive,” I replied firmly, “but if you drink that, it could cost you everything.”

Ronan’s gaze lingered on the jug for a moment, his brow furrowing. Then he nodded, turning away without another word.

The air grew thick with tension as the fight was about to begin. Warriors were shifting into wolves, the transformation a blur of muscle and fur. The ground beneath us shook slightly as the howls of wolves echoed throughout the arena. I could hear the shifting of bones and the growls as men and women turned into their animal forms, ready for battle.

I didn’t need to look at Ronan to know that he had also shifted. His scent, mixed with the fresh, earthy smell of the forest, surrounded me. Ronan was a strong wolf, even if he didn’t always believe it himself. I knew he could do this.

Marcus was already in wolf form, his fur dark and sleek like midnight. His eyes glowed a fierce amber, a sign of his dominance. He was a large, imposing creature, with powerful muscles that rippled beneath his fur. He had been an Alpha before, and he would fight with everything he had.

Ronan, however, was faster. His wolf form was lithe, with a golden sheen to his fur that glowed in the sunlight. He was smaller than Marcus, but he was quick, and he could use that to his advantage.

The moment they stepped into the center of the arena, the ground seemed to tremble under their weight. The pack gathered in a circle around them, watching with bated breath. I stood near the edge, my body tense, my eyes locked on Ronan.

The fight started with a snap of claws and a furious growl. Marcus lunged first, his teeth bared and his massive wolf form barreling toward Ronan. But Ronan dodged, his movements swift as he sidestepped, using his smaller size to avoid the brute force of Marcus’s attack.

The wolves collided again and again, snarling and snapping at each other. Marcus was relentless, his strength overpowering. But Ronan didn’t give up. He fought back with everything he had, pushing himself harder than he ever had before.

But I knew Marcus was weakening. I could see the hesitation in his movements. His attacks were slower, more calculated, and his once-dominant stance was faltering.

I could see the effects of the injection I had slipped into his water. He wasn’t able to recover as quickly from the blows. He was slower to dodge, and his stamina was failing him.

Ronan, on the other hand, was growing more confident with every passing moment. His golden eyes shone with determination, and his body was moving more fluidly as he fought. I could feel the pride rising in my chest. This was the Ronan I had trained—this was the wolf I needed.

The fight raged on for what felt like hours. The crowd cheered and howled as the wolves clashed in a dance of power and ferocity.

Then, it happened.

Ronan saw his opening. With a burst of speed, he dodged Marcus’s attack and tackled him to the ground. Marcus’s large wolf form crashed against the dirt, a loud thud echoing through the arena. Ronan was on top of him in an instant, pinning Marcus’s shoulders down with his strong paws.

Marcus growled in frustration, but he could hardly move. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body weak from the effects of the injection.

Ronan loomed over him, his golden eyes blazing with victory. "I won," he said, his voice low and triumphant.

The pack exploded into cheers, howls of praise filling the air. Ronan had won. He had beaten Marcus.

I felt the relief flood through me, the tension sliding from my shoulders. He'd done it. He was going to be Alpha.

Ronan shifted back to his human shape, his body streaked with dirt and sweat. He looked down at Marcus, who was still on the ground, gasping for air.

All at once, Ronan spun towards me, a huge smile spreading across his face. He rushed towards me and hugged me, holding me aloft in his arms. "I did it, Sera!" he shouted, beaming with joy. "I'm the Alpha now! I couldn't have done it without you."

I smiled, my heart swelling with pride. "You did it, Ronan. You've worked for it."

He grasped me tightly, his arms embracing me as though never to let me go. I could sense the warmth of his body, the relief in his touch, and the enthusiasm in his voice.

The day after would be when he was officially declared as Alpha. And it would be when he would introduce me as his mate before the pack.

But for the moment, none of it mattered but that we had won. Ronan had won, and our new life as the pack leaders had been begun. Tomorrow would be different. The pack would look up to Ronan as their Alpha, and I would be by his side as his mate. We had fought for it, and we had won.

But inside, I knew that this win was just the start. There were greater wars to be fought, and we would fight them together.

And I would never let him fall. Not again.