Two: A duel to the death

Tatiana.

“A duel? Why the sudden change of mind? I thought you already promised me your daughter’s hand, your majesty.” Benjamin’s irritated voice echoes around us as we sit in my father’s throne room. 

My father, Ernard Thorison is the Alpha King of the Beipheton kingdom and he has many packs under his rule. 

 He had just told us the council of Alphas felt it wasn’t fair for me to be mated to Alpha Benjamin as he isn’t my fated mate. They demanded to be given a fair chance. A duel would be held in a week and the winner will get to be my betrothed and my husband in a day’s time. 

“Papa, I'm in love with Alpha Benjamin. The duel is not necessary.” I say as I look up at him and he sighs. The crown on top of his greying dirty blond hair now looks heavy as he frowns at my words, deep in thought. 

“We have to do this for peace’s sake, Tatiana. If I don’t appease these Alphas, they might rebel and plan a usurpation.” 

I feel my heart thundering in my chest. My father’s throne was important to him so I understand why he agreed to the conditions. Looking at Benjamin, I smile and hold his hand. 

“Well, let them come then. We all know Alpha Benjamin is the strongest Alpha in the kingdom. He will win the duel in a few minutes.” I say proudly. 

“That’s right, your majesty. I won’t let you down.” Benjamin promises and bows his head. He stands up from his seat gracefully as my eyes follow his every movement. “May I be excused, my King? I would like to go and prepare for the duel.” 

“You’re dismissed.” My father says calmly and when Benjamin turns to leave, I stand up and follow him behind. 

He walks straight ahead with large strides and I fail to keep up, almost tripping on my long emerald gown. Doesn’t he sense me behind him? Or is he upset about the sudden upcoming duel?

I hold up my heavy dress and trot to his side while I look around to make sure Gena didn’t see me not acting like a princess. 

“Wait… Benjamin. I agreed because I knew you would win anyway.” I say as I hold onto his jacket and stop him in his tracks. 

He turns to face me and smiles warmly. A smile that warms my heart.

 “I know. Don’t worry. I won’t let another man get what’s mine.” 

When he says this, there's a strong edge to his tone and I can see determination dancing in his eyes like fiery flames. My heart swells knowing he was willing to do anything to claim me as his. 

I smile as I look up at him dreamily, my heart skipping a beat. “Then I’ll see you in a week,” I say. 

“Mmmmm, see you.” Is all he says before taking my hand and kissing it like always. He gives me a small smirk and turns to leave. I feel empty as I watch him get into his carriage and leave the castle grounds. 

A sigh leaves my lips. I hope a week's time comes soon. 

Little did I know, me agreeing to the duel was the very beginning of my doom. 

…

The arena within the castle is buzzing with Alphas, their Betas and warriors. A week had passed and it was now the day of the duel. My father didn’t allow many to enter the premises apart from those taking part in the competition. 

I am going to be married off soon but it seems he still wants to keep me hidden from prying eyes. My father is seated on his golden throne while I’m on his left and his concubine on his right. 

The centre is left empty for the fight and I watch in awe as my man walks in, shirtless with only leather pants on. His hair is still as neat as ever and the confidence and dominance he's oozing make him look like he’s already won the fight. 

I feel my heart race when he raises his head. My heart skips a beat when he blows me a kiss and I hold my chest, feeling utterly overwhelmed and I know my face is flushed right now. 

“I told you, papa. He’s going to win this.” I say to my father confidently and he grunts his response. 

Benjamin arrogantly walks to the centre and looks around the arena. “I’ve staked a claim on the princess. Who in here dares to challenge me? Come down here and fight!”

A gasp escapes my lips and I look at my father who has a frown on his face. Is this how it was supposed to be? I thought the fight was planned with pairs and all and then the champions would have to fight at the end. 

My father doesn’t stop him though and I sigh, sitting back in my chair just as someone gets up and jumps onto the centre where Benjamin is standing. 

The weather is warm outside but I suddenly feel a chill run down my spine and I crease my brows. What is this? Why do I feel like something bad is about to happen?

Benjamin and his opponent start their fight and the brutal way they keep going at each other has me cringing away in fear. I’ve never seen a real fight before. Neither have I seen Benjamin look so vicious before. 

I turn to face my father who now has a smile on his face as if he’s enjoying this. Is this ok? They are snarling and clawing at each other dangerously. Shouldn’t it be a friendly match? Why is there blood permeating the air?

 Looking around, I see many cheering happily like this is normal. They have no look of horror on their faces. It's like they are used to this kind of thing. This is when I realize, my father had kept me sheltered all my life. 

I knew nothing of the real world. 

A round of applause echoes in the air and I turn my attention back to the center and find Benjamin hovering over his opponent with his claws at his neck while the other bares his neck in submission. 

He gets up and lets out a loud growl of victory but I’m scared witless. He has blood all over him and he did quite a number on his friend. As if he was aiming to kill him. 

I hold my father’s hand. “Papa. Stop them, please. I have a bad feeling about this.” I say, my voice quivering. 

“Don’t worry sweetheart. This is normal. They will heal within seconds.” He says nonchalantly and I’m forced to watch as Benjamin fights 12 Alphas. 

As much as I’m happy I get to be with the man I love, I don’t like the cruel violence he’s portraying. I just saw him rip an arm off one of his opponents. 

The floor where he stands is now stained with blood while he grins happily at the strength he’s displayed. At this moment, I suddenly realize there’s more to the man I want to get mated to than he’s let me see. 

He used to say he hates violence as much as I do. But looking at his happy face right now, it dawns on me that he actually enjoys it. He enjoys seeing his opponents bleed. He enjoys making them submit; for some reason, I feel like I’m looking at a stranger. 

But all those thoughts get squashed away when he wipes away his blood and turns around to face me, his gaze softening before bowing. 

“I won.” He says with a big grin.  “Now I can claim you with no worries, my love.” 

My heart does a backflip as the crowd applauds. He won… my heart leaps with joy and I feel guilty for judging him. Of course, they were fighting. They needed to shed a little blood. How would he win if he did it in a friendly way?

I stand to my feet without breaking our eye contact. A smile crosses my lips as I feel my heart swell. I’m about to curtsy to him, a sign of reverence to my future groom and king but before I could even lower myself, the doors open up with a loud terrifying bang. 

A huge handsome man with a rugged look walks in majestically and I see my father stand to his feet just as the royal guards jump into the arena to surround him but he towers above them still. 

While normal werewolf men stand at 6’ to 6’3 this man stands at 7’. He is shirtless too and has a body to die for. 

I gulp as his eyes lock with mine. Grey eyes, short black hair on top of his head with trimmed sides, well-defined jaw… tattoos on his arms and chest… he keeps looking at me like I’m a prize to be won and he won’t leave this place until he gets me. 

“Roy! What the fuck are you doing here?” I gasp, my eyes widening when I hear my father use a curse word for the first time. The anger he's exuding is suffocating and I wonder who this handsome Roy guy is and why my father looks scared of him. 

Roy smirks. “I’m here to duel for the princess.” His voice is calm and low but it sounds dangerous and it sends a shiver down my spine. It sounds strong and it resonates in the arena so powerfully, making everyone want to submit to him. 

Who is this man?

The way everyone is looking at him warily tells me he’s not to be trifled with and I suddenly feel afraid for Benjamin. 

“Over my dead body! Roy, you know Lycans are prohibited from entering the kingdom!” My father’s words make my stomach knot. 

Lycans? He’s the infamous Lycan king I hear the guards talking about? I frown at this. Why would a disfigured wolf want to be mated to a werewolf? I don’t know much about Lycans but my father said they are monsters and unhinged. 

Wait… if he’s unhinged then Benjamin would be in danger. I’m about to ask him to leave the arena when he steps closer to Roy arrogantly. 

“I accept your challenge, beast. I’ll rip your head off and offer it to the princess as a betrothal gift.”

My heart pounds erratically and I wonder what Benjamin is thinking. There’s no way he would win against a Lycan if the stories I’ve heard about them are true. 

My heart drops to the pit of my stomach when Roy’s voice booms around the arena. 

“A duel to the death then? Game on.”