Ara's POV“It is not possible,” I said low. “I have not held bow nor arrow for long now. I am weak. This is not the way to win a man’s heart. I need him to fall for me—not to think of me as one brave enough to flee after.”She let out a long breath. “You do not understand. The one who wins the trial may ask the jael—the chieftain—anything. Even… to spend the night with him.”My heart jumped. “Huh?” I said, voice small. Heat rose in my cheeks. Spend the night with him? It would not be the first… yet it still felt like the first. It had been long.I cleared my throat. “I did not know of such a game.”“Of course you would not.”But I could not push away the strange feeling in my chest—the look in her eyes. Nia, the sweet little girl, now looked at me like a wolf. A fierce fire in her stare. Someone who seeks revenge.I wished to know the truth behind her help. She could have walked past me, left me to freeze in the rain. But she did not.“I know you spoke your reason for helping me,” I s
The man I once called saviour—he was no saviour. He was not what I thought. He was the brother of Sebastian’s betrothed. A twist I did not see.After the strike across my cheek, my eyes blurred, yet my ears did not fail me. I knew the voice that rose for me. And in that moment, I was glad.I dared not say his name aloud. If Vaxar knew, I feared death. Aye, I was fooled.Vaxar called him by another name. A name I had never heard. Not Lewis, not Raphael—who was he truly?At first, I thought it a mistake. But then I saw her—his sister. Colder than Vaxar, crueler still.Her voice was sharp with hate. She looked at me with scorn. Why such hate? She knew me not, yet hated me.Lewis—or Raphael—he stood for me once more, but his sister silenced him. He obeyed her like a dog to a master. I was punished again. But my heart did not break. I swore then—I would win Sebastian’s love. No matter what.So I defied Vaxar with my own will. I sought Nia. I begged for her aid.“What must I do
Note: Events in this story are fictional and do not reflect actual Viking history. (900 AD – Before the Separation of Kingdoms) In the year 900 AD, before the Norse kingdoms split apart, there was one kingdom feared above all, Vikron. Its warriors were brutal. Their culture, violent. Yet, they were united. And at the center of that unity stood one man King Ragnor, named after the god of thunder himself. Ragnor led with blood and fire. His people raided distant lands, conquering village after village. The world feared them. No army dared to stand in their path, especially with the presence of The Elite Alpha, warriors said to be unstoppable. During the time of their greatest glory, King Ragnor introduced something new: a game of bravery. A game to find a mate. It was said, whoever won the game could ask anything of their Jael—the ruling council of elders and warlords. The people welcomed the game. It became tradition. But from this tradition… came destruction. During the
Present.. Two days ago.. Ara's POV I chose to walk the path of the brave. One day remained before the Bravery Games began, and the fire within me burned with unrest. Nia, my only tether to kindness, had been good to me. After I left her home last eve, she led me to a sacred grove where I could sharpen my skill with the bow. The morning passed slowly, and I waited for Vaxar to tire of mocking me, forcing me to labor beneath her cruel gaze. Sebastian was gone—again. Of course, he vanished when I needed him most. Was it truly coincidence? I doubted it. He gave them power—power to break me. Yet his presence, when near, still held warmth. A bitter warmth that wrapped around my throat like a noose. Why did he hate me so deeply? He slaughtered my kin. He named my father murderer. The truth haunted me. I craved it. Needed it. Not just to soothe the ache in my heart, but to forge the revenge I would one day exact. Perhaps one still lived. Perhaps not all was lost. “Focus, Ara,” Nia
Gargath stood tall, troubled by Vaxar’s strange stillness. Her eyes did not storm, her voice did not rise. She made no quarrel with Sebastian for allowing Ara to join the sacred games. And to Gargath, this was not right. He stepped forward, his voice low but steady. "Vaxar… have I asked a foolish thing?" She smiled, cold and knowing. "Not foolish, Gargath. Just amusing. You see me as the villain if I agree, and still the villain if I do not." His eyes narrowed. "You've done something, haven’t you? I know you, Vaxar. No realm in all the nine worlds would find you pleased for Ara’s joy. You hate her. We all know it." Her face hardened. "I do not hate her. I bear her no ill." "Oh, spare me that tale," Gargath snapped. She stepped closer, her voice a whisper meant to strike. "Would you have me raise sword against the Alpha himself? You all would rise like a pack of wolves and tear me down. I wasn’t prepared for that… not yet." "Then why send Crystal to the maidens i
Ara's POVI stood again in the arena of blades, where blood-soaked earth remembers all who dared step within. The stench, sharp as a broken promise, struck my senses.It was just as I remembered—the cries of the crowd, the roar of warriors.But this was no homecoming.I alone bore bow and arrow. No sword. No axe. No iron fang to clash with theirs. They laughed then, and they laugh still. Fools. Or maybe it is I who was fooled.I thought it a game. A test of bravery. Not this. Not death in the dirt.And him—Sebastian. I dared not meet his eyes. Shame is heavier than any shield.What fool enters a war of blades with feathered sticks?Would I survive long enough to make my plea? Would he remember me when I fall—if I fall?I shook the thought like snow from my shoulders. Of course he would. He is to be wed soon. And I—what am I but a fallen leader of a broken village?He is loved. And he loves them in return. His people. His duty. Not me.But when he spoke , Gods, when he spoke my
NOTICE: Sexual abuse and high violence scenes read with caution. The forest sprawled like a burial ground, thick with shadows. Over three hundred participants swarmed beneath its canopy, hunting and hunted. Alphas unleashed pheromones to assert dominance. Omegas wielded charms to survive, while Betas scrambled for scraps of safety. Some had formed temporary packs, though alliances frayed like rotting thread. Soon, even comrades would turn on one another. fanco trudged beside Rose, though “teammate” was too generous a term. Rose’s defiance crackled like static. “You shouldn’t have followed me here,” Rose snapped. Franco scanned the trees, jaw tight. “You think I wanted to? Stay close.” “If you’re so reluctant, then leave! I’ll make a fine feast for the Alphas.” Franco whirled on him. “I’m sick of this act. Being Brago’s favorite doesn’t mean I’ll cater to your whims.” Rose barked a laugh. “His favorite? Who does he summon every night? He fought to keep you out
NOTICE: Sexual content(mild), violence, Ara’s POV Ara wake up, Ara wake up!! Ahhhh!! I woke up from my dream, a nice dream turned into a nightmare. My body felt heavy and my head ached like hell. The sound of chains send shivers through my spin. A chain? I questioned myself. I tried to move my hand but I couldn’t. It was stuck to something. I tried pulling myself but…. I realized my hand had been chained to a rock. No, where I am? What is this? My hands were tired with a rope. An attempt to free myself with my mouth failed as my neck was pulled by something heavy. Khoff!! My neck hurts. My whole body hurts. Where the hell am I? A drop of blood fell on my thigh. Blood! I am scared. This place was unknown to me. I scanned the place. It seemed I was in a hut. Suddenly my eyes locked with a symbol on the walls of the hut. A red lion head in a cycle. No this can’t be, i have been captured. But how? I don’t remember a thing. The last thing I r
NOTICE: Sexual abuse and high violence scenes read with caution. The forest sprawled like a burial ground, thick with shadows. Over three hundred participants swarmed beneath its canopy, hunting and hunted. Alphas unleashed pheromones to assert dominance. Omegas wielded charms to survive, while Betas scrambled for scraps of safety. Some had formed temporary packs, though alliances frayed like rotting thread. Soon, even comrades would turn on one another. fanco trudged beside Rose, though “teammate” was too generous a term. Rose’s defiance crackled like static. “You shouldn’t have followed me here,” Rose snapped. Franco scanned the trees, jaw tight. “You think I wanted to? Stay close.” “If you’re so reluctant, then leave! I’ll make a fine feast for the Alphas.” Franco whirled on him. “I’m sick of this act. Being Brago’s favorite doesn’t mean I’ll cater to your whims.” Rose barked a laugh. “His favorite? Who does he summon every night? He fought to keep you out
Ara's POVI stood again in the arena of blades, where blood-soaked earth remembers all who dared step within. The stench, sharp as a broken promise, struck my senses.It was just as I remembered—the cries of the crowd, the roar of warriors.But this was no homecoming.I alone bore bow and arrow. No sword. No axe. No iron fang to clash with theirs. They laughed then, and they laugh still. Fools. Or maybe it is I who was fooled.I thought it a game. A test of bravery. Not this. Not death in the dirt.And him—Sebastian. I dared not meet his eyes. Shame is heavier than any shield.What fool enters a war of blades with feathered sticks?Would I survive long enough to make my plea? Would he remember me when I fall—if I fall?I shook the thought like snow from my shoulders. Of course he would. He is to be wed soon. And I—what am I but a fallen leader of a broken village?He is loved. And he loves them in return. His people. His duty. Not me.But when he spoke , Gods, when he spoke my
Gargath stood tall, troubled by Vaxar’s strange stillness. Her eyes did not storm, her voice did not rise. She made no quarrel with Sebastian for allowing Ara to join the sacred games. And to Gargath, this was not right. He stepped forward, his voice low but steady. "Vaxar… have I asked a foolish thing?" She smiled, cold and knowing. "Not foolish, Gargath. Just amusing. You see me as the villain if I agree, and still the villain if I do not." His eyes narrowed. "You've done something, haven’t you? I know you, Vaxar. No realm in all the nine worlds would find you pleased for Ara’s joy. You hate her. We all know it." Her face hardened. "I do not hate her. I bear her no ill." "Oh, spare me that tale," Gargath snapped. She stepped closer, her voice a whisper meant to strike. "Would you have me raise sword against the Alpha himself? You all would rise like a pack of wolves and tear me down. I wasn’t prepared for that… not yet." "Then why send Crystal to the maidens i
Present.. Two days ago.. Ara's POV I chose to walk the path of the brave. One day remained before the Bravery Games began, and the fire within me burned with unrest. Nia, my only tether to kindness, had been good to me. After I left her home last eve, she led me to a sacred grove where I could sharpen my skill with the bow. The morning passed slowly, and I waited for Vaxar to tire of mocking me, forcing me to labor beneath her cruel gaze. Sebastian was gone—again. Of course, he vanished when I needed him most. Was it truly coincidence? I doubted it. He gave them power—power to break me. Yet his presence, when near, still held warmth. A bitter warmth that wrapped around my throat like a noose. Why did he hate me so deeply? He slaughtered my kin. He named my father murderer. The truth haunted me. I craved it. Needed it. Not just to soothe the ache in my heart, but to forge the revenge I would one day exact. Perhaps one still lived. Perhaps not all was lost. “Focus, Ara,” Nia
Note: Events in this story are fictional and do not reflect actual Viking history. (900 AD – Before the Separation of Kingdoms) In the year 900 AD, before the Norse kingdoms split apart, there was one kingdom feared above all, Vikron. Its warriors were brutal. Their culture, violent. Yet, they were united. And at the center of that unity stood one man King Ragnor, named after the god of thunder himself. Ragnor led with blood and fire. His people raided distant lands, conquering village after village. The world feared them. No army dared to stand in their path, especially with the presence of The Elite Alpha, warriors said to be unstoppable. During the time of their greatest glory, King Ragnor introduced something new: a game of bravery. A game to find a mate. It was said, whoever won the game could ask anything of their Jael—the ruling council of elders and warlords. The people welcomed the game. It became tradition. But from this tradition… came destruction. During the
The man I once called saviour—he was no saviour. He was not what I thought. He was the brother of Sebastian’s betrothed. A twist I did not see.After the strike across my cheek, my eyes blurred, yet my ears did not fail me. I knew the voice that rose for me. And in that moment, I was glad.I dared not say his name aloud. If Vaxar knew, I feared death. Aye, I was fooled.Vaxar called him by another name. A name I had never heard. Not Lewis, not Raphael—who was he truly?At first, I thought it a mistake. But then I saw her—his sister. Colder than Vaxar, crueler still.Her voice was sharp with hate. She looked at me with scorn. Why such hate? She knew me not, yet hated me.Lewis—or Raphael—he stood for me once more, but his sister silenced him. He obeyed her like a dog to a master. I was punished again. But my heart did not break. I swore then—I would win Sebastian’s love. No matter what.So I defied Vaxar with my own will. I sought Nia. I begged for her aid.“What must I do
Ara's POV“It is not possible,” I said low. “I have not held bow nor arrow for long now. I am weak. This is not the way to win a man’s heart. I need him to fall for me—not to think of me as one brave enough to flee after.”She let out a long breath. “You do not understand. The one who wins the trial may ask the jael—the chieftain—anything. Even… to spend the night with him.”My heart jumped. “Huh?” I said, voice small. Heat rose in my cheeks. Spend the night with him? It would not be the first… yet it still felt like the first. It had been long.I cleared my throat. “I did not know of such a game.”“Of course you would not.”But I could not push away the strange feeling in my chest—the look in her eyes. Nia, the sweet little girl, now looked at me like a wolf. A fierce fire in her stare. Someone who seeks revenge.I wished to know the truth behind her help. She could have walked past me, left me to freeze in the rain. But she did not.“I know you spoke your reason for helping me,” I s
Ara's POV"Here she comes, the princess. She is finally here… almost naked."Vaxar's voice cut like cold wind.I turned, startled. I had not noticed—I was near-naked indeed. My thighs showed, bare to the wind. Shame took me, and I covered myself with trembling hands.The maidens giggled behind covered lips. The guards stared, their eyes dark with want.Then Vaxar raised her nose and sniffed.“Something burns,” she said.I turned quick, heart pounding.“Nay…”My hut. A pillar of smoke rose into the sky.“Ahhh! There is fire!” a maid screamed.“Guards! What do you wait for?!” Vaxar barked like a wolf. The guards obeyed, running toward the flames.But it was too late.The fire ate all. My bed. My blankets. My little chest of things. All turned to ash.I stood behind them. Silent. Ashamed. Awaiting judgment.Vaxar’s voice rang sharp.“Whose hut was this?! Who lit the fire?!”All eyes turned to me. I felt their gaze, heavy as stone.“So it was you,” Vaxar said, stepping near. “Why am I not
“Lewis, I think thou wert hasty in casting off our wedding. What if Sebastian turneth his heart? I cannot lose him, thou knowest this well.”Crystal held tight to her brother, whom she had sought in his lone hut, far from others.He had not looked for his sister’s coming, truth be told, he wished to see none. His thoughts wandered oft to Ara.Since the happening, she was like mist—seen no more.“Do you hear me, brother?”“Hmm?”Crystal scowled, seeing his mind was elsewhere.Lewis sighed and drew near.“Forgive me. Yet I deem it wise that thou and he come to know one another. Then, his heart will turn kind to you.”Crystal let out a breath, not taken by his words. She sat upon the wooden bed, arms folded.“He doth not feel as I do. Perhaps he seeth me as a sister still. I know not what path to take, brother. When he asked for my hand, I was full of joy. But seeing him now, the look in his eyes… I fear I dream a dream he shareth not.”Lewis sat beside her.“Speak not such. You are the f