CHAPTER 110 : FIRST REAL FIGHT

As the night settled in, warriors moved swiftly to prepare the arena for the final event of the day. They already knew what was to come, and long wooden poles were carried into the makeshift battlefield, each topped with a torch soaked in oil.

Though these were modern days, tradition was never forgotten. They secured the poles into the ground, spacing them evenly around the circular arena. Sparks flew as one of the warriors lit the first torch, and soon, the entire circle was ablaze.

With the preparations complete, the warriors went back to where each of them stood or sat earlier, leaving the stage set for the battle everyone had been waiting for. 

It was not news that Kira was going to be fighting today, the rumors had somehow spread so fast within the pack. Nothing to hide anymore. 

Kira herself was already dressed for a fight from the beginning, knowing fully well how it would go, so she doesn't have to change. Plus, she was quite comfortable in what she was putting on.

Once the torches were in place, Aiden rose from his seat in the front row. He raised a single hand, commanding the attention of his pack members; the murmurs of the crowd hushed.

"The battle we have all been waiting for is finally here," he announced, his deep voice loud enough for every ear to hear. "This is no friendly match. This is a test of strength, strategy, and skill. It is a demonstration of what it means to be a true warrior, a true protector of this pack as well as oneself."

The pack paid attention to everything their Alpha was saying, excitement rippling through the crowd, children whispering and elders nodding in approval.

Aiden's gaze swept over the crowd, ensuring that every eye was on him before continuing.

"Our first participant," Aiden declared, "is one of our finest warriors. Tahila!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd as Tahila stepped into the arena, her confident strides drawing more admiration and cheers. Her short hair, cut close to her head, her sharp features emphasized.

She wore a fitted sleeveless tunic in dark grey, paired with black combat pants and  black boots.

Tahila's piercing eyes scanned the crowd briefly, a smirk on her face as she enjoyed the cheers and admiration.

"And her opponent," Aiden continued, his voice laced with pride, "is none other than our Luna—Kira!"

The crowd also erupted for Kira, with cheers louder and whistles as she stepped forward. Kira's movements were measured yet confident. This was the first time she would be in a real fight and aside from the confidence she had, she was also scared.

"It's okay," she told herself inwardly, trying to stay calm and be there for herself. "It's okay to be scared, Kira. You got this!"

Her brown eyes glistened with determination, and her high ponytail swayed lightly with each step she took. She wore a sleek, long-sleeved black top paired with fitted black combat pants and sturdy black boots. She looked both fierce and elegant.

She was a perfect combination of beauty and strength. But tonight, it was going to be about strength.

The crowd's excitement grew louder as Kira stopped at her line, her gaze steady as she focused on Tahila. 

Murmurs and cheers rippled through the crowd as they compared the two fighters. Everyone knew of Tahila's fights in battles, training grounds, but no one knew Kira's. 

Some pack members were awed by Tahila while others admired Kira's poise and authority. Whispers of who might win spread through the crowd, and Kira already knew this was how it would be.

Her mates had told her that whatever the outcome was, it doesn't change anything, and she would always be their Luna and the Luna of this pack. But to Kira, she saw it as a way to prove herself to her pack. No matter what it takes, she didn't want to disappoint her mates or the pack and most importantly, she didn't want to disappoint herself.

Aiden's gaze shifted between the two fighters as he raised his hand again for silence.

"As always, the rules are simple," he stated. "The first person to knock out their opponent or force them to submit is the winner. And no one leaves the arena until the fight is over."

After he was done with saying the rules, he turned to the two women, his tone even and at the same time authoritative. "Step to your lines," he commanded.

Kira and Tahila both moved into position, their boots crunching softly against the dirt.

"Stay on your lines," Aiden continued, his tone sharp and commanding. "May the best fighter win."

Tahila stretched her neck, rolling her shoulders as she shifted into a ready stance. "I apologize in advance, Luna," she said with a smirk, the mockery in her tone very evident. "But I won't be holding back."

Kira responded with a faint, confident smile, a hint of amusement in her eyes as those eyes never left Tahila.

The crowd grew silent, leaning forward in anticipation. 

 "Ready?" Aiden said.

Both fighters nodded, their eyes locked on each other.

"Fight!" Aiden's command rang out.

And immediately, the crowd erupted as the two fighters launched into action. Everyone was eager to see the fight that was about to unfold. 

The energy in the arena was electric, it was truly something else.

Kira was the first to launch an attack, her ponytail whipping around as she moved. She stepped forward quickly toward Tahila and threw a punch, aiming at Tahila's face. 

The punch was quick and strong, but to her surprise, Tahila sidestepped with ease.

Tahila smirked as she reached out and caught Kira's punch in mid-air. She didn't seem worried at all, obviously mocking Kira's attempt. It was almost like she was teasing Kira.

Seeing an opening, Tahila quickly kicked Kira in the midsection, aiming for her stomach.

Kira barely managed to block it, the impact jarring her arm. She staggered back but quickly regained her footing.

"She is really strong," Kira thought, her face set in a grim expression.

As for Tahila she was not holding back anymore. She moved quickly and smoothly to close the gap between them and immediately, she started delivering unexpected punches that Kira could not avoid. Each punch connected hard with Kira's ribs, making her gasp in pain.

Kira gritted her teeth as each punch nearly knocked the wind out of her, but she was still able to stay on her feet. She retaliated almost immediately, kicking at Tahila's right leg.

It landed squarely, but Tahila seemed undeterred. She responded just as quickly, and blew Kira right in the face, making Kira stumble back once again.

Tahila scoffed, watching as Kira stumbled back. "You really are not ready for this," she taunted, her voice full of mockery and laughter. "I thought you would have been a bit better. We all know you have been training. What a waste of time and effort." She said to Kira while smirking, clearly enjoying the upper hand she had over Kira.

Despite the pain and the growing fatigue, despite Tahila's words, Kira didn't back down. She threw another punch, aiming for Tahila's stomach. This time, she connected, but Tahila took it in strongly.

"What the f*ck?" Kira cursed inwardly. She was not sure what was happening, her blows seemed to be too weak, and it was so frustrating that she could not even land a good punch, and she has been training so hard.

Tahila sensing that the fight was slipping away from Kira decided to switch gears. Her smirk faded, replaced with focus as she squared off against Kira.

She stood strong and before Kira could register, she unleashed rapid punches, each one landing with force and precision. Tahila made sure she hit every single target on Kira's body that she had in mind to hit.

Kira tried blocking the punches, but the attacks never stopped coming, they were fast, relentless, and she was not given any time to fight back. Each hit forced her back and the crowd gasped, Bryan and Aiden's fists clenched, sensing that Kira was in real trouble now.

Blood dripped from Kira's lips as she staggered back, trying to catch her breath and block the punches. She was bruised, her face marked with red and purple blotches. But she was not out yet. 

At some point, it was as if the punches fueled her anger. She growled and launched herself at Tahila, finally throwing her own punches that hit Tahila on the face, chest, before she was pushed away.

"You should submit and save yourself the embarrassment, dear Luna," Tahila barked out and grabbed Kira by the arm, spun her around, then sent her crashing to the ground with a hard body slam.

"Do you submit, Luna?" Tahila asked, walking closer to Kira, where she had hit the ground with a loud thud, her body sprawled on the dirt.

The crowd as usual gasped, some shocked at how quickly the fight had turned out, while others were not. 

Tahila has always been a good and strong fighter, some people even whispered that maybe Kira should have started with some other warrior less strong and good. 

People shouted encouragement, but it was clear now that they were not sure Kira could win this. But even with the way the fight was turning out, Kira still did not submit.

"Too slow, Luna," Tahila taunted, standing over Kira's sprawled figure. "You are not even close to my level." She sneered, her eyes full of derision. 

Kira groaned in pain as she struggled to get up, her limbs heavy. She felt uncoordinated from the beating, dizzy, and could barely even focus. With all that, she still tried to rise again to show she could fight back.

But of course Tahila was not having any of that and kicked Kira's face hard. The force from the kick sent Kira sprawling onto her stomach, blood pooling at the corner of her lips.