Zedkiel
The first day of the tournament. I can tell it’s become something for all the pack members to watch, as if this was some sort of game to be won. I guess it is, and only the best will make it. I’m ready to take that title, ready to show them that the throne belongs to me.
The first round is with the eight of us seated around a table with members of the Court. Some sort of discussion? Or strategic questioning? I wasn’t exactly sure, but I know it is going to be a breeze.
When we arrived last night, I saw the screens along the pack grounds and around the palace grounds displaying our names, heights, ranks, and a complete fucking profile of all the contending couples. We were assigned quarters that are shut off from certain parts of the castle, and from here on out, we have to abide by certain rules.
No phones or internet being the most important. Second, everyone was given a potion, something to block our mind-links but not harm us. Now I fucking know how Evangeline feels.
I glance at the cameras set around the room, ready for this test to be displayed for the spectators. I can see Evangeline standing there with the other lunas on the balcony above us, but she stands out from them all.
She’s graceful and holds this different kind of air around her. Or maybe it’s just the fact I’m becoming obsessed with her. Her hair is braided, a few strands framing her face. She’s wearing a high-neck halter top, which is tucked into her leather pants.
Our eyes meet, and her words from last night ring in my head.
(FLASHBACK)
“Zedkiel, may I ask a favour?”“What is it?” I ask her.She looks down before taking a deep breath. “I’m your Luna now. Must I always wear clothes that show my branding?”I look at her, realising what she means. I had claimed her as one would an omega… commanding her to always have her back on show like an omega.“No, you may cover as you wish. Everyone knows we are mated now; there’s no need," I reply coldly, turning my back on her.She shouldn’t have had to ask me that. I should have told her… she isn’t my plaything, but my Luna. Don’t get me wrong, I plan to play with her, and there will be a time she’ll be begging for my cock. But she’s so much more than that, and she has the right to wear whatever she wants.(END OF FLASHBACK)
Was branding her on the skin a step too far?
I can’t change the past, so there's no point in crying over it. I look around the table, smirking when the pup Sinclair takes his assigned seat opposite me. He’s been tight-lipped since he saw Evangeline this morning. My scent must be oozing off her.
He looks up, seeing me watching him, and I smirk coldly.
If I want you dead, pup, no one can stop me.He’s lucky he doesn’t say anything as Dad and four of the Court members enter, taking their seats.
We all turn towards them. Chasyn is on my left, with Ragnar on my right.
“Let us begin,” Dad says, motioning to the four men.
The first stands up and introduces himself and the other three. I already know who they are – Philip, Franco, Cole, and Raoul. All four are members of the High Court.
“We will start this tournament with something fairly easy. It’s just a little game of strategy. Each of you is given a similar scenario written in the file in front of you, and you are to explain exactly how you would overcome the situation. Let’s just say this one is a written test,” Raoul says, smiling.
He never smiles.
“You may begin. The faster you find a logical solution to the scenario, well… it will help your rating for the first round. Although no one will be eliminated so soon, remember if you and your Lunas are unable to hold high marks per round, it will ultimately make you lose your place in the tournament,” he continues.
“Any questions?” Philip asks.
No one speaks, and I look at the paper. I hate fucking paperwork.
Chasyn is frowning, Ragnar seems irked, the blockhead does prefer physical fights. Alcazer looks determined, as for the other four… Who cares? I’ll throw them out of this tournament first.
“You may begin,” Raoul says, and everyone flips open their files.
I do the same but slower, my gaze going up to the balcony where Evangeline had been a short while earlier, but she’s no longer there.
I frown deeply, glancing at Dad.
She’d better be okay. Weren’t they meant to be here for the duration of this first round?
None of the lunas are there. The entire balcony is empty, and I didn’t even hear them leave. I try to ignore my concern and focus on the rustling of papers around me. Looking down at the file, I flip through the booklet. It’s a strategy paper, asking mediocre battle questions that every guard in this damn place would know.
I glance at Raoul, who is watching Alcazer and Ragnar, that snake-like smirk of his lingering on his face.
Something isn’t right…Looking around the table, I see everyone is flitting through the papers fast.
“Won’t you start, Prince Zedkiel?” Franco asks. “Time is ticking.”
I don’t respond, glancing back at the papers. I scan through them slower, wondering if there’s something more in them. This is far too easy. Is this tournament a joke?
The last section irks me as it portrays a situation where your Luna is taken hostage. I glance up suddenly, staring at the empty balcony, then back at Raoul, who is still smiling.
He doesn’t smile unless shit’s going down… and that is when I suddenly realise this isn’t the test.
My heart races as I begin flicking through the paper, unease filling me, and I stand up.
“Where is she?” I snarl. Everyone at the table glances up, but a few of them return to their paper, including Ragnar, clearly not bothered and not wanting to lose time.
“I have no idea what you mean, Prince Zedkiel. Your chance to win this round is in your hands,” Raoul says, glancing at the paper I’m holding.
I look down at the papers. So, there’s a clue in here… somewhere…
I need to save Evangeline.My heart thunders and, not waiting for an answer, I storm to the door.
“Zedkiel! What are you doing?” Chasyn asks worriedly.
Clearly, someone doesn’t want me to lose so soon.
I look at him, wishing I could tell him. There’s no rule we can’t state things, correct?
“I’m going to go look for my woman. If any of you had brains, you would have realised this is a fucking trainee’s test paper,” I say. With those words, I turn and leave the hall, letting the double doors slam behind me with a bang.
My anger is bristling inside of me as I break into a run, trying to trace her scent. I should have been told if they were to use our Lunas like this, she’s not like the others. She doesn’t have a wolf.
If they’ve hurt her in any fucking way… I will kill them.
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