CHAPTER 23: THE ALPHA DUEL
1470words
The Grand Amphitheater was even more imposing filled with people. Thousands of spectators packed the stone seats, their voices creating a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through my bones. I sat in the designated area for "interested parties"—a fancy way of saying "people whose lives depend on the outcome"—between Noah and my brothers.
"You okay?" Rafe asked, noting my white-knuckled grip on the stone bench.
"Just peachy," I managed. "My mate is about to fight my ex-fiancé for the right to keep me, in front of the entire supernatural world. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Look at it this way," Lucas said with forced cheer, "at least you're not the one who has to fight."
I shot him a look that could have melted steel. "Not helping."
In the center of the arena, Elder Moira stood with the other Council members, her silver robes catching the afternoon sunlight. "By ancient law and sacred right, we gather to witness trial by combat for the hand of Princess Aria Silver."
The crowd roared approval. Somewhere in the VIP section, I caught sight of my father and Claudia, their faces unreadable masks. No support there, apparently.
"The challenger, Alpha Dominic Blackwood of the Northern Territories!"
Dominic entered from the eastern gate, and I had to admit he looked formidable. Tall, broad-shouldered, moving with the confidence of someone who'd never lost a fight. The crowd cheered—he had supporters here.
"The defendant, Damon Blackwood, heir to the Northern Territories!"
My heart stopped as Damon appeared from the western gate. He looked smaller than his brother, younger, but there was something in the way he carried himself that hadn't been there when I first met him. Purpose. Determination.
And when his eyes found mine across the arena, I felt the mate bond flare to life, warm and electric and absolutely certain.
*You've got this,* I thought, hoping he could feel my confidence through our connection.
His slight smile suggested he had.
"The trial consists of three phases," Elder Moira announced. "Physical combat, mental challenge, and verification of the claimed mate bond. Combatants, are you ready?"
Both brothers nodded.
"Then let the first phase begin!"
---
Damon's POV
I'd sparred with Dominic countless times growing up. He was bigger, stronger, more experienced—but I'd learned his patterns. He favored his right side after an old shoulder injury. He got overconfident when he had momentum. And he'd never fought someone who had everything to lose.
The first clash sent shockwaves through my arms. Dominic's opening strike was powerful enough to shatter stone, and I barely managed to deflect it. He followed up immediately, not giving me time to recover.
"You always were too slow, little brother," he said, landing a hit that sent me stumbling backward.
"And you always talked too much," I replied, using his momentary smugness to slip inside his guard and land a solid punch to his ribs.
The crowd was going wild. I could hear Aria's brothers shouting encouragement, could feel her tension through our bond like a physical weight.
For ten minutes, we traded blows that would have hospitalized normal humans. Dominic had the advantage in raw power, but I was faster, and more importantly, I was fighting for something he didn't understand.
Every time I looked like I was flagging, I'd catch sight of Aria in the stands and feel the mate bond surge with renewed energy. This wasn't just about proving I was stronger—it was about proving that love was stronger than duty.
The turning point came when Dominic overextended on what should have been a finishing blow. I sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, and used his own momentum to send him crashing into the arena wall.
"Yield," I said, standing over him as he shook his head clear.
"Never," he snarled, but there was something different in his eyes. Uncertainty.
"First phase goes to Damon Blackwood!" Elder Moira announced.
---
Aria's POV
"Oh my God," I breathed, watching Damon help his brother to his feet with typical sportsmanship. "He actually won."
"One down, two to go," Noah said, but they were grinning.
The mental challenge was held at a table in the center of the arena, with the questions projected onto massive screens so the audience could follow along. Strategy scenarios, pack law interpretations, crisis management—basically a very public final exam in Alpha Leadership 101.
I watched Damon's face as he considered each question. Where Dominic gave quick, authoritative answers based on traditional approaches, Damon took his time, offering solutions that balanced old wisdom with new thinking.
"A pack member challenges traditional mating arrangements, claiming a true mate bond with someone from a rival pack. How do you respond?"
Dominic's answer was swift: "Tradition exists for a reason. The individual's desires must be balanced against pack stability and political necessity."
Damon's response made my heart swell: "I'd verify the mate bond first. If it's genuine, then the Moon Goddess has spoken, and who are we to argue with divine will? Politics can be renegotiated. True mates are forever."
The crowd's reaction was mixed, but I caught Elder Moira's approving nod.
When the mental challenge ended, the scores were announced: tied.
Everything would come down to the mate bond verification.
---
Damon's POV
"For the final phase," Elder Moira announced, "the claimed mates will undergo the Ritual of True Binding. If their bond is genuine, it will manifest for all to witness."
Aria joined me in the center of the arena, and suddenly the thousands of spectators faded away. It was just us, just like it had always been.
"You sure about this?" I asked quietly as Elder Moira prepared the ceremonial items.
"Never been more sure of anything," she replied, taking my hands.
The ritual was ancient, involving ceremonial oils, spoken vows, and a lot of things I'd only read about in dusty textbooks. But when Elder Moira instructed us to "open your hearts to each other and let the Moon Goddess judge what lies within," everything else fell away.
I looked into Aria's eyes and felt our bond—not just the attraction, not just the affection, but the deep, soul-level connection that had been there from our first touch. It was warm and bright and absolutely unbreakable.
And then something magical happened.
A golden light began to emanate from where our hands touched, growing brighter and more radiant with each heartbeat. Our auras merged and synchronized, creating patterns of light that danced around us like living things.
The crowd went completely silent.
"Holy shit," Aria whispered, staring at the light show we were creating.
"Language, Princess," I murmured, but I was just as awed. I'd read about mate bond manifestations, but experiencing it was completely different.
"The bond is verified," Elder Moira announced, her voice carrying a note of wonder. "By divine judgment and sacred law, Princess Aria Silver and Damon Blackwood are declared true mates."
The amphitheater erupted in cheers, but I only had eyes for Aria.
"So," I said, pulling her closer as the golden light gradually faded, "that was pretty dramatic."
"I love dramatic," she replied, standing on her tiptoes to kiss me.
When we broke apart, Dominic was standing nearby, no longer looking like my opponent but like my brother again.
"Congratulations," he said quietly. "I... I'm sorry. For all of this."
"You were protecting what you thought was right," I replied. "I can't fault you for that."
"The Moon Goddess has spoken," he said with a rueful smile. "And apparently, she has better taste than I gave her credit for."
Elder Moira raised her staff for attention. "By ancient law and divine judgment, the arranged marriage between Princess Aria Silver and Alpha Dominic Blackwood is hereby dissolved. The true mate bond takes precedence over all political contracts."
She turned to me with formal gravity. "Damon Blackwood, you have proven yourself in combat, wisdom, and divine favor. Do you accept the responsibilities of Alpha leadership?"
I looked at Aria, at my brother, at the thousands of faces watching our every move.
"I accept," I said, "but I won't lead alone. The old ways of solitary Alpha rule end with me. My mate and I will lead together, as equals."
The crowd's reaction was immediate and explosive. Some cheered, some looked scandalized, some seemed confused by this departure from tradition.
Perfect. Change was never supposed to be comfortable.
As we walked out of the arena together, hand in hand, I caught sight of Aria's expression.
"What?" I asked.
"Just thinking," she said with a grin that was pure mischief, "wait until they find out about the co-educational policy changes I want to implement at the academy."
"One revolution at a time, Princess," I laughed.
"Where's the fun in that?" she replied.
And looking at her—brilliant, beautiful, absolutely unstoppable—I realized I wouldn't have it any other way.
