It was the second day of the third part of the tournament. Amber was nervous for no reason at all and it was annoying the crap out of her. Adonis' constant smiling was really making her mad as well and she had to continually calm herself. Today would decide who she would fight to determine her partner and the second Alpha of Star Fire Pack.
She paused for a moment. Why exactly was she so nervous? Who could possibly beat her. She felt Stefan was extraordinary and he would have the best chance but still he wouldn't beat her. She had watched him fight too many times. She understood his techniques, fighting styles and even his motivations. How could he possibly beat her?
Her heart twisted. Was she worried that he would not defeat her and she would lose him. What the hell!? Did she actually feel like she was going to cry now?!
She took a deep breath and slowly released it. It was true that he initially denied you but he came back for the tournament. It is odd that a man like him did something like that but what should you do? You actually want him here. There is a part of you that needs him here.
But you don't completely trust the situation either.
She let out a frustrated sigh. "Stop talking to yourself Amber."
She was supposed to be going down to the tournament but she still couldn't move. She looked at her reflection in the mirror.
"Olay. Okay. Think of it like this. Today it is decided but there will be a three day break to allow him to be in peak condition for our fight. So I am worrying over the wrong thing."
She exhaled slowly. Now that she was calm she got up from her seat and began to slowly trek to the tournament area.
Amber entered the Alpha's box and expertly ignored her brother's smirk.
"Beta Adonis."
He knew she was upset with him even before she said his name through gritted teeth. Still he smiled when he responded. "My Alpha."
She wanted to knock his smirking head off of his neck. But that would not be calm, cool, and collected. She decided to bear with the disrespect and not hurt her brother, neither physically or mentally.
Cris smiled, rolled her eyes, and shook her head at the two of them then she refocused on the tournament.
The head special judge began to speak.
"This will be the final day of the tournament. Today we will find the werewolf who will fight our esteemed Alpha and see if he can earn a place beside her.
"There are only six of you left so we will continue as we did yesterday. You will be randomly paired up, when there are three one of you will get a pass and automatically be eligible to fight in the finally round. The fights will occur one at a time and the same rules apply. We will begin on time in one hour."
The six were Stefan's four and one wildcard. Stefan had seen him fight and he was surprised that he made it this far.
'I am surprised this one is the wildcard.'
'I am not. You did not really watch him fight. He is either a Psi or he has Psi blood. He uses mental attacks and illusion.
"I would have to actually probe him to know for sure but the way he uses mental attacks tells me that he doesn't have all the abilities of a Psi.'
Stefan listened to Tiffany intently. He already knew that she would protect him but still he cautiously watched this young wildcard.
The first match was between his number three and number five listed opponents. The youngish blond smiled at his brown haired opponent like he was not concerned about his massive size or his blood red streaks that looked like he randomly racked his fingers through his hair after a stressful yet successful kill.
They squared up to each other, neither opting for a weapon. The blond transformed. Everyone watching nodded. He had to transform. There was no way for him to win this without doing so. He leaped forward and the big guy moved to grab him from the air. Somehow the blond changed direction and kicked the big guy in the face.
The blond landed with a broad smile. "You are faster than I thought. Let's see what you can do with this."
His claws extended even more and then he began to seemingly blink across the ring. The big guy was not remaining idle. He focused on the incoming and then made small steps around the ring. More than one spectator was frowning at this odd technique. But no one said anything, they all decided to wait and see.
The blond came down where the big man was and everyone began wondering who would be in the next match when the big guy disappeared and reappeared behind the blond. His hand swiped down fast and, even though the blond began moving out of the way, the big guys claws caught him.
The blond hissed in pain as he was landed on his feet. He looked at the big guy incredulously. The big guy shrugged. "You really did not think there could a technique to counter your speed?" He scoffed and moved in to finish things.
Two more engagements and the blond was unconscious on the floor. The big guy left the ring, looking pointedly at Stefan.
The next match was Stefan and his number four opponent. Stefan smiled as he walked to the ring and began stretching. He knew this was going to be a martial arts bout.
When the match was signaled to begin the assassin flew from his spot in the ring and was before Stefan in an instant. Stefan was not concerned and raised his arms to block the incoming attacks and the. Jumped back to avoid a roundhouse kick. He frowned. This is kind of predictable. His claws on both his hands and feet extended and used then to slash and cut. He made contact twice but the assassin did not back down. He came forward and kicked twice then slashed. They were so powerful and fast that Stefan was very impressed.
Stefan was getting excited. The assassin did not have the power to hurt him but he had good tech9and speed. He was adding to Stefan's fighting repertoire. He was moving through a sequence and suddenly the assassin was on his knees bowing as he said "I yield."
Stefan stopped and flipped back. Everything was silent for a long moment and finally the head judge called the fight and named Stefan the winner. The assassin got up and walked out without even looking back.
Stefan scoffed and shook his head. As he was moving to his seat he spoke to Tar.
'Follow him. I doubt he would join us but ask anyway. Just having him as an ally would be good.'
'Yes My Lord"
The final of these first matches was between the poison werewolf and the wildcard. Almost instantly Stefan understood what Tiffany was talking about. The poisoner came out normal but then the smirk slipped from his face and he became slack Jared. He stood there, his eyes blank, and his mouth agape and he did nothing. Meanwhile the wildcard didn't move in for the kill. Stefan frowned. This was unlike any Psi he had ever seen before.
'Tiffany?'
'It seems he can't move while he is using this ability. Kind of makes it a crap ability.'
'It kinda does' Stefan agreed
Then the poisoned made a small sound and slowly his face began to change like he was straining hard to do something. At the same rime the wildcard seemed to be struggling.
'It looks like he is about to break out of it. Hmm. If I am right if he does this wrong he will suffer a type of backlash. It would've been interesting to observe him.'
Stefan frowned. He didn't understand the assessment. Just when he was about to ask a ripple of magic flew through the entire tournament space, originating from the ring. The wildcard collapsed and the poisoner raged.
The judge called the match but it took a while to understand what had happened. In the poisoner was declared winner.
The final bout was between Stefan and the giant werewolf. They looked at each other. Each sizing the other up. Slow smiles spread across both their faces as they waited for the referee to start the fight.
As soon as the ref gave the go they both came for each other. They locked together with their hands on their shoulders each one trying to get a good grip. Stefan marveled at just how big this werewolf was. He had known only one werewolf close to this size. He was a friend of his father's who disappeared long ago. His son had been slated to be Marco's Beta but he left in search of his father and also never returned.
'Marco.'
This almost caused Stefan to pause. Someone used soulspeech on him, in order for that to happen the person needed to be extremely trusted, capable of soulspeech and in close proximity, preferably touching.
Touching.
'Who are you?'
'It's me Caleb. I am sorry that I was not here to protect you and your father. When I heard about the wars I rushed back but I was so far away I actually heard about it a year after it was over.'
They broke away from each other, looking for openings in seemingly impenetrable defenses. Stefan moved first he came straight at the big werewolf with a direct attack to his throat. His opponent retracted his neck in an oddly impossible way, moved to the side and slashed down. Even though Stefan was expecting this he still got nicked and he could feel the trickle of blood running down his side.
But the cut on Caleb's neck was a bit deeper.
'You have gotten a lot better My Alpha. May I return to the Silver Moon Pack?'
'It's good to see you. You have changed so much.' Stefan looked at the blood red streaks and understood that they were truly markers of death. Their bright color meant it was good death.
'You are always welcome in the Pack.'
Caleb smiled and moved in on the attack. He moved even faster than he did when he fought the fast cocky werewolf. Stefan was impressed as he went on the defensive.
'Who do I report to when I get there? You are based at the stronghold or in an old Dark Howl city?'
They fought fiercely, each giving the other minor, superficial wounds. At this rate they would tire out before either won.
'No stay here with my Beta. He has a rented house. You remember Tar?'
'Yes I have seen him here.'
'You have seen him?'
Caleb answered with a palm to Stefan's chin.
'Don't leave yourself open like that My Alpha.'
Stefan narrowed his eyes and suddenly he was like a whirlwind. Before Caleb knew it he was flat on his back with a cracked skull. Stefan walked from the ring before he was announced the winner.
'Tar that's Caleb get him treated and assign him some tasks.'
It took Tar a moment to answer.
'Yes Alpha.'
"There will be a three hour break to allow the opponents time to recuperate a bit. If one is not ready in three hours they forfeit."
"Three hours and then it's my turn."
"Three days My Alpha."
"Yes that's what I meant. Three days."