Writers POV

She was sitting on a blanket spread out under the blue sky, surrounded by lush greenery, just by a lake teeming with water lilies. A warm hand rested on her stomach, securing her to the person sitting behind her. She felt at ease, and a contented sigh escapes her lips. She turns to look behind her and sees Aiden staring at her with love in his eyes and a soft smile on his lips. She smiles back, and then everything around her is demolished: the castle they were living in is burnt down, and there are small fires here and there. She looked around and saw dead, bloodied pack members. Everything was in utter disarray. When she couldn't find Aiden, her heart began to beat a million times per second. She began running aimlessly in search of him but instead discovered more pack members who were still alive. But the look of horror in their eyes made her halt in her step. They were staring at her with such fear that it made her cringe. She took a few steps back and turned around to see a monster standing there who's skin was pale as a paper, hair black as the night, long black wings attached to its back with a silvery glint in them, its eyes were pitch black and huge fangs protruding from its gums. And she was covered in blood, not its own, but the blood of the innocent people it had slaughtered. The reflection stares back at her, emotionless, and regardless; it was a pure monster who didn't even understand what emotions were. It only knows how to kill and take lives mercilessly. She stares at the monster she became, the monster she tried so hard to keep hidden in the depths of herself, never allowing even a sliver of light to fall on it. But it's out there now!

She jolted awake in a cold sweat, her breathing was slightly uneven and her hand unconsciously traveled to the other side of the bed only to find it empty. She stared longingly at the cold side of the bed where Aiden usually resided She sat up and cradled her knees against her chest, burying her face in them.

"Don't catch feelings! Don't let them see! Don't let him in!" She chanted these sentences to herself like a mantra.

The sleepless night was long and cold. She was restless and couldn't get herself back to bed, she waited, waited for him, but he doesn't show up. So, she just decided to run, run away from the fear, from the feeling. The martial arts were her escape from the fears and she's doing just that. The guards stationed outside the bedroom had led her to the gymnasium in the Alpha wing and didn't question as for why she demanded such a thing at the odd hour of the night. With every punch, every kick she was making herself commit to the mantra and pushing away herself from the demon within.

She finally came to a halt and exited the gymnasium when the first rays of sunlight peered through the huge glass windows. When she exited the gymnasium, she discovered a tall, bulky man standing outside instead of the Royal Guards. The man had curly short black hair, a beautiful chocolate brown skin complexion, and warm brown eyes. As soon as he saw her, he bowed in respect.

"My lady, my name is Liam and I'm the Gamma of the Royal pack." She nodded and he continued

"I was ordered to escort you to the pack battlegrounds when you're ready."

"Okay, thank you." She strides towards the bedroom with Gamma Liam following her behind. She stepped inside the room and turned back

"Can you tell me where the Prince is?" She doesn't know why she asked but she was feeling restless until she knew where he was

"His Highness is at the practice ground, My lady,"

"He's been there all night?" She asked and Liam frowned

"No, His Highness attended a meeting this morning with Beta Nick then went to practice."

"Okay," she locked the door and went straight to the bathroom for a shower. She doesn't wish to know where he's been last night or why he didn't come back to their bedroom.

"Did I just think our bedroom!" She slapped herself reminding her the mantra. After a shower, she dried herself and wore a black yoga pants with a matching sports bra and a jacket. She quickly dried her hair and secured her hair in a neat bun and finished with some black sneakers. She felt a strange urge to go to the balcony, so she went and stood behind the metal bars that had previously been placed to keep her from fleeing. The cool breeze and warm sun rays greet her, and she closes her eyes to accept the sensation. The intoxicating scent of her mate was also carried to her by the gentle breeze. Her eyes opened and she turned to face the source of the scent. There he was, the all-powerful Alpha! He emerged from the dense forest wearing nothing but a pair of faded jeans. His half-naked body was drenched in sweat, his hair was tousled, and his breathing was slightly heavier. He was still oblivious to the presence of those hazel brown eyes on him. He kept walking towards the castle, head held high, each step with confidence. He came to a halt when a female approached him and handed him a bottle of water. Sparking up a conversation between them. He took the bottle and drank the water. Ariel's gaze followed the flexing of his muscles, every bob of his Adam's appel, but she couldn't help but notice how the female in front of him was feasting on his well-toned body. He finished half of his drink and poured the rest of the water on his head, and the girl's face flushed red. She bit her lower lip as she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She desires him! Have they been together before? Did he taste her? Was this female with him on one of those nights when she was suffering from the blazing pain of a mate's betrayal? She gets her answer when he looks up directly into her eyes. Her fists form into fists, and her jaw clenches. She returns to her bedroom with a blank expression on her face. Her beasts wanted to tear apart her body into pieces and feast on her blood and flesh, so she had to die for the pain she caused.

The sun shines brightly in the sky, illuminating the earth with abundant light and warmth. She stood in the middle of the battleground, head held high, posture stiff, and face emotionless. Almost every wolf in the pack had gathered around the battleground to watch her fight. She was staring blankly ahead at the empty chair her mate was supposed to be sitting in. Suddenly, the entire battlefield fell silent as a powerful aura entered the fray. Everyone but her had cowered in fear and respect as they bowed in submission to the powerful pheromone. As he walked towards the throne-like chair, she locked her gaze on his blue orbs. He was dressed in an expensive black suit with the Royal robe draped over his shoulders, and his expression was cold and emotionless. His features were accentuated by a light stubble. His hair was slicked back and perfectly styled. The Prince's black royal crown sat proudly on top of his head. While sitting in his chair, he felt her burning gaze and looked at her. The Beta and Gamma entered and stood at his right side.

"Rise," at his command, the whole crowd stood up and the Beta came forward to announce,

"All the she-wolves and Lycan's who challenged and wants to challenge Lady Ariel for her position of authority and her Moon blessed mate His Highness Prince Aiden please step out." Eight she-wolves stepped forward and Ariel glanced over them once. They were mostly fit-looking wolves, most of them held disgust in their glare.

"You can fight in your human or wolf form but any other weapon is illegal to use and you will be immediately disqualified. In order to acquire Lady Ariel's position of authority as the Queen, you have to knock out your opponent or make her force to submit and reject. If you get knocked out you are out of the challenge. As for Lady Ariel, if you manage to knock out or force them to submit, you win. If they back up and decides to withdraw you win." He finished explaining and the fight began with Aiden's approval. The first female to arrive to fight her was a warrior. Ariel prepared herself by stretching her limbs. They both circled each other, and the warrior growled in an attempt to intimidate Ariel, but it had no effect. After a few minutes of staring at their opponents, the warrior pounced, and Ariel quickly grabbed her and threw her behind. The warrior landed a few feet away from her. She stood up, her eyes glowed, and she pounced on Ariel again, sifting mid-jump in a quick motion. Ariel slid beneath the wolf and landed a hard punch on the wolf's rib, causing the warrior to whimper in pain and stumble. But before she could steady herself, Ariel was already on her feet and attacked her. She grabbed her snout with two hands and threw her on the ground, the warrior landed with a loud thud. Ariel didn't wait for her to stand up; instead, she ran up to her and punched her in the face with a jump. The warrior's face was covered in blood, and Ariel grabbed her neck, strangling her. She pushed her to the ground, and the warrior tried to squirm free from her iron grip.

"Yield the throne!" Ariel gave the order, but the warrior persisted. Ariel applied more pressure and ordered once more.

"Yield it! Yield the throne!" When the warrior reverted to her human form and tapped out, Ariel let her go. The crowd cheered for their queen's first victory. She stood up, bowed deeply in surrender, and walked away, not giving heed to the fact that she was butt naked. The rest of the fights were clean too, the challengers submitted and left the ground with a few injuries. Two of the eight challengers withdrew one of them being the female who was gawking over her mate and Julia and she wasn't surprised that they turned out to be cowards. When the sixth challenge was over Ariel stood there, drenched in other people's blood with a few scratches here and there. The crowd cheered as their future Queen stood there victorious and they felt proud.

Aiden was about to say something when Ariel spoke up, her voice booming around the battleground

"It isn't fair that your pack wolves get to challenge me and I don't,"

"What are you suggesting my mate?" Ariel glances over the female and Julia

"It's only fair if I also get to challenge,"

"Very well, who do wish to challenge, mate?"

"Everyone that decided to withdraw at the last minute, them," she points at them and they visibly gulped in fear.

"You shall get your fight, mate. Bethany, Julia, do you accept?" His voice booms and the females in question says in unison

"Yes, Your Highness. I accept." Bethany was the first to fight Ariel. Ariel noticed the fear in her eyes before she whipped them away. She threw away her jacket and stood in front of Ariel. Her movements were hesitant, and Ariel was well aware that she was intimidating her. Ariel felt her mate's piercing stare and looked him in the eyes. His eyes were filled with a foreign emotion, almost as if they were telling her not to kill Bethany, and that was reason enough for her to kill her brutally right in front of his eyes. She smirked at him and promised him through her eyes that she wouldn't live to see the next day.

"Let's finish this quick shall we?"

Ariel's voice had become deeper as her beasts attempted to make their presence known. Bethany gave her a disgusted look and tried to knock her down kicking her legs. But Ariel grabbed her legs and threw her on the ground. She tried to punch her in the face but Ariel dodged it. She tried to blow another punch but Ariel was quick to catch her forearm and twisted it. Bethany again tried to blow a punch on her ribs but Ariel grabbed her by the neck and threw her on the ground. She was fighting without thinking and Ariel laughed

"Those are moves of a pup, you fight like a pup."

"I wasn't a pup when your mate fucked me hard. Pounding in me screaming my name." She had the audacity to mention this in front of her and smirk. Ariel's eyes glowed momentarily and she pounced on her and punched her in the jaw, followed by another punch to the ribs. She didn't give Bethany time to catch her breath as she writhed in pain, instead kicking her a few feet away. Ariel landed gracefully on her feet. Bethany attempted to rise, but Ariel was already in front of her. She grabbed Bethany by the throat and punched her repeatedly, she said.

"Tell me, Wolf, was it worth fucking your Alpha for this?"

"It was, and I'd do it again! A mutt like you doesn't deserve hi..." She looked directly into Aidens eyes and ripped off her head from her body before she could finish the sentence. Aiden's jaw clenched and his eyes glowed bright yellow, Ariel gave him a sinister smile and dropped the dead body of the she-wolf. She turned to a mortified Julia shaking, staring at her with wide eyes.

"I don't have time to waste on you, so come along and let's finish this fast." Julia takes a step back and Ariel's face stiffens further. Ariel lunged at her, hurling her into the middle of the battleground. Julia stood up, and Ariel was already in front of her, she grabbed her neck and hissed inhumanly,

"You wrote your death note the very moment your lips touched his," her beasts showed their presence through her eyes, and Julia looked at her wide eyes, but before she could say anything, Ariel crushed her neck and threw away her body.

"Anyone else here who wants to take my position of authority or still thinks I'm unworthy to be here among you Lycans and wolves!" Nobody dares to say anything or even look her in the eyes. They bow deeply, bearing their necks in submission, and she turns to face Aiden. His jaw clenched and his hands gripped the chair in an attempt to control his rage. She lowered herself in front of him and whispered into his ears,

"I might not have accepted you, but remember I don't share." She wiped her hands on his shoulder, coating him in Bethany's blood, and strode away towards the castle. As she walked into the warmth of her room she was eager to take warm showers to wash away all the blood. She locked the room from inside and a sinister voice echoed

"Not getting too cozy, are we?"

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