Killian reached the tree almost at the same time as Blausen and Daemon, he was looking for Terrence's plaque but he couldn't find it, he looked around and his eyes focused on the leader Blausen thanks to Daemon's strange angry expression but Killian never expected what would happen next...
…
Many alphas withdrew when they saw they saw Erick's badge in the hand of Daemon, most of them knew that they couldn't defeat him but others decided to take the risk.
"What the hell are you doing Blausen?"
Daemon growled in annoyance at Blausen making the rest of the contestants stop what they were doing. The youths paid attention to both leaders who looked at each other as if they would eventually rip their heads off at that very moment, their pheromones made the environment heavier around them preventing anyone from moving a single muscle.
…
Daemon felt his heart stop as he watched the redhead grab the last plaque on the tree…the plaque with Terrence's name on it.
"Why do you look so excited Daemon?"
Blausen said that like a joke but as Daemon didn't know what was Blausen planning now, he couldn't control his annoyance at the other actions, the energy around them made them control their pheromones and those who could take advantage of that fight slowly retreat to the platform, leaving only Daemon, Blausen, and Killian near the tree.
"Don't change the subject, I asked you what the HELL are you doing?"
"Nothing... I'm just surprised that a boy as cute and attractive as Terrence doesn't have a prospect"
"I thought you were interested in his brother"
"I am...but I don't want my future husband's older brother to stay single."
Daemon frowned his eyebrows annoyed, he knew very well that he was lying, Blausen wanted to figure out if he was interested in Terrence or not and that's why he was doing that.
"I never thought you would care about others"
"People surprise you, Daemon"
Blausen smiled a little, looking at the opposite with that slight satisfied smile before speaking again.
"What do you say... If we bet something new Daemon?"
"What do you want now?"
"You'll know soon"
Blausen's mocking smile irritated the contrary, both had to leave the tree remembering that they had a plaque in their hands and both reached the platform with the other competitors.
In the commotion, Killian managed to see Orsen's badge and although it was cheating he took it and kept it among his clothes without anyone noticing. He also never imagined that Blausen would take Terrence's plaque and he didn't know whether to intervene or not, Prince Blausen was someone... strange. Although he wasn't a bad prospect, there was something strange about him that didn't end up convincing him and when he heard the word " bet" from his lips that made Killian worried again... What were they planning with Terrence?
Those who didn't have a badge and wanted to challenge the others had to wait far away from the platform so they all lined up in front of Orsen who, seeing Killian among them, felt a strong pang in his heart, that meant he hadn't chosen his badge. ...and wanted someone else's.
Despite the pain that he feel inside of him at that moment he couldn't lose focus.
The fights started as they arrived, many didn't have to fight and managed to ask for the hand of their romantic interest when it was their turn. Others fought and won while others lost to their opponents.
The line advanced quickly, the fight between Daemon and the brave ones who wanted Erick's plaque was coming fast, only three people were missing, but Blausen, who had Terrence's plate, approached Daemon a little and began to whisper a few words.
"Very well Daemon, do you want to know the new bet?"
"What are you planning?"
Blausen looked away with a smirk with Terrence's badge close to his lips while Daemon kept a serious expression and tried his best not to snatch that badge from him.
"We both want Erick but you know only one can have him"
"…." Daemon didn't answer because he couldn't let the opponent see his frustration before his words.
"Let's settle our eternal feud today"
"What are you talking about?" Daemon raised one of his eyebrows confused
"We have fought for a long time so, let's have our last fight here, a fair one where we will finally define who is the strongest of all, what do you think?"
"Are you saying that…"
"The winner stays with Erick and the one who lose marries Terrence, we will not compete for anything again but the loser will swear allegiance to the winner"
"What the hell…"
"I want the throne of Reinheit and I plan to unite the packs into one but for that, I will need a strong ally, you are the strongest before me, of course, if I lose I will not ask for your loyalty"
Blausen observed his opponent seriously, he knew that the opponent would never admit defeat to him, much less swear allegiance to him under any circumstances.
"If you're just looking to win my loyalty, why take Terrence's badge?
"Well, you don't seem to dislike Terrence and since you trust his Innocence, I thought it was very sad that he was left alone in the tree. You don't want that sweet face to be filled with sadness knowing that despite putting up his badge, no one wants to marry him, do you?"
When Blausen whispered those words Daemon focused his gaze on Terrence who looked somewhat embarrassed and excited, of course, he didn't want that Terrence feels hurt, he clenched his hands in annoyance because losing against Blausen would prevent him from being disloyal on the contrary... But he didn't want to marry Erick so he has to think of something quickly.
"Very well… I only have one condition"
"A condition? And what would that be?"
"I will tell you before the fight, but you must assure me that you will accept it no matter what it is"
Blausen arched one of his eyebrows, he didn't understand why he was suddenly so mysterious but something told him that Daemon felt confident that he would win, even though he nodded accepting what he wanted"
The last person finally finished their fight and it was Daemon's turn to say the name of the Omega he chose but before he could do so, the alpha himself approached Orsen to whisper something to him.
"Orsen, before I started… I want to challenge Prince Blausen for Terrence's hand but... I ask for a duel"
TERRENCE
After Leva mentioned to me how all the participants ran to the tree I was paying attention at every moment although I really doubted that someone would take my plaque I... was still very nervous.
I never imagined that my wishes would be heard, there was a great silence before a boy approached me to tell me that Blausen had taken my badge, my heart stopped when I heard that news, I couldn't believe it, my mind was a complete mess, my heart was beating like crazy but at that moment the boy who came to me told me that I have to go to the platform.
He was Luke, the one who had brought my food a few minutes ago. After his words, I immediately got up from my seat and Leva helped me to get to the platform but when I was there a voice made my skin crawl...
"Who would have thought that Prince Blausen would take your plaque, right big brother?"
"Erick…"
"He is certainly so handsome and a good prospect… what do you think of the prince, big brother? Do you like him?"
His intrigue made me uncomfortable and I didn't feel good to answer his questions, we hadn't seen each other for a long time but I always had the slight suspicion that my younger brother didn't like me and that he wasn't honest with me. Was his curiosity normal, or was it perhaps my lack of trust in others that kept me from opening up to my brother?
"Well …"
"Oh come on, don't you trust me? We're brothers"
I notice his lower tone as if we were sharing a secret, I always wanted to be near my family so I thought it would be a good opportunity but still, I didn't feel so comfortable...
"Well... the truth is... I quite like Blausen"
"Wow, it's so great big brother, congratulations... I'm sure you'll make a unique couple"
…
Erick's voice seemed a bit dark as he said the last thing but Terrence couldn't pay attention when he heard Orsen's voice speaking once more.
"Before starting the fight for Erick's Plaque… Prince Daemon has asked for a duel with Blausen and as everyone knows that invalidates the choice of both of them over the Omega they chose and only the winner can claim whoever he wants"
Terrence was surprised by Orsen's words… Leva had told him that Daemon already had a plaque in his hands and was on the platform and if Erick was next to him it means that Daemon had taken his younger brother's plaque… so why was he asking for a duel with Blausen?
"Oh wow…don't tell me…?" Erick mentioned being surprised looking at both alphas
"What's going on?"
"Don't you know? Well when there is a duel between participants with different plaques… let's say if you chose someone by mistake you can change them depending on the result of the fight"
Terrence had a strange and uncomfortable feeling inside him, for some reason he didn't want Blausen to lose but they had both helped him a lot and he knew that if Daemon lost he could lose prestige as an alpha but there was that big question… why did he want to fight?
BLAUSEN
I never imagined that Daemon would start a duel, that changed our treatment a bit, without a doubt he had done it on purpose... now, even if we had bet the loyalty of the loser, Daemon could choose whoever he wanted without losing his freedom.
"Damn it… well-played Daemon"
"You are the only fool who thinks I will bow to your requests, carrot"
• • • • ❁ • • • •
Blausen clicked his tongue quite annoyed, he couldn't do anything more now, the best he could do was to win the fight against Daemon and be able to ask for Erick's hand, before the duel Orsen ask them to hand over the plaques they had with all the presents looking at them astonished since no one had expected that turn of events.
Terrence was nervous, after his brother explained everything he was curious about the possibility that Blausen would lose against Daemon, he still didn't understand why he challenge Blausen but only at the end of that fight they could get the answers they needed
Since the unexpected battle was settled, everyone was eager to see who would be the winner, and with a smile of emotion, they keep silent while they prepared themselves.
Killian watched both of them in complete amazement, if their deductions were correct they would see something incredibly unexpected at the end of the fight but he wanted to be sure. The music of the drums flooded the backyard and the tension increased drastically, everyone cleared the platform at Orsen's request, even Terrence and Erick had to retire to a safer place since everyone knew the great power Daemon and Blausen had.
Each one was at one end of the platform and Orsen had the plates of both on a cushion waiting for the result in front of the platform. Daemon looked at the opposite with a completely serious expression while Blausen watched him with annoyance.
"You're a cheater, you know that?"
"In war and love... all is fair"
It was the only thing that Daemon answered before he began to transform into an enormous wolf, his bones began to creak as his body changed, his white fur like the shine of the moon began to peek out from his skin and his purple eyes turned even bigger.
His strong paws scratched the platform and in less than a few seconds Daemon was a wolf… a huge one, although they were all wolves larger than normal… Daemon as a dominant alpha was over the limit even for them; however, he was not the only one.
Blausen showed his true form which was the same size as Daemon, only his fur and color eye was different, he was somewhat reddish-brown and slightly hairier than Daemon.
"Blausen if you want to bet something do it about your life for a good cause, not about other people's feelings" Daemon mentioned in the mind of the opponent
"You're not funny, Killjoy"
"A person's loyalty must be earned, not imposed, that's what he always said"
"Don't you dare to say his name…" Blausen growled, revealing all of his fur bristling with anger as well as his long fangs threatening.
"Don't hold back or it will hurt you"
…
"Ready?"
Orsen's voice made everyone nervous, and when he gave the opening announcement Blausen was the first to attack the other, a serious mistake because Daemon easily managed to dodge it; however, that only increased Blausen's anger.
Daemon approached the opposite to bite his ear but Blausen barely dodged him, he launched himself at his neck managing to make a quite strong and notable wound on him. The albino wolf growled annoyed but with a claw of his paws, he took him off and managed to bite Blausen's shoulder hardly.
They all saw the fury with which they attacked each other and launched bites and scratches here and there for a long time, they knew it has passed a lot of time because the moon was setting and the sunlight was barely touching the new day...
They both fought until finally one of them couldn't get up anymore...
When Erick noticed the winner, he took the crown that he had made of flowers for the winner if he was going to ask for his hand.
Both Alpha breathed somewhat agitated, but still badly wounded the winner got up and went to Orsen who had returned to the platform, in his human form, the winner took the desired plate and looked for the boy to ask for his hand.
Erick was blushing and everyone saw the boy approaching the champion with that crown like a true angel, it was indisputable that they would make a great couple.
Nevertheless…
The winner past Erick without even looking at him, reaching the young boy Terrence to kneel in front of him and ask for the hand of the cursed Omega in front of everyone present.
"Young master Terrence, I Daemon Arley ask for the opportunity to win not only your hand but also your heart... I wish I could be your life mate if you accept me..."
To be continued...