Bree
But she had just won. Defeated her brothers. She wanted to celebrate, but it was too early for that. Now it was time for the real challenge her eyes scattered the crowd until she found her father with a grin on the edge of his seat. Now she would take the crown.
Walking forward she turned her neck side to side cracking her bones. She wished she would have more time to renew herself, but this was all the time she was going to get. She breathed in and out clearing her throat, it was now or never, " I challenge you father King Lucien for the throne." Bree declared as the crowd stood in awe.
Standing up as he perched himself on the rim of the edge. He loosened the strings of his wolf cape as it dropped behind him exposing his still chiseled and fortified body. Years and years of training was visibly shown as well as battle scars from those who battled him. Jumping down as his feet hit the ground sounding like thunder.
" I accept your challenge, my dearest daughter." He accepted as the room went silent, the Alpha King had would be fighting his one and only daughter for the throne. But in reality it wasn't for some throne. It was the right to lead people, to bring new ideas, a new era.
The crowd yelled, screamed, and went into a frenzy at the idea. The last time this happened was over two hundred years ago when her father challenged her grandfather. And everyone knows how that went. She squinted scanning for her mother that stood where she had for the past two hundred years now next to an empty throne. Queen Collette. The same woman she took her hair after. With knitted brows as her eyes were filled with worry most likely wanting to turn away but kept her gaze between her daughter and her mate. She was not one that liked fights even though she was a fighter. She could not bare her most beloved people in the world hurting one another. Scanning as her fallen competitors- siblings sat next to their mother. They knew she was going to need some comfort. In the end, one of them would die. Whether it be her only daughter, and her husband one woman could decide. If it were her will, it wouldn't happen at all.But she must let tradition be.
Breaking away she glanced back at her father but she could swear a pair of eyes on her besides his. But she could not think of that now. All she could think about the man in front of her. Her King. Her father. Her protector. Her teacher. And now her competitor for the throne.
"All supreme being please let me survive this. " Bree prayed as he eyes lingered on her father. For two hundred years old his handsomeness still lived. His brown curly hair had few strands of grey, his face looked that of the Greek God Adonis. Sharp jaw. Silver with a mix of ocean blue eyes. Bold brows with peach skin. He towered over her just like her brothers, but not as much as Rhys.
Rhys.
She wondered if he had been watching. He must have. He was the lion king after all. Probably surprised she made it this far. But she was going to show him she was going to be his equal. That she was his equal.
" How should we start my daughter?" Her father questioned as she shrugged her shoulders.
Bree had never attended to one of this. She didn't know too much of the customs but whatever that would prove her worthy. " Whatever is necessary father." She answered honestly as his eyes sparkled.
" I believe I have the perfect idea." He said with conviction. A lady brought out something covered in a dark cloth. She squinted attempting to see what it was. But she could, until the lady near and she held it in her hands. Long,slightly curved with a hilt. Immediately she knew what it was as she uncovered revealing a blade.
Sword fighting. " Just like the good old days." Bree gleamed as her father nodded. The touch of the cold iron felt sleek. The metal was of fine quality. She twirled the staff in between her fingers as the swayed like the wind. Producing sounds that could slash the wind.
" Let's begin." He decided.
" As you wish you're majesty." Bree agreed as she flashed disappearing into the wind.No trace. No essence. Her scent was everywhere and nowhere. The crowds eyes attempted to see her. But nowhere she was until her sword piercing through his. The gasps of the crowd made this known. " Too slow, dad." She joked, his eyes widened. The smirk on her face like a proud wolf or rather a lion marking her pride. Removing her sword from his as he clicked his tongue.
He wouldn't have his daughter humiliate him like that. His pride wouldn't allow him.He was still the Alpha King after all. Quickly striking his sword against her, again and again as she felt a bit overpowered by the sudden outburst of strength of his metal against hers. Knocked to the ground as his sword came close to her throat. Bree swallowed, she knew her father was strong, whenever he was her teacher he was relentless but this was different. This wasn't practice, or a game. This was real. This was her greatest challenge.
Swiftly misdirecting the sword as she thrashed her feet into his chest as he pushed off. One thing he had taught her: always go for someone's chest. The scenery converted into the green forest where her father and her stood ten years prior. Being nothing more than a pup, she lunged at her father as he ended up falling down on her ass. He crouched down looking with sharp eyes. She didn't know at if it was for concern or remark. Yet, simply offering his hand as she trustingly place her in his as he directed it to his middle of his chest. Her eyes widened, " Dad-"
" Bree." He cut her off to inform her, " When attack an opponent do not just their chest but their solar plexus. Below my chest, but not quite my stomach. When attacking an opponent going for there chest is one of their weak area. If able to hit or injury one's chest area you are able to knock them off balance, cut their oxygen or even knock them unconscious."
The lesson forever ingrained in her memory. Lifting on her two feet, watching her father stand regaining his stance with the sword still in his hand. It didn't prove as useful, but even for a moment she escaped death.
But this was life or death.
There was no other choice..... but to win.