Chapter 12

After a brief pause, I learn that the combat competition is about to begin.

One of the fighters takes his place beside me.

I can feel Roman’s gaze searing into us, but I don’t return it. Instead, I focus on the fighter.

He’s not overly muscular, but it’s clear he’s been training for some time.

“We haven’t met yet. I’m Kian, Princess.” His voice is gentle and friendly. I sniff the air for any hint of danger, but Kian seems genuine.

“Katelynn. And please, don’t call me Princess.” He grins at my words and glances at Roman.

“Is he going to kill me for talking to you?” I chuckle at his question.

“Maybe. Or maybe he’ll try to kill me.” Now we’re both laughing.

“I heard you were a warrior in your old pack. Judging by the way you fought Lorenzo, you must have been pretty serious.” I just nod.

I’m aware that news travels fast in a pack. Sometimes it’s out of genuine interest, other times it’s just because wolves love to gossip. Men included.

“You’re up against August first. He relies more on strength than speed. You’ll be fine.” I turn to look at him, surprised.

“Why are you telling me this?” A grin spreads across Kian’s face. He’s not my type, but he’d make a good mate for someone.

“Maybe I’m hoping our princess will win. Or maybe I just don’t like August.” We both laugh again, and I can’t help but wonder if he really does want me to win.

I’ve noticed a few glances from the pack members.

Some clearly show distaste, while others are simply curious.

Of course, the members I’ve already spoken to always smile when they see me.

I’m an Alpha’s daughter. I know how to make people like me... for the most part.

“My wolves. The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here. The previous tests showed us skill, speed, and cleverness.”

With that last word, the king locks eyes with me. “Now we’ll see how they fare in the heat of battle. The matchups have been decided.”

The king announces the different opponents, and sure enough, I’m up against August.

I don’t know who he is, since I haven’t met any of them yet.

But when Roman’s name is called along with a wolf named Leroy, one of the guys standing across from me turns pale.

I bet he’s the one fighting Roman.

I scan the competitors for someone who looks like an August.

One of the larger wolves, heavily muscled, locks eyes with me.

A sinister smile spreads across his face, and he winks at me. He doesn’t strike me as an August, but I bet he’s my guy.

“We’ll start with the fight we’re all secretly waiting for. Our very own princess.”

Cheers erupt from the audience. Some chant my name, but many chant August's name.

We both walk towards the dome.

I lock eyes with the witch, and she winks at me.

August immediately shifts into his wolf form, a large brown and white wolf, nearly twice my size.

I stay in my human form, calling upon my magic.

I let the wind ruffle August's fur, and he growls.

This is going to be fun.

The moment the king shouts “Begin!”, August charges at me.

He’s not very fast, but his paws are huge and it only takes a few strides for him to reach me. He doesn’t attack though.

He circles me from a safe distance, occasionally growling at my ankles.

I stand still, letting my wolf senses track his movements.

I quickly cast a spell to protect my clothes from my flames.

I heat my skin to the temperature of hellfire just as I hear August leap.

I turn, putting my arm between his massive teeth.

The smell of burning flesh fills the air, and August quickly releases me.

I glance at my arm, seeing the faint bite marks already healing.

August growls again and swipes at me with his front paw.

I drop to my knees and conjure a wall of fire where I was standing.

His paw hits the fire, and he yelps in pain.

He lands next to me, but I don’t get up.

As I lay on the grass with my legs tucked under me, August glares at me in anger. I can feel his annoyance radiating off him, and I smirk.

This seems to infuriate him more, and he pounces on me.

I put my arm between his teeth again.

But this time I keep pushing my arm forward, forcing his mouth to open wider.

I can feel the back of his throat as he yelps in pain.

With my other hand, I grab him by the neck. He uses one of his paws to punch me.

A moan of pain escapes my lips, but I don’t pull back.

He punches me again, and it feels like my insides are about to burst out of my back.

I ignite my hand and feel the fur on his neck singe away.

His cry fills my ears as I quickly pull my other arm from his mouth and send a gust of wind into his throat.

It’s an old trick that makes it impossible for him to breathe.

His eyes widen, and he starts snapping at me. He hits my shoulder and upper arm a few times.

I can feel the blood trickling down my body.

I smirk at him again as I grip his lower jaw with my hand, heating it until it’s as hot as fire.

He tries to wriggle free. The sizzling of flesh fills our ears.

He manages to break free and immediately puts both of his front paws on my chest, pushing me back.

His weight presses down on me, leaving me breathless.

My head hits the ground hard, and I see stars.

Just as August is about to snap my neck, I set my whole body on fire.

Flames erupt from me, high enough to scorch his massive head, but not high enough to cause permanent damage.

He howls in pain and quickly jumps back. I get to my feet, a little unsteady.

Dizziness threatens to overcome me, but I take a deep breath.

August glares at me with disgust. His fur is completely gone on his neck and chin.

Still, he growls at me. I have to give it to him, he’s a fighter.

Even wolves would be in too much pain to continue by now.

I charge at him and shift into my wolf form mid-leap.

August saw this coming and rolls onto his back.

I crash into him, but he swiftly flips us over.

He clamps down on my neck with his teeth, and I can’t help but yelp in pain.

He growls, demanding my submission, but I’ve got him exactly where I want him.

I sink my teeth into his upper leg, igniting my fur into a blaze.

August tries to maintain his grip, but the fire consumes every inch of his fur, weakening his bite.

Within seconds, he releases me.

I jerk my head to the side, latching onto the fur at his neck and yanking him towards me.

He squirms, trying to break free, but his attempts are feeble.

His entire body is aflame, and my teeth in his neck must be causing him unbearable pain.

A feeble howl of submission escapes his throat, and the moment I hear it, I extinguish my flames.

I fling him off me with a jerk of my head. He lands beside me, barely stirring.

The witch is already approaching me, a rope in her hands.

She loops the rope around me, and I shift back into my human form.

Several pack members rush to August’s side.

I shove one of the men aside and kneel next to August.

“You fought well, warrior. If I weren’t a witch, you would have bested me.” My voice is barely above a whisper, but I know he hears me.

I place my hands on his belly, calling forth my healing power. I watch as his fur slowly regrows, the burns fading away.

Wolves heal quickly, but witch magic contains iron.

Iron hinders wolves from healing as quickly as they should.

Being both a wolf and a witch, iron doesn’t affect me as much as it would a pure wolf.

When I sense August shifting back, I quickly pull my hands away.

Suddenly, I feel self-conscious touching a naked man.

August rises, and I stand with him. He takes my hand in both of his and gives it a firm shake.

“You, Princess, are a good woman.” With that, he strides off towards one of the wolves offering him clothes.

I scan the crowd for Roman’s face, a sense of elation bubbling within me.

One of their own warriors has just shown me respect!

My excitement falters when I catch sight of Roman’s somber expression.

As the king begins to announce the next opponents, I barely register his words.

All I can see is Roman’s sad face.

Why isn’t he proud of me?

What’s wrong with him?

Why doesn’t he want me to be a warrior?

For a moment, I feel a pang of regret about entering this competition.

But then, my mother’s words echo in my mind.

“I am proud of you. Don’t ever give up on your dreams.”