Chapter 135 BEFORE EVERYTHING WENT TO HELL
UNKNOWN'S POV (FLASHBACK I)
Years ago, many years before the bond and when everything was still new and chaotic, there was only survival.
And Ragnar had long since learned that survival did not come with mercy or morality.
The training grounds were already ruined before the next fight even began.
Back then when the training grounds were done with fine red earth instead of concrete, the red earth was broken into uneven chunks from the repeated impacts during training or challenges.
Deep claw marks caved into the soil with what looks like a red suspicious liquid splattered all over the ground but it wasn't noticeable anymore because the color blended with the earthen grounds.
This was not a place for peace, it was a place where power was proven or taken by force.
Power was defended over and over again because of the damned one week leeway the moon goddess has put on the title of Alpha of Alphas.
Within a week after being crowned Alpha of Alphas, any wolf that successfully challenged the person, could get the title and blessings.
Ragnar stood alone at the center as he always did with sweat and blood all over him.
From his smooth skin, they were not his.
He looked calm and composed but with excitement in his eyes for the next challenger.
As the newly crowned Alpha of the pack right after his father, he was eager to gain recognition and be rooted deeply by proving his strength to everyone.
The low murmurs began before she even stepped forward.
They were uneasy and different from the usual excitement that followed events like this.
Because of this, today it all felt wrong.
“...She’s the one.”
“I heard she slaughtered her way through the outer territories.”
“They say she doesn’t stop… even after they yield.”
Ragnar didn’t react outwardly but he listened to the murmurs and talks of his pack members and the spectators around him.
Because in a situation like this, information kept you alive and ignorance got you killed.
Then finally, she stepped into the clearing and he could feel the air shifted as she stepped closer.
She was tall, lean with subtle muscles to know that she was a really good fighter.
She looked like something built like something forged for destruction rather than dominance as her movements were too still and controlled.
So why was she fighting for a leadership role?
But it was her eyes, after looking at her intently, it was her eyes that gave her away.
Her very bright and sharp eyes that looked like they were glowing just a tad bit brighter than normal.
Unnatural, like something inside her was burning fast and violently.
Ragnar’s gaze narrowed slightly as he took it all in. He had seen that look before.
Not quite often as it's banned but enough to recognize what it is.
Enhancement.
His jaw tightened as he felt fury at her.
Did she think that was some kind of joke?
If she did take the title from him, would she use the same enhancements every time she has a challenger?
She stopped a few feet away from him, her lips curling into something that resembled a smile but lacked anything close to sanity because of the drugs.
“So,” she said with her voice rough and edged with something close to feral, “this is the Alpha of Alphas.”
Ragnar said nothing as he didn't even want to waste his voice here so he simply watched her.
“You understand the rules,” he said finally with his tone even. “No enhancements. No outside interference.”
Her smile widened in anticipation.
“Of course,” she replied.
A lie. At least he gave her a chance to stop and not be humiliated later on.
The crowd pulled further away as they waited with bated breath to see what would happen.
Without any warning, she moved fast towards him.
Her body launched forward with a force that tore through the air as her claws were aimed directly for his throat.
Ragnar shifted at the last second, the attack grazing past him instead of connecting as he's stunned at her speed.
It wasn’t natural.
She didn’t pause or hesitate as she spun herself and came at him again but this time lower and aiming for his ribs with her sharp claws.
She was not fighting fair or for a challenge.
She was fighting to the death, his death.
Ragnar met her movement head on, blocking and countering her every move with ease.
But she fought violently like an out of control storm that's unpredictable.
Every strike from her carried a weight that didn’t belong to her natural strength as the ground broke apart from her unnatural strength.
The crowd roared with shock as everyone was watching with bated breaths.
But some sharp wolves knew there was something wrong with this she wolf.
Ragnar’s eyes darkened as he finally confirmed the presence of enhancements in her systems and without hesitation, he shifted his stance to end the fight.
He dodged her next attack, catching her wrist mid swing and twisting sharply but she merely laughed at the pain without even wincing.
“You’re holding back,” she hissed after her laughter.
Ragnar’s grip tightened on her.
“And you’re cheating.”
The words landed cold and final with the crowd going silent as the excitement died to contempt.
Her smile didn’t fade. If anything, it grew into a bigger one.
“You’re weak,” she spat.
Ragnar released her, stepping back and ignoring her words of provocation.
Something was telling him to end the fight.
“This challenge is over,” he said, his voice carrying across the grounds. “You’ve dishonored it.”
A ripple went through the crowd because the crowd knew Ragnar's motivation kept him fighting even in the most unfair terms.
So why would he stop now?
When Ragnar didn't know. But something inside was telling him to end it quickly before he does something he would regret.
Silence envelopes the square as he slowly walks away from her and he feels a sudden shift from behind him but it's too late.
The brutal and savage attack hit from behind as he grunted with pain.
An immediate and white hot burning pain rushed straight to his heart from it.