Chapter 20: Challenge

A commotion quickly spread from the crowd as all eyes seemed to turn to Hazel, scrutinizing her with a mix of disdain and anger that seemed to bore into her skin like tiny needles.

“Did you just say that she is weak? What does someone like you know?”

“I recognize you, aren’t you just a princess who became a slave in the royal mansion? What makes you think you can pick out flaws in our people?”

“She even looks like someone who could easily be blown away by just a small wind and now she is pretending to be strong?”

“Since she is so keen, let her try.” A voice shouted, pointing at Hazel squarely.

Another person answered, “I think she wants to challenge the champion.”

Hazel frowned, pressing her lips into a thin line.

The female warrior in the center of the training grounds flexed her muscles, eyes scanning through the crowd. She did not seem surprised that not a single person stepped out to challenge her after witnessing her feat of defeating five warriors in a roll.

To her, none was her match apart from the royal guards and after this battle, she would also be known as a royal guard, someone who would be chanced to see the Alpha every day,

Although she had no idea if the Alpha was somewhere watching, she believed that words of her heroic defeats would soon reach him. It was rare to see a woman as strong as her.

However, as her gaze swept across the crowd, she finally noticed an oddity.

A group of people were pointing at a seemingly frail woman, whose pretty face made the warrior, Helda, dissatisfied. Considering her average looks, she had always disliked those who were good-looking and her dislike for this new woman was almost instant.

The crowd did not notice that Helda’s attention was already on them, they were busy jeering Hazel.

Matilda, on the other hand, could not protect Hazel against such a crowd. Moreover, she had received Hazel's signal not to interfere.

As someone who was once a princess, Hazel never thought herself of somebody who would always need protection.

However, it was unknown who started it, but she was pushed to the front.

One of the women amongst the crowd laughed mockingly and turned to Helda, “Helda, we’ve found you a new opponent, she claims you are weak and can’t win against her.”

Helda raised her brows, her sharp eyes sweeping over Hazel’s slender body. “Oh? Just you?”

Within moments of being pushed, Hazel was already standing close to the center of the training grounds, drawing attention to herself.

“Hey, isn’t that the Alpha’s new sex slave?”

“It’s her. Tsk, such a pretty face, no wonder someone like the Alpha was attracted.”

“Of course. All she has is that pretty face.”

Hearing that Hazel had such a close relationship with the Alpha, albeit still just a slave, Helda was completely angry and jealous. Here she was, fighting hard just to get a suitable status to face the Alpha, while Hazel on the other did nothing and yet, won his attention.

To Helda, even being a slave to the Alpha was considered an honor, but Hazel never considered it so. The label of being a sex slave made her skin recoil in disgust, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Helda glanced at Hazel and sneered, “So you are the slave the people have been talking about?”

Hazel parted her lips, but Helda did not give her the chance to reply.

“Very well. I will see how he would still be interested in you when your pretty face is all ruined and your body is littered with wounds.” Helda said coldly, her clenched fist making loud cracking sounds as though she could not wait to smash Hazel’s face with it.

Matilda took a step forward solemnly, ready to step in.

But a single glance from Hazel stopped her steps.

Hazel could feel the eyes on her and the whispers about her spread across the crowd. As a warrior, admitting defeat was never an option.

The referee approached slowly, his demeanor indifferent. “Do you want to challenge Helda or not?”

“Yes. I want her to know that just because she defeated a few weaklings does not mean everyone would bow for her.” Hazel replied calmly.

In response to her statement, an uproar rose.

In a secluded and hidden section of the training grounds, a figure in black, who was about to leave halted in his steps.

His eyes narrowed and he slowly turned around. He couldn’t have mistaken her voice, it was definitely her.

Damien’s eyes quickly found Hazel in the center of the training grounds and he frowned, displeased.

“What is she doing there? Is she that eager to be thrashed and embarrassed?” He muttered to himself, sneering.

Killian gave Damien a look and furrowed his brow, “Didn’t you just say that the sparring session was boring and wanted to leave? Why did you change your mind all of a sudden?”

Damien said nothing in response and Killian followed his gaze towards the training grounds. His eyes found a petite figure and he frowned, finding her familiar.

It was only after a few seconds that he realized who she was.

“Wait, isn’t that the princess of that pack?” Killian asked, slightly surprised. Then, his pupils shrank slightly as he turned to Damien, “Is she the one you had Matilda clean up to serve you?”

Finally, Damien replied, “Yes.”

Killian frowned instantly, “But, isn’t that too risky? Having someone like her so close to you?”

As expected, Damien once again gave no reply and Killian could only sigh, knowing he could not force Damien to say what he didn't want to.

Then he realized something and chuckled mockingly, “Oh? She wants to challenge that warrior? I have only heard of how prideful that woman is and have never witnessed it in person. But now, I finally understand. Should I applaud her for being dumb or for being courageous? Isn’t she purely courting death?”

Damien said nothing and just glanced at the field.

“Tch, troublesome.”