EVOLET
"Aren't you happy, Eve? Two besties going head-to-head… It feels so wonderful. Don't you agree?" Fiona grinned, wiping off imaginary tears from her eyes.
I was still in shock, wondering why she had to be my opponent. If I had paid more attention to the Gamma, I would have prevented him from making Fiona my opponent by stepping back.
But that can't be changed now. We are out in the open, and there's no backing out from this.
"Why did it have to be her? Gosh, I just hate her," I mumbled, keeping my distance from Fiona.
She was busy stealing the show, all thanks to the audience who cheered out her name to show their love for Miss Show off.
"Go Fiona! You can do it, darling!" I recognized her mother's voice from the crowds, cheering out to her daughter.
On looking at her mother's direction, my heart sank when I spotted Mom sitting in the front row, staring at me.
"She came," I uttered softly, feeling emotional.
She still hasn't changed from that mood I left her in. She sat there with her arms crossed, glaring at Fiona's mother who kept singing out her daughter's name.
But I didn't care. As long as she's here, I'm happy. That way I can seek for her forgiveness after…
"FIGHT!" A voice interrupted my thoughts, forcing me to turn around and meet a desperate Fiona launching her wooden sword at me!
Quickly, I was able to block her attack with my sword, pushing her back.
That was a close call.
"You need to stay focus if you want to defeat me, Eve," Fiona said, swooshing her weapon at me.
I maintained my stamina by avoiding her attacks and returning mine back at her. But Fiona was able to avert my sword from knocking off hers, showing off her skills and making me look like a weakling.
She went as afar as using just one hand to attack me, portraying a skilled fighter before the crowds.
Everyone cheered at her performance, increasing Fiona's pride.
"You can do it, Eve!" Derby shouted from her end, encouraging me.
When Fiona heard her voice, she cackled out mockingly and said to me, "Your so-called friend is no friend at all. She's just trying to make you feel strong by singing your name. But I'm the only one who knows your fate, Eve."
"Shut up!" I groaned, clashing my sword with hers.
Fiona and I glared into each others eyes, trying to knock off the other sword. That's when Fiona scoffed at me and said, "You can shun me out as you like, Eve. But I have never been wrong about you. From the day you stupidly signed for this hunt, I was always right about your downfall. The Queen doesn't like you, even Alpha Allen despises you." She grinned, pushing me back.
I staggered a little but got my stand quickly, shielding myself from her attack.
"I know you'll think I'm lying but let me tell you the truth, bestie. Alpha Allen wants me to be his Luna. He's just going on with this hunt for the sake of the Queen. Before this match even started, he gave me an assignment to fulfill. And that's to remove you from the hunt for good." She laughed, charging at me roughly, almost tackling me to the ground.
I immediately moved aside but almost got poked in the face by Fiona, who made a swift turn to strike me. I was able to prevent it by using my shoulder to hit her out of my way, causing her to stumble backwards.
From what Fiona said, I recalled that night when I saw her making love to the Alpha. The Gamma had told the Beta about Allen's plan to get rid of me.
"So, he sent Fiona to do the work?" I uttered, directing my eyes to where the Alpha sat with the Queen, watching the fight. His face was filled with delight, pleased with the way Fiona was handling me.
Seeing that joy that dwelled in his gaze, rage took over me. I tightened my hand around my sword, returning my attention back on Fiona.
She grinned at me, saying, "I don't know what you did to him, but it's clear that he hates you with all of his heart. You can believe it or not, Eve. No one likes you. As long as my Alpha has sent me on a mission, I must fulfill it." She pointed her sword at me, smirking.
I gazed at her, thinking of the time I wasted here because of Allen. And at that moment, I felt something taking over me.
With a curve to the side, I said, taking my position, "Don't worry, Fiona. I believe you. Just do what you came here to do."
I beckoned her with a smile, irritating Fiona in an instant.
"That's why you can never make it big. You will remain a weak and wolfless Omega forever."
She charged, nearly hitting my chest with her sword. That's when that strange energy vibrated around my body, pushing me to make a quick attack on Fiona.
Before her own sword could touch me, mine stroke her on the stomach, sending Fiona drifting back.
She groaned, holding her stomach before coming at me again. But the result was still the same.
I turned the table around in split seconds, making Fiona the weakling. She couldn't attack me like before. I was the one using her to sweep the floor, using Cadell's training against her.
My Pervy Wolf took his time in showing me a few tricks, and I'm using them well.
My sudden change stunned Fiona and sent everyone switching sides at once. I could hear Derby screaming my name out, begging me to eliminate Fiona. "Beat her up!" Derby screamed.
There was this joy welling in my heart when I saw the fear in Fiona's eyes. She had taken multiple looks at Allen, showing her worry. And Allen looked bothered with the way things were going.
He didn't like what he was seeing.
The passion and determination to end Fiona's journey right here on the arena almost overwhelmed me, but when I looked behind the other damsels, I saw Cadell staring at me.
That's when I came to my senses and reminded myself of the plan.
"It's enough. I need to stop," I accepted, decreasing my attacks on Fiona.
She was already looking frustrated from all the blasts I serviced her, that she came at me like a maniac, trying to bring me down.
"I won't allow you to beat me! I WON'T!" She yelled, striking me on the chest. And when she did, I used that opportunity to let go of my sword, allowing it to fall to the ground.
"NO!!" Derby screamed out, falling on her knees.
There was a sudden silence around the arena when my sword fell to the ground. It felt like everyone wasn't expecting me to fail after my performance.
But the silence was broken by Fiona and her supporters, who screamed out loudly, celebrating Fiona's win.
"That's my daughter!!" Fiona's mother yelled out, dancing in her seat.
Alpha Allen had gotten to his feet to applaud Fiona, making it a special moment for her.
Seeing the happiness all over Allen, I felt bittered, knowing the truth behind his feelings for me.
"He's the reason why I joined this hunt in the first place, and he's still the same reason for my eviction. He can marry whoever he wants. I'm finally done with this Luna hunt." I sighed, ready to leave the arena.
That's when my eyes came locking with Queen Chriselda. She wasn't cheering with her son, but had her gaze fixed on me.
It felt like she saw right through me. Like she saw the real truth behind Fiona's win.
Her scary eyes made me uncomfortable, that I had to turn the other way and leave the arena.
"I hope she doesn't suspect a thing?"
"Evolet!" Derby called my name as I exited the arena to get myself ready to leave.
I turned back and saw her coming with Cadell. He rushed up to me, cuddling himself close to my leg. I had to go down on my knees to pet him, before looking at a sad Derby.
She wasn't happy. Her wet eyes said it all.
"What… what happened back there? You had the upper hand against Fiona! How did she…"
"Derby." I got to my feet. "It's okay. We… We can't change what has happened. I lost the game. That's fine."
"No, it's not! You didn't lose!" She cried out, lowering her head down bitterly. "I don't want you to leave me here, Eve. Who am I going to talk to?"
Her words struck me deeply. I felt guilty for not telling Derby about my plans to leave, but I didn't want to spoil her chance of enjoying the Royal home to the fullest. It's her dream to experience the Royal life, while mine ended the day I learnt about Allen's truth.
"This isn't fair."
"Derby." I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tightly. She began crying on my shoulder, squeezing me close.
"You're my only friend, Eve. I don't want to be around Fiona and her goons. I don't!"
"Hey, cheer up. Our friendship isn't over. I'm still your friend. Look…" I lifted her face to have a look at her. "I promise to come around to watch you battle. And when this hunt is over, we'll get to do a lot of things together."
"As Besties?" she sniffed, wiping her eyes.
I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, as Besties."
A smile finally filled Derby's face. She hugged me again and said, "Thank you, Eve. For your sake, I promise to get evicted in the next game."
"You're crazy," I laughed, patting her on the back.
It felt sad knowing I'm going to leave my friend behind with no one to call my… No, I… I still Cadell. He's my friend too.
There's no dull moment with him around. He's a great friend, even though his naughty.
I directed my gaze to Cadell, who sat on the ground, watching Derby and I share an emotional moment together. His face brightened with a smile, nodding at me for doing the right thing.
Really, it's the best decision.