THE BATTLE OF STRENGTH

THE BATTLE OF STRENGTH
Sebastian’s POV

The election day came in a blink of an eye. After the whole tragic event that happened at the late alpha's funeral no one wanted to accept the fact that Lucas was a threat to the peace of the kingdom. They let him compete for the position as a fair way to select an alpha king.

While that was not much of my concern, I'd kill Lucas if I have to. But the little woman who has been pacing back and forth in our room, fidgeting over a trail that was four hours away from the main time was my major concern.

Evie has been up all night thinking of what I would wear, the amount of gears I need to protect myself from her ex-fiance. I am quite offended by her little faith in me but at the same time I can't blame her. Lucas was a trauma she hasn't gotten over and I want to change that.

“My love, I need you by my side, right now," I cooed, patting the empty space she was supposed to be occupying.

“Not now, Sebastian." She mentioned my full name which caught me off guard. She had always used Sebastian whenever she was serious about used the nickname she gave me when things were not complicated. “I need to get everything all set before the trial." Metals clacked on each other as she brought out every amor in my collection.

She had got to be kidding me.

“It's literally two in the night." 

“No, it's morning and before you know it, the day will be right before our eyes and you will be on the battlefield. I can't risk you going out there not well prepared. Lucas is a snack he never plays fair..." As she kept on blabbering, I threw off the duvet and climbed out of our bed.

Before she could say another word which I heard already muted, I cupped her cheeks and captured her lips.

“What are you doing?" She asked once I broke our lips apart, completely stunned by the unexpected kiss. 

“You talk too much and I don't appreciate it at this time," I muttered, placing my hand under her knees and lifting her off the ground.

“Wherr you are supposed to be at this time is on our bed, right next to me. Evie, I love how concerned you are about me and the whole election trial. But I need you to have more faith in me," I said, placing her gently on the mattress.

The crease on her face softened aishe let out a sigh. “I am not worried about your performance. I do know you are a great warrior. I do have faith in you. What I do have faith in is fate." She bit her bottom lip, releasing it from her teeth with a deep tinge of red. 

I was tempted to suck those cherry plums and make her forget what bothered her. But I held back to listen to what she had to say.

“You see, I had a vision while I was in the celestial realm. I saw that you died. Even in this life, I can't save you. I might have delayed it but I can't seem to find a way to stop it for good," her lips quivered as she revealed my fate. 

“I am scared of losing you, Sebastian. What will be my purpose if you no longer exist in the world I live in?" Her voice cracked, broken from the sadness that made her eyes tear up.

Hearing her say I would die in this lifetime, leaving her behind bled my soul. I would never separate from her no matter what fate has in turn for me.

I cupped her face and wiped the tear stream that rolled down her eyes. “Fate doesn't determine who I get to be with, long I have to spend with the woman I love or take me away from the treasure I fought so hard to find. You will always be mine, and I will always be yours." I kissed her lips softly, assuring her that everything will be alright. “Go to sleep, my love. I promise not to lose a hair on my head at the battlefield."

“It's a promise."

“You have my word, my Queen."

Lucas POV 

The time to show off my victory was high in the air. I could tell from the corner of my eyes, my opponent wasn't ready to feel the wrath I had in stock or rather the tricks I had up my sleeves. I won't let him beat me in this election, never in a thousand years.

“Alpha, there is a bit of a problem," one of my guards approached me at the boot.

“Whay is it?" I grumbled, unhappy to see his ugly face. Once I become the Apex Alpha, I'd set people like him on fire.

“Luna Layla hasn't been found anywhere. I have checked her last place of visit which was at a hospital five days ago. But there has been no trace of her anywhere," he informed me, I kept my goblet on the side and glared at him for bringing such bad news to me.

“Are you out of your mind?! Simon, take this filthy trash out of my sight and behead him after the election," I ordered, sending the guard away as he begged for my forgiveness.

The trial was almost about to start. Spectators were already seated in their various boots. Elders and Alphas from different packs were all present to witness the downfall of their great and respected alpha Sebastian.

I will rub his face in mud without mercy. Layla might be late to watch since she always makes a fuss about looking good in public. I believe she will find her way down to the arena.

“Contestants please take your positions," the gatekeeper hosting the trial announced. I stepped out of my boot with pride on my shoulders, today, I claim my victory.

Sebastian walked up to the entrance with Evelyn by his side. I scoffed seeing the two of them act so endearing towards each other.

“I can see you are enjoying the trash I left over for you," I chuckled, mocking them both. Evie's glare sent a chill down my spine. Sometimes, I forget how beautiful she used to look when she looked at me that way. But she chose to go with my enemy instead of being with me.

Leaving me was her fucking loss. 

“Talk to my wife like that again and you will be the first thing I will kill once we cross the gate," he threatened but that didn't move me. 

Evie whispered something to his ear before she walked back to the podium where she was supposed to watch from. Once I become Apex Alpha, I am going to make her my mistress and fuck her until she wishes nothing but death. 

She will be mine.

“Listen up, contestants. The first trial will be about your strength to overcome wild beasts. If you fail to overcome a beast before the next gate opens, that will be a minus point. Remember anyone who dies will emerge as the loser," the gatekeeper prepped the first trial before he opened the gate to the battlefield of strength.

“Hope you make it to the finals," I joked, jumping into the gate first.

Sebastian POV 

I kill that bastard for being rude to Evie but she had warned me not to before she returned to her podium. My Queen's wishes were paramount to anything else. 

Once that jerk jumped into the gate, I followed behind prepared for what was ahead. I'd promised my Queen to come back whole and not let fate take me away from her.

The other side of the gate opened to a green scenery; vast with forest trees, subtle sunlight, cool atmosphere filtered with bright flowers and fresh fruits. The air smelled of bloomed orchids and at a distance there was a fine stream glistening under the rays of the sun. 

The place almost felt surreal like paradise. But I knew too well it was a bait to make me loosen my guard. Just then something rustled behind the bush, followed by a low growl.

A werebeast stalked of our the bush and lunged at me ferociously. Shifting into my wolf form would only complicate things. Instead, I surged my wolf's strength to my arm and wrestled the beast in one go. 

One strike was all it took to bring the thing down and that was strange. "You have past the first trial. Proceed to the next challenge." The gates opened to another world. 

Something wasn't right.