Chapter 169 Let it begin
Coban's POV
The horn sounded low and long. It vibrated through the stone and bone both. The tournaments has officially begun.
Hell, we're doing better than last year. We didn't even get to start them then. We had to cancel.
The arena was alive before the first runners even touched the course.
Warriors lined the rails. Packs clustered together. The air was thick with anticipation, pride, and just enough fear to keep everyone's attention.
We had done it differently this year in so many ways. Cleaner. Tighter. More controlled. We're using numbers not names.
Along the walls of the castle and the arena itself illuminated panels that displayed the roster. 1-100. No pack affiliation. No rank. No reputation to hide behind. Just skill. Only 100 had been chosen. We debated taking more, but none of us were willing to rush this course. Every warrior would get two runs. Best time recorded. That alone had stirred much controversy. Some liked the fairness. Others hated the fact that luck and mistakes wouldn't matter. Good. Pressure showed through.
I stood at the elevated viewing platform with Trixie beside me. I had one hand resting possessively on her thigh. My thumb moving in slow, grounding strokes. Caden stood on my other side. He had his arms crossed and his eyes already tracking movement patterns.
Darien and Lucian were positioned just behind us. Not blocking the view, but blocking everything else.
Atlas and Cassian we're between Trixie and Caden. They were close enough that we could grab them if we needed to. They were just so adorable. They were already vibrating with excitement.
Atlas lean forward. His eyes were glowing faintly as the arena lights brightened. Cassian tilted his head. He was listening, not to the sounds, but to the energy. I felt it as the course hummed,
charged and waiting.
The announcers voice boomed across the Arena.
"Competitors will be called by numbers only. When your number is called, report immediately to the gate. Failure to do so for fit your run." The announcer paused. "Competitors 1 and 2. Please report to the gates."
A Ripple went through the crowd.
Both warriors moved. They were both huge. Both oozing confidence. One rolled his huge muscled shoulders like he owned the place. The other was just as muscular, but he looked calm and more focused. He was already breathing as if he was mid run.
Kevan's voice carried from somewhere behind us. "Five dollars says number two gasses out on the rings."
Mark laughed. "You're on. I said he panics at fire."
"Men. Unbelievable." Trixie snorted softly as she took her hand and smacked her forehead softly.
I smirked and kissed her lips softly. "You love us my Queen." I whispered to her.
"Occasionally" she said sweetly with a smile that was just hers.
The gates opened.
The first section. The balance beams rose high above their arena floor. They were very narrow and unforgiving. One mis- step and you didn't fall to your death, but you lost precious time climbing back up.
Atlas giggles and the beams trembled slightly, enough that a few warriors below frowned and shifted uneasily.
Cassian frowned in concentration, and the tremors stopped.
"Boys, Behave!" I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Trixie murmured to them, pressing a kiss to each of their heads. "Easy my loves. Watch only. Please don't touch." she patted the tops of their tiny little heads. They did settle but barely.
Number one sprinted out fast. He wobbled, arms, windmilling. He swore loudly and caught himself.
The crowd laughed.
Number 2 took it slow and more controlled. He made it across cleanly.
Kevan landed in closer. "Told you. Overconfidence."
The second section, rings came next. Steel loop suspended at uneven heights, forcing warriors to swing climb and launch themselves forward using nothing but their arm strength and momentum.
Atlas clapped as his eyes we're focused on the course. The lights above the rings flared brighter than necessary. A few alpha's glanced up sharply.
Cassian tilted his head again, then lean back against Caden's leg. He was satisfied.
"Show-Offs." Caden muttered.
As the numbers rotated 3-4 and then 5-6, I stopped watching the course. I watched the people.
One single man stood out. He was mid 40s. He was average built. Wore same neutral staff colors as the rest, but he wasn't watching the course. He was watching us.
Atlas stiffened. Cassian's head snapped towards the man, his eyes darkening.
This time the reaction wasn't subtle. A nearby light flickered violently. The temperature dropped several degrees in a breath. A warrior near the rail hissed in surprise as frost crept over the metal bar beneath his hands.
"Coban" Trixie's spine went rigid.
"I see him, love."
Caden was already moving closer to the twins. His presence shielding without blocking their view. The man looked away too quickly.
"Want eyes on him." Mark said through the link.
"Already done." I answered him back, as I already notified a group of my warriors to follow and watch this guy.
The announcer called the next pair. The crowd roared with excitement.
The man shifted. He pretended to check a tablet. His fingers moving too fast.
Cassian growled.
Ten minutes later the man slipped away from the main arena. He ducked into a side corridor that was marked "Authorized staff only".
That was his mistake. "Now" I ordered. Warriors peeled off like ghosts.
The man didn't even make it 5 steps into the corridor before a cloth was held over his nose, and he was out cold. Then a shot of wolfsbane to the neck. Silver cuffs were snapped into place. He was gone before anyone noticed his absence.
Back in the stands, Atlas relaxed instantly. He crawled into Trixie's lap and yawned like he just finished something exhausting. Cassian leaned forward again. His eyes back on the course as he was giggling.
"That makes two." Kevan lets out a low whistle.
I leaned over and took my finger and hooked Trixie's chin. I tilted her face to me. I brought my lips to hers as I kissed her softly. We pulled apart and looked into eachothers eyes.
"Tonight" I whispered to her.