Chapter 181 BOOM
Caden’s POV
The arena had been running nonstop since early morning.
Seventy-five warriors had already made their first run through the course, and the dust that hung in the air made the entire place smell like sweat, iron, and dirt. The stands were packed with pack members cheering, yelling, and placing bets on who would survive the obstacles the fastest.
We were pushing them hard today. Real hard. If things went the way I planned, we’d run straight through the night. By morning tomorrow, the second round would begin.
I stood along the arena rail beside Coban, Benjamin, Mark, and Kevan watching the next group of warriors stretch near the gate.
My earpiece crackled softly. One of the men stationed at Clarence’s compound checking in.
“Commander, compound is quiet. No movement.”
“Good,” I replied calmly. Then I leaned closer to the mic.
“Listen carefully.” All four of the teams stationed out there went silent.
“Tonight,” I said slowly, “we move to phase two.”
Benjamin glanced sideways at me with a small smirk. “About time.”
I continued speaking into the comm. “You’ve all done good work placing the cameras and setting the field. Every plate is buried, every sensor is in place. Tonight you fall back to the outer line and let them breathe.”
One of the warriors asked cautiously, "You want them to think the pressure’s gone?”
“Exactly,” I said.
Coban chuckled beside me. “They’ve been trapped inside that compound for days. Eventually they’ll try to step outside.”
Mark folded his arms. "And when they do.” He laughs.
Kevan finished the sentence with a grin.
“Let the fun begin because the minefield wakes up.”
A few of the warriors on the line laughed quietly over the comms.
I smirked. “But not until tonight. Sit tight and stay hidden until I give the word.”
“Yes My King.” He said and we disconnected. The channel went quiet again.
Behind us the arena horn blasted loudly. Another group of warriors charged into the obstacle course as the crowd erupted. One man leapt over to land on the first beam and landed wrong, rolling onto the ground.
Coban winced. "Ouch.”
Kevan laughed. "He’ll feel that tomorrow.”
Benjamin leaned on the rail watching the fight unfold. “You’re being generous. He’ll feel it in ten minutes.”
The arena gate on the opposite side opened again. Trixie walked in first. Right behind her was Trinity. And trailing along between them were the three smallest troublemakers in the entire palace.
Atlas. Cassian. And little Kael.
Benjamin’s son had apparently decided the twins were his best friends in the world.
Kael waddled straight toward the arena rail and pointed dramatically at the obstacle traps.
“Boom!”
Benjamin groaned immediately. "Oh no. He's going to take after his daddy." He said with a proud look on his face.
Kael clapped his hands happily. "Boom again!”
Coban burst out laughing so hard he had to grab the railing. "Definitely. Like father like son.”
Benjamin shot him a look. “Of course. I wouldn't want it any other way. That's my son."
Kael stomped his tiny foot and yelled louder. “BIG BOOM!”
Atlas stood quietly beside him, watching the warriors run the course with intense golden eyes. Cassian leaned forward slightly as if studying every trap.
Trixie and Trinity settled onto the bench behind us while the kids stood near the rail.
Trinity crossed her arms with a small smile.
“You realize your sons will be blowing shit up with my boy soon enough.”
Trixie shrugged calmly. "Useful life skill. Wait a minute, they are going to give your man a run for his money.” She said with one brow raised and a smirk on her face.
Trinity laughed. “Benjamin’s going to have a heart attack.”
“I HEARD THAT,” Benjamin called without looking back.
Kael pointed toward one of the practice traps again. “Boom!”
Cassian tilted his head. He made a small charge by the wall nearby that suddenly flickered and created enough smoke and a ppft. Just enough for his little friend to get a satisfying boom.
Benjamin looked down slowly. " Guys, did that thing just move?”
The device popped with a harmless little puff of smoke.
Kael gasped dramatically. “BOOM!”
Half the warriors along the rail started laughing.
Kevan wiped tears from his eyes. "That kid is going to blow up the palace one day.” Benjamin muttered,
“Over my dead body.” I said as I shook my head at my boys. One is like fire, the other ice. They compliment eachother.
Elliott walked into the arena carrying a drink and glanced around. “What’s funny?”
Mark handed him the tablet showing the camera feeds from Clarence’s compound.
Elliott looked at it for a moment. Then nodded approvingly.
“Tonight phase two starts.”
Elliott grinned. "Oh, Clarence is going to have a very bad evening.”
Darien and Lucian walked over from the opposite side of the arena. Darien was still laughing about something.
Elliott raised an eyebrow. "What did I miss?”
Darien leaned on the railing. “Charlie.”
Lucian groaned immediately. "Don’t start. Just the thought is going to give me nightmares.”
Elliott looked curious. "What about him?”
Darien grinned wickedly. He paused and just stared at us for a minute. “Labron is still, how do I put this nicely, enjoying himself.”
Kevan snorted. “How many months now?”
“Oh gosh, eight or so. Hell, I don’t remember how long it’s been,” Darien said as he had tears in his eyes he was laughing so hard.
Lucian rubbed his face. "He’s trying different tools.” He grimaced as his nose scrunched up in disgust.
Everyone paused.
Darien continued casually. “Yesterday he introduced plugs.” He said in between his laughter fit.
Lucian physically winced. "I did not need to know that.”
Coban burst out laughing. “Charlie picked the wrong pack to betray. And the wrong Queen to fuck with”
Near the rail Kael was still pointing dramatically at the course.
“Boom!”
Cassian lifted one tiny hand. One of the arena lights flickered. Then flickered again. Then shut completely off.
Everyone suddenly froze.
Lucian blinked slowly. "Shit,did he just do that?”
The light flickered back on. Cassian smiled proudly. Atlas stood beside him quietly. Watching everything. Learning everything.
Coban shook his head with a grin.
“Trixie” He nodded toward the boys. “Your sons are going to be terrifying.”
Trixie didn’t even look concerned. She just smiled calmly. "I know.” And she had the biggest most beautiful smile on her face.
Kael clapped again and shouted proudly.
“BOOM!”