Chapter 73
The sky above the trial arena was dark, heavy, and quiet—too quiet for a night when an Alpha was about to be chosen.
Hardin walked into the stone circle with a cold expression on his face, shoulders stiff, steps slow and controlled. Every warrior pulled back slightly when he passed. His aura had changed since Rhianna disappeared. He wasn’t the warm, sarcastic Hardin anymore.
He was sharp.
Focused.
A storm.
Sebastian was already in the center, arms crossed, jaw locked tight. He looked tired—like he had not slept since the night Rhianna vanished. His eyes were swollen but full of anger and pride.
Two brothers.
One title.
One missing girl tying both their throats in knots.
The elders stepped forward.
“This is a blood trial,” Elder Mara announced. “Between brothers. Between heirs. The winner claims the Alpha seat.”
Hardin didn’t blink.
Sebastian didn’t breathe.
The elder continued, voice heavy:
“Strength… will not be the only test tonight.”
Everyone tensed.
Hardin’s jaw clenched.
Sebastian looked away.
“Judgment. Loyalty. Leadership. These will be weighed as well.”
The elder’s stare shifted to Sebastian.
“And your handling of your mate bond, and what followed.”
A sound rippled through the crowd—low whispers, pity, gossip. Sebastian’s face burned red with shame and fury.
Hardin finally spoke, voice calm but dangerous.
“Let’s begin.”
THE START OF THE TRIAL
The gong rang.
Sebastian shifted first, bones cracking, fur exploding into a massive golden wolf. His growl shook the dust off the pillars.
But Hardin didn’t shift.
He stood there—humanoid, unbothered, staring at his own brother like he was studying a stranger.
“Shift, Hardin,” Elder Cavan ordered.
“I will,” Hardin replied, eyes locked on Sebastian.
“When it’s necessary.”
That made Sebastian snap.
He lunged.
Hardin dodged so smoothly it looked like the world bent around him. Sebastian slammed into the ground, snarling, spinning around with fury.
Hardin finally shifted.
It wasn’t explosive.
It wasn’t messy.
It was terrifyingly calm.
A black wolf stepped forward—bigger than Sebastian’s, with glowing eyes and a low, rumbling growl that made every warrior step back.
This was Hardin.
The real Hardin.
The one no one wanted to fight.
Sebastian charged again, teeth snapping, claws slicing through air.
Hardin met him head-on.
The impact boomed across the arena. Dust flew. Wolves in the crowd flinched. Hardin slammed Sebastian backward, pinning him into the dirt.
Sebastian twisted out and struck Hardin’s face—drawing blood. Hardin only blinked.
Then he attacked.
He ripped Sebastian off the ground, throwing him so hard into the stone wall that cracks spider-webbed across it. The crowd gasped. Sebastian stumbled, shaking, but refused to yield.
He lunged again.
Hardin didn’t move.
At the last second, Hardin sidestepped, grabbed Sebastian by the scruff, and slammed him face-down into the ground, holding him there with unshakeable strength.
If he wanted, Hardin could have torn his throat out right there.
But he let him breathe.
BROTHERS SPEAK THROUGH THE BOND
Hardin growled, deep and firm.
Yield, Sebastian.
Sebastian’s wolf snarled back.
No. I won’t let you take everything from me.
Hardin’s growl darkened.
You replaced her.
You abandoned her.
You let her go into danger.
Sebastian fought harder, claws scraping the stone.
You don’t understand—my title was on the line! The elders—
Hardin slammed him down harder.
You should have chosen her over any title.
Sebastian whined—a crack of emotion breaking through his anger.
You think I didn’t want to? You think I didn’t care? She was my mate—
Hardin’s jaw tightened, a low snarl slipping out.
Then why is she the one suffering? Why is she missing? Why did you let her go?
Sebastian stopped moving.
Stopped fighting.
Just trembled under his brother’s weight.
The truth hung over them like a blade.
Because of him, Rhianna disappeared.
Because of him, she was broken, scared, hunted.
The elders watched with stoic faces, reading every moment.
Finally, Hardin released him and stepped back.
Sebastian lay in the dirt, chest heaving, eyes glassy.
He looked up at Hardin.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” he said in a broken voice, shifting back into human form. “I only did what I thought I had to do. For the pack. For my position.”
Hardin shifted back too, breathing hard but steady.
“You lost her because you chose yourself.”
Sebastian opened his mouth to reply—but nothing came out.
Because Hardin was right.
THE FINAL MOMENT
The elders raised their hands.
“Sebastian Blackwood,” Elder Mara said solemnly. “Do you yield your right to lead this pack?”
Sebastian looked around—at the warriors whispering, at his parents’ disappointed faces, at the empty space where Rhianna used to stand behind him.
He swallowed.
Then he lowered his head.
“I yield.”
A silent wave shook the arena.
Hardin bowed his head once—just once.
Not out of pride.
Out of respect for the brother he had to break tonight.
THE ALPHA CROWN
Elder Mara stepped forward, placing the black crescent insignia on Hardin’s shoulder.
“Your Alpha,” she declared loudly, “is Hardin Blackwood.”
The entire pack bowed.
Hardin didn’t smile.
Didn’t lift his arms.
Didn’t celebrate.
He looked up at the moon, eyes burning.
“I accept this title,” Hardin said.
“Not for power.”
“Not for honor.”
“Not for myself.”
His voice shook.
“But to bring her home.”
The hall fell silent.
“No one rests,” Hardin growled, “until Rhianna is found.”
The warriors howled in agreement.
Sebastian stayed kneeling in the dirt, staring at the ground, a single tear sliding down his cheek.
Because the moment the howls echoed…
He realized something.
He had lost his title.
He had lost his brother’s trust.
He had lost Rhianna.
And he had no one to blame but himself.
Brittany watching this with a smirk on her face. She's just one step away from ruining the brothers.