Chapter 86 Chapter 86: Duel

Chapter 86 Chapter 86: Duel
ARIANNA'S POV

I woke the next morning with the weight of what was going to happen weighing heavily on my chest.

It wasn't as if I didn't trust Lucien's capabilities, Kieran's words hinted that he was going to do something underhanded to win the duel.

“It's going to be alright, babe” Lucien rasped out, his voice still deep with sleep as he sat up on the bed.

I smiled, my hand reaching out to squeeze his. The thought of my appointment came to mind then.

Thankfully, it was fixed in the evening, goddess willingly, the duel would be over by then.

I had loads of vacation days I had used, it would serve perfectly well for today.

We got ready for the duel, the air filled with silence.

I could hardly take few bites from the toast Lucien made for breakfast, my insides curdling up with anxiety.

“I believe in you, baby” I let out just before he locked his apartment.

He claimed my lips, his hands running through my hair before he broke it.

“Thank you for that” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the side of my head.

I hugged him then, my hands fisting the material of his shirt.

As we sped down the road to the moonlight pack, I linked our fingers together.

The warmth of his palm soothing my anxiety somehow.

“How about we go out for lunch once this is done with?” Lucien offered, his tone calm.

I glanced at his face, the sharp cut of his jaw made my heart clench for some reason.

“That is a nice idea. We are totally going to do that after” I replied, my voice breaking at the last word.

“I promise you, I would never leave you” He rumbled out, pressing a kiss to the back of my hand.

He drove the car into the entrance of the pack's territory, my heart skipping a beat as he drove up to the pack house.

He pulled the car to a stop, my breathing elevating slightly. The reality of what was about to happen, dawning on me.

The urge to tell him to back out was strong, but I knew he would be seen as a weak King.

We got out of the car, walking into the woods opposite the pack house.

“I thought you had changed your mind and finally accepted defeat” Kieran rumbled out, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Good morning, Alpha King, Attorney Aria. Since the parties involved in the duel are present, I declare the duel started” one of the council elders disclosed.

My hands tightened briefly around Lucien's hand before I let him go.

He unbuttoned his shirt, my eyes dipping to take in the planes of his abs.

Too soon for my liking, he and Kieran started circling each other, their skins gleaming bronze in the rising sun.

Kieran threw the first hit, Lucien dodged it at last minute, his eyes seems to be analyzing Kieran's next move.

Kieran swiped a clawed hand at Lucien, earning a cut on his biceps.

Blood dripped down Kieran's biceps but instead of him getting angry he seemed too calm.

What was his plan? I pondered as I watched his moves closely.

I let out a gasp as I sighted the edge of something glinting with the sun at the edge of his shoes.

It was a blade! I tried to let the words spill out of my mouth but a sharp glance from one of the council elders had me pausing.

They all knew about, I concluded, my eyes taking in each of their faces.

Their faces were passive, no flicker of their eyelids indicating the atrocity they had committed.

“Lucien, watch out!” I yelled out my eyes swing back to the clearing to see Kieran was aiming for Lucien's arms which had shot out to deflect the hit.

My eyes slipped shut as I heard the soft crunch of bone breaking.

He hadn't been able to dodge it. I peered open my eyes, a whimper falling from my lips as I saw a trickle of blood run down Lucien's arm.

“You should have kept quiet, Aria” Kieran's father let out, his words making me boil with anger.

“And what good would have come out from that? I wouldn't let your slimy son kill off my mate for nothing” I snapped at him, my wolf raising to the surface.

His eyes widened at my words, his brows snapping together.

“You mean to say you and Lucien are fated mates?” He asked, a hint of envy and disbelief lacing his tone.

“Yes” I answered, directing my gaze once more to the fight before me.

More blood had spilled down his arm but he only strikes at Kieran faster each time.

Kieran on the other hand spotted numerous cut on his body, his movement getting slower.

I rested back against the trunk of the tree behind the bench, confident Lucien would win the duel.

“Do you think I would let you get away with taking my mate away from me?” Kieran panted out, his eyelids drooping close.

Don't fall for it Lucien, he is just trying to bait you. Lucien said nothing in response, his eyes growing darker as he swung his fist at his face.

The crunch of fist meeting bone had me wincing.

Kieran let out an unhinged laughter, his eyes bleeding out pure rage.

“Jackpot” he said, loud enough for everyone in the woods to hear.

My breath hitched as everything appeared to happen in slow motion.

Kieran's claws shot at Lucien's midriff, blood spilling onto the ground.

I let out a choked terrified scream, my eyes going wide.

Lucien flipped Kieran to the ground, his back flat against the grass.

He pressed a clawed hand to his jugular vein, the tip of one claw poking slightly at the vein.

“Ari is mine. My mate, not yours. The next time you even consider her yours, I am ripping your throat out” Lucien snarled out.

He pushed off him, walking towards me with a slight limp.

“Oh my goddess, look at your face” I sniffled, my eyes glossing over with tears.

“I am alright, it looks worse than it actually feels” he whispered into my ear before he faced the council elders.

“I hope this clears any misunderstanding, I wouldn't tolerate any conspiracy” he gritted out, making them all shift uncomfortable on the bench.