Chapter 239

Chapter 239
Steven's POV

After breakfast, the first day of competition officially began. I stood with our warriors, watching as they stretched and prepared for their matches. Pride swelled in my chest—these wolves had trained relentlessly for this moment.

"Remember your training," I advised as they gathered around. "Focus on technique, not just brute strength. And most importantly, represent Wayward Home with honor, win or lose."

The initial rounds moved painfully slow. With so many packs participating, the elimination process was tedious but necessary. I watched our warriors dominate their early matches.

By lunchtime, two rounds had been completed, eliminating nearly 2,500 wolves. The afternoon would feature fewer contestants, but the remaining warriors were stronger, meaning longer and more intense battles.

"Our pack's doing well," Hazel said as we grabbed our lunch trays. "Every single one of our warriors is still in the competition."

We spotted Ethan, Skylar, William, and Grace already seated at a table and made our way toward them. Skylar was bouncing her son on her knee while talking animatedly with Grace.

Suddenly, Skylar froze, her head snapping toward an older gentleman passing by.

"Ryan?" she called out, her voice filled with disbelief.

The man turned, confusion evident on his weathered face. "Do I know you?"

Skylar immediately placed her tray down and approached him. I noticed Ethan's expression shift to mild concern as he handed their son to Hazel before following his mate.

"Ryan! It's me! Skylar!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying across the dining hall.

Recognition dawned on the man's face. "Skylar?" He immediately pulled her into a tight embrace, which prompted a low, warning growl from Ethan.

Ryan quickly released her, stepping back with his hands raised.

"Alpha Ethan, I mean no disrespect. I was a friend of Skylar's father—we served as warriors together." He tilted his head, exposing his throat in submission. A wise move, considering Ethan's pack had been ranked the strongest for nearly a decade.

Skylar turned to Ethan, excitement radiating from her. "This is the only person who helped my family back then," she explained rapidly. "Remember that brief period of safety I told you about? It was at Ryan's house!"

Understanding softened Ethan's features. He extended his hand to Ryan. "Thank you for helping my mate and her family. I owe you a debt."

Ryan's attention returned to Skylar, his expression turning somber. "When we found your parents..." His voice caught. "We thought you had also..."

"It's a long story," Skylar replied softly. "I'd be happy to tell you everything when there's time."

"I'd like that very much," Ryan nodded.

Just then, another Alpha approached our group.

"Ryan, what's going on here?" His voice carried the unmistakable authority of a pack leader.

Ryan's posture immediately stiffened.

"Alpha Leander, may I introduce Alpha Ethan and his Luna, Skylar. Skylar is Kenneth's daughter—our former Head Warrior."

Alpha Leander's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "The couple who suddenly left our pack and were later found murdered? But I thought their daughter died with them." His gaze shifted to Skylar, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Obviously, I'm not dead," Skylar replied coolly. "It's a complicated story that I don't have time to explain right now."

Leander studied her for an uncomfortable length of time. Ethan responded by moving closer to his mate, his arm protectively circling her shoulders.

"I've always wondered why your family left," Leander continued, ignoring the obvious tension. "According to my father, he never understood why his Head Warrior would suddenly abandon the pack and become a rogue. He searched for your family for years until we discovered they had been killed."

Ethan's jaw clenched.

"Clearly, her father didn't believe your pack would keep his daughter safe!"

Alpha Leander's expression hardened.

"That's absurd! My father would never harm a pack member. I don't know what your father was thinking, but mine was a good Alpha."

I noticed Ryan's jaw tightening at those words, revealing the lie for what it was.

"What's wrong?" Hazel whispered beside me, still holding Ethan's son who was tugging at her hair.

"My instincts tell me there's something off about Alpha Leander," I murmured back. "We've seen enough pack members' reactions around their Alphas to recognize the signs. He's masking tyranny with false benevolence. I'm guessing this is Skylar's former pack—the one her parents fled when they discovered the truth."

I kept my voice low, aware that if Skylar hadn't revealed her full history, it wasn't our place to expose it.

Ethan leaned down to kiss the side of Skylar's head, his eyes never leaving Leander's.

"Show him, baby."

As Skylar's eyes began to change, I watched Leander's expression transform from dissatisfaction to naked greed.

In that moment, I understood exactly why her parents had taken her and run.

"Guardian," he breathed, his voice dropping to a disturbing pitch.

"Well, the secret's officially out," Grace commented beside us.

Looking around, I realized the entire dining hall had fallen silent. But their attention wasn't focused solely on Skylar—they were taking in how our packs interacted, noticing our closeness, and their gazes were now shifting between Skylar, Grace, and Hazel.

Three Guardians, three packs, united as one.

The championship had just gotten a lot more interesting.