Chapter 245
Chapter 245
Hazel's POV
After lunch, only fifty Alphas remained in the competition. The six of us—three Guardians and three Alphas from our allied packs—advanced easily through the brackets.
When it came time for the final rounds, the judges announced our matchups: Skylar versus William, Grace versus Steven, and myself versus Ethan.
These final matches were the longest of the day. None of us wanted to harm our friends and allies. My battle with Ethan was particularly intense—he was stronger than I'd anticipated, and his fighting style was unpredictable.
In the end, I managed to claim victory with a risky countermove that caught him off guard.
When the final scoreboard updated, Wildfire Pack held first place, Silver Moon second, and our Wayward Home Pack secured third.
I beamed with pride—for our first championship, making the top three was an incredible achievement.
As I celebrated with Grace and Skylar, a judge approached us.
"Guardians, you need to compete against each other to determine the overall winner."
Grace immediately shook her head. "I refuse to fight my sisters."
"As do I," Skylar added firmly.
I nodded in agreement. "We accept the current rankings. They're fair."
The judges and Werewolf Elders looked displeased. "That's not how the competition works. The rules require a final match."
"Whose rules?" I challenged.
"What does it matter which of our packs ranks highest?" Skylar demanded. "We've already proven that our three packs are the strongest."
Before the argument could continue, an explosion rocked the ground beneath our feet. I spun around to see flames erupting from the far side of the competition grounds. More explosions followed in rapid succession, trapping all the werewolves in the central arena.
Grace, Skylar, and I looked at each other, the same realization hitting us simultaneously.
"Hunters!" we shouted in unison.
Silver bullets rained down from all directions, cutting through the panicked crowd like a deadly storm.
Wolves fell left and right, their bodies crumpling to the ground.
"Hazel! How many?" Grace called out.
I closed my eyes, focusing my senses beyond the chaos. The acrid scent of gunpowder and silver filled my nostrils, along with the distinctive smell of human hunters.
"At least a thousand," I shouted back. "They've surrounded us completely!"
We immediately raced toward the area where the children and non-combatants had gathered. Hunters emerged from the smoke, firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Steven leaped forward to intercept them, while Skylar activated her Guardian aura, directing precise strikes at the attackers.
Grace and I held back our full power, knowing our less controlled auras could harm our own people. We fought hand-to-hand, downing hunters with each blow.
When we reached the children, we formed a protective circle around them, placing the most vulnerable at the center. The sounds of battle surrounded us, punctuated by screams and gunfire. The smoke from the explosions burned my eyes and throat, the metallic tang of silver making it difficult to breathe.
Though outnumbered, the hunters had the advantage of surprise. Their initial attack had already taken down dozens of werewolves, and now they were systematically closing in, forming a wall of weapons that pushed us back step by step.
"Hazel," Steven called through our mind-link, "they're boxing us in. Can you use your Guardian aura to take out a large group at once?"
I hesitated, worried about controlling my power in such a chaotic situation.
That's when Skylar appeared at my side.
"Sister," she said, extending her hand, "let me be your guidance."
I nodded, taking her hand. As Skylar's energy merged with mine, I felt my chaotic power becoming focused, directed.
I drew back my fist and channeled my Guardian strength through it, then punched forward.
The resulting blast tore through the hunters' line, dropping at least fifty of them instantly.
Unfortunately, the display of power also drew the attention of every remaining hunter in the vicinity. As one, they turned toward us, hundreds of gun barrels leveling at our small group.
This is bad, I thought as I positioned myself between the hunters and the children.
Very, very bad.