12. A Duel

That evening, in one of the pack’s mansions, a figure rested in a large bathtub filled with warm water.

Menelyck leaned back with his eyes closed, recalling a recent encounter.

Her fearless eyes reminded him of a battle he once fought long ago. The scent was different, the presence entirely different… yet both stirred something within him.

The thrill of a challenge.

His eyes snapped open. What was he thinking?

How could he compare the queen of witches to that worthless—

“Menelyck.” The female voice came from outside.

He rose from the bath, put on his robe, and stepped out.

Celia stood at the center of the room and watched Menelyck as he descended the stairs.

Menelyck took a seat, and Celia sat across from him.

“What did you find out?” Menelyck asked.

Celia started seriously, “Her name is Nalath Hunt. 18 years old.”

She continued, “Her mother died in the war against the Moon Pack twelve years ago. Her father was executed per our Alpha’s orders.”

Menelyck listened as his head leaned on one hand, which rested on the armchair.

“Their Gamma raised her. Nalath couldn’t wolf out, and a Beta had to lead the pack. She is mated to the Beta’s son, who is engaged to the daughter of Howls’ Alpha. A month ago, she was kidnapped by witches. They say she went crazy because of it.”

Celia went silent.

Menelyck’s brow rose. “Is that all?”

Celia sighed. “Menelyck, why do you want to know all of this?”

“Curious.” Menelyck stood up. “Go and summon her.”

Celia rose abruptly. “Why? You said she wasn’t even your mate! You’re not interested in her, are you?”

Menelyck sighed and turned, his expression slightly cold. “Celia, do you even remember your position? Just do as I say.” Then he climbed the stairs.

Celia’s jaw tightened. Of course, wasn’t she just a maid if Menelyck hadn’t treated her as a friend?

---

That night, Radella was at a training field, standing on that hill-like arena, facing Lysha, as today was the day she was supposed to fight Lysha for that omega whom she never needed.

The reason she was here? Such duels were announced to the pack as they were a part of the entertainment. She couldn’t bear to be seen as someone who feared Lysha, and so she was here.

There weren’t many people, but even those few stood at Lysha’s side.

Radella exhaled deeply. Her fingers tightened on the bow in her arms, and on her back, she carried the quiver.

Both waited for enthusiastic Eldric to announce the start of the match.

Radella remembered that before this, he had even told her, “No way you’re going to beat her. Just try to avoid as many hits as possible.”

Radella gritted her teeth.

Lysha, at the arena with her arms crossed, looked at Radella and scoffed. “Have you prepared your mind? Khalien Won’t be here to help you.”

Radella remained silent, staring.

Lysha turned to the audience. “Let me make this fair,” she said smugly, then turned to Radella. “I won’t shift.”

“Keep your words till the end,” Radella said with a challenge.

The audience whispered to each other after Lysha’s words.

“She wouldn’t shift? Lysha is too considerate.”

“That would make things more fun. At least the fight won’t end quickly.”

The others scoffed. “The fight will end quickly no matter how she goes easy on her.”

Lysha stood in her position as she was in a normal white dress, as if it wasn’t a fight at all but a banquet. After all, she knew she wouldn’t need much complication. Just teach that fool enough of a lesson that she wouldn’t show her face anywhere.

Meanwhile, Radella’s hair was in a ponytail. She grabbed a piece of fabric around her waist and pulled it out to remove the upper dress, leaving her with a short dress and loose trousers beneath her. On her waist was a small bag.

Lysha chuckled mockingly. “You have invested a lot in this.”

Eldric shouted, “Start!”

Radella raised her bow and pulled an arrow, her expression stern. She had to make the move first to see how bad her position was.

Lysha only watched in amusement, curious.

Radella let go of the arrow.

Lysha dodged slightly, watching it pass before her eyes.

Then two arrows flew towards her at the same time.

Lysha moved with her speed, avoiding both of them as she drifted closer to Radella.

Radella pulled three arrows, stopping her.

Then, instead of an arrow, she moved her hand into her bag, pulled something else out, and threw it towards Lysha.

Lysha’s eyes popped out as she almost jumped out of the arena. At that moment of shock, something grazed her cheek.

Lysha raised her hand and touched her cheek. There was blood. She frowned.

Radella remembered that before this, she had asked Zaphyra, “What does Lysha fear the most? Something like bugs or...”

“You can’t win.”

“Unless you like to lose.”

Lysha looked near her feet at those disgusting things crawling around, then back at the smiling Radella. “You! Shameless, disgusting whore! You will pay for this!”

Eldric almost clapped. But remembering he was supposed to be neutral, he cleared his throat.

Radella, who found her plan had worked, swirled as she tossed the other lizard at the same moment, followed by two arrows.

Lysha landed on the floor, sidestepping as she avoided the arrows, but only to realize that lizard was on her body. She panicked and screamed, trying to pull it out frantically.

When she went still, a dagger was aimed close to her neck.

There was a moment of silence. Then a voice broke it. “Hadn’t I won?” Radella asked.

"Kill her" Zaphyra told her with urgency.

Even Radella was taken aback. Her eyes deepening.

Lysha’s face fumed until it turned pink. How… how… Too angry, her nails elongated, while her eyelids shifted to green. Then she waved her hand towards Radella.

Radella stepped back, barely avoiding it.

She didn’t even get to return to her feet when Lysha’s palm followed her and sank into her shoulder, tearing it and leaving three deep marks on Radella’s arm.

Radella stood with her arm limp, the dagger clattered to the floor, and her hand dripping blood. It was too painful, and all she did was freeze.

Lysha, as if possessed, rushed at her again, moving her palm towards Radella and aiming to rip her face.

But Lysha’s hand froze in the air as it was grabbed tightly by someone.

Lysha moved her eyes towards Eldric, who held her hand. Him again!

She attacked him with her other hand. Eldric grabbed and pinned both of them. “The fight is over,” Eldric announced.

“Lysha promised not to use her powers, but she broke that. And before this, she was supposed to have been lost from our Luna’s peculiar lizard moves. Don’t you agree?”

One in the audience shouted, strongly “I agree.”

Eldric looked at Adrien, who was emerging from wherever he was.

The others, seeing the Eon, tensed and nodded. “We agree.”

“So, the winner is Nalath!” Eldric announced.

But Radella didn’t have the luxury to celebrate her victory and went down to her knees as blood kept welling.

Eldric let go of Lysha and went to crouch near Radella to help her. “I told you to avoid getting hit, Luna.”

But before he did anything, another person came. Eldric raised his eyes to see the girl from Eon’s.

His face hardened, and he stood before Radella, shielding her.

“Take her and come with me.” Celia ordered.