Already Won

The drive to the arena continues in silence. The only sound is the low hum of the engine. The island is a stunning sight and the calming scenery all around contrasts the tension curling in my stomach.

I did not fully consider it but now, it dawns on me that I will be facing Alpha Mikos again. And suddenly, even with the fresh air coming in through the window, the car feels suffocating.

I have grown so accustomed to dreading Alpha Mikos that I cannot easily shake it off. Alaric's words still linger in my mind.

The business of the Everdale Pack has never been one I bothered about, or even cared about long before they began hunting me. So why do I find it so hard to make peace with the fact that Alpha Rich's reputation will only become more solid after the Everdale Pack secures their ranking for another cycle?

And everyone would return to their various packs like nothing has changed, all the wrongdoings of Everdale elites forgotten, buried underneath their titles and accolades.

Alaric still watches me, his expression is unreadable. I can sense the intensity of his stare without having to look over at him, that gaze seems to see beyond my surface, peeling away the layers one after the other till he finds something deep within that I'm not ready to reveal yet.

"Would it even matter?" I finally break the silence. My voice is quieter than I intended. "If the truth about the Landry's comes out, would it change anything?" 

Alaric's gaze doesn't waver. "No." He admits. "Not unless someone more powerful makes it matter."

His answer does not surprise me. I swallow hard, my fingers clenching at my sides. In the end, it always comes down to power and influence. Who speaks the loudest, who controls the narrative. The world doesn't care about the truth, it cares about the people with enough power to shape the truth.

And that kind of power is something I've never had.

Not long after, we arrive at the arena. It is already buzzing with life by the time we get there. Cedric parks near a private entrance, far removed from the rest of the crowd.

A strange and unfamiliar energy fills my veins. Though I forfeited, something in me still wonders how far into the games I could have gone... would I have made this final stage?

Alaric alights the vehicle first and then he offers me a hand. He guides me down onto solid ground, his grip is firm and steady. It provides a foreign reassurance...a certainty that for today at least, I am not standing alone.

The moment we step through the entrance of the arena, all eyes move to us and we become the centre of attention.

Curious whispers ripple through the crowd of elites like wildfire. As for me, the weight of their stares, the judgement and curiosity in their eyes all unsettle me, but I keep a straight face.

Alaric on the other hand shows no reaction at all. He strides in with quiet confidence, unfazed by the attention. He already anticipated this, I did too but it does not make it easier to face.

Alaric keeps me close to his side, his presence itself serves as a silent warning to anyone who dares to question my place beside him.

Yet, I can pick up on the quiet murmurs.

'That's the fire elemental who forfeited.'

'I hear she belongs to the Everdale Pack. Why did she participate under a false identity?'

'Do you think she is really with him?'

'Listen, rumors say she burned someone alive.'

I resist the urge to scoff at how quickly news about me has circulated in just a few days, even rumors from Everdale are coming to light.

Alaric leads the way to the private viewing section that is elevated above the main stands. The view of the arena below is clear from this height. Down below, the twelve elites stand in a circle waiting for the final stage to begin.

The announcer's voice booms almost immediately, as though they had been waiting for Alaric's arrival and I do not doubt that they have. He begins introducing the twelve participants left, their packs and element affinity. Most of them are either Alphas or Betas of well established packs and a few high ranked warriors, the weeding out of the weaker lot is complete, these twelve are the very best of the elites in these parts.

"Mikos Landry of Everdale! Rank of Alpha, earth element!" The announcer calls out.

My stomach churns uneasily at that. Mikos stands tall in the center of the ring, his presence is as imposing as ever. His expression is eerily familiar, that characteristic smug smirk he always has on, when the cameras are flashing in his face.

Mikos Landry, the philanthropist, DA of Everdale. But all I see is a man that revels in attention, in the power this tournament gives and in the spotlight Lana's influence as a socialite can bring him.

I understand him better now, and I know why he still attended the games regardless of Alpha Rich's death. The elections are drawing near and rumors in Red Ember say Alpha Mikos's opponent is also a shifter. The vote of the supernatural community that was assuredly his, has now been divided.

Mikos needs to remind the shifters why he is a better choice for DA than a lesser shifter race. And what better way than boosting his pack rankings in the element games?

I realize everything Mikos has done so far has been carefully calculated, intentional. Down to his mate bond with Lana.

And watching him now, I can see that Mikos knows he's already won, in more ways than one.

Even if he loses the final stage, Everdale has secured its rank. His influence will remain untouched and the rumours of Alpha Rich's acts tainting his reputation will be buried underneath the glory of the games.

Mikos...he has played his cards well.

My fists clench at my sides.