Supremacy

It all happens so fast, before I can even comprehend it. Faster than I realize, I am already on the move, my instincts propel me into action, my heart thumps with an unquestionable need to protect Alaric at any cost. Thrusting my hands out, my element lashes out with a deafening roar, a powerful torrent of flames burning everything in its path, wild and untamed.

The sharp vines all turn to ash in the blink of an eye. But that is not nearly enough to satisfy the thirst of my flames, a feeling of Deja vu sets in and just when I think I am about to watch the whole arena go up in flames because there is no stopping the fire when it's out, a mass of shadowy wisps encircle my flames, snuffing them out before they can go any further and cause any more damage.

Only then do I remember who it is I am protecting and just what he is capable of. Alaric Raid, Alpha Supreme, with the element of shadows, he does not need my help at all...

I slowly turn to face Alaric and my heart sinks to the pit of my stomach as I find myself staring back into pools of black and manic ferocity... Alaric's mania! His rage pours off of him in waves, I can almost taste it in the air, it is worse than I have ever seen and his stance is rigid, barely containing himself.

The arena had fallen silent in shock at what had just happened. Once the flames are out, Alaric's hand encircles my waist and gently pulls me back into Cedric's awaiting hold.

He leaps off the platform and lands right in the midst of the arena, inky black shadows pour off of him in waves, the force tosses all the participants and everyone remotely close to the arena back, 

The silence at this point is suffocating, fear steals away every breath. The arena is frozen, every spectator is practically paralyzed, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Alaric now stands in the middle of the arena, shadows amassing around him, thick and swirling. They crawl across the arena floor like inky black serpents, whispering promises of certain death.

I watch with mouth agape. I have always known Alaric is powerful but I did not know he was this powerful. His power is simply terrifying, the shadows drink up all the daylight from around him, like something right out of a nightmare.

I am just as paralyzed as everyone else, I do not even dare breathe for fear of redirecting his wrath to me. My chest is tight from the lack of oxygen but that is the least of my concerns. I am completely in a terrified awe as I watch Alaric transform into something more than just a man.

More than just an Alpha.

Something untouchable, unyielding, something absolute. He is supremacy personified.

The Alpha who had summoned the vines lies sprawled on the floor, his vines reduced to ashes, he now trembles in fear in the face of the consequences. His eyes fixed on Alaric are wide and terrified, as the shadows creep closer to him, circling him in deadly promise.

Alaric is yet to say a word, his expression as unreadable as always. His eyes however, are chilling cold. The shadows surge forwards, snapping at the feet of the fallen Alpha, a warning that Alaric can end his life in a heartbeat.

It is a terrifying reality, that even one of the elite Alphas is barely worth mentioning before Alaric. I understand it now, why werewolves are so terrified of Lycans despite their few numbers.

The strength of the original bloodline of the moon is just overwhelming. Before them, we are all nothing more than insignificant mortals.

The Alpha whimpers as the shadows press closer all around him but he does not dare retreat or make a run for it. He looks to the stands, searching for help amongst pack members and the werewolf elders alike. But no one moves, no one dares interfere.

Even Mikos who stands just a few feet away is deathly still. His jaws are clenched and his hands are curled into tight fists. His gaze is still cold and calculating but he does not move to defend his fellow Alpha. Even he knows better than to challenge Alaric's wrath.

No one dares.

Meanwhile, Alaric's gaze scans the arena, his shadows curling protectively around him. His voice finally cuts through the silence, cold and unyielding. "You dare... attack me?"

The chilling accusation settles over the arena like a death sentence already given. The mouth of the fallen Alpha opens and closes, his face pales, but no words come out.

"There are no mistakes in combat." Alaric continues, his voice is low and controlled, an eerie calm that makes the air crackle with danger. "Only intentions."

The Alpha shakes his head frantically, trembling from head to toe. "I didn't mean...it was a mistake... I lost control... I swear it..."

"Excuses." Alaric dismisses simply. His shadows surge forwards, curling around the Alpha's neck. They lift him off the ground effortlessly. His feet dangle and he thrashes as the shadows constrict around his throat, cutting off his air. His face swiftly turns red, eyes bulging as he claws at the shadows but his hands just go right through them, finding nothing solid to grasp.

"I do not tolerate attempts on my life." Alaric states coldly. "You are no longer fit to call yourself an Alpha."

With a flick of Alaric's wrist, the shadows hurl the Alpha across the arena. He crashes into the stonewall with a sickening thud, his body crumpling to the ground in a broken heap. The shadows around him dissipate, leaving him gasping and wheezing weakly.

The arena is as silent as ever, no one daring to even breathe. Alaric's eyes sweep across the arena once more, his gaze imposing. "As of this moment, Trent of the River Stone Pack is stripped of his title. He is no Alpha."

I wait to hear the protest, or even a plea for mercy but I know deep down that nothing will come. Alaric's words are final, indisputable. His judgement is handed down with the force of law, unchallenged by anyone present. The other Alphas present in the arena lower their heads, acknowledging Alaric's supremacy without question.

My heart shrivels up within me as the magnitude of Alaric's power sinks in, I realise how lucky I am to be alive after getting on his bad side so many times.

He didn't just defeat Trent in one move, he just destroyed his legacy, his pride... his very identity. It is a punishment worse than death for any Alpha.

And Alaric did it with terrifying ease!