CHAPTER 4 - Clamour To Unmask The 11th Alpha

The air fizzles with anticipation. The courtship competition continues, and the grounds of the Gizli Princess’s castle are buzzed with the energy of many excited spectators – or, more accurately, excited wolves in their human forms. Each alpha, each contender for the hand of Zainah, sought to outshine the others, displaying strength, intelligence, and charm in equal measure.

 But as the day rose, the majority of the spectators were chanting a name. They were chanting the name of the 11th Alpha - Alpha Zay. He captured their hearts, and Zainah could not deny that her eyes were focused on the 11th Alpha.

 He moves with a fluid grace, his dark brown hair falling across his brow as he scan the surrounding. His eyes, as bluish as the deep ocean, hold a depth that seems to see through the soul of those who met his gaze.

 Zainah watches from her room’s balcony, with curiosity and apprehension swirling within her. She witnessed the unmatched power, wit, and charm of the 11th Alpha, and these qualities not only piqued her interest but also made her heart go out every time she looked at him. She smiled while contemplating whom to choose on the 7th day or final day of the competition.

“Melby, do you think the 11th Alpha is the best among the eleven Alphas?” she asked her Nanny, who was all through out, standing beside her. She never leaves her. She had been her constant companion as she grew up and until now.

Melby looks at her nurtured girl since birth with her placid expression. She smiled as she took her hands. “My Princess, it is too early to tell. You have to open not only your eyes and mind but your heart too. Whoever among these Alphas captured these three vital parts of yours, he is then the one for you.” Her voice was gentle and reassuring.

Zainah nodded and then looked at the competition ground once more. There she saw the eleven Alphas standing tall and mighty, listening to what Odious, the Master Facilitator of the Courtship competition, had assigned by the Alpha King. He is the Alpha King’s Vice Regent.

 Murmurs ripple through the crowd. This is it – the moment they are so eager to witness. The first trial is a display of martial prowess, a test of agility, strength, and strategic thinking.

 Odious gestures towards the training circle marked in the ground. "Each of you will engage in a series of controlled sparring matches. You will be paired in two until only one is left. Each victory earns points,” he announced, his voice thundering in the mini-castle’s competition ground.

Odious points Alpha Zay and Alpha Cloud, the burly Alpha from the Northwind Pack, who was known for his brute strength and aggressiveness.

 Alpha Zay steps into the circle. His movements are deliberate, precise, and confident. He faces his first opponent, Alpha Cloud. The alpha from the Northwind Pack smirks, confident that he is at his advantage, considering his larger form compared to the 11th Alpha.

 "You will be out of your wits today, mysterious Alpha," Alpha Cloud growls. "This isn't a quiz bee competition. This is a test of strength, agility, and prowess, and you look like you haven't been well trained by a true master of martial arts," he continued, his tone mocking.

 The 11th Alpha’s expression didn't change. His demeanor was calm, but deep within this facade was a lion’s rage about to explode. "Strength is not always about being larger or taller; more often, it is about knowing where to strike the opponent to his death," he replied calmly yet with stormy eyes.

Alpha Cloud snorts.

“The first match shall begin!” Odious declared.

Alpha Cloud aggressively charged, swinging a heavy fist against Alpha Zay’s head. But the 11th Alpha was too quick to react. He sidestepped, avoiding the blow with ease; his body’s movement was fluid and like a flash of lightning. He swiftly slid his body and side-swept Alpha Cloud’s forward foot, knocking him off balance. Before Alpha Cloud’s body hit the ground, another hard kick hit his solar plexus, sending him to the ground, sprawling, unable to stand even after the ten-second count finished.

 There is an uproar from the crowd. The fight is over in barely one minute. Alpha Zay stands silently, looking at his defeated opponent, who is growling in pain and anger.

Zainah unintentionally claps her hands, her eyes shining with approval. “Melby, did you see that? He seemed to be well-trained. His strength and agility are superb,” she exclaimed, her hands clasped on top of her bosom.

Alpha Zay, who had an extraordinarily strong hearing sense, captured every word said by the Gizli Princess, and a satisfied smile lined his lips.

The martial arts competition started. One by one, the other contenders stepped up, each eager to win from their opponents. Alpha Zay met them all with unwavering focus and confidence. He had shown his martial arts skills, blended with unmatched intelligence, speed, agility, and power.

 With each victory, the crowd grew more in uproar. The 11th Alpha is not just strong and skilled, but more than what the eyes meet.

 After the martial arts competition, Zainah decided to approach the contenders. She stepped down from her room’s terrace and walked towards the competition field.

"Alpha Zay," she said, her voice clear yet gentle, "Your skills are… impressive."

 Alpha Zay turns to face her, his eyes meeting hers. "Thank you, Princess," he replied, his voice calm, devoid of any air of boastfulness.

 "But strength alone is not what I am looking for," Zainah continued, looking at him with a controlled emotion. "What other qualities do you possess that would make you among the other Alphas more suitable to be my groom?"

 The 11th Alpha weighs her question, his gaze at her unwavering. "I love without boundaries," he said finally. "I am loyal, I am willing to do whatever it takes to protect my woman and those under my care," he added.

“So are we, Alpha Zay!” the majority of the other Alpha contenders said almost in unison. They seemed to be getting anxious with the interest that the Gizly Princess is showing him.

 Zainah raised an eyebrow. "Those are admirable qualities, Alphas. But, I am looking for something more than that.” Thereafter, Zainah turned her back and was about to leave the area, but Alpha Caerus caught her attention as he spoke…

“Princess, we and my co-Alphas here would like to request something,” Alpha Caerus said.

“What is it, Alpha Caerus?” Zainah faced the Alphas once again.

Alpha Caerus looks at the other Alphas as if seeking their encouragement. As the other Alphas nodded, he looked at the Gizli Princess and spoke with courage. “We request that the 11th Alpha remove his mask. We believe in transparency and fairness in this competition. His face should be revealed at the onset to avoid any misconception and let you see what he really looks like.”

Zainah pauses for a moment as if contemplating whether she would agree with the Alphas’ request. She also wanted to see the real face of the 11th Alpha. She is curious too as to what he really looks like.

The crowd agrees and makes an uproar. “Remove the mask… remove the mask!”

Zainah shot the 11th Alpha with a serious expression before she spoke, “Alpha Zay, can you remove your mask now?”