CHAPTER 5 - Targets Of Destiny

Alpha Zay freezes for a moment. He cannot reveal himself. At least not now.

His identity should be kept while the competition is ongoing. He glances at Odious. “Mr. Odious, may I request to seek the Alpha King’s approval for me to continue to wear my mask while the competition is ongoing? I have this inferiority complex that I might not be able to focus on the competition if I have to bare my whole self to everyone now.”

He then looked at Zainah and bowed a bit. “Princess, I respectfully decline your request and that of the other Alphas. It would not be fair for me if I could not focus on this competition.”

Zainah held his gaze, her eyes searching for something within. She saw a hint of vulnerability in his gaze, a glimpse of a plea hidden beneath his brave bearing.

“Then please seek the Alpha King’s stand on this matter, Mr. Odious. I cannot decide on this.”

Alpha Zay was able to release a breath of relief. His identity is something that he could not divulge at this moment. He has a mission to fulfill first, and that is to take the hand of the Gizli Princess in marriage.

While the rest of the Alpha contenders sigh with dissatisfaction, Alpha Caerus could not help but grumble aloud. "This is absurd! How can we compete against a ghost whose face we cannot even see?"

Zainah turned her eyes toward Alpha Caerus, her expression cool and controlled. "A man's true worth is not seen only on his face, Alpha Caerus. It is seen in his actions, his loyalty, and his respect for the rules set before him."

The crowd quieted down at her firm statement, and Alpha Caerus lowered his head, though his jaw remained tightly clenched.

Zainah glanced at each of the Alphas in front of her. "The trials are not yet over, Alphas," she said, stepping back. "There are other tests to come. Tests of intellect, of diplomacy, agility, power, and of character."

The Alphas simultaneously answer, “Yes, Princess!”.

"I am prepared for whatever challenges you will require, Princess." Alpha Zhay spoke in an almost whispering voice, but Zainah heard it clearly.

She gives the 11th Alpha one last glance before she finally turns her back and returns to her room’s balcony, where she can see everything that is happening in the competition field.

She couldn't shake the feeling that the 11th alpha was more than just a skilled warrior. There was something in him that she could not decipher yet, a complex facade that intrigued her and gave her an unsettled feeling.

Melby stepped closer to Zainah, handing her a warm glass of tea as she stood at the railing. "You seem deeply troubled, my Princess," the nanny murmured gently. "Is it the pressure of the competition, or is it that masked Alpha?"

Zainah took a small sip of the tea, her eyes fixed on the lone figure down below. "There is something strangely familiar about his voice and his scent, Melby. Yet, whenever I try to put my finger on it, it slips away like a smoke."

"Then keep your mind sharp and your heart guarded," Melby advised softly, patting Zainah's shoulder. "A wolf who hides behind a mask always has a purpose."

Down below, the competition continued. The atmosphere became hotter, not in the weather but in everyone’s heightened emotions. The 11th Alpha had set a new standard, a higher level of expectation.

The other alphas, who were once so confident, now seemed in doubt as to their capabilities. They gathered in small clusters, whispering among themselves, glaring in Alpha Zay's direction whenever they thought no one was watching.

As the sun began to set, casting a dim glow across the training grounds, Alpha Zay stood in the training circle, alone. The other Alphas had already left, and so with the spectators.

He knew very well that the true test in the eyes of the Gizli Princess was not just about strength or skill. It was about the in-depth feeling of getting connections within her true self. It is about showing her not only the exterior but the real inside of him beneath his mask. And that, he knew, was the most challenging thing to do.

He looked up at the empty balcony, whispering to the evening wind, "Wait for me, my Princess. Soon, you will understand everything."

…

The third day of the courtship competition was gifted with a clear blue sky. A warm wind whipped through the mini-castle’s grounds, echoing an eerie silence followed by hushes as the eleven Alphas walked onto the competition field.

Zainah, with a relaxed emotion, watched from her balcony as the eleven alpha contenders gathered for the day's trial. The trial is about archery.

The targets were lined up across the wide field, not that of the usual shooting board but different kind of fruits. On the first pole, an apple hung, swaying gently; on the second pole, a citrus fruit, an orange; the third pole bore a ripe mango; the fourth pole had the biggest fruit - the dragon fruit, and the last pole contained the smallest fruit among the five fruits - the grape.

The alpha contenders have to demonstrate not only their skill with the bow and arrow, but also their understanding of the character symbols for these five fruits.

Zainah's gaze drifted towards the 11th Alpha, who stood in the last line, his aura comparable to a calm wind with a hidden storm about to uncover. His focus was absolute, unaware of the nervousness that was eating up the other Alpha Contenders. Each is thinking of what fruits to hit and the meaning in their lives.

When Odious’ voice crackled the silence as he announced the rules, everyone’s attention turned to him. "Ladies and gentlemen, our competition for today is about to start. Each alpha will only have one shot. They will choose one fruit among the five fruit targets. The closer to the center of the fruit, the higher the score. However," he paused as if wanting to emphasize this certain rule, "hitting the center alone is not enough. You must also explain the significance to your life of the fruit you aimed to hit. This is a test of both skill and wisdom."

The first alpha to step forward is Alpha Caeruz. The tallest Alpha among the eleven Alphas drew his bow and aimed for the apple as his target. He released his arrow, and it struck the left side of the fruit.

"Apple," he declares, puffing out his chest, "is the heart of a man like me. Aggressive and full of passion!"

Odious nods curtly with a smirk, hinting at the edges of his lips. "Hmmm.”

The second Alpha to take the bow and arrow is Alpha Darius, the poetic Alpha among the Alphas. He winked in the direction of Zainah before he aimed his arrow at the ripe mango.

Before releasing his arrow, Alpha Darius said in his most romantic mood, “Ripe Mango, the sweetest of them all. My heart and soul craves for nothing but the sweetest thing, me and the Gizli Princess could ever have in the future.”

Some of the spectators clap their hands, saying that the Alpha is such a darling and sweet man, but the rest snort, judging the poet Alpha as some sort of corny man.

Alpha Darius released his arrow and missed the target, to the laughter of everyone. He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment, bowing hurriedly before stepping back into line.

Next was Alpha Cloud from the Northwind Pack. Still nursing his bruised pride from the previous martial arts fight, he grabbed a heavy wooden bow. He glared toward Alpha Zay before aiming at the dragon fruit, the largest target on the pole.

"Dragon fruit," Alpha Cloud growled loudly. "It has a tough exterior, sharp skin, and strong roots, just like my pack! Only a strong man can handle its sweetness inside!" He released the string, and his arrow struck the bottom corner of the dragon fruit, barely staying attached.

Odious chuckled softly. "A hit, though barely. Next!"

One by one, the alpha contenders took their turns, their arrows finding their chosen fruit with explanations flowery and superficial for Zainah.

Some displayed impressive accuracy as they hit the center of the fruit that they aimed but stumbled when it came to explaining the character of the fruits they chose. Others offered eloquent interpretations but sadly failed to hit the heart of the fruit they aimed.

The uproars and tension in the air grow even more as each of the Alphas takes their shots. Zainah watched, her expression devoid of emotion. She was searching for a glimmer of something beyond the mere competence of each of the first ten Alphas who took their turns, but she was frustrated.

"None of them truly understands the depth of what I am asking for," Zainah whispered softly to Melby. "They view these fruits as prizes to win, not as lessons of life."

"Patience, my child," Melby replied gently. "There is still one more left."

Finally, it was the 11th Alpha’s turn. Alpha Zay approaches the firing line with a humble aura, yet with a stand of incomparable confidence that seems to set him apart from the rest of the Alphas.

He chose a bow from the rack and tested its weight and balance with his large hand.

"Which fruit will you choose, Alpha Zay?" Odious asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

He looked at the woman he wanted to win over and smiled with mystery before he replied.