CHAPTER 23 – CHICKEN

“Chicken!”

Aurora’s voice came upon him, beclouding his sense of reasoning.

Theodore blinked.

He began to remember her taunting face, how she’d teased him in the hallway.

The glint in her eyes when she challenged him, calling him a chicken.

“This apple has fallen far from the tree.”

“Scared of what this animal could do to you?”

“What’s stopping you?”

“I definitely thought you were going to do some real damage.”

“Chicken!”

The voices inside his head made him angry, as they challenged him even further.

‘I am not a chicken.’ He thought to himself.

Lucius’s clawed hands came down to the horror of the audience, and unexpectedly, when they all thought that was the end, Theodore held both hands before they landed.

A deep, low growl came out from his chest as he rose slowly, his eyes burning like someone who had had enough and was ready to come out of his shackles.

Bianca’s knees gave out as she fell on the chair, breathing heavily in relief, her son survived… for now.

Brynn and Ingrid, on hearing the silent relief sounds from the crowd, opened their eyes to behold Theodore holding on to Lucius’ hands. 

Lucius blinked in shock, not believing the strength of Theodore’s grip.

Trying to recollect how it had happened, he felt himself being pushed back by Theodore.

He looked as Theodore’s eyes snapped open, burning with anger, like he was out for revenge.

Lucius swung again, with his claws aiming for Theodore’s throat, but Theodore dodged.

With speed, he grabbed Lucius by the wrist before his hand could fully swing by, and slammed him by the shoulder onto the ground. The ground trembled as Lucius slipped across the arena floor.

The crowd held back their shock, as some of them closed their mouths, while others opened their eyes; no one expected this outcome.

Lucius gave out a roar as he sprang up and charged towards Theodore, only to be disoriented by a mid-air spinning kick that sent him stumbling.

Theodore followed immediately, driving his elbow into Lucius’ back as he landed, making Lucius grunt out in pain.

They both met again, hard, as their fangs and claws clashed, followed by deep snarls.

Lucius clawed Theodore's side.

Theodore grazed Lucius’ shoulder.

Lucius bit into Theodore’s arm, but Theodore knocked him back and gave him a hard head-butt. A painful yelp was heard.

Bianca almost melted into her chair, forgetting her grace and poise.

This was her son, and his life was on the line as long as Lucius was involved. Being the graceful Madam was the last thing she remembered. Now, she is just a mother, worried about her son.

The movements happened so fast that before they knew it, Lucius stumbled.

But Theodore didn’t stop.

He slammed Lucius against the barricade, his claws cornered and pinned him there by the chest.

Blood dripped, but this time, it was Lucius’.

Lucius’ legs gave way, “I yield,” He growled.

Theodore released his grip immediately, turned his back to look at where his father sat, breathing heavily.

And for once in a long time, Brynn nodded, impressed at his son’s performance.

Although he had underestimated his son, he felt rather pleased than apologetic.

Bianca held Ingrid’s hand tightly as she calmed herself. While Ingrid beamed with teary eyes, for a while there, she thought she was going to lose her man.

But behind them, Lucius stayed down, looked at his father, and got a disdainful look in return.

“And to think that I had little hope in him,” Graham said, not minding if Lucius heard it or not. “What a waste.”

Lucius felt a prick in his heart.

“Congratulations, master Brynn,” Graham added, “Quite a son you have there, I must say.”

“Thank you, master Graham,” Brynn said, as the two men looked at each other, “To be sincere, I was quite surprised at my son…”

The crowd suddenly gave a uniform, surprised sound that caught both fathers’ attention.

Lucius had reached beneath his fur and pulled something small and black from the folds beneath the fur on his arm.

It was a dagger. It was dimming with purple runes etched into the handle made of bones; it was a magical weapon.

He had lunged at Theodore, targeting his back, but Theodore dodged just in time, with his eyes glaring, the dagger only managed to graze his side.

Both fathers watched as Theodore caught Lucius mid-swing with a brutal uppercut, and with his claws out, he slashed across Lucius’ shoulder and face with a violent force.

This time, Lucius collapsed to the ground and didn’t rise.

The crowd went silent for a moment.

“If the council would permit me, I would like to deal with this problem myself,” Graham said, his eyes unwavering.

The elders looked at each other, whispering and nodding in agreement.

“Granted.”

An approval was given.

Graham snapped his fingers, “Take out this trash.”

Two guards rushed into the area from Graham’s side.

“It was a mistake coming here in the first place. I deeply apologize for thinking that Lucius was of any good.” Graham said, standing up and turning to Brynn.

Then he bowed and looked back at Brynn. “Send my congratulations to the deserving winner.” He turned to look at Lucius, as he was being hauled up, bleeding, snarling, and humiliated, “I’ve got a humiliating fish to fry.” He turned and left the hall.

The magical dagger hit the floor and rolled, just as Lucius was lifted and taken out.

A servant was ordered to retrieve the weapon, not with a bare hand.

The servant did as instructed and gave the weapon, now wrapped in cloth, to an elder.

“The terms of the trial were violated,” The elder said out loud, “But the winner had already been made clear.

“We would allow Graham to deal with his ‘trash,’” Another elder said, “He is called ‘Graham’ for a reason.”

Brynn stood again, his voice now sounding confident and somewhat proud, but his look was stern as usual. “My son and heir, Theodore of the Foreclaws Pack, has emerged victorious. He shall be named Alpha, leader and protector of the Pack, after my demise.”

He looked at Theodore, “I also want to use this medium to invite everyone of you to the celebration of my son’s success, in two days. Join us to celebrate, as we gather to wine and dine.” Brynn looked at the crowd, “Until then, we shall now head to the ceremonial hall, to quench our thirst and feed our rumbling stomachs.”

The crowd went wild with claps and howls.

Theodore looked around at the smiling faces of his supporters, and for the first time in a long while, he felt truly alive.