The Tournament

Dusk drifted in across the island, soft and golden. Tonight was the last night of the festival—and the one everyone had been waiting for: the fight tournament.

Inside their tent, Taylor and Vera were in front of the mirror, smoothing their dresses and sharing soft laughs. Taylor’s cheeks glowed with excitement.

“I want both men to swoon,” she whispered, brushing a curl behind her ear. “I want them to want drool all over again. Especially Geri.”

Vera smiled warmly. “They will. You both look amazing.” She giggled. “Remember, your first real date. No pressure.”

Taylor gave her a playful shove. “Just don’t let me mess it up.”

Tara lay on the small bed, a Hardley Chase novel open across her lap. She didn’t look up.

Taylor straightened. “Why aren’t you ready?”

Tara stretched and closed her book gently. “I… don’t know. I just I don’t feel right.”

Taylor frowned. “What? Why not?”

Tara sighed and sat up. “With everything that’s happened… I just don’t feel like going.”

Taylor’s frown deepened. “But they are your mates. I thought you kissed Amarok.”

Tara shook her head. “We kissed. That doesn’t mean I—”

Taylor cut her off. “I’m trying to feel excited, for us. Don’t ruin this.”

Vera stepped forward. “Come on, we’re going together.”

They dressed Tara in Damon shorts and a sleek tank top, pulling her into the tiny bathroom to fix her hair and apply light makeup. When she finally stepped out, all three sisters glowed, ready for the night.

“Our mates are going to lose it, when they see us,” Taylor whispered as they left the tent.

Outside Amarok and Geri stood waiting as the sisters approached. Both men froze, taking them in.

“Geri.” Taylor stepped forward shyly. His smile came slow and bright. “Evening.”

Geri’s voice was soft. “You’re beautiful.”

Amarok’s gaze met Tara’s—raven-dark hair pulled back, face smooth in the moonlight. His breath caught.

“Tara, you look amazing,” he said, voice low and steady. He gave a small nod, words passing between them silently. She smiled back with a tiny ‘thank you.’

Vera chuckled. “We better move before we miss the match.”

Outside, torches flared in the fading light. The crowd buzzed with excitement around the large, transparent fighting cage. The first seating row, a VIP circle, held Alphas, Lunas, and close family.

The sisters followed the brothers through the cheering crowd, arriving just in time. The clear cage glowed in the torchlight. The ring announcer’s voice carried across the space, building tension.

Inside the cage, a young woman faced off against a boy. Their movements were swift, practiced. She dodged his swing, then punched hard to his gut. He fell. The crowd roared.

“She’s quick,” Taylor whispered.

The next fighters were two men. They circled, exchange cautious glances, then clashed. Fists flew. One delivered a brutal knockout uppercut. He crumpled. Silent shock rippled through the audience before cheers rose.

Amarok leaned to Tara. “You okay?”

She watched, eyes sharp. “Yeah….I love fights.”

He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently.

They fell silent as the matches continued. Then the announcer quieted the crowd for a special guest, a woman covered in tattoos. She strode in, too confident to hide fear, too strong to show doubt.

Her first opponent was a man. A few strikes later, she knocked him out cold. The crowd cheered wildly.

Next, a massive man, a warrior known for strength. But she moved like water. He attacked, and she dodged his blow, countering with a low kick that brought him down hard.

She raised her fists, declaring, “…No one here can beat me!”

Geri leaned forward. “Who is she?”

Gary whispered: “An Alpha’s daughter. Her father couldn’t come, she came in his place.”

Taylor frowned. “She’s… fierce.”

Geri grunted in agreement.

Tara said nothing. She watched the tattooed woman with wide, curious eyes.

Then the crowd hushed. A single figure stepped forward; Stone, with determination flashing in his eyes.

“I challenge you,” he roared.

A chill ran through Tara. The air tightened. Amarok tightened his grip. Geri’s eyes narrowed.

Taylor reached between them. “Gods.”

The tattooed woman paused. Stone squared his shoulders, breath steady.

The spotlight shone on them. And everything else slipped away.