The Elemental Gauntlet

ALTHEAThe grand hall is colder than usual.My shoes echo against the marble as we line up before the throne. Everyone’s quiet, their heads lowered, waiting. The king sits on his high seat, staring down at us like we’re nothing more than insects. His crown glints under the morning light, sharp and heavy, just like his gaze.I stand tall, but my heart pounds. The queen’s words from earlier still ring in my head. Keep your emotions in check. You’re being watched.Asher stands beside his father, arms folded behind his back, eyes unreadable. He doesn’t look at me. I don’t look at him either.“The time has come for your next task,” the king says, voice deep and loud.No one moves.“This challenge,” he continues, “will test your connection to nature. To power. To legacy.”I see Noor shift beside me, her hands clasped tightly. Caroline stands a few girls away, chin lifted, like she’s ready to burn the world. Elise stares straight ahead, calm and proud as always.“The elemental gauntlet,” the

Last Updated : 2025-05-18

Someone’s messing with the trails

ALTHEAThe wind still clings to my cloak as they lead me away from the others. My limbs feel numb, but not from the cold. Everyone watched. Everyone saw. I was touched by all four elements.It shouldn’t be possible.An official walks beside me, saying nothing, his face pale and tight. I don’t ask questions. My heart is still racing too fast, and there’s a deep, twisting feeling in my stomach like something terrible is coming.They bring me to a stone platform at the edge of the elemental grounds. The rest of the girls are lined up across the field, waiting their turn for what comes next. But I’m separated now. Watched. Whispered about.“The elemental path awaits,” the man says, then steps back.A new trial.A massive arch of stone rises ahead. Beyond it, I can see the first challenge—fire. Real fire. Not the elegant kind that dances in torches. This is wild and angry, stretched across a narrow canyon in swirling waves of flame and smoke. It crackles so loud it drowns out every other s

Last Updated : 2025-05-19

Choosing a side

ALTHEAMy teeth are still chattering when I turn to Asher. My hands are scraped from the rocks, and my legs ache from the fall, but I don’t care. Not right now.“It’s your father,” I say, my voice hoarse. “He’s the one doing this. You saw it. That wasn’t a normal trial. It was like the elements were trying to kill me.”Asher doesn’t answer right away. His jaw clenches. Water drips from his hair, down the side of his face. He looks off into the trees, quiet, like he’s thinking hard.“He’s made it pretty clear how much he hates you,” he finally says. “And maybe that’s why I keep getting pulled to you.”I blink at him. “What?”He gives a bitter laugh. “Because the more he pushes me to stay away from you, the more I want to do the opposite.”Something flutters in my chest, but I shove it down.“This is different,” Asher continues, voice lower now. “He’s cruel, sure. But if he wanted you dead, he wouldn’t be subtle about it. He wouldn’t use the elements. He’d have you dragged out in front

Last Updated : 2025-05-20

Varya Ashmoon

ALTHEAThe palace feels colder today.I keep my head down as I move through the halls, not wanting to talk to anyone. My limbs still ache from the trial, and my thoughts haven’t stopped spinning since last night. About the king. About the elements. About Aaron and what he showed me in the woods.I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts in my room. I can’t handle it.My feet carry me somewhere I didn’t expect. The library.It’s quiet when I step inside. The tall doors creak shut behind me. I pause, just looking around. The room is massive, larger than any I’ve ever seen. Shelves stretch from floor to ceiling, packed with books of all shapes and sizes. A domed ceiling lets soft light pour in from the glass above, casting everything in a warm golden glow.It’s like my own personal heaven.I walk slowly between the rows, dragging my fingers along the spines of the books. Some are new. Some are so old their titles have faded off completely. I find books on werewolf history, on herbs and h

Last Updated : 2025-05-22

All Chapters of The Mate Games: Chapter 51 - Chapter 54

The Elemental Gauntlet

Someone’s messing with the trails

Choosing a side

Varya Ashmoon