All Chapters of Alpha of the Deadly Arena: Chapter 21 - Chapter 27

One of the prehistoric birds dives sharply toward Ash. Fredrick tries throwing a mass of earth at it, but the creature is too agile. It twists away and slashes Ash’s shoulder with its massive claws.“Ash!!” I scream.I try to move forward, but Kael holds me back.“Don’t panic! Stay beside me!” Kael growls.How can I not panic? My friend is bleeding just a few feet away from us. There’s no way I can stand still and leave Ash in danger!“Ash is hurt! She could die, Kael!” I shout desperately.“I told you not to panic! We can get out of this if we work together and stay calm!”“To hell with staying calm!! My friend needs me!”I yank myself free from Kael and run toward Ash.Dozens of screeches echo from every direction. They’re no longer attacking from one side only. The prehistoric birds begin surrounding us. They fly low through the tall grass, revealing razor-sharp wing edges.We’re trapped in the middle of an open field with nowhere to hide.“Damian! Fly and distract them!” Fredrick

The tension between them reaches its boiling point. Sparks from Loki’s fingers begin licking against the skin of Kael’s arm.My body tenses instantly. I’m terrified a fight is about to break out in the middle of this forest. Even Fredrick and Damian immediately go on alert.But Kael doesn’t move. His eyes stay locked on Loki’s icy, dagger-sharp gaze.“You threatening me, wolf?” Loki hisses, his voice trembling with restrained anger. “After I save your asses?”“I appreciate your help. But that doesn’t give you the right to touch my teammate.” Kael’s voice is low and flat, but full of authority. “Not even once.”Loki lets out a short mocking laugh. His free hand clenches, ready to unleash a close-range fire attack.Suddenly, Fredrick steps between them. He places a hand on Kael’s shoulder and gestures for Loki to calm down. I guess Chief doesn’t want this situation to turn into a bloodbath between the Strains.“We’re in the middle of a death game, not some contest to show off power. Lok

Without saying another word, Kael brushes away the moss and sniffs the air. He pauses for a moment.“Kael, maybe we should—”Fredrick’s words are cut off as Kael immediately shoves the symbol with all his strength. A low rumble echoes through the tunnel. Fine dust falls from above as the symbol slowly slides aside.It’s a door.“Come on, Maddie.” Kael holds out his hand. “Get on. We’re checking out this tunnel.”“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Ash squeaks nervously.Damian lets out a quiet scoff. “Got a better one?”Without another word, we all reluctantly step into the tunnel.The steady rhythm of Kael’s footsteps vibrates through his back as we move deeper inside. Fredrick’s flashlight sways in his hand, its beam reflecting off the rusted Capitolis emblem embedded in the stone wall.“It smells strange,” Ash whispers, clutching the arm wrapped in strips torn from Fredrick’s shirt. “Like rust... and something rotting.”“This tunnel’s been abandoned for a long time,” Fredrick says q

The gate will open as soon as morning comes.The other shelters are already lit up, a sign that they’ve all been claimed. One of them belongs to Loki’s team. And with six Radon teams, one team has to be sacrificed no matter what.Just thinking about it sends a chill down my spine.Are our lives really worth so little? The lives of the Strains?I sit near the doorway because it’s my turn to keep watch. Everyone else is fast asleep, while Kael... I have no idea where he is. He chooses to stay outside the shelter, as if he wants to be alone.I hear rustling in the bushes, and my body instantly stiffens.Kael steps out from behind the thick brush. He stops and watches me for a few seconds.Then he walks over without making a sound. He sits down beside me.“Get some sleep,” he says coldly.I stay silent, neither nodding nor shaking my head. My eyes remain fixed on the darkness ahead. I don’t even dare look at Kael.“Shouldn’t it be different than this?” I murmur quietly.“What should?”“Th