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The words “challenge” and “eliminated” drifted toward me, and I turned to where the contestants in human form were huddled with their assistants, some with tears streaming down their faces.
Shit. Someone had decided to take matters into their own hands. But who?
As I looked on, Garrett catching up and stopping next to me, the four wolves moved at once, two fights breaking out in the ring. Sydnee against Riley, Kayden against Elana.
“Are you going to intervene?” Garrett asked, taking in the scene before us. “It’s like the pressure finally got to them.”
I didn’t answer, not sure what I should do. Without any proper sanctioning, four women had been eliminated from the Contention. While challenges were allowed, something of this magnitude had no precedent. It was as if they’d decided to end it on their own terms.
I flinched as Elana swiped her claws across Kayden’s muzzle, tearing into her flesh. Kayden’s wolf roared in anger, redoubling her efforts. The next minute, she had Elana pinned, offering her a chance at submission.
Elana took it, to my relief, then stumbled out of the ring. I debated putting an end to it then but interfering in a duel was against the rules.
These fucking rules were controlling everything in my life. The weight of my duty was heavier by the day, upholding rules in one area and breaking them in the next. There was no rhyme or reason other than how they affected Kayden.
Sydnee and Riley were locked in battle, equally matched. I silently willed Kayden to walk away. She didn’t have to engage. But based on how her wolf was circling the fighting pair, stalking them, she had no intention of stopping until the last wolf was standing.
If she didn’t win, she’d have no choice but to submit or fight to the death, eliminating herself from the Contention.
My stomach roiled, nausea accompanying the thought.Not like this. We were so close to the end. So close to me being able to claim her as my mate. I couldn’t lose her now.
Sydnee wrestled Riley into submission a moment later, leaving only Kayden and herself in the ring. My jaw creaked I was clenching it so hard. I felt Garrett’s gaze shift to me, waiting to see if I’d give the order for them to stop.
Sydnee’s dark wolf snarled at Kayden’s light one as the two circled. Both were already breathing hard, three challenges in, yet neither looked willing to walk away. My chest tightened as what they intended hit home.
They were officially the only two still standing—the final contestants remaining in the Contention—which had the entire crowd going silent as the wolves continued to circle.
Kayden lunged first, going for a maiming bite, but Sydnee was fast. They appeared evenly matched, and Sydnee effortlessly evaded Kayden’s attack, light on her feet as she moved out of reach.
Kayden redoubled her efforts, snapping her jaws and snarling each time Sydnee darted away. Kayden managed to sideswipe her on the last attempt, and Sydnee growled menacingly, hunching low before springing forward.
My body tensed as she knocked Kayden to the ground, and for one terrifying moment, I thought she had her pinned. But my mate wouldn’t give up so easily. She flung Sydnee’s wolf from her and pushed back to her feet.
My heart swelled with pride, even as adrenaline coursed through me, driving me to take action. I’d seen what Kayden was capable of in both strength and mind. She was back on her feet in no time, and I forced myself to stay put.
After the conversation I’d just had with my father, I knew I had to let her fight her own battle. She’d gone rogue with Branson, and he still wanted her to prove herself. If I stepped in now—interfering with how the Contention played out, I had no idea what might happen. I would be showing my hand in truth, and I simply couldn’t risk it. Kayden had to do this on her own.
Both wolves lunged, clashing in midair and falling to the ground, where it became a bloody battle for dominance. I felt sick, my wolf telling me to intervene.
Claws and teeth scraped and bit until the sand was covered in blood, and both wolves were staggering on their feet. Kayden backed up, putting distance between them, but her back leg buckled, and she stumbled. Fear shot through me. Her thigh hadn’t fully healed, and she’d sustained more injuries last night.
Sydnee charged toward her, and an alarm sounded in my mind when Kayden didn’t stand again. Sydnee’s sharp teeth glinted, and a collective gasp sounded around me. Without thinking, I dove forward, shifting in midair as I flung myself between the wolves.
Sydnee’s jaws locked around my front leg, and I roared, more in anger than pain. That bite had been intended for my mate.
Landing hard, I shoved Sydnee away, then shifted back to human form, holding my hands up between the wolves.
“Enough!”
My roar reverberated through the air, everyone falling completely silent. “What is the meaning of this behavior?” No one spoke, the only sound the crashing of the waves and labored breathing. I turned to face the crowd.
“Everyone, back to the estate.Now.” The pure alpha command in my voice couldn’t have been matched by Bridger Wilder himself.
Everyone sprang into action at that, hustling to follow my orders. Only Garrett hesitated, but I bared my teeth at him. “Get them all back inside.” Then I turned to Sydnee and Kayden.
“You two, stay,” I demanded. “Shift back. You aren’t going anywhere.”
As soon as everyone had cleared the area except Kayden, Sydnee, and their two assistants who hung back at the edge of the sand, I turned on them.
