Rise of the rogue queen-Chapter 14 - - A duel with Bryan

Zephyrine POV

Pain.

It was the first thing I felt as consciousness dragged me back from the void. Every of my muscle ached, my limbs were stiff, and when I tried to move, I realized I couldn't.

My wrists and ankles were bound by thick iron chains, fastened to the cold stone beneath me. I yanked at them, trying to set myself free, but they wouldn't budge.

A snarl rose in my throat. "How dare they cage me like this?"

I was still looking for ways to break free when suddenly, the ceiling split open above me, revealing the sky.

The ground trembled beneath me, and I was moving. The platform beneath my feet lifted, carrying me upward.

As I rose, the dim cell was replaced by blinding sunlight, and soon, I found myself in the center of a massive open-air arena. Towering walls surrounded the circular field, with rows of high-ranking wolves seated in the stands. The second lords of the East and West sat at the highest platform, along with five Alphas, watching me like a pack of predators.

My chains clicked once, then they fell away. I wondered what was happening, but it was nice to be free from the shackles of the horrible chains.

I rolled my shoulders, flexing my wrists. I lifted my gaze as the Second High Lord of the West leaned forward in his seat.

"This is the final test," he announced, his voice carrying across the field. "Everything we have done so far has led to this moment."

I narrowed my eyes. "Test?"

"You killed an Alpha, and even threatened the council, yet you propose to join the council as a 'Queen'." He stressed the queen part like it was an abomination.

A growl rumbled in my throat, but he continued before I could respond.

"However," his voice dropped to a chilling calm, "if you pass this test, we will acknowledge you."

A murmur swept through the crowd.

One of the Alphas scoffed, his arms crossed. "She? Pass? Impossible."

Laughter rippled through the arena.

I clenched my fists, my rage simmering beneath my skin. My gaze flicked to Bryan where he sat silently, watching the proceedings with his usual unreadable expression.

I took a deep breath, forcing my anger into something colder, "What is the test?"

The Second Lord of the East smirked. "You must defeat an Alpha in combat. If you win, you will be recognized as the rightful leader of your pack."

I didn't hesitate. "And if I don't?"

His smirk grew wider, "Then, you submit to us, remain in the council's prison. And your rogues will be exiled, if one is found near the two territories, we won't hesitate to have them killed."

I scoffed inwardly, the old woman's words replaying in my head. "Then I choose my opponent."

"Your choice." He said.

My gaze swept over the Alphas seated before me. They looked fierce, giving me looks to give up.

My lips curled into a smirk, my gaze falling on a perfect opponent.

"Bryan."

Bryan finally stirred, his cold gaze meeting mine. A slow, mocking smile spread across his lips as he stood, descending the steps with an air of arrogance.

"Are you sure, Zephyrine?" His voice was smooth, confident, just like then, before I knew the truth about him.

"You could choose another. I don't intend to hurt you."

My fury blazed brighter. He was still playing his games, still acting as if I am nothing more than a foolish girl beneath him.

I took a step forward. "I don't care what you want."

Bryan's smirk faded slightly. Then he sighed. "Fine."

The judge stood. "Let the battle begin."

Bryan moved first. His speed was blinding. One second, he was standing still—the next, he was a behind me. I barely dodged as his fist came crashing down, shattering the ground where I had stood. I leaped back, but he was relentless, his attacks coming faster than I could react.

Bryan was always stronger than me back when I trained with him at blue moon pack. But one thing he's forgotten is that, I'm no longer the Zephyrine he once knew.

A strike to my ribs sent me skidding across the field. Pain exploded in my side. Before I could regain my footing, Bryan was there again, grabbing me by the throat and slamming me into the dirt.

"Stay down," he murmured, his grip tightening. "You were never my equal."

I gasped, clawing at his fingers. No. I refuse to lose, this fight not only decides my fate but that of my rogues as well. So, losing is never an option.

Something inside me snapped. Power surged through my veins. With a loud snarl, I grabbed Bryan's wrist and twisted it. He grunted, his hold breaking as I kicked him hard in the chest, sending him stumbling back.

I didn't hesitate. I launched myself at him, my movements now faster. I dodged his attacks with ease, landing blows that sent him reeling. Bryan's confident smirk was gone, replaced with growing frustration.

He tried to regain control, but I gave him no room.

A hard punch to his jaw sent him staggering, and a well-placed kick knocked him onto his back.

Before he could rise, I lifted my hand.

Something flew through the air, landing in my grasp.

The spear.

"How is that possible?" The second-high lord of the west stood up, looking stunned. Silence filled the arena.

I pointed the spear at Bryan, its tip hovering just inches from his throat. My eyes burned into his.

Bryan exhaled sharply. He had lost.

"I am not done with you yet, Bryan."

He swallowed hard but said nothing.

The judge rose from his seat. "Queen Zephyrine wins this duel."

The crowd was silent. The ones who had mocked her sat in stunned disbelief.

I turned away from Bryan, lowering the spear.

One of the Alphas scoffed loudly, "I bet she only won because Alpha Bryan went easy on her. I've heard of their history together."

Another Alpha joined in, "That's true, they were once lovers."

I couldn't believe my ears, where they are daft or blind to see how Bryan fought? He didn't even hold back, and now they claim he only went easy on me.

The second-high lord of the west stood up, glaring at me, "We won't be acknowledging this due to your circumstances with Bryan. There is no way a woman like you can become part of the council. Take your Rogues and go far away."

"That is never going to happen." I said in a cold tone, my gaze turning dark.

I hit the spear on the ground, making the earth tremble. "We had a deal and it stands." I growled.

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The Alpha who spoke first about Bryan and I stood up, "Are you trying to go against the second-high lord?" I shot him a hard glare.

Bryan thought he saw an opportunity and wanted to attack me again unnoticed. He was suddenly kicked to the other side, he crashed against the wall violently and fell to the ground sprawling.

I recognized the familiar scent and turned to see Caden, but he was in a mask.

"How dare you interrupt the council? Reveal yourself now?" The guards who suddenly surrounded him say.

I was still shocked by his presence that I hadn't noticed the second-high lord of the west attack. It was just a small blade, but it left a deep cut on my leg making me fall to the ground.

"You all agreed on letting her joining the council and keeping the pack as long as she wins the duel. No rules were stated, so the circumstances of her win doesn't matter either." Caden said, standing up to them unshaken. His confidence made me wonder who he was.

He carried me in his arm and turned his gaze to the second-high lord of the west. "I don't think you would be unjust to treat her so unfair just because she's a lady."

He turned to Bryan who moved backwards in fear, I could feel his intense gaze on Bryan as if he could shred him to pieces and that made me chuckle.