Chapter 12-

All of us women had been seated on wooden bleachers facing the large arena all looking uneasy in our lovely white lace gowns. The men were situated to the side of us all lined up and looking incredibly fierce. I had a terrible feeling that today would end in disaster. I want to trust Lucas, but fear has crept itself into every fiber of my body. James stood in front of the arena with Shane, and Lucas to his sides. “Women we welcome you to the Black Moon bride games. The men here will be competing today for your love, and the right to claim you as their mate. As your Alpha I promise my protection to each of you, every warrior here has proven his worth both in battle and conduct. I congratulate you in advance on your matches. Black Moon men I know you will fight with honor for your mates. As you know we have drawn names for the first round, the winner will advance, and move on to the next round and so on until we have a victor. Your places will be ranked by your number of wins, and that will be our choosing order. Rounds are won by knocking out your opponent or getting them to relent, or if necessary death. I pray to the moon goddess for each of your safety. Good luck to you all.”
I looked at Lucas with fear tearing up my insides. The games haven’t even begun, and the thought of being chosen by another, and now possibly Lucas’s death made my chest ache. Why is this savagery needed? Ava Grabbed my hand, and brought my attention back as a shadow came over us. James stood above me inching closer until his lips were next to my ear. His presence tuned everything but him out. His breath tickled me, and made goosebumps appear along my skin. I shivered with his closeness, “Mine.” Was all he said low and husky as he bent down, and kissed my neck making every hair on my body stand at attention, and a shiver run down my spine. Just as quickly as he appeared, he left, taking his shadow, and promise with him. My heart refused to stop pounding, and then I noticed that we had gained an audience. Admittedly I had been attracted to the Alpha and curious about him, now all I wanted was for him to disappear or with any luck lose to whomever his opponent was. With his large strong body that seemed unlikely. My eyes met Lucas’s again, and he gave me a sweet smile that I returned. I wanted him to feel secure and know that despite being terrified, that I believed in him. I hated that my future, not just mine, but all of us women was being decided today not with any input from us, but a game played by men.
Lucas was my safe place and my future, I silently prayed to the gods that he would win my hand today. The games started; each man being paired with another brutally pounding the other bloody. The sight although terrifying was exciting. Seeing the passion, and strength each of them had, and the way the small group of men in the audience cheered was like nothing I had ever experienced. One fighter I couldn’t peel my eyes from was Lucas; my Lucas the way he tore through his opponents was jaw dropping. I couldn’t believe how fast he moved. Each time a sparring pair had a victor he would stand to the side as the loser from their rounds faced off in another contest between a different defeated man, if they were physically capable. This created places while the winners form that round would face off as well. All while the rest watched on, and cheered for their friends.
Although there was definitely a fierce competitiveness to them, they joked with each other, and seemed genuinely happy for the winners. There were very few serious injuries which was incredibly surprising due to how violent the matches looked. Two men were excluded from the brotherly like competition: James and Lucas. After they won their rounds, they separated from the others glaring at each other each with a dark brooding heat. The men who were already out and had their respective places set openly eyed the women, and spoke quietly with each other. Seeing the way they eye'd all of us made me furious. The man who I assumed to be the pack’s doctor was bandaging up a few of the men who had sustained small injuries. I saw how he joked along with the men and seemed to be a gentle soul. He had already fought and placed mid pack; he was someone I thought might be good for Ava. I knew she didn’t want anyone, but if we all would be claimed I wanted her to be with someone kind.
I didn’t know much about shifters in general, thinking that they had been extinct for some time, but I remembered hearing that they healed quickly. Something about the blood they had made them stronger. I wished I had listened more to the stories my parents told us as kids about them, but I guess now I would have to learn. To be honest they interested me, and it almost felt like I was joining a secret society or something. The numbers of pairs fighting started dwindling down until there were only two men left. I clasped my hands to my chest as the brothers squared off in the middle of the arena.
“Last chance little brother.” James spit out as they circled each other. “I won’t let you take her from me. Ember is MINE!” Lucas’s eyes flashed red, and he charged his brother full on jumping at him and throwing him to the ground. Quickly James flipped Lucas onto his back taking the position above him, and landing punch after punch bloodying him until he was able to roll out from underneath him, then he jumped behind him putting James into a headlock. He began landing blows to his body while strangling him until James broke free of his hold. They battled blow after blow, both bleeding and taking hits that would surely lead to other injuries. If they had been regular men they would both be dead. I had to put my hands over my mouth to keep from screaming out. Every part of my body wanted to run to them and break the fight apart. I felt pain radiate through my body gathering in my chest as I saw the damage they were doing to each other. They had mostly been evenly matched throughout until James was able to get on top of Lucas again landing huge blows to his head. “Give in brother or I’ll kill you.” He began shouting the crowd growing uneasy. The lightness, and comradery have all gone now. Lucas began to fade out of consciousness. A shrill cry came out of my mouth as I ran towards Lucas not even thinking just reacting to his pain.
“Please stop! You’ll kill him, stop!” Before I could reach them, I was grabbed by Shane and held back. “No!” Was all he said to me in his commanding voice.
Tears ran down my cheeks as I pleaded with James to stop. He looked at me after he struck his final blow knocking Lucas out. He stood tall covered in dirt and blood, and gave Shane the nod to let go of me. As soon as his large arms released me, I ran to Lucas and dropped down beside him pulling his head into my lap stroking his face. I didn’t even see the crowd staring in shock at the spectacle we were making, and at this moment I didn’t care what any of them thought about me. “Please don’t die, you promised.” The doctor came running over and dropped down beside us, I was pulled up forcefully by James with his blood covered hands.
“He’s not dead Ember but I will kill him if you touch him again, understood?” I met his black eyes, and nodded dropping my gaze to Lucas who was now being hauled off to the sidelines to receive treatment. Knowing he wasn’t dead took the heaviness off of my chest, but only for a few seconds when I realized the man’s hand that was clamped down on my wrist had won. He was today’s victor, and therefore got first choice of bride. I was taken back to my seat by James, and Ava grabbed onto me quickly trying to soothe me, but all I felt was emptiness. My chance at love and adventure was gone now with darkness replacing it, the only thing that brought me any comfort was seeing Lucas begin to regain consciousness. The sky was growing dark as the games ended and all of us women were ushered back inside the main hall where we would be fed, and then placed forever in our new chains.