Tournament day

Lilian's POV

The next morning, I was woken up by a soft knock on the door.

I blinked away the remnants of sleep and I squinted my eyes against the morning light filtering through the thin curtains.


A pack maid stood in the doorway.

She hesitated a bit and I saw her the way she was wringing her hands together, before speaking.


"Lady Lilian," she began, her voice soft and respectful. "The pack is having a tournament today.

Everyone is expected to attend at the meeting grounds." She informed me.

I sat up on the bed. My entire body still aches from the emotional turmoil of the previous night. The thought of a tournament seemed so far removed from my current state of mind.

I desperately needed all the sleep that I could muster.

I still felt raw, my emotions frayed at the edges.

The last thing I wanted was to be around people at the moment, and especially to be in the presence of Kaiden and the rest of the pack.


But I knew I had no choice. As a member of the pack, and especially as Kaiden's mate, I was expected to be present at such events.

Even though I didn't want to. I forced out a smile, though it felt brittle and forced.

"Thank you," I murmured to the maid, I managed to muster some semblance of enthusiasm. "I'll be there shortly." I said.


The maid nodded her head and left, closing the door quietly behind her. I sat there for a moment, staring at the door, willing myself to get up and face the day.


My eyes felt puffy from crying, and my head ached so painfully that I thought it was going to split into two.

Last night still gave me a dull ache in my chest.

Slowly, I pushed myself out of bed and moved to the small mirror on the wall.

I stared at the reflection that stared back at me; my eyes were red-rimmed, and my hair was a mess.

I looked like I was a ghost of some sort. I took a deep breath, and decided to make myself presentable.

If I had to endure this day, I would do so with as much dignity as I could muster.

I carefully combed my hair, braiding it into a simple yet elegant style. I chose a pale blue dress, one that complimented my eyes and my curves and gave me some sort of confidence.

The fabric was soft and flowing, and I hoped it would help me feel more at ease.

While I dressed up, I tried to shake off the sadness, to push aside the pain that clung to me like a shadow.


With a final glance in the mirror, I left my room and made my way to the pack meeting grounds.

The sound of laughter and chatter greeted me as I approached.

The pack members were gathered in groups and they were all excited. It was a day of celebration in the pack, I could see.


I took a deep breath and stepped into the crowd, doing my best to blend in.

As I moved through the throng of people, I felt a familiar presence. I didn't need to look to know who it was.

Kaiden's aura was unmistakable, it was like some sort of magnetic force that drew my attention even when I tried to resist it.

I felt his eyes on me, a burning gaze that seemed to pierce through the crowd.

But I refused to look his way, refused to acknowledge his presence.


My heart thudded in my chest, and memories of the things he said to me replayed in my head. His harsh words still echoed in my mind.

I kept my eyes fixed on the ground, determined to avoid him.

The last thing I needed was another confrontation, another reminder of my unrequited feelings.

I found a spot near the edge of the crowd, it was far away from the main commotion.

The pack warriors were preparing for the tournament, stretching and sparring with one another.

The air was thick with anticipation, the excitement almost tangible.

I watched as they moved with practiced grace, their bodies fine and toned up from years of training.

The warriors all looked excited.
Despite my decision to avoid looking at Kaiden, I found myself glancing in his direction.

He stood among the warriors, his presence commanding and undeniable.

He was dressed in simple training gear, his muscles rippled with each movement.

His expression was focused, a look of determination etched across his features.

He was every bit the warrior prince, exuding confidence and power.

I became worried as I watched the warriors prepare to fight.

The tournament was a display of strength, but it was also going to be brutal.

The fights were often quite intense, with participants pushing themselves to their limits.

It was a test of endurance and skill, and injuries were not uncommon.

The thought of Kaiden getting hurt sent a pang of fear through me, a fear I tried desperately to quell.


The tournament began with a flourish, the first pair of warriors stepping into the ring.

The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices a cacophony of excitement.


I watched, my heart in my throat, as the warriors clashed.

The sound of fists meeting flesh, the grunt of exertion, the thud of bodies hitting the ground—it was a visceral display of power and skill.


As the matches continued, I kept my gaze trained on the fighters, determined not to look at Kaiden.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching me.

It was as if his gaze burned into the side of my face, a constant reminder of his presence.

I tried to focus on the fights, on the spectacle before me, but my mind kept drifting back to him.


Finally, it was Kaiden's turn to fight. The crowd hushed in anticipation, all eyes turning to the prince as he stepped into the ring.

My breath caught in my throat as I watched him face his opponent, a seasoned warrior known for his strength and agility.

The two men squared off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge.


The fight began with a flurry of movement, both warriors moving with speed and precision.

Kaiden's movements were fluid, a deadly dance of strength and skill.

He fought with a fierce intensity, his focus not giving in.

I watched in awe as he dodged and struck, his body moving with a grace that belied his power.


But as the fight wore on, my awe turned to concern. The blows were hard, the hits relentless.

Kaiden took several hits, each one landing with a sickening thud.

I winced with each blow, my heart aching with worry.

He was strong, yes, but he was also taking a beating.

The fear that he might get seriously hurt gnawed at me, a constant undercurrent of anxiety.


Despite my decision, my eyes never left Kaiden. I watched as he fought, as he took hit after hit, refusing to back down.

His determination was admirable, but it also frightened me. I could see the strain in his movements, the fatigue that was beginning to set in.

The tournament was meant to be a display of strength, but it felt more like a brutal test of endurance.


I held my breath as the fight reached its climax, the two warriors locked in a fierce struggle.

The crowd was on the edge of their seats, the tension palpable. And then, with a final burst of energy, Kaiden managed to land a decisive blow, sending his opponent sprawling to the ground.

The crowd erupted into cheers, a deafening roar of approval.


But I couldn't share in their excitement. All I could think about was the bruises that would mar Kaiden's skin, the pain he would feel in the aftermath of the fight.

As the cheers died down and Kaiden was declared the winner, I forced myself to look away.

The sight of him standing tall, victorious but battered, was almost too much to bear.


As the tournament continued, I stayed in my spot, my emotions a tangled mess of pride and worry. Kaiden was a force to be reckoned with, his strength and skill unmatched.


But the cost of that strength was high, and I couldn't shake the fear that one day it would be too much.

That one day, he would push himself too far, and the consequences would be dire.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. The tournament came to an end, the winners celebrated, and the pack began to disperse.

I watched as Kaiden interacted with the others, his expression a mixture of satisfaction and exhaustion.


I wanted to go to him, to offer him my congratulations, to check on him and make sure he was okay.

But the fear of rejection held me back, the memory of his harsh words still fresh in my mind. I didn't want to risk another confrontation, another painful reminder of the distance between us.


As the crowd thinned, I took a deep breath and made my way back to the pack house.

The day had been long and draining, and all I wanted was to escape to the solitude of my room.

The weight of the night's events still pressed down on me, a constant reminder of the emotional toll it had taken.

As I walked, I glanced back at the meeting grounds. Kaiden was still there, surrounded by pack members, his presence commanding as always.

For a moment, our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of something—recognition, maybe, or a shared understanding. But it was fleeting, and I quickly looked away, my heart was still heavy with the knowledge that nothing had changed.