Chapter 0406

We allowed them their moment of victory. With no competitors from our pack tomorrow, though I wanted to support Nightshade and Blackthorn, our standings would remain unchanged. Victor expressed his pride through our mind link before seizing the opportunity to promote Gideon as Lead Warrior. His acceptance sparked renewed celebration as Victor and I retreated to our cabin, the festivities echoing through the trees until dawn.

Morning revealed only a handful of our pack at breakfast. Today's meal started later at 5:30am, with battles commencing at 7am sharp. The tournament's second day featured Lead Warriors and Gammas. Sebastian's newly appointed warrior would compete alongside Donovan and our own Beatrice. My loudest cheers would be for her - she'd risen through our ranks.

1,790 contestants remained - nearly half yesterday's number, but today's matches promised greater intensity. We watched two brutal rounds before lunch. Approaching the children's area to collect Genevieve and Finnian, we spotted an unfamiliar figure looming over them.

His sneering voice carried as we neared. "What self-respecting pack mingles with humans and - what even are you? Some kind of forest sprite?" The Beta's lip curled at our guests.

Finnian rose, positioning himself as a shield. "I'm a royal elf of Eldermere."

The Beta snorted. "Pathetic. Crawl back to whatever hole you came from before I send you home in pieces."

I tensed to intervene when Seraphina materialized behind him. "Beta. Are you insulting an Elven Prince and my honored guest?"

He spun, arrogance faltering when confronted by the Guardian's glowing silver eyes. "G-Guardian!" His throat bobbed visibly.

"Or perhaps you were threatening my Beta female," Valeria added, flanking him. His head whipped between them like a cornered animal.

"N-no! Just... joking..."

"Aren't you going to help them?" I asked Adrian and Sebastian.

Adrian smirked. "And insult our mates' capabilities?"

Sebastian didn't blink. "They'd skin us for interfering."

The Beta now pressed against a wall as both women advanced. "Your manners require correction, Beta," Seraphina emphasized his rank like a curse.

"Just harmless fun!" He glanced desperately at Finnian.

"Disgrace to Betas everywhere," Victor muttered beside me.

"I've always said you carry Alpha blood. More dominant than any Beta," I observed as the confrontation escalated.

Sebastian kept eyes locked on his mate. "Grace speaks truth. No ordinary Beta could have survived my dungeons as you did."

Adrian added without looking away, "Many Betas descend from Alpha lines. Second sons, forgotten over generations."

The Beta trembled visibly - possibly soiling himself beneath their combined wrath.

"Anyone else turned on right now?" Adrian breathed.

"Watching our women wield power? Fucking electrifying," Sebastian growled.

An Alpha suddenly intervened, pulling his cowering Beta away. Victor stiffened beside me as they approached our group.

"Time to put another pup in my mate," Sebastian declared, stalking toward Valeria with predatory intent.

"Seriously? Julian's barely two weeks old," Adrian called after him.

"Exactly. Too long since she carried my child."

We watched him sweep Valeria into a passionate kiss, carrying her toward the forest's edge.

As the Beta passed, Victor blocked his path. "Crimson Moon Pack?"

The Beta glanced between us. "Yeah?"

Victor's fist connected with his jaw. "From Leopold. He says hello."