Chapter 0413

I can only shake my head at Isolde.

"What?"

"That wasn't a competition. You were toying with that Alpha."

She shrugs. "He knew he couldn't win, but he wanted to spar with a Guardian. Thought it might be his only chance, so I humored him. Now he'll get another shot if he brings his daughter to the mate gathering."

"Do you realize what you've just unleashed? Every unmated male will be flocking to our gathering hoping to claim an Alpha female."

"Why not?" She smirks. "Mates appear in unexpected places. More candidates mean better chances for everyone."

I grab her arm, spinning her to face me before pulling her close. "You're incredible."

Her arms loop around my neck as she rises on her toes. "I know." She claims my lips right there in front of everyone. Victor rumbles approvingly in my chest.

"Get a room!" Seraphina calls as she approaches with Sebastian.

I release Isolde with a chuckle. "Where are Adrian and Evelyn?"

"Checking on the pups." Sebastian eyes Isolde. "Adrian faced your father in the last round. Didn't go easy on him."

"Good." My mate's voice turns icy. "He deserves worse."

With only fifty Alphas remaining, the leaderboards will update after lunch. The six of us have breezed through our matches, but the afternoon battles promise to be tougher—especially for Sebastian, Adrian, and me. Our mates dispatch opponents effortlessly unless they choose to prolong the fight, like Isolde did with Alpha Alistair.

By dusk, we're the last six standing. Refusing to fight our mates, the organizers pit Seraphina against Adrian, Evelyn against me, and Isolde against Sebastian. These clashes stretch longest—not from reluctance to harm each other, but because mating with Guardians amplifies our strength.

Ultimately, our mates prevail. Isolde struggles most against Sebastian, the mightiest Alpha I've ever seen. But she's the strongest Guardian. Their duel ends with mutual respect.

Final standings flash before the last round:

1st: Nightshade Pack – 650 points

2nd: Blackthorn Pack – 640 points

3rd: Sanctuary Pack – 620 points

I grin. The Guardian battle will decide the winner, but with scores this tight, it's practically a three-way tie. Regardless, Sanctuary has announced its arrival—new, but formidable.

Approaching the judges' conference with Isolde, Seraphina and Evelyn, I spot Adrian and Sebastian already there, arms crossed. Their posture makes sense when I hear Evelyn's protest:

"Not happening."

"I won't fight my sisters," Seraphina states flatly.

"Current scores are fair," Isolde adds.

The elder judges shake their heads. "Rules demand a final battle."

"Says who?"

"We've proven our packs dominate," Seraphina counters. "Ranking us is pointless."

An explosion rocks the ground. I reach Isolde as another blast erupts, flames encircling the battlefield.

"HUNTERS!" The Guardians shout in unison as gunfire erupts.

Chaos erupts. Wolves shift and charge while Isolde spins, nostrils flaring.

"What are you doing?" Evelyn yells over the din.

"Over a thousand hunters surrounding us," Isolde growls.

We bolt toward Genevieve, Finnian and the pups. Hunters emerge, weapons raised. I shift mid-leap, crushing one's throat. Seraphina's aura picks off individuals, while Isolde and Evelyn hold back—their power could kill allies.

Ahead, Lillian sprints toward Felicity. A hunter draws his bow—Leopold pounces, snapping his spine.

The infants glow within Finnian's protective barrier. Genevieve isn't idle either, her flying knives finding hunter throats. We form a defensive ring, bolstered by Seraphina's aura reinforcing Finnian's shield. Arrows ricochet off the shimmering dome as the Guardians shift.

Smoke stings my eyes. The hunters' initial ambush felled many wolves, but their gas masks make them easy targets now.

Worse, they're forming a phalanx—shoulder-to-shoulder, advancing relentlessly to box us in.

Isolde, they're herding us. Can you wipe out a sector? I mind-link.

She shifts back, grabbing Evelyn's hand. "We need to breach that wall."

"Use my strength," Evelyn urges.

"I haven't practiced since the pregnancies. You take mine."

Evelyn nods. Power erupts from her fist, felling fifty hunters—but the blast draws every remaining gun toward us.