Chapter 6 The Battle

• Rowan's POV
• On the day of the battle...
• "Are you sure about this, Rowan?" Ryker asked me and I nodded.
• He didn't say anything after that. I was sure that I was going to beat Martinez— It wasn't going to be much trouble to beat that asshole.
• I stayed in the training room, warming up before the battle. Martinez would be here any second and I needed to prep up before he came.
• A knock on the door disrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I heard Ryker say. The door opened, revealing Reid. He had a neutral expression on his face.
• "Your presence is needed."
• I went out of the training room and met elder Callan and elder Darius standing in our living room. "If you're here to lecture me on giving up on Brianna or the fight, then I'd suggest it's better you save your breath because I'm not going too."
• They exchanged glances. "We're not here for that, Alpha Rowan. Alpha Martinez is on his way to the pack, and we just wanted to check with you if you still want to partake because once he's here. You can't back out."
• I smirked. "Do you take me as a coward?"
• "Very well," Elder Callan sighed. "We shall take our leave."
• They left with a guard as their escort, leaving me and my brothers in the room. Ryker still had that expression on his face, like he wasn't sure about this.
• "I don't like them thinking we're going to back out, I don't care about whatever superstitions they're into, but we're going to have her no matter what."
• I smiled after he said that. A part of me was worried that he was going to back out, but since we were all on board then I guess there's nothing to worry about.
• My lips parted, but a maid walked in before I could say anything. "Dinner is ready," she informed.
• I nodded. "You may leave."
• "Let's go and have something to eat so you can have the energy to fight, and I'd have the energy to cheer you on," he smirked.
• I couldn't fight back the laughter. Even with everything that's going on, he's always going to find a way to be goofy.
• Reid joined us for dinner not long after. We had dinner, with Ryker making a few snarky remarks about Martinez and the elders. I finished my food first, and made my way to the room to rest up a bit.
• ************
• The battleground was nicely set up for my battle with Martinez. He was yet to show up, but the elders and Brianna were present, alongside my brothers.
• I felt a sharp pain in my stomach, causing me to wince in pain. I clutched to my stomach, taking a few deep breaths.
• Ryker noticed the expression on my face and ran to meet me. "Are you okay, Rowan? You don't look so good," he mentioned.
• I nodded. "I'm fine. It's probably something I ate that's making my stomach ache, but it can't stop me."
• He was worried, but didn't argue.
• The crowd had gathered. Warriors stood at the edges of the battleground, keeping everything in order. The elders sat on a long bench, silent but alert. Brianna was standing off to the side, her arms crossed tightly like she was trying to hold herself together. Her eyes never left me.
• I felt another dull ache twist in my stomach. I tried to ignore it. I couldn’t show weakness—not now.
• Just then, I heard the heavy sound of boots stepping onto the dirt floor. Everyone turned to look. The air around us felt heavier, like a storm was coming.
• And then he walked in. Martinez.
• He was tall, broad, and full of himself. His long dark coat dragged behind him like he thought he was royalty. A smirk sat on his face like he’d already won.
• "Well, well, well," Martinez said, his voice loud and smooth. "Look who decided to show up."
• I didn’t answer. I just rolled my shoulders and cracked my neck.
• He laughed. "What? Cat got your tongue? Or are you just shaking in those Alpha boots of yours?"
• Ryker growled behind me, but I raised my hand to stop him. "I don’t need words to deal with trash like you."
• That made his smile disappear for a second, but he quickly recovered. "Let’s just hope you last longer than your ego."
• The elders stood and raised their hands. "Let the challenge begin!" Elder Darius shouted.
• The crowd stepped back. Martinez took off his coat slowly, still smirking. He looked like he was enjoying every second of this.
• I got into my stance, fists clenched, feet apart. My body felt heavy, like I was moving through mud, but I told myself it was just nerves.
• Martinez struck first—quick and strong—but I blocked it. I hit back, landing a punch on his jaw. He stumbled slightly, but then laughed.
• "Not bad," he said. "But you’re slower than I expected."
• I ignored him and kept going. Another punch. A kick. We moved fast—circling, dodging, striking.
• But then… Another wave of pain hit me. This one worse. It felt like something inside me was twisting. Like fire in my stomach.
• I gasped softly, barely keeping my balance.
• Martinez didn’t miss it. "Aw, don’t tell me you’re tired already."
• He charged at me again. I managed to dodge, but my body didn’t feel right. My arms were heavy. My legs, slower.
• "What’s going on?" I whispered to myself, my chest heaving.
• I looked at Brianna. Her face was pale. Worried.
• "Rowan!" Ryker yelled. "Get out of your head!"
• I tried. I really did. But whatever was inside me wasn’t just pain. It felt… wrong.
• That pain.
• Someone did this to me.
• But I didn’t have time to speak. Martinez was coming again—this time faster, more aggressive. He slammed into me, full force. My body hit the ground hard.
• The air rushed out of my lungs. I tried to get up, but I couldn’t.
• Everything felt far away. The crowd’s shouts. All I could hear was Brianna’s cry and Ryker’s voice.
• Even my own heartbeat sounded muffled. Martinez stood over me, breathing hard, grinning.
• "That’s it?" he asked. "That’s the great Rowan Silver Moon?"
• I blinked slowly. The sky above me blurred before darkness enveloped me.