Alpha Tristan''s POV


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    Everything was unfolding ording to my n.


    I felt at peace knowing that I had put Raiden in his ce after he witnessed the pic yesterday. Yes, the pic with the kids was part of my borate n to ensure Lia returned to my pack with me.


    But I enjoyed the fun time with Lia and the kids.


    It was heart-


    "It''s time for the final duel!" The funny-looking guy who almost never leaves Raiden''s side announced on the podium, smiling as if his park had already won the cup. "The result determines which pack would im the cup. Are we ready for this!" The crowd cheered, causing my ears to hurt. Noise. I hated that shit-


    "But not Katie''s high-pitched shrieks and whatever the annoying sound swords make is called." Dolf chimed, calling out my bluff.


    I couldn''t help but smile. How could anyone not like Katie''s melodious screams? She''s a bundle of joy-


    "Yet you feelfortable using her in your ridiculous n. What''s wrong with you!" My wolf wasted no time as he expressed his displeasure for the millionth time in twenty-four hours.


    "She asked me to y with her brother and her, Dolf and I did just that. I don''t see how-" I started defending myself, my eyes on Lia''s frame as she stepped into the dueling arena with a face that had my heart racing.


    Damn, she looked good in those leathers... in anything she wears, to be honest.


    "She asked you innocently but you took advantage of her request. What was that stunt you pulled with Raiden? Teasing Lia like that when you still don''t know what you want is also not cool, Tris." Dolf gritted.


    He was beginning to get on my nerves. Why was it so hard for him to understand that Raiden deserves every bad vibe he gets from me? That bastard was no saint-


    "But Lia and the kids are and they certainly don''t deserve to be toyed around with by you. They trust you." Dolf growled within me, infusing rage into my system.


    The fact that he was right irks me so much and I had no choice but to block him off my mind. Guilt was thest thing I needed to feel when it came to Raiden- No. The guilt was because I wasn''t doing right by Lia and the twins but I wasn''t doing wrong by them either. After all, even Lia wanted to leave the pack and I was helping her.


    "Warrior Lia would bepeting with thest standing warrior of Dark Moon Pack. do you think she''s capable of defeating him?" The funny-looking-Andrew announced.


    My fists balled as his words echoed in my mind.


    Did he just say him?


    Lia has topete with a male warrior? That''s insane!


    "Let''s wee the famous warrior of the Dark Moon Pack, Warrior Jake!" Andrew announced,pletely unbothered by the fact that he was calling their pack''s Gamma out against Lia.


    Jessica yelled from the warriors'' stands, limping on her good leg, while my fists tightened even more, "That''s not fair. That''s cheating!"


    Her eyes cut to mine and I could hear her ming me for this.


    Fuck!


    I didn''t know Raiden would bring out his best card before breaking one leg of mine at training yesterday. Jessica was the best person to go against Jake. She knows better than Lia because she has been training since she was a child. However, to perfect my ns, I dislocated Jessica''s leg yesterday... just to get Lia back in the game.


    Shit!


    "There''s no cheating, Warrior. Or are you saying your female warrior can''t duel against a male? I didn''t know you discriminate against and expect little from females in ck Fur Pack." Raiden gritted from his seat which was too close to mine for my liking, making it clear that he was doing this intentionally.


    His ego was bruised.


    He had lost the girl... but he didn''t want to lose the cup as well.


    I should have known as I''d have done the same thing if I was in his shoes.


    "BEGIN.THE.DUEL." Raiden gritted again, punctuating each word with anger. "Or give up the damn cup now, ck Fur."


    I matched his energy without hesitating, "We won''t give it up, Alpha Raiden. If you win it, so be it but we both know who the loser is."


    My voice was low as I jabbed him where it hurt the most- his bruised ego and perhaps his heart, if he truly loved Lia.


    But I didn''t care.


    Raiden scowled at me, his eyes swollen and red with rage. Yet I mouthed, "I believe in her. It''s a shame you and your pack never did."


    His face hardened just as his jaw clenched hard. Realization shed through his eyes as it drew on him that I knew everything. "Let''s see what your belief looks like against mine."


    At that point, I didn''t understand the true meaning of his words. I knew he was threatening me but it wasn''t clear to me that he was saying, "I''ll fight for her," without saying it.


    Lia didn''t seem fazed as the duel began and goddess did she made me proud as she delivered perfect attacks, earning points faster than the Jake guy could. However, Jake wasn''t the gamma of Raiden''s pack just on paper.


    He soon proved that he was stronger and more skilled than Lia, having her on her back faster than she could ever imagine. Lia still had a long way to go even though she hade a long way. I knew her potential yet none of these people should know that she could actually defeat Jake.


    "Fuck! I didn''t rip Jess''s leg off to see Lia lose to this guy. I still don''t understand why she dropped out of thepetition because of Raiden." I said to myself, watching as Jake


    threw Lia off bnce again.


    I hated this oue but there was nothing I could do as Jake walked up to the podium to im the cup... right after he won, leaving Lia on the floor or maybe she stayed there because she was ashamed. How do I rectify this amidst the annoyingly loud celebration of Dark Moon members? Fuck, we lost and Raiden won.


    But he could have the cup... while I keep the girl.


    I sent a smirk toward Raiden who had been ring at me even though he won the damn cup. I made sure his eyes were on me as I left the stands and walked to Lia, helping her to her feet.


    "I failed you. I let you all down. Jessica should have been here instead-" Lia began, casting her eyes to the floor as she struggled with tears.


    "Shsush..." I said to her, raising her face. "Look at me," I muttered, wiping sand off her face.


    She did.


    "You didn''t fail. He barely won." I muttered to her.


    "You''re just saying that to make me feel better, Alpha Tristan."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I smiled, "Maybe. I need you to be better because I need you."


    "What?" Of course, she was confused.


    Lia stared back at me, her brows furrowed but that didn''t stop me from repeating those words to her, my heart throbbing in a way that I''d never imagined possible, "Yes, Lia. I need you."


    I ced her hand over my racing chest, hoping that she would feel how badly I needed her... hoping that she would help me get back at Raiden.


    "Alpha Tristan-"


    "Will you marry me?" I blurted out, stealing the spotlight from Riaden''s win... but that wasn''t all. I mean why the hell was my heart racing so fast? "Will you marry and mate with me, Lia?" And just like that, hell broke loose... in my heart and Lia''s eyes.


    And perhaps, in Raiden''s soul.


    Regardless, I anticipated Lia''s response because my entire n depended on it.