Half-Blooded | The Dark Child Prophecy Series [✔️]

Chapter 13: Wicked Games [Mature]

[Author's Note: WARNING, graphic violence and language ahead. Please read at your own discretion.]

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The next night, I followed Canaan as he led the way down to the main floor. He had banged on my door until I answered, told me to dress in something I could "move in," and that the queen alpha had summoned me. I chewed my bottom lip again, unsure of what they wanted from me. I ran my hands up and down my thighs to smooth the fabric of the leggings I had found in the closet. The action was enough to comfort my anxiety.

I paused suddenly when I realized they had moved the furniture, tapestry carpets, and skins from the floor to leave a large open space in the massive living room. People were standing all around, waiting for some sort of performance as they socialized and talked.

"What—the—hell?" I whispered under my breath as I stopped on the stairs. A pit formed in my stomach.

Canaan turned and looked up at me, raising an eyebrow. When I didn't move, he frowned and gestured with his head for me to hurry up. I held my ground, pressing my weight onto my heels to steel myself. "Miss Serenity," he warned, keeping his voice low.

I shook my head defiantly. "Are you kidding me?" I hissed. The bad feeling in my stomach began to grow, clenching down on my ribs and lungs.

Rolling his eyes, he grabbed my wrist and yanked. Canaan dragged me down the last couple of steps and let go. He switched his grip to the crook of my elbow. "Trust me when I tell you that you need to buck up and not be so damn timid. Not tonight," he growled under his breath. "The king alpha has been looking forward to this all day."

Gripping my hands into fists at my sides, I took in the crowd before my eyes settled on Victoria and Vraal as they came out of the den to join their pack mates. True to form, Victoria wore a long dress made of chocolate silk with a black fur stole draped around her shoulders effortlessly. I immediately noticed that she didn't have a glass of wine and Vraal wasn't wearing his usual suit slacks and button-down, opting for BDU pants and shirt instead.

What the hell do they want?

My eyes shot over to Jason as he came from the alpha den, looking stressed. Seeing his anxiety made me more nervous, and I felt my heart leap into my throat to choke me. He glanced over at me and clenched his jaw. When I squinted, he shook his head and looked away to watch his parents find their seats. He glanced at me again, and I could see his shallow inhale as he tried to keep a grip on his emotions. It was unlike him to look overwhelmed.

You're scaring me, I whispered as Canaan stopped me at the outside of the empty space. What's going on?

I'm sorry, but my father insisted on this challenge.

My stomach dropped. Challenge?

"Serenity Mezdor, step forward," Vraal commanded.

I swallowed and gripped my hands to my sides, hesitant. If I didn't obey, there would be consequences. And I wouldn't put it past Victoria to punish me. I had seen her snide expression when she watched Jason and I together. She especially didn't like when her son was being affectionate towards the half-blood in her midst. With an uneasy step, I moved forward to come before the king and queen alpha.

I refused to bow or nod my head in respect to their rank. I would not submit.

"Tales of your grandfather, Logan Mezdor the Blood Warrior, state that he was one of the most fearsome and unsurpassable fighters for centuries. Tonight, we'll test to see how well those skills have passed down through his bloodline," Vraal announced to the room full of wolves.