EMPIRE

17. Fragmentation

The stunned silence that has enveloped both Talon and I hasn't lifted and I quickly scrabble for words to fill the void.

"What do you mean you allowed me to win?" I rasp quietly.

Talon clenches his jaw and looks away, eyes roaming over everything and nothing at the same time. When he does look back it's clear through his expression that he regrets ever saying anything. "Now isn't the time to talk about it. After this is over we will talk- I will explain everything."

My heart pounds in my chest and the words won't register, "What do you mean you let me win, Talon? Tell me what you meant!" He grits his teeth but his lips remain sealed. He can't be serious. All this time, he's been throwing the fight, he owes me an explanation as to why he's allowed me to humiliate myself like this. The moment he turns to look me square in the eye, I know he's not going to talk. I'm hard-headed but Talon needed to get his way somehow when we were children and it was always through his stubbornness. I'm not getting anything out of him until he decides he wants to talk; my blood simmers with rage as I realise this. "When this is over you might be dead. Then what?" I snap at him.

A quiet laugh is the response and there's a small silence between us before Talon shoots me a forced devilish grin," then you better cheer me on, that's what."

I grit my teeth and snarl; a rude reply sits on my tongue ready to fire before I'm interrupted by a familiar presence. I instantly recognise his scent and the insult dies before leaving my mouth. Judging by the way Talon's expression morphs to become blank, he must have seen Roman enter from over my shoulder.

I turn to face my mate, swallowing heavily as I instantly catch eye contact with him from across the room. He looks out of place, not one part of him could pass as belonging to my pack, my world. Putting aside his intimidating build, his eyes are what sets him apart from all the others here. A silver gaze that gives way to an empty soul, a void that thrives off the fear of others and enemy bloodshed.

A shiver works its way over my body and I turn away from him, willing myself to pull it together. Talon glances down at me, his expression grim. "Is it too much to ask for a good-luck kiss?"

My eyes widen and a second later he groans, I realise I've just struck him in the shoulder- hard. "A no would have sufficed!" He squeaks, "shit!"

"Alpha and Challenger, ready up," Alpha Aeyrgon's voice booms like lightning splitting the sky apart. Instantly, any humour that had sparked fizzles out- the air grows tense once more. I look for Alpha Dreycov, watching as he eyes Talon with indifference before turning that mercury gaze onto me. He clenches his jaw, sight flitting between me and my Beta. I don't have to have access to the Link to know that he is upset to see me standing by Talon instead of himself. I, on the other hand, am relieved to have the distance between us. He threatened me, ignored Wolf Law and expects me to submit like a domesticated dog; surely, he's not stupid enough to assume that I'd sign up to be his personal cheerleader.

I hold his gaze for as long as I can stomach, sure that my expression had remained stoic and firm. Talon shifts around beside me and I turn to see him tightening his armour, face solemn. My heart drops as I realise the gravity of the situation, Challenges can often be a fight to the death depending on the contestants. Knowing Talon's capacity for aggression does not bring me any comfort and Roman's entire reputation is built on his murderous tendencies. Neither of them would hold back from killing each other, the hate that Talon exhibited towards Roman would consume him.

"Talon, this is a pointless suicide," I begin, voice low. I would have begged if it weren't so degrading.

"It's not pointless," Talon sighs, swiftly braiding the end of the ties to his armour.