The Princess's Revenge Chapter 107

Valencia's POV

The great hall buzzed with nervous energy as warriors and servants finished their evening meal. I sat at the head table, barely touching the food on my plate. My stomach was twisted in knots, and every bite felt like swallowing stones. The lamb that Nestor had prepared so carefully tasted like ash in my mouth.

I pushed the food around my plate, trying to look normal while my mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. In just one hour, I would be standing in the courtyard, facing Amara in formal combat. The weight of that knowledge pressed down on my shoulders like a physical burden.

"You need to eat," Logan said quietly, his voice barely audible above the subdued dinner conversations.

"I can't," I whispered back. "My stomach feels like it's tied in knots."

Logan's hand found mine under the table, his fingers warm and reassuring. "Valencia, you're ready for this. You've trained hard, and you've discovered abilities that will give you an advantage."

Before I could respond, a familiar voice touched my mind through the mind link.

Valencia? Delphine's mental voice was gentle and concerned. *How are you holding up?*

*Not well,* I admitted, grateful for her presence in my thoughts. *I'm terrified, Delphine. What if I'm not strong enough?*

*Listen to me,* Delphine's voice grew firmer. *I've watched you since you arrived at this pack. You've survived things that would have broken most people. You've discovered strength you never knew you had. Tonight isn't about proving yourself to anyone else - it's about showing yourself what you're truly capable of.*

*What if I lose?*

*There's no shame in that, Valencia. But I don't think you're going to lose.*

*How can you be so sure?*

*Because I've seen the way you've grown. And I've seen the way Alpha Logan looks at you - like you're the strongest person he's ever known. Trust in that. Trust in yourself.*

Her words warmed something deep in my chest, easing some of the tight anxiety that had been building all day.

*Thank you, Delphine. I needed to hear that.*

*Always. Now go show everyone what I already know.*

The connection faded gradually, leaving me feeling steadier than I had all day. Delphine was right. Tonight was just another obstacle to overcome.

I managed to eat a few more bites of dinner, forcing myself to swallow the food my body would need for strength. Around me, the conversation had grown quieter. Everyone seemed to sense that something significant was approaching.

Logan squeezed my hand approvingly. His gray eyes kept checking my face. When our eyes met, he would give me a small, encouraging smile that helped steady my nerves.

"Feeling better?" he asked quietly, leaning closer so only I could hear.

"A little," I said honestly. "Still nervous, but better."

"Good. Remember what we practiced. Trust your instincts."

As the meal wound down, servants began clearing the tables more quickly than usual. The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense. Warriors spoke in hushed tones, stealing glances in my direction.

Dr. Vance approached our table, his weathered face serious. "Alpha, it's time to begin preparations."

Logan nodded and stood slowly, his movements careful due to his still-healing injuries. "Very well."

The hall gradually emptied as people made their way toward the courtyard. I remained seated for a moment longer, gathering my courage. This was it. No more waiting, no more worrying. Time to face whatever destiny awaited me.

I stood and followed the crowd toward the main doors, my heart hammering against my ribs with each step.

The courtyard had been completely transformed. What was usually a simple space for training and daily activities had become something that looked like an ancient gladiatorial arena. Torches lined the perimeter, their flames dancing in the cold night air. The light created an almost mystical atmosphere, turning familiar surroundings into something nervous and serious.

In the center of the courtyard, a large circular area had been marked off with thick ropes. The dueling circle was perhaps thirty feet across, giving us enough room to move but not so much that either fighter could easily retreat. The ground inside had been cleared of snow and covered with fresh sand to provide better footing and absorb any blood.

Around the circle, wooden benches had been arranged in rising tiers, allowing the entire pack to witness the challenge. Every seat was filled. Warriors sat with their arms crossed, expressions stern and evaluating. Servants clutched each other's hands, whispering prayers under their breath. Even the children from the village had been brought up to watch, their wide eyes reflecting the torchlight.

The crowd's energy was electric with anticipation. Some people called out encouragements. At the northern edge of the circle, a raised platform had been constructed. Logan stood there now, dressed in his formal Alpha regalia—a black tunic embroidered with silver thread, and the ceremonial sword at his side. Despite his recent injuries, he looked every inch the powerful leader he was.

His gray eyes found mine across the courtyard, and immediately his voice appeared in my mind.

You look beautiful and fierce, my queen. Are you ready for this?

I smoothed down my fighting clothes and responded through our link. As ready as I'll ever be.

Remember, this is just a formality. You've already proven yourself to me and to everyone who matters. Tonight is simply about making it official.

The warmth in his mental voice helped calm some of my remaining nerves.

Dr. Vance stepped up onto the platform beside Logan and raised his hand for silence. The crowd gradually quieted, though the air still hummed with expectation.

"Warriors and members of Cliffwatch Pack," Dr. Vance's voice carried clearly across the courtyard. "We gather tonight to witness a formal challenge for the position of Luna, as is the ancient right of any pack member who questions the Alpha's choice of mate."

A murmur ran through the crowd. Some voices sounded supportive, others skeptical.

"The challenge has been issued by Gamma Amara of Cliffwatch Pack," Dr. Vance continued. "She claims that Valencia, current Luna of this pack, is unworthy of her position due to her lack of wolf and her past as a slave."

The words stung, even though I had expected them. Hearing my perceived weaknesses announced so formally to the entire pack made my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

"Luna Valencia has accepted this challenge," Dr. Vance went on. "As is her right and duty as Luna. This combat will continue until one fighter yields, is unable to continue, or..." He paused dramatically. "Until death."

The crowd's murmur grew louder. Of course death was a possibility—it always was in formal challenges. But hearing it stated so bluntly made everything feel terrifyingly real.

Logan stepped forward, his commanding presence immediately quieting the crowd again. "Let the challenged party approach."

This was it. My moment to step into that circle and face my destiny.

I walked slowly toward the dueling circle, my boots crunching softly on the sand. Every eye in the courtyard was fixed on me. I could feel the weight of their judgment, their curiosity, their doubts. Some faces showed encouragement—I spotted Nestor and Kael near the back, giving me thumbs up. Others looked skeptical or openly hostile.

But I kept my chin up and my shoulders straight. Whatever happened in the next few minutes, I would face it with dignity.

I reached the edge of the circle and stopped, placing one hand on the rope boundary. Then, slowly, the crowd on the opposite side of the circle began to part.

Amara emerged from between the watching pack members like a warrior goddess stepping out of legend. She moved with the fluid grace of someone completely comfortable with violence, each step deliberate. Her auburn hair had been braided back severely from her face, revealing the sharp angles of her cheekbones and the determined set of her jaw.

She wore fitted leather armor that had clearly seen many battles. A sword hung at her hip. Amara's face was completely blank—no anger, no hatred, no emotion at all. The casual indifference was somehow more terrifying than rage would have been. Her eyes met mine across the circle, and I felt a chill.

My nervous energy, which I had been managing fairly well up until this moment, suddenly spiked into pure terror. My heart rate doubled, and I could feel my hands beginning to shake. This was really happening.

The crowd fell completely silent as Amara approached the circle. The only sounds were the crackling of torches and the distant wind through the castle walls. Amara stepped up to the rope boundary directly across from me, perhaps twenty feet away.

"Are both fighters ready?" Logan's voice rang out across the courtyard, formal and commanding.

Amara nodded once, sharp and precise. "Ready."

Every eye turned to me. My throat felt dry as desert sand, and my pulse was racing so fast I was afraid my heart might burst. The dragon power that had felt so accessible this morning seemed distant now, buried under layers of fear and self-doubt.

I took a deep breath, drawing on every ounce of courage I possessed. "Ready."

The single word came out stronger than I had expected, carrying clearly across the silent courtyard.

Logan raised his hand, and in that moment, the entire world seemed to hold its breath.

"Let the challenge begin."