The Princess's Revenge Chapter 24

Valencia’s POV

My heart sank as reality crashed back over me. The challenge. I had accepted Amara's challenge in a moment of anger. In six days, I would face a trained Gamma warrior in combat.

"Is everything alright?" Delphine asked, noticing my sudden change in mood.

"I'm fine," I lied, following her toward a building where I could hear the ring of hammer on metal.

The blacksmith's shop was hot and smoky. A massive man with arms like tree trunks worked at the forge, sweat glistening on his dark skin.

"Gareth," Delphine called. "Alpha Logan sent us."

The blacksmith looked up, his eyes immediately focusing on me.

"This is Valencia," Delphine said, gesturing toward me.

"You're the one who needs a weapon," he asked.

I nodded nervously.

"What's your experience with combat?" Gareth asked, wiping his hands on a leather apron.

"None," I admitted.

His eyebrows shot up. "None? And you accepted a challenge against Gamma Amara?"

"I know it was stupid," I said quietly.

Gareth studied me for a long moment. "Show me your hands."

I held out my hands, and he examined my palms and fingers carefully.

"Small hands, but strong grip," he muttered. "You're too light for heavy weapons. A sword would be useless." He walked to a rack of weapons on the wall. "A dagger might work, but you'd have to get too close to Amara."

He selected several daggers from the wall, each one different in size and weight. "Try holding these," he said, placing them on the workbench.

I picked up the first one - it felt heavy and awkward in my grip. The second was lighter but the handle was too thick for my fingers to wrap around properly.

"This one," Gareth said, handing me a red dagger, it was beautiful - the sheath was made of red velvet, and the handle was crafted from red wood inlaid with crimson gemstones that sparkled in the light. "Dragon Claw. It's designed for speed, not power."

The dagger felt more natural in my hand. The weight was balanced, and I could grip it securely. "Dragon Claw," I repeated softly.

"Good," Gareth nodded approvingly. "But remember, with a dagger you need to be fast and precise. One mistake and Amara will overpower you easily."

"How do I use it?" I asked, turning the blade in my hand.

"Thrust, don't slash. Aim for soft spots - throat, underarms, inner thigh. But getting that close to a trained warrior..." He shook his head grimly. "It's dangerous."

I swallowed hard, realizing just how difficult this challenge would be.

"Let me show you something else," Gareth said, walking to another part of his shop. He picked up a curved bow and tested the string. "Have you ever used a bow?"

"No."

"Throwing knives?"

I shook my head.

Gareth scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Six days isn't enough time to train you properly with any weapon. But..." He walked to another section of his shop and returned with something I didn't recognize.

"A sling," he explained, holding up the leather pouch attached to cords. "Simple to learn, effective at range. David killed Goliath with one of these."

He demonstrated the motion - loading a stone, spinning the sling overhead, and releasing at the right moment.

"Try it," he said, handing me the weapon.

The sling felt strange in my hands. The leather was smooth and well-crafted. I attempted to copy Gareth's movements but nearly hit Delphine with the practice stone.

"Sorry!" I gasped.

Delphine laughed. "It's alright. Everyone starts somewhere."

Gareth nodded approvingly. "You have good instincts. With practice, you might actually surprise Amara."

"Will six days be enough?" I asked.

"To become expert? No. To learn the basics and maybe land a lucky shot? Possibly." His expression grew serious. "But Valencia, you need to understand - Amara is a seasoned warrior. She's killed rogues and enemy wolves. This won't be easy."

I swallowed hard. "I know."

"Why did you accept the challenge?" Delphine asked gently.

I thought about the disgust in Xander's eyes, the way everyone looked at me like I was something dirty and worthless. "I couldn't let them keep insulting me," I said finally.

Gareth nodded with what looked like respect. "Pride can be dangerous. But sometimes it's all we have."

He handed me a pouch of smooth stones. "Practice every spare moment. Aim for accuracy first, power second. "

I nodded as Gareth handed me a leather weapon belt.

"Here," he said, fastening it around my waist. "The dagger goes here." He showed me how to secure Dragon Claw in its red velvet sheath. The belt felt strange against my hips, but the weight was manageable.

I tucked the sling inside my chemise, the leather pouch resting against my ribs where no one could see it. "Thank you," I said to Gareth. "For everything."

He nodded gruffly. "Remember what I told you. Practice every chance you get."

"I will."

Delphine touched my arm gently. "Ready to go?"

"Where are we going now?" I asked as we left the shop.

"The training grounds," she replied. "Alpha Logan is waiting for you there."

My stomach clenched with nervousness. I followed Delphine walk along the castle's outer wall, heading east toward the training grounds, my hand unconsciously touching the dagger at my side.

The training grounds were larger than I had expected. Warriors were scattered across the stone platform, some sparring with wooden swords, others lifting heavy stones. The sound of clashing metal and grunting filled the air.

I spotted Gamma Xander. He was standing with three other warriors near the weapon racks. When he saw me approaching, his face darkened with anger.

"What is that slave doing here?" one of his companions asked loudly.

Xander's eyes locked onto mine with pure hatred. "Bringing her filth to our training grounds."

The warriors around him laughed. I felt my cheeks burn with humiliation as more and more pack members turned to stare at us. Conversations died as everyone focused on the confrontation brewing.

"She doesn't belong here," another warrior said. "This is for real fighters, not bitches."

Delphine stepped closer to my side. "Gamma Xander, Valencia has every right to be here. She's preparing for her challenge."

Xander's expression twisted with disgust. "Challenge? You mean the joke where Amara kills this pathetic bitch in front of everyone?"

His words hit me like physical blows. I clenched my fists at my sides, fighting to keep my expression neutral.

"Get out," Xander said, taking a step toward me. "You're contaminating our training space with your presence."

Every eye in the training grounds was watching us now. I felt exposed, humiliated, like a bug under a magnifying glass. My face burned with shame, but I forced myself to stand straight.

"Alpha Logan told me to come here," I said quietly.

"I don't care what lies you told him," Xander snarled. "You have no business being around weapons or warriors."

My hand instinctively moved to the dagger at my hip. The gesture was small, but Xander noticed. His eyes narrowed as they focused on the red velvet sheath.

"Give me that dagger," he demanded, his voice turning vicious. "Now."

I took a step back. "No."

"You fucking slave!" Xander roared. "How dare you carry a weapon! Give it to me right now!"

Delphine moved in front of me, her gentle demeanor replaced by cold determination. "Gamma, this is Ala—"

The slap came so fast I barely saw it. Xander's hand cracked across Delphine's face with enough force to send her stumbling backward. She lost her balance and hit the ground hard, her head striking the stone with a harrowing sound.

"Delphine!" I dropped to my knees beside her, my heart racing with panic. Blood was trickling from a cut on her lip, and her eyes looked dazed.

"Are you okay?" I asked, gently touching her shoulder. "Can you hear me?"

She blinked slowly, trying to focus on my face. "I'm... I'm alright," she whispered, but I could see she was hurt.

"You should lie still," I said, helping her sit up carefully. "Don't try to move too fast."

"Bitch!" Xander's voice exploded above us. "Give me that fucking dagger! You don't deserve to touch such a fine weapon!"

I looked up at him towering over us, his face red with rage. The three warriors behind him were grinning, enjoying the show. Around the training grounds, other pack members watched with expressions ranging from disgust to cruel amusement.

No one was going to help us. No one was going to stop him.

I felt completely alone, completely powerless. The weight of the dagger at my side felt heavier now. What good was a weapon if I couldn't use it? What good was pride if it only brought more pain?

My hand shook as I reached for the dagger's handle. Giving it up was the only way to end this humiliation. The only way to protect us from more violence.

"That's right," Xander said with satisfaction. "Hand it over like the obedient rat you are."