Free Web NovelChapter 56: Ritual Combat II
"Over my dead body," I growled out. freeweɓnøvel.com
My body burned and throbbed in pain but it wasn’t anything I hadn’t felt before. If anything, I felt even more alive with everything that was going on― the cheers and jeers, the pulsing pain, and the roaring blood that pumped through my body.
I shot forward, taking barely any time to even rest and recover. It evidently surprised Damon, for his eyes widened just a fraction, his eyebrows darting up when he noticed how quickly I neared him. However, with his speed and agility, he dodged my next few punches with great ease.
He backed away or moved just a little out of touch whenever I threw a fist forward. Yet, he made no move to retaliate. We maintained this dance, moving back and forth― I was on the offensive while he was on the defensive. He, however, maintained a consistent smile on his face, the corners of his lips slightly tilted up all throughout.
"Fight. Back!" I said through gritted teeth, grunting when my punches met nothing but thin air once more.
Damon simply laughed as he stuck out one foot. Having been pushing my limits just to keep up with his dodges, I didn’t manage to stop in time. My feet were caught up in his, and I promptly fell forward, staggering a little before managing to catch myself at the very last second so that I wouldn’t land face-first on the ground.
His laughter only grew as he lightly clicked his tongue, shaking his head as the crowd roared with laughter, their chuckles echoing, led by their alpha.
"It seems like there’s no need for me to," he said. "You’re losing all by yourself."
He leaned his weight on his other leg, folding his arms across his chest leisurely.
"Give it up, Harper," Damon said. "Back out while you still can. I promise I’ll serve a lighter punishment, as a sign of respect to the Moon Goddess."
"Don’t you dare sully the bond with your words," I spat. "You can preach about the bond all you want but in truth, you care not for these sacred ties. Evidently too, considering how many chosen mates you have!"
Damon’s face darkened, his posture turning a little more rigid and less relaxed. However, I paid no mind to that. I might not be able to win him through a game of fists but I was sharp with my words. That was always something that earned me a beating in Stormclaw― maybe now it would earn me a chance to retaliate.
In this animalistic game of fists, Damon didn’t even need to shift into his wolf to win against me. Hell, he didn’t even need to land a punch while staying in his human form and I might still lose all by myself, as he said. However, if I was able to get into his mind and lead him astray, then I might have a chance. frёewebnoѵēl.com
The Moon Goddess did know what she was doing after all. It was all too easy for me to read Damon Valentine, much to my surprise.
"You’ve made your choice," I continued. "Since you’re keeping all those other women around, then I have every right to choose Blaise over you."
I took a step forward and had to keep myself in check to prevent smiling maniacally when I realized that Damon hadn’t moved an inch from where he stood. Unlike the previous times, he didn’t back away, only increasing the furrow of his eyebrows the closer I got and the more I spoke.
"How does it feel, Damon?" I taunted. "To know that while I wanted to reject you, I accepted Blaise as my own. Your own twin brother, no less. Our bond is completed, and he and I share what you will never experience with another in this lifetime. No matter how many chosen mates you find, no matter how many women you fill your bed with, this is a blessing that can never be replicated."
I inched closer and closer, and with every bit Damon tightened his fists even further, the more I wanted to celebrate in glee.
"I’ve said this since our first proper conversation," I said, my voice steady and loud, making sure that everyone present here today at the arena could hear me clearly. "I, Harper Gray, reject you―"
Damon’s hand shot out in an instant, preventing me from saying the entire sentence. Instead of throwing a punch, his slender fingers wrapped themselves around my neck, pulling me over with just one tug.
On instinct, my hands flew over to grasp at his wrist, attempting to pry his grip away from me. However, Damon’s eyes were bloodshot and filled with murderous rage. A storm brewed in those lightning-blue irises, and when he spoke, I could even see his sharp fangs protruding due to his anger.
"Watch your tongue, little one," he said. "Otherwise, fated mate or not, I cannot guarantee that you will walk out of this arena alive."
He squeezed a little harder, causing me to gasp out in need of air. A strangled sound escaped my lips as I clawed harder at his hands, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he pulled me even closer, so much so that the tips of our noses were almost touching. Our eyes had nowhere else to go but to allow our gazes to meet, and I felt as though he was staring right through my soul.
"Yield," he growled, his voice low, kept in between just the both of us. "Yield and I will pretend you didn’t make such a ludicrous challenge expecting yourself to win over an alpha."
"B-But you s-still won’t let me g-go with B-Blaise," I choked out the words with great difficulty.
"Know your place," he said, his words laced with warning.
"Wherever my p-place is, it’s n-not by y-your side," I returned.
Before Damon could react, I pulled my head back as far as I possibly could while stuck in this position, before slamming forward, knocking my forehead against his in a loud, resounding thwack.
