The Alpha's Blind Fate
Chapter 307: The Two ‘Unbetted’

Chapter 307: The Two ‘Unbetted’

FIONNA

Fionna had never had cause to feel like the game was rigged until she managed to crawl and find herself at the Arena. It was only then and there did she truly understand the world of difference between her lowly status and that of the contestants who were from the four houses.

Of course, the two cocky men she had confronted before in false defense of Yaren had made it to that round, and Fionna wasn’t ashamed in the least to admit that she had forgotten their surnames just in the same way she had underestimated them.

Indeed... she had underestimated them.

Despite her previous bravado and excellent show before them, she was sure of the much as she stood in the Arena while the hollering voice and cheers of the audience threatened to drown her.

Fionna could see it... the reason why the Alpha King had proposed the three tests seeing as she was far from being in a shape to lift her fist to deliver a blow.

The room of whispers had been her breaking point. Already, from the very first test at the Mirrors, she knew that the test was naturally rigged against someone like her who possessed such a weak mental fortitude.

But losing had never been in her blood, so there she was, out of breath, mad with hunger, and her legs like jelly beneath.

Meanwhile, the so called sons and mentees of the four houses were far from looking tired. Of course, they had dark circles under their eyes. But that was so far as the evidence of the hectic activities they had the past days. Save from that, they looked... bubbly, stance firm and their motivation high.

Fionna was not in doubt as to whether they had passed the same test as her. No, instead it felt like after they passed the test, they were reborn again. Perhaps, they drank the tonic of life while she was there drowning in death.

’When will you stop blaming others for how weak and incapable you are, Fionna?’ The voice of her first mentor at the Red Sisters that had haunted her from the room whispers came to her over again. It would seem as though while she had managed to defeat the voice, she didn’t quite escape unscathed. No, the voices followed her all the way to Balstid Arena.

’You were born to parents that couldn’t love you, raised in a pack that could only hate you, and then trained in an organization that could only use you. Don’t you think it’s about time that you started to see yourself for who you truly are? Weak. Incapable. Unforgivable!"

Fionna’s eyes snapped open as she realized she had dozed off while still standing. She shook her head vigorously. No! Of all the things she was allowed to do, dozing off at such an important time was not part of it.

She saw the Sighter began to approach her, and one image albeit an errant memory, flashed through her mind like the speed of light.

The very memory of how easily the man had completely defeated the Sword Red Hand while looking like he was hardly putting an effort.

If only the contestants that had made it to the stage with them had seen the beauty and lethality of the man, then they would fear and accord him some respect that he rightfully deserved.

Fionna could be foolishly competitive and even challenging. There was no well trained Red Sister that would ever be found cowering before a challenge. But right then and there, she began to wish that she would not be set up against the Sighter... at least, not on the first of the combat.

"You made it," the man muttered on reaching.

"I can see you made it too." Fionna quipped back, deciding that talking would help her ease the sleep that was currently pressing on her brain.

"You don’t have to sound so hostile to me," The Sighter said with a shrug, "I am not your real enemy. They are...." He pointed at the obnoxious nobility that made up part of the final contestants.

"Who would have thought you would have taken notice of anyone? I thought your lack of social skills is a very serious issue. Seems I might be wrong."

"No you’re not wrong. I am very bad at talking or relating for the matter. But this contest means a lot to me so I am giving it my best shot."

Fionna kicked at an errant stone with the tips of her boots that were already worn out from all the running she did in the Labyrinth. "Seeing how the Sword Red Hand went down easily, I am afraid to see what your best shot looks like."

The man actually smiled although he showed no teeth. It was strange to see, at the same time, it reminded Fionna that he was a werewolf with a breathing heart and personal aspirations.

"Do you think I am that impressive?" He asked in a voice that was way too serious for the question being asked.

"I think you’re far more impressive than any of us here can imagine."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, but I am far from impressed. If I were truly that impressive, then I wouldn’t be here in the first place."

Fionna picked raw yearning in his voice, something she had never heard from the man who usually spoke in the most dreary, unimpressive voice.

"Whatever, I truly hope we are not paired against each other. Not because I am afraid of your abilities but because I know you will not like the sight of a Red Sister going all in."

"Mmm... going all in? I would like to see that. But I do not believe we are going to set against each other."

"Why do you say that?" Fionna asked with a frown.

The Sighter looked up to the Dais that was both distant and loomed over them. "That man there, the Alpha King, is far too smart to allow it to be like that. Pitting you and I against each other is like giving the Four Houses a shot at winning and he would never allow that."

Fionna reared back in surprise, staring at the Sighter like she was just discovering a novel part of him because she was indeed discovering a novel part of him. There he was, speaking like a naturally born and bred strategist when Fionna was sure he had never hinted at himself as someone who had both brawn and brain.

The Sighter turned his eyes on her, "do you know they have been betting on who would win? Those stuck up nobles and everyone that can afford a penny?"

Fionna rolled her eyes, "It’s a contest, of course people are betting. Gambling is not a novelty."

The Sighter hardly seemed to be offended at the jab targeted at the dire straits of his social skills. "I hear no one has betted on both of us, does that offend you?"

Fionna rolled her eyes again. "Does that offend you either?" She asked in turn.

The Sighter seemed to act though he was seriously considering answering the question before he shook his head and said, "oh, I almost forgot. One person did bet on you."