Chapter 198
Skye’s POV
Don’t you have a PR department in your pack? Xavier asked Adrian, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.
Adrian shook his head, taking another bite of his toast. Our pack was only established a little over two years ago. We’re still working on building many departments. Public relations hasn’t been out priority with everything else going on.”
“That’s actually not difficult to set up, Alpha Xavier said, leaning forward. ‘Garrett is good with technology, and Lydia is careful and meticulous. If you want, I can have my pack’s PR manager teach them how to monitor public opinion and handle crisis management. They won’t need to participate in the final trial anyway.”
Adrian straightened in his chair. “I can pay you a training fee for that
“Just helping out a friend,” Xavier waved his hand dismissively. “No need for formalities between us.
Lydia, who had been quiet throughout breakfast, suddenly clapped her hands together. “That would be wonderful! I promise I’ll learn everything I can.”
I watched Lydia’s eyes light up as she looked at Xavier. In the few days I’d been away, it seemed like she and Xavier had grown closer. I wasn’t sure if I should be happy for her or concerned. After what she’d been through with Alpha Rodrigo, any new relationship made me nervous for her.
After we finished breakfast, everyone started getting up to leave. I caught Xavier’s arm gently.
“Alpha Xavier, could I speak with you privately for a moment?”
Both Adrian and Xavier looked surprised, but Adrian nodded and stepped away, respecting my request. Xavier stayed behind, settling back into his chair.
“What can I do for you, Skye?” he asked once we were alone.
“Why are you helping us?” I asked directly. “Isn’t Adrian your main competition for the Alpha King position now?”
Xavier looked taken aback for a moment before his expression softened. “Can’t rivals help each other? Regardless of who becomes Alpha King, everyone needs allies, right? I consider Adrian a friend worth having.”
I nodded slowly, then asked my second question. “Do you love Lydia?”
This clearly caught him off guard. He didn’t answer immediately, scratching his head as he considered his
“I do like Lydia quite a bit, but…” he trailed off, seemingly unsure how to continue.
response.
“That’s enough,” I interrupted. “If you don’t love her, please treat her like a friend. Don’t do things th already been shattered once. I don’t want anyone stabbing it again.”
I might give her the wrong impression. Her heart has
Xavier’s expression turned serious. “I understand.”
“Thank you, Alpha Xavier,” I said. “I don’t doubt your intentions, and I don’t mean to offend you. They’re just the most important people in my life, and I don’t want to see them hurt.”
Over the next day, Lydia and Garrett immersed themselves in learning about public relations. Xavier had arranged for his PR manager to work with them, and they spent hours discussing media strategies, crisis management, and public image maintenance. Lydia seemed particularly enthusiastic, taking detailed notes and asking insightful questions.
Meanwhile, I focused on helping Adrian analyze all the information we could gather about the final trial.
Time seemed to slip through our fingers like water. The research, strategy sessions, and preparations blended together in a blur of activity. Before we felt truly ready, the morning of the final trial arrived, bringing with it a mixture of anticipation and dread.
“Are you nervous?” I asked Adrian as we prepared to leave for the arena.
1/3
Chapter 198
Over the next day, Lydia and Garrett Immersed themselves in learning about public relations, Xavier had arranged for PR manager to work with them, and they spent hours discussing media strategies, crisis management, and public Image maintenance. Lydia seemed particularly enthusiastic, taking detailed notes and asking Insightful questions
Meanwhile, I focused on helping Adrian analyze all the information we could gather about the final trial,
Time seemed to slip through our fingers like water. The research, strategy sessions, and preparations blended together in a blur of activity. Before we felt truly ready, the morning of the final trial arrived, bringing with it a mixture of anticipation
and dread.
Are you nervous?” I asked Adrian as we prepared to leave for the arena.
“Not nervous,” he replied, adjusting his formal Alpha attire. “Just focused on what needs to be done.”
***
The arena for the final trial was packed beyond capacity. Fans and cheerleaders surrounded the venue, their excitement palpable in the air.
Many eliminated Alphas had joined various factions, placing their hopes on their allies still in the competition.
Leon undeniably had the largest following, with the loudest cheers when he entered the arena. Whistles and applause erupted around us, along with organized chants:
“Who’s got the bite? Leon’s got the fight!”
As he passed by Adrian and me, he didn’t even glance in our direction, keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead.
Elder Selene made her entrance next, her silver hair gleaming under the lights as she walked to the center of the arena with measured steps. The crowd gradually fell silent as she raised her hands.
“Welcome to the final trial of the Alpha King Election,” her voice carried across the arena without needing amplification. “This trial is called ‘Equal Exchange.“”
Murmurs immediately spread through the crowd. Everyone turned to their neighbors, whispering questions and speculations. I heard fragments of conversations around me:
“Equal Exchange? What does that mean?”
My grandfather mentioned this once…”
“Is it about combat?”
Elder Selene gestured for silence, and the crowd obeyed almost instantly.
“Equal Exchange is the ultimate test of sacrifice,” she explained. “Only Alpha King candidates may participate, and they must complete this trial alone.”
The arena grew even quieter as she continued.
“All Alphas who have passed the previous trials, if you wish to claim the throne, you must personally offer what is most precious to you in exchange for the King’s Mark and the right to rule.“
She paused, letting her words sink in before elaborating.
“This ‘most precious thing‘ can be: a relationship, such as with a loved one or family member; an ability, such as your Alpha power, wolf form, or sense of smell; a memory, which will be permanently erased from your mind; or your freedom
and dreams.”
Gasps echoed throughout the arena. I glanced at Adrian, whose face had turned solemn.
“The ritual will be conducted by a priest from the Council, who will summon truth through sacred fire,” Elder Selene continued. “The sacrifice must be voluntary and performed publicly. Any resistance to the ritual will result in permanent
disqualification and expulsion from the pack system.”
Her final words echoed through the silent arena: “No throne without blood. No King without sacrifice.”
I felt a chill run down my spine as the implications became clear. To become Alpha King, Adrian would have to give up something irreplaceable. I reached for his hand and squeezed it tightly.
Elder Selene looked around the arena one last time, her eyes briefly meeting with each candidate.
“Now I declare, let the ultimate trial begin!”
