The Twin Alphas’ Fated Mate
Chapter 26

ROSE'S POV

The competition was about to begin.

I expected this move from Nora. She was a two faced bitch after all.

And yes, I knew what this welcome party was all about. I wasn't born yesterday. Moreover, when my Mom was alive, she used to make the warriors of our pack do something synonymous.

Although, I was the only female child allowed to train during those days. My Mom had to convince my father before he let her train me personally. Unlike now, in Alpha King Josh's Pack. Females and Males blended without barriers and they were treated fairly. "Are you certain about this? You do not know how skilled she is and it would be wrong to jump into this because of jealousy."

Cali let out with concern etched in her voice.

I retorted, "I am not jealous of that brat, Cali. She is daring me. I can't back down and look like a weakling. I am an Alpha Blood Female."

Cali understood me yet she didn't want me to fight in my condition. I wasn't mentally stable and neither have I made up my mind to stay here. Alpha King Josh hasn't realized this yet and what I was trying to prove was baseless, pointless, and unnecessary. Should I stop?

I would be attracting people's attention if I proceeded with this. And attention is something I should be avoiding right now.

Alpha Richard's eyes and ears should see and hear me.

"You are hesitating, Rose." Nora voiced, smirking as she taunted me, "Not to worry, all aspirants get cold feet during the welcome party. I might have to go easier on you since you will be one of the aspiring warriors anyway." Some of the warriors chuckled when Nora called me an aspirant. I didn't know what that meant but it made my blood boil. Beta Adam soon made me realize that Nora had insulted my skills by calling me an aspiring warrior.

Beta Adam walked forward to address Nora and me after everyone moved to a side, leaving the middle of the training ground open for Nora and me- for the so-called party which was obviously a duel.

"We call it a welcome party because we are allowed to break rules and act based on pure instincts."

Adam began. He wasn't the gentleman that was before my door this morning. He appeared dominant as he explained the basis of the duel.

"The outcome of this duel will be used to group you into the suitable rank of warriors. The best rank is filled up by the strongest. The potential rank is the home of warriors with great potential." Beta Adam announced to me. I was the only newbie after all.

At that point, he added the last part that helped me decide, "the third rank is for aspiring warriors. They aren't as strong as those in the highest rank and their potential isn't as noticeable as those in the second rank."

Cali seethed, "That brat called you an aspiring warrior earlier. You have to fight if not for any reason, fight to whoop that girl's ass. You can't give up now."

I fumed at Nora who was simply strolling within the circle created by a body of warriors. She joked with some of the warriors without listening to Beta Adam as he spoke.

No doubt, she was confident about the outcome of the duel.

Beta Adam added, "There are no rules. However, since you both are just recovering, you have to be extra careful with each other." He said that loud enough for Nora to hear and she frowned.

"Also, considering the fact that a newbie will be combating the strongest female warrior in the territory, recovering or not, it has been decided that Rose doesn't have to make Nora fall on her back to earn a point."

Beta Adam revealed, getting the attention of everyone with that.

"To make this fair, Nora will have to get Rose back to touch the earth three times for her to win the duel and demote Rose to the aspirant rank." Beta Adam continued despite the grumbles, "While Rose on the other hand has to hit Nora once to get her place in the potential rank and twice to be considered a worthy partner. And three times to be considered strong."

Although Beta Adam's logic made a lot of sense, I still shared it. He was making me look like some weak omega wolf. I didn't like that.

Nora blurted rudely, "Fair enough. It won't be easy to hit me but that's easier than knocking me off my feet."

I didn't miss the way Beta Adam rolled his eyes upon hearing Nora boasting about her skills.

"Get ready to eat the dirt, warrior Nora."

I uttered with a second thought, causing the warriors to roar. I couldn't be sure if they were supporting me or mocking me. Yet they roared, urging both Nora and me to begin the welcome party.

If Alpha King Josh was still around, he was very good at hiding his presence during this period. I didn't see him nor could I sense him.

"You can begin the party now."

His voice broke out, ringing louder than the voices of the roaring warriors. My eyes quickly scanned the bodies of the warriors to find him while my ears traced the vibration of his voice to find him, leading my eyes to his dark features.

My eyes found Alpha King Josh but he was looking at me after he declared the beginning of the duel. His facial expression was stoic but I could see through him.

He wasn't happy about the duel and I put myself in this situation because I wanted to piss him off and prove to him that I was something more than "Just Rose". I was much more than just Rose.

"Concentrate, Rose. Fuck!"

Cali barked in my mind but it was too late to save myself as Nora knocked me off my feet by kicking my legs with little to no interval. She was fast and I fell just as fast, hitting the ground with my back first.

It was ironic that the Moment I decided to get carried away by Alpha King Josh's features, I was knocked off my feet.

I winced and rolled over, trying to hide my face and save my face while at it.

"Oops... Did that hurt your back or your pride, aspirant Rose?"

Nora mocked me. Most of the warriors laughed at me and cheered her on, praising her for knocking me down within seconds. I pushed myself off the ground and put some space between myself and Nora, buying time to catch my breath and recall those days I trained with my Mom.

"Are you running away already? Don't be a chicken-hearted warrior, Newbie."

Nora muttered, urging the crowd to sing her praises. They were partying. The welcoming party was held because of me but I wasn't the one partying. I was simply prey in a ring.

"Shake off that mentality, Rose. Mom didn't train you to become prey before pretenders like Nora and you promised to go whoop her a*s. Don't bring disgrace to Mom's name..."

Cali knew the right words to say to me. I begin to feel powerful even though I had witnessed how fast Nora was. She was too fast, to be honest, and I would need more than words of encouragement but it was a good start.

"You talk too much for someone that has won awards." I retorted as I balanced on my feet, ignoring the ache in my back.

Cali began to share my pain, making me feel better. My wolf beast also shared her strength with me, giving me something to fall back on.

"Let me show you how I won my awards and why I deserve them."

Nora chuckled darkly. She raced towards me with the speed of her wolf beast but I stood still, waiting for her to reach me. This time, my eyes were on her, not on the dark Alpha King. I balled my fists, adjusted my sight, and dashed towards Nora just when she was a few feet away from me.

My move stunned her. She expected me to stand still but my last-minute movement shocked her and that disoriented her as she tried to change her move. I chose that time to recall my training and also find an accessible spot on Nora. She aimed for me and I aimed for her... Seconds later, we collided forcefully...