Chapter 38: Chapter 38

LUCIUS

It got worse for me, knowing that I might not make it through the fight. I couldn't get the words Freya uttered to me last night out of my thoughts. I was still confined in the training room, my anxious demeanor on display even though it was almost morning. I'm concerned that I might not be able to restore order. I was aware that winning the duel would not be simple, and I was also afraid. I'm terrified that I won't be able to win the duel and force Freya to be matched to someone else, and that I might lose her to someone else.

I was aware that anyone in my situation would have forfeited the duel and walked away, but I was determined to fight everyone I could instead of just an alpha. I anticipated that many people would want to mate with me, and I anticipated that I might not be able to prevail over them. It was clear to me that losing the match would result in me being laughed at by the group, and giving up would have the same effect. There's no difference, but I'm not going to watch a duel decide my fate like a coward.

I was aware that I could not just stand by and do nothing. To ensure that things work out to my advantage, I will stop at nothing. I was aware that if Freya were in my position right now, she would act in the same manner as I did. I was concerned about how things would work out, even though I knew that all I needed to do at this point was concentrate on what was in front of me and make sure I wasn't distracted while fighting in the duel. I was afraid I would not get another chance to be with my partner. In the event that I lose the duel, I have resolved to petition the councils to become my mate.

Because there would be a lot of people watching and they would see how honest I am, I figured they might think about helping me be with my partner. I still distinctly recall the arena where the combat would take place, as well as the location being prepared for any eventuality. Even though the duel was supposed to last only one day, I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever have time to relax.

I was aware that it would take me a long time to gather myself after a battle and that I would need to get adequate sleep, but it doesn't look like I will have the opportunity to do so. I was aware that, even though it would take a long time, I would have to continue training. I was aware that without sleep, I would become dependent on the training. It might be much harder than we had anticipated, and I knew that if I couldn't accomplish that, I wouldn't be able to win the war.

I let out a deep breath and continued hitting the bag in front of me. Even when my hands hurt, I continued since I knew there was still more work to be done. I was aware that my chances of winning the duel would decrease the more I indulged myself. I don't want my irresponsibility to cost me the opportunity to spend time with my partner.

I continued hitting the bag, my face hardening as I imagined it to be Alpha Stephen's visage. I hit a lot, so I knew it wouldn't be simple for me to hit Alpha Stephen in the face, but that didn't stop me. With the aim and intention of winning tomorrow's combat, I would make sure to get over my dread of losing my partner. I was aware that many people were confident in my ability to win the battle. Freya and her parents were just one of the people. They have faith in me to prevail in the duel and gain the right to mate with their daughter.

I was aware that they would be upset with me for forfeiting the match and wouldn't be amused if they watched me flee like a coward. I was aware that they would assume that my relationship with their daughter was purely for attention. With that, I think everyone would be persuaded, and I hope the councils would see that my goals were not fame or fortune. I was aware that not being able to see people's faces would make me unhappy if I lost. I knew that Freya wouldn't be able to forgive me and that I would be cruelly teased for losing. I was aware that she was not readily forgiven.

I want no one to think I'm a coward. I understood that things wouldn't go well if I lost the fight and still became her partner. I would have made fun of my shortcomings for everyone in the pack. I anticipated that they would make fun of me for losing the duel and claim I'm not strong enough to lead the flock. I anticipated their comment that I wouldn't be able to lead the pack with Freya. I was aware that they would claim that I had cheated to get Freya as a mate. I object to rumors being spread about me.

With all the rumors, I won't be myself anymore, and I could want to make things right, which could make matters much more complicated.

I continued to train, and I was so focused on the exercise that I lost track of time until it was dawn again. I was dripping with sweets, and all I could think about was how I was going to win this duel. The moment Freya's father entered the room, I didn't take any precautions regarding my surroundings. Sweat was streaming off of my entire body, giving the impression that I had just had a shower, even though I hadn't. I was aware that just because I was perspiring didn't mean I could defeat the Alphas. Although I was aware that my performance against Freya was appalling, I was prepared to ensure that I gave the Alphas a very hard fight.

Freya doesn't fight like she's supposed to, so I figured she might be holding back. I was aware that she wasn't prepared to battle me the way she could with any other person. Even though I was her mate, I knew it must have been difficult for her to put up a strong fight. I was aware that it wasn't simple, yet she succeeded in finishing it. In addition, I wasn't able to fight as well as I should have, but once she punched me, it seemed like a switch had been flipped. I did not hesitate to attack her. I continued to act impulsively in that way, and he continued to beat me.

Although I was aware that she might have misled me, her true intention seemed to be to teach me new skills that might be useful to me in the battle. When Freya's father sat on a stool in the corner of the room where he had always taught me how to fight, I was too busy punching the bag that I didn't know existed. I'm not going to allow any of the skills he taught me to go to waste because I knew they might be useful.

I heard Freya's father say, "I can see that you are so engrossed in what you are doing," and I turned to stare at him fearfully, not knowing how he had entered the room without my knowledge.

I said, "Good morning, Stephen," and he looked at me from head to toe, sighing heavily. When he finished staring at me, he had a pleasing expression on his face; if he had been a lady, I would have assumed he was observing me. I nearly leaped out of my skin when I saw how eerie his glare was.

He looked at me expectantly and said, "Don't tell me you have been busy all night, training?" I groaned deeply before answering.

"Yeah, I suppose so," I said, my eyes showing uncertainty.

"You need to take some rest but I doubt if that would happen, but you can still have your bath and after that you can return for your training, you stinks" Stephen stated while rolling my eyes.