Sweating.

As if the pressure of being in the King's castle wasn't enough, I am competing in a tournament with thousands of other Alphas who are all gunning to win and become the next Lycan King of the United States.

Add to that the fact that our competition is being live-streamed all across the country and beyond - because every nation on Earth has a vested interest in who will become the next ruler of one of the most powerful kingdoms on the planet.

I don't know what my uncle was thinking when he convinced me to sign up for this tournament. I have no chance whatsoever of winning anything, much less against thousands of other Alphas, some of them much older than me - the age limit is 25 and I am 19.

Honestly, the whole concept sounds like a bad idea for a teenager to participate, even though I am an adult now, I still feel like a teenager. I barely graduated from high school last Summer. And when I say barely, I mean it. I am not the scholar type of kid.

Anyway, now it's too late. Prince Elton already has it out for me, so who knows how long I will survive in the Capital... as if that wasn't pressure enough, he also did this just a minute ago:

"Whoever gets that insolent peasant, I offer you a cool grand if you drop him within the first five minutes." He literally offered a bounty on my head as all the boys were waiting by the wall to be called out to start the tournament.

It might not sound like much money, but for some of us who came to this competition with maybe a few hundred dollars in the bank, that is a lot. I am glad the room and board here is free, otherwise what kind of sacrifices would I have to make to even be a part of?

I know my uncle is staying in a hotel downtown, but he has access to discretionary funds that I do not. He is the Alpha of our pack and I am just a kid - who should be Alpha in his stead.

Colin looked at me apprehensive as we heard that, eyes widened at the looming threat.

"Fucking asshole!" I grunted in annoyance while I was being targeted by multiple contestants.

One by one, we were being called alongside our opponent to stand in one of the tatamis prepared for the occasion. This room is very spacious, the largest in the castle outside of the ballroom, so it's the perfect scenario for the matches to take place.

The mandate is simple, drop your opponent by any means necessary. Except you cannot kick or punch him, you have to use your own strength or combat knowledge. You also cannot use your wolf skin to give you an edge, i. e. no talon.

The rules are clear and simple to understand. According to the flyer they gave us when we entered here, you cannot hit your opponent in the groin or teeth - though if they lose a tooth due to a punch, that is valid, just not in this first challenge because punches are a no-go.

Colonel Armstrong instructed us that this tournament is not meant to kill your opponent, just demonstrate superiority. How you fight is completely up to each contestant. Those of us who did not get called were stuck watching the others fight.

This could take a long while and now I know why they want to cut half our numbers.

There is no entertainment value in watching thousands of boys fighting at the same time. You have too many options to watch, to show support. Basically, you don't know who to root for unless that contestant is known to you. I am sure my family and friends will be watching out for my turn.

Colin's name just got called out. He will fight with a guy six years older than him.

"Good luck, Colin." I told him before he had to walk to the tatami with his opponent.

"Do I really have to fight with this twig? Don't they have real men in Alabama?" His opponent taunted him, looking at the soldier accompanying them, poking fun at Colin.

"This kind of language is uncalled for." Colin reprimanded the guy, irritated by his arrogance.

"This kind of language is uncalled for! Look at this fairy, is he for real?" He mocked Colin, taking a jab at his country accent.

"What did you just call me?" Colin stared at him enraged by hearing that word.

*Flashback*

Four years ago, Colin had just started high school in his hometown. He had a tough time fitting in because his older brother was always the star of the family and he aced high school through football. He was the golden boy, while Colin was the other one.

One night, his father had heard something that did not sit well with him.

"Your brother told me that you befriended the Omegas. Why?" He asked him with an accusatory tone.

"Because they were nice to me. Everyone in that school expects me to be like Devin, but I'm not. I'm nothing like him." He explained, already in a state of panic because of how his father had treated him in the past.

"I don't want you hanging around with Omegas anymore, okay? If they go into heat, you'll be the talk of the town, having a kid to raise with one of 'them fairies'." His father raised his voice, reprimanding him.

"Papa, it'll be years before they go into heat. I have no other friends except for them!" He exclaimed, exasperated.

"I don't care! NO SON OF MINE WILL EVER BE ONE OF 'THEM SISSIES'!" He shouted, causing Colin to recoil in fear. The whole family is watching this play out, but his sisters are too young to know any better. His older brother thinks the father is right. The only person concerned for Colin is his mother, disturbed by her mate's point of view.

A FEW DAYS LATER.

His father is furious that his son is still talking to his friends at school, so he takes out his belt and lashes out at him.

"I told you I didn't want you hanging around with those fairies! Are you a fairy, boy? Are you?" He screamed, beating Colin up with his belt that felt like a whip on Colin's skin. He cried and cried, but there was nothing anyone could do. His mother pleaded with her mate to not beat their son, but he said it was the only way for him to learn 'how to be a man'.

*End of flashback*

I have never seen Colin like that before. He is always so calm, cool, and collected. He is soft-spoken and has the most delicious country accent you'll ever hear. He is polite and charming. He doesn't strike me as someone who could hurt a fly.

But for the first time since I've known him - which was just a few days ago, to be fair - his eyes were shining in rage at being treated that way. Whatever happened to good sportsmanship?

They faced each other in the tatami, the guy was confident and boisterous, and Colin was quiet and enraged. I had no idea what to expect and I was half expecting him to get a severe beat down. All I knew was that he was mad. I think he was triggered, to be honest.

This could go really bad for him. I am low-key scared for my roommate.

While the man charged at Colin, slightly taller and stronger than him, he countered by jumping straight into the man - who did not see this coming. It all happened so fast. Colin latched onto the guy with his legs on his waist, then with his hands supporting him on the ground, he tossed the guy forward. It was a split-second maneuver.

He latched onto the man by basically jumping on his lap, then propelled his body down on the ground being supported by his hands, effectively using his core strength to throw the guy forward, way past the mat with a violent move. Fortunately, there was some space between Tatamis or he would have derailed the other match.

The whole thing lasted thirty to forty-five seconds, it was amazing to see. Even the soldier acting as the referee was impressed by him. His opponent's head was bleeding from being tossed on the ground head first. He looked dizzy from the fall and was taken by the medics on standby.

The rest of us who watched this play out were like... what just happened?

A|N: I am probably revealing my age here, but I have always wanted to name a chapter after the title of this film. It is unforgettable, especially if you are into martial arts.

Love,

Léo.