COLIN

I am nervous!

So far, I have faced some pretty nasty challenges in this tournament.

I have had to tell the truth, bare my soul, fight tooth and nail to secure my spot.

The things I had to expose along these challenges were so severe that they led to the arrest of my father. He was charged with child abuse and couldn't even be bailed out - the judge refused to set bail for him, calling him a liability to his other children. It's bad for him.

Fortunately, the Chairman of Alabama decided to retire him from the Alpha position in Leeds, which is better than impeachment. At least, he gets a pension that will go into supporting his family. My mother and sisters. We talk on the phone every day, I am worried for them, but my mom told me they were doing fine.

My brother is away at college and now he has been blocked from taking over the pack.

Meanwhile, I have no life ambition outside of this tournament. I don't have college prospects or a job lined up. My career path depends on me winning the competition to become an intern under His Majesty and possibly be the next Lycan King.

With that said, if Prince Elton is to be believed, King Lucius won't allow any LGBT+ candidate to win the tournament. That means my chances of winning are slim to none. Any day now, I will be bested by someone else and lose my place to sleep.

I could go back to Alabama, now that my father is no longer around to hassle me, but I don't think Leeds is my destiny anymore. I am mated now, so wherever my mate is, that's where I'll belong. Lance Richmond is my home, so whatever I have to do to stay close to him, I will. No questions asked.

Maybe tonight's my night to lose my placement in the tournament. I've seen so many groups of contestants be eliminated because none of them could agree on who to eliminate democratically. Prince Elton only escaped because Del sacrificed himself for him to stay.

As I stood by the wall inside McCarthy Hall, waiting for them to call my name, I saw Alphas desperate for a chance to stay and selfish people refusing to give up. I wouldn't mind giving my spot to Brad, who is yet to find his mate here, but I wasn't in his roster.

Colonel Armstrong is far too smart to allow roommates in the same group. No, I had to watch Bradley lose a simple game of "rock, paper, and scissors" over and over again. Why does he always form a rock first every single time?

Now, it was the final round. Only one other contestant stood between him and elimination.

Nobody knew if either of them would raise their hands if they lost. There's no rule forcing anybody to raise their hand to volunteer to be eliminated from the coveted tournament. There was less than a minute left on the clock. My roommate was sweating nervously like his life depended on this result. His opponent barely looked at him; he was so anxious.

The two of them were shaking in anticipation and nerves. It was visible to see under the lights and camera capturing their every move - including a separate shot of both of their hands, visible only to the viewers at home. Or for those of us who had them in our vision.

The room was silent with anticipation. When Armstrong announced there were only thirty seconds left, it was now or never.

"When I count to three, you two show your hands at the same time." Said an Alpha from their roster. "One... two... three."

Bradley: scissors.

Opponent: paper.

The Alpha from Missouri was devastated at the shocking result, cursing for not having anticipated that Bradley could change his gameplay. I guess it's better late than never. Begrudgingly, the Alpha raised his hand, making him one of the few honorable people in the room. They were quickly told to leave the stage for another group to be called.

As luck would have it, my name was called right after theirs. I am already trembling in anticipation of being eliminated tonight. I will say this now, there isn't anybody left in the competition for whom I would volunteer to be eliminated, now that Bradley is safe.

As soon as Armstrong started the clock - he wastes no second once we are all at the stage (the center of the room where the lights are much brighter and the cameras are everywhere) - one of the Alphas suggested that we do the same as the group that just left.

"Let's make it fast and make it fair. Whoever loses raises their hand. Agreed?" He looked around the circle of nervous young men, who nodded along as he spoke. I do agree with him; if I lose, I lose. I'm not going to drag nine other people with me. I'm not that selfish!

First round:

Me. paper.

Opponent: Scissors.

Okay, sure. Anybody can have a bad day. I am not invincible, though I'd love to be.

Second round:

Me: rock.

Opponent: paper.

Dude, come on! There are only three options available! Why am I losing this game?

Now, it's my time to turn it around. I will not go home on a "rock, paper, scissors" challenge. I refuse to go home on something so simple. Not when there were many more difficult challenges that I could've been eliminated from.

Third round:

Me: paper.

Opponent: rock. *phew*

I knew it! Everybody watches the other players compete. They know what you selected in the previous game. That is how they set up a counterattack. If you lose with one figure, it's less likely that you'd select the same figure again - unless you're my roommate. LOL

I had a feeling my new opponent would select "rock" to my "scissors", so I pivoted. And I'm glad I did it. I was sweating in anxiousness, not wanting to be eliminated in this silly challenge. If Monday brings an out-of-the-box shocker, then it'll be okay. But not this one.

At the end of the final round, the losing Alpha graciously raised his hand and we were free to go. I couldn't believe how well this game worked for us. After we left the room, every group that followed us used the same tactic to play "rock, paper, scissors" to compete.

It was the most random but fair process anyone could think of on such short notice. It worked like a charm for the groups to stop being eliminated in packs. Once again, my roommate was a game-changer in the tournament for having suggested that solution.

As bad as this was, I am sure that many more people would've been eliminated had it not been for this simple game that made the contestants feel like gracious losers. I know I am elated to have been able to save myself.

When I exited the room with my roster, I was blindsided by the sweetest scent known to exist: my mate's. Lance was waiting for me down the hall and I couldn't help but smile widely at his sight. He is so gorgeous and charming, I don't know what good will I have accumulated in life for the Moon Goddess to have paired him with me. *swoons*

"Good evening, mate. Congratulations on your success! I was watching the competition on my phone, feeling your apprehension from the mate bond." He greeted me, sounding proud and apprehensive at the same time.

"I'm sorry if I worried you, mate. The truth is, I was terrified to be eliminated tonight. I want to enjoy my time here in this castle for as long as possible." I confessed to him, knowing he could literally feel what I feel through the mate bond that links us.

"You're not going to be eliminated, my King." He winked at me.

"Don't call me that, it's treason." I said apprehensively. He laughed at my words.

"Can I invite you to come to my suite? I can make you feel less nervous." He flirted in a playful tone. We were not alone in the corridor outside McCarthy Hall, but at this moment, we might as well be. I couldn't take my eyes off my mate, flirtatiously gazing at me.

"Yes, I'm sure you could." I blushed, understanding his innuendo. "Don't you have classes tomorrow?" I sounded concerned for his education as the nerd I am.

"Don't worry. I have a car that can drive me to Georgetown tomorrow morning. I also came to invite you to a party next Saturday. It's the Princess and Lord Chamberlain's twenty-fifth wedding anniversary." He intertwined his arm in mine as we started to walk into the North Wing.

"A royal party? And I'm invited? Oh, my Goddess!" I was shocked to hear his words.

"You're my mate, Colin. Anywhere I go, you can come with me. You are my partner. Of course, I am inviting you to come with me to the royal festivity!" He exclaimed passionately. I am giddy with excitement at the invitation.

"I'm not sure I have the appropriate clothes to attend a royal ball." I admitted shyly.

"If you don't have any formal wear, we'll go out and buy you some. You don't have to worry about it. We can also rent a tuxedo for you. I got you, boo." He assured me with a whisper in my ear as we walked. I felt a heat flush hit me at the way he was close to me.

My cheeks were suddenly pink and I was happy that Lance was looking forward, not at me. Oh, I said it too soon. Now he is looking at me with a longing gaze that causes my heart to start palpitating.

"You're too cute, did you know that?" He told me with hearts in his eyes.

"Me? You are the best person the Goddess could ever have paired me with! I still don't understand why she mated you to me!" I spoke, exacerbated by the way he was looking at me. He leaned in and kissed me right in the middle of the northeast corridor.

"I told you to stop thinking I got the short end of the stick. I haven't. In fact, you are perfect for me. I thank the Goddess every day for mating you to me." He reassured me in such a loving way that it nearly took my breath away. I stopped and stared at him in shock.

"I mean it. You are it for me. And there is nothing about you that could ever make me think otherwise." He insisted, as I was frozen in place, wide-eyed.

"Thank you, Lance. I truly appreciate it." I melted into a puddle beside him.

"It's my honor, mate. Now let's go. It's late and I want to enjoy our time together." He pulled me to keep walking, so I did. I am enthralled by his sweet, charming disposition. I can't believe I get to go to a royal party! *cheers*

A|N: Let's enjoy the fictional weekend, shall we?

This party promises to be memorable.

You can read the next chapters ahead on my Patreon account:

patreon.com/LeonardoMontero

You are not going to believe the TWIST I have in store for you!

Next is "When You Wish Upon a Star".

Love,

Léo.