The Duel 

ISABELLA’S POV 

A duel. 

I barely registered the murmurs of the pack members who had started to gather around. I can feel the atmosphere growing tense, almost suffocating as Xavier’s words hung in the air. 

My heart pounded with the realization of what he had just declared. It feels like a storm was about to break, making every muscle in my body taut with fear and dread. Xavier’s voice had 

been cold and laced with determination. There was no doubt in his tone, no hesitance in his 

stance. He fully intended to win… to claim me and my daughter as his prize. 

But I couldn’t let that happen. I would not allow that. 

I turned to face him, my heart pounding so fiercely that it felt like it might burst from my 

chest. The sight of him, ready to fight for me as if I were nothing more than a prize to be 

claimed, ignited a fire of anger deep within me. How dare he treat me like an object, like a possession to be won and lost at will? 

But even as the fury burned in my veins, I knew that lashing out physically wouldn’t solve 

anything. I clenched my fists at my sides, fighting the urge to slap him across the face. 

Instead, I channeled that anger into my words, forcing my voice to remain steady, cold, and 

unyielding. 

“I am not yours, Xavier.” I gritted my teeth, my voice hard and unwavering. “I am not anyone’s 

possession and most importantly, I am not an object to be tossed around or claimed like 

some prize.” 

For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes – maybe guilt, or maybe it was 

rage? But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the same icy resolve. 

But I didn’t bother waiting for his response. I turned sharply on my heel, leaving the area with 

hurried steps. The weight of the situation bore down on me, but I forced myself to keep moving. I needed to get back to the packhouse. 

“Why did you bring Lily out, Hailey?” I asked her as soon as I arrived inside the packhouse, my 

voice was trembling with a mix of fear and frustration. 

Although I didn’t want to blame her, I still couldn’t ignore the fact that everything was falling apart because Xavier had seen Lily and now discovered our relationship. 

+25 Point 

The Duel 

“I’m so sorry, Bella.” Hailey approached me, her face guilt stricken. “The twins missed you so much. I thought it would be safe to go this time… I never expected that we would run into 

Xavier.” 

My heart softened at her words. I know she had no ill intentions, even though the consequences of her actions were severe, I couldn’t bring myself to blame anyone. 

“How about Liam? Where’s he?” 

“Raymond took him separately here. They are inside the room now.” She answered me, her 

voice still tinged with guilt and regret. 

I heaved a sigh as I pulled her into a hug, feeling the weight heavily pressing on my chest. She continuously murmured her apologies before I finally went to see Liam and Lily. 

“Mommy!” 

When I entered the room, I saw them waiting for me. Their faces lighting up with joy the 

moment they saw me. I knelt down and pulled both of them into a tight embrace, feeling their 

little arms wrap around me. 

“How are you doing, my little darlings?” 

“We missed you, mommy!” They both spoke in a sweet and coquettish tone. I smiled, feeling a 

sense of warmth and relief washing over me after finally having them by my side. 

“I missed you too, sweethearts.” I kissed the top of their heads and pulled them to sit on the 

bed. 

And just before I could strike another conversation with them, Lily slightly tugged at my arm, her innocent eyes curiously looking at me. 

“Mommy, that uncle earlier was the uncle I met the previous day.” The innocent tone in her 

voice seemed to grip my heart. “Do you now know each other?” 

My heart skipped a beat, dread settling in my stomach. I forced a smile and tried to remain 

calm in front of them. 

“No. That uncle was just asking some things to me, darling.” 

Lily nodded and didn’t question my answer, instead, she turned to her brother and said with a 

voice full of excitement. 

“Brother, you should’ve met that uncle too! Our eyes are the same color as his! Isn’t that 

amazing?” 

My heart started to race hearing her words. Then I saw Liam furrowing his brows, looking 

216 

25 Point 

The Duel 

thoughtful as he processed Lily’s words. Fear started clawing at me, realizing that they might start putting the pieces together. It wasn’t impossible, especially Liam with his keen 

intelligence. 

I quickly tried shifting their attention from that matter, suggesting some games we could play together and asking them what food they want to eat later. Luckily, they seemed to forget about the previous conversation afterwards. But I couldn’t shake the unease that settled in my 

chest. 

“News has spread around the pack.” Raymond stood in front of me with a serious expression on his face. “Everyone now knows about Alexander and Xavier’s duel.” 

It has been an hour after that incident, and I didn’t expect the matter to surge. My blood ran 

cold. I had hope to avoid this to happen. I even thought Xavier had only declared that on a whim, I didn’t know he would pursue it further even after I told him those words. 

“Is there no way to stop it?” I asked, my voice barely audible as I felt the weight and 

of this sudden issue. 

pressure 

My heart sank when Raymond shook his head. “The challenge has been made. Xavier had announced it in public. There’s no way to rebuke it now.“. 

At that moment, I felt so lost. The ground seemed to be swallowing me up, dragging me into a pit of darkness. I struggled to gather my own thoughts. I couldn’t let Xavier win. This was not just a battle between two Alpha males. This is a battle for my freedom, for the safety of my 

children. 

If Xavier won, he would take everything away from me. 

The next second, Alexander also arrived. 

“Is there no other way out?” I asked him, my voice carrying huge burden and anxiousness. 

“It’s the werewolf custom, Bella.” His gaze slightly softened, but he spoke in a firm tone. “The challenge has been made, and I can’t back out. The duel will continue, even if it’s against your 

will.” 

My heart sank as his words confirmed my worst fears. There was no escape…. no way out, making me feel as if the world was crumbling beneath my feet. 

“Don’t worry. I won’t let him take you away. I’ll do my best to win. And if I did, he’ll have to leave you alone for good and will never be allowed to step inside the Bluemoon Pack territory.” Alexander said in a comforting tone, but still, it didn’t ease any of my worries. 

Moments later, the pack warriors arrived and escorted us towards the arena. Hailey rushed to 

3/6 

• 25 Point 

The Duel 

me with worry etched on her face. 

“Bella…” 

I squeezed her hand, my voice was tight with emotion as I swallowed hard. “Please watch over 

Liam and Lily. Don’t let them know what’s going on.” 

Once we arrived at the arena, the sky had already darkened, casting long shadows across the 

clearing. 

The pack members who had gathered stood in a tense, expectant silence, their eyes fixed on the two Alpha Alexander and Xavier, who was now standing on the platform. 

– 

Before the duel began, I decided to talk to Xavier, feeling slightly desperate to stop the duel from happening, even though I know it was impossible. 

“Xavier…” With heavy steps, I walked towards him and managed to speak in a hard tone. “Why do you have to do this?” 

“Bella…” Alexander immediately pulled me to his side, but my eyes remained focused on 

Xavier. 

He stared back at me too. His eyes burning with a cold, unyielding resolve. 

“If this is the only way I can have you back, then why not?” 

His words sent a chill down my spine. I don’t even know why he was doing this in the first place. He already has Sophia with him. After all these years, why does he have to continue 

tormenting me like this? 

“Everything will be alright.” Alexander whispered to me. 

My body felt cold, as well as my heart. Yet, I could only put my hopes on him now, even though I was clearly putting him in danger. 

“Be careful.” I managed to say before I finally walked away from the platform, ignoring Xavier’s burning gaze on my back. 

The rules of the duel were simple: no shifting, just a battle of strength and skill in human form, and whoever gets forced off the platform would lose. 

When Xavier and Alexander finally faced off, I could feel the air thickening with the weight of what was about to happen. My fear was intensifying with each passing second, and the 

thought of the possible outcome of this duel filled me with dread. 

The duel finally began. Everyone was holding their breath as they started sending strikes 

against each other. My heart clenched as I watched them fight. Xavier and Alexander were 

4/6 

+25 Poin 

The Duel 

both the Alphas of the two strongest pack in the werewolf society. They seemed evenly matched in their skills, every move was precise and powerful. 

But as the fight went on, it became obvious that Xavier was beginning to get the upper hand. His strikes were relentless, driving Alexander back step by step. 

I watched in horror as I noticed that Alexander was struggling to keep up. In just a blink of an eye, Alexander now sustained much more heavy injuries than Xavier, with blood oozing from his wounds. I clenched my fists on my sides, the heavy pressing feeling in my chest seemed 

to suffocate me. 

Seeing Xavier’s powerful attack towards Alexander left me feeling cold. I had seen him fight 

before, on the battlefield. But this one… it was different. 

I watched as he threw Alexander on the ground again. His face and figure oozing so much 

power and danger as he attacked him again. The pack members around us were now murmuring in shock as Xavier continued to dominate, their voices tinged with a mix of awe 

and fear. 

My heart clenched in fear when I saw Xavier prepare to deliver another powerful blow. But I 

couldn’t take it anymore… 

“Xavier!” I screamed, my voice slightly trembling but it cut through the noise of the crowd. 

For a moment, I saw him stop, his gaze snapping towards me. I wanted to tell him to stop, yet 

no words came out of my mouth. I could feel the loud pounding of my heart as our eyes met, 

but in that split second of distraction, I saw Alexander stood from the ground. 

Then my eyes widened in shock. In a flash, Alexander threw a kick to Xavier’s distracted form 

and lunged forward, finally pushing him off the platform. 

The crowd erupted in cheers as Alexander was declared the winner. Yet my body felt numb. I 

was feeling cold all over, all the sound drowning out as I stared at Xavier’s form lying on the 

ground, bruised and bleeding. 

“You lost. Keep your word and leave the Bluemoon Pack territory now. Don’t ever come near 

my future Luna again.” 

Alexander’s words faded into a dull roar in my ears as I watched Xavier slowly rise. A lump 

formed in my throat. There was a growing ache in my chest at the sight of his bleeding chest, 

the wound he had from the rogue attack, which has reopened. 

But I didn’t know if it was due to the mate bond that I was feeling this kind of pain… or 

because of something else. 

5/6 

25 Pole 

The Duel 

Xavier was silent the whole time. He only spared a quick glance towards Alexander before he 

began to walk away from the platform. 

My breath hitched in my throat when I saw him approaching me. Yet I couldn’t move to avoid 

him, but he didn’t stop in front of me. He only brushed past me with slow and deliberate steps 

before I heard him whisper. 

“This isn’t over. I’ll get you back, Isabella.” 

His words left me feeling cold. As I watched him walk away, the ache in my heart seemed to deepen. I should have felt relieved, even triumphant for Alexander’s victory. 

But now, all I felt was a gnawing sense of unease as I watched Xavier’s figure fade into the distance