Maria.
My mind was in complete chaos.
Noise surrounded me, cheers, whispers, the restless snorts of horses, but none of it truly registered. All I could focus on was one thing.
Noah.
My eyes kept scanning the venue again and again, moving from one Alpha to another, from the stands to the entrance, from the entrance back to the throne area.
He was nowhere.
Each second that passed made the hollow feeling in my chest grow heavier.
A dull ache spread slowly, settling deep beneath my ribs. I hadn't realized how much I needed to see him here until he wasn't.
And in that painful clarity, I admitted something to myself.
I wanted Noah to win.
Not anyone else.
But my choice didn't matter.
This wasn't about what I wanted. It was about strength, victory and dominance.
And he wasn't even present.
My shoulders slumped slightly as I lowered my face, staring at the ground beneath my feet. What was the point of watching this competition when the one I silently chose wasn't in it?
