Chapter161: Unspoken Conspiracy

|| Lilac's POV || The torches flickered, casting long, dancing shadows across the sacred fighting circle. The air smelled of crushed herbs and sweat, thick with anticipation. My pulse hammered in my throat as I watched my brother—my little Ezra—stand bare-chested across from Elias, his muscles coiled like a spring. Elias cracked his knuckles, the sound like dry twigs snapping. "Don't take it personally, pup." Ezra said nothing. His face was a mask of calm, but his eyes—gods, his eyes—burned with a fire I'd never seen before. When did you grow up? Alpha Darius raised his hand. The crowd stilled. "Begin." Elias lunged— And stumbled. My breath caught. His foot caught on nothing. His balance wavered like a drunkard's. His eyes, usually so sharp, glazed over as if he couldn't quite focus. Ezra didn't hesitate. One strike to the ribs. A sickening crack echoed through the clearing. Another to the jaw. Elias's head snapped back, blood spraying from his lip. The crowd roared. But I wasn't watch