I was still on my knees, shaking profusely. My nails dug into the cold stone floor. The roar of the crowd faded to a distant hum as I squeezed my eyes shut, blocking out the world, blocking out my failure.
I lifted my face up and the bright and shiny light from the chandeliers forced me to shut my eyes back, but before I opened my eyes again I noticed something, it came heavily and forcefully and it landed on my face.
I didn't expect it, not now, it was so sharp that it halted my breath for some seconds. I collapsed on the ground and lost my consciousness.
I didn't know what was going on and immediately I opened my eyes again. A majestic tall, shiny white figure that approached me gently.
Take my hands Ava he said while he stretched his hands towards me like he is here to make peace with me. I felt safe in his presence.
But I couldn't afford to look up to the person because of the burning lights from the chandeliers
Get up Ava, get up, you can do it, I heard a soothing voice that felt like home to my soul and when I looked up it was my father,
A huge smile that tells of my sad and happy moments appeared on my face.
I took his hands and embraced him in a tight hug, I hugged him so tightly because that might be the last time I would get a hug from my father.
I needed that hug dad I said as hot tears streamed down my eyes uncontrollably. Stop crying my child, he said while still hugging me and stroking the back of my hair gently.
You have to get up now, you have to get up and prove to everyone that I am not weak. Prove to them that you are capable of ruling the pack.
My father said as he pulled me out of the hug. Go your time is ticking Ava, he said before he vanished into the thin air.
Dad? Dad? Please don't leave me now, I stretched out my hands while my voice cracked as desperation clawed at my throat.
I opened my eyes and the bright chandeliers burned my eyes again but this time.
I couldn't shut my eyes, because there's a time I would remain on the ground without getting up then it would be declared that my cousin has won the battle.
I had to get up and fight, that's the only way, I. Staggered and the man beside me stopped counting, I tried to balance my body but it didn't seem to be working out.
I ran towards Collins to hit him with a blow but he dodged it making me stumble and fall, the crowd gasped and rumors filled the air again.
''Is she still standing?''
''How pathetic…she will never last.'' Just locker her weak father, may his soul rest in peace
Their words cut through me like claws. What makes her think that she can defeat the almighty Collins? I think she wants to die just like her father.
But the worst of it all came from Collins himself.
I can't believe you were chosen to rule this pack Ava? He called my name slowly while he sneered, circling me like a predator. Look at you Ava. No strength, no power, just a disgrace.
You are not fit to be queen Ava, and in that moment I started letting their words get into my head, I was giving up, hot tears streamed down my eyes because I am about to fail myself and my father.
Get up Ava, get up you can do this I turned my head slowly to the direction in which I heard the voice cheering me up, and low and beyond it's Brian cheering me up.
I can do it, you can do it Ava, no one is permitted to steal your crown, I said as strength from my father and Brian bestowed upon me.
I stood up as fast as I could, bouncing and jumping eager to use my last strength to tear Collins apart. The crowd was cheering.
And in that moment I didn't care what anyone thinks of me, my aim was to make it up to my father and I must fulfill it.
I ran towards Collins and lifted him up without him catching sight of me but instead of slamming him down, I used his own momentum against him.
I twisted my body and flipped him over my shoulder, sending him flying into the crowd.
The onlookers screamed and scattered. He scrambled to his feet, dazed and disoriented, but I didn't let him get up. My father's training began to flood my mind.
I dodged his wild, angry swings and circled him, looking for an opening. "You're a joke, Ava!" he spat, charging at me with blind rage.
"And you're a fool, Collins for thinking you can have my throne," I replied with a cold calm settling over me. He lunged and I sidestepped, my foot sweeping his leg from beneath him.
He crashed to the ground, helpless. I stood over him, my chest heaving, a thin trickle of blood running from my lip. I raised my fist, not to strike, but to show him my hand was empty.
"The fight is over." The crowd erupted in cheers. I looked past Collins, past the cheering crowd, and found my uncle's gaze fixed on me.
My body ached, with bruises and batter, but a new kind of strength settled deep in my bones, I was no longer just Ava.
I was the future of the pack, and I would fight for my father's legacy, no matter the cost.
My gaze lifted, past the defeated Collins, and met the cold, shocked eyes of my uncle. There was no pity in his stare, only raw and hateful expressions.
At that moment, I knew I had not just defeated my cousin; I had made my first enemy as a lycan queen.
A hush fell over the crowd, and I heard my uncle's voice cut through the silence, his words heavy with reluctant authority.
"The battle is over and Ava has won the battle." The cheers erupted again, this time with even more force.
The elder man who had been counting knelt before me with his head bowed. A woman stepped forward, carrying a crown of woven silver and wolf's teeth.
She held it out to me, and as I took it, I felt a weight settle on my shoulders not of burden, but of purpose.
I placed the crown on my head, and in that moment, I made a silent vow to my father, I will be the queen you always knew I could be.
I will protect this pack, even if it means fighting against my own blood. I will not fail you again.
I looked at my uncle and Collins, their faces a mixture of disbelief and defeat and at that moment I knew they would be the first enemies of my reign. Or have they been enemies since day one. I hope to find out too.
I would watch them, and I would protect my kingdom. This was my new path, forged in battle and sealed with a vow.