Alpha Damien's Trouble Maker (by Ruby Anne) novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177

Selene

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The sky above the forest was bright and wide, painted with soft streaks of white clouds as birds glided through the open air, their wings cutting quietly through the breeze. Below them, the forest stretched endlessly in every direction, tall trees rising. Small animals darted through the undergrowth, occasionally rustling the bushes as they ran past, and the distant chirping of insects mixed with the low murmurs of people gathered among the trees.

I slowly looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, taking in every detail. We were in a forest now, far away from the roaring crowds and towering walls of the outer arena where the first two fights had taken place. The difference was unsettling. Instead of a massive stadium packed with spectators eager to watch blood spill for entertainment, we were now standing in a vast wilderness where the only witnesses were the trees and whatever creatures lived among them.

A short while ago, the host and several officials had appeared without explanation and ordered us to follow them. No one had told us where we were going, and no one had bothered to explain why the location of the challenge had suddenly changed. We had simply walked in silence until the stone structures of the arena disappeared behind us.

I was not the only one confused. The contestants scattered around me looked equally uncertain, their expressions tense as they glanced around as if expecting danger to leap out from behind the trees at any moment. Judging from their reactions, this was not something that had happened in previous tournaments.

I had no idea what was going on, but one thing was certain. Whatever was about to happen here was not going to be simple.

I shook my head slightly and let out a quiet sigh before leaning back against the rough trunk of a large tree. Crossing my arms over my chest, I closed my eyes for a moment.

Not far away, the whispers of the contestants slowly grew louder as their anxiety pushed them to talk.

This is strange,” one man muttered uneasily. “I wonder what today’s challenge is if they brought everyone all the way out

here.”

‘Exactly,” another replied. “The tournament has always taken place in the outer arena for years. Why would they suddenly change it today? What are they planning?”

A third voice spoke up, trembling slightly. “A lot of people have already died in the earlier rounds. Do you think they are rying to find even more ways to kill us?”

The man hesitated before continuing in a strained voice. “I have been having nightmares after every fight. Every night ! wake up thinking the next match will be the one where I die. I do not want to die.”

Normally, a warrior who spoke like that would immediately be mocked or insulted for cowardice, but this time no one sakla word in response. Because the truth was obvious.

He was not the only one afraid. They all were.

Everyone here pretended to be proud and fearless, standing tall with their weapons as if death meant nothing to them, but deep down every single one of them feared the same thing. No one truly wanted to die in this forest.

The atmosphere around us grew heavier as people glanced at each other warily, unsure of who among them might become an enemy once the next challenge began.

Beside me, Miles finally spoke, his voice calm and thoughtful as he observed the crowd

“They are scared.”

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Chapter 177

I opened my eyes slightly and hummed in agreement.

“Yes.”

Miles watched them for a few seconds longer before adding quietly, “Most of them are scared of you, Noah.”

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I opened my eyes slowly and lifted my gaze toward the group of contestants standing not too far away. The moment our eyes met, several of them visibly flinched as if they had been caught doing something wrong. A few instinctively stepped back, creating distance between us, while quiet whispers immediately spread through the small crowd again.

‘gods… what is he doing here?” one man muttered under his breath, his voice filled with disbelief. “Wasn’t he disqualified?”

Another person beside him shrugged uneasily. “Who knows. Let’s just be careful around him and the prince. Those two are langerous.” He lowered his voice further as if afraid I might still hear him. “Hopefully this round will be a one-on-one natch and they’ll end up paired together. I definitely don’t want to fight either of those demons.”

Several others nodded quickly at his words, their expressions tense.

I watched them quietly for a moment, their fear almost tangible in the air, before shifting my gaze away. I was not interested n their nervous speculations. Instead, I began searching the area for someone else, and it did not take long before I found

Leaning lazily against a tree several meters away was the prince.

He looked completely at ease, as though the tension filling the forest had nothing to do with him. His posture was relaxed.

is expression calm, and his presence carried the same confidence I had noticed since the beginning of the tournament. However, his eyes were fixed directly on me, studying me with the same careful attention that I was using to observe him.

At the beginning of the competition, his gaze toward me had been dismissive, as though he were looking at someone weak ind unworthy of his attention. Now that look was gone.

Now his eyes were cautious.

Beside me, Miles spoke quietly. “Are you really going to fight the prince?”

did not answer immediately.

I know you’re strong,” he continued, glancing at me from the corner of his eye, “but he’s really powerful. And honestly, you don’t look too good right now. How are you planning to fight that devil when you’re already at a disadvantage?”

I was not offended by his words. I understood exactly where they were coming from My warriors in the past had acted the same way whenever I insisted on entering a battle despite unfavorable conditions. They would always try to warn the hoping I might reconsider.

But in the end, I always did what I wanted.

That was simply the kind of person I was.

I turned my head and leaned slightly closer to Miles, enough that he stiffened in surprise and his breath caught faintly. Lowering my voice, I said calmly, “You should worry about yourself” Then my expression grew more serious as I glanced around the forest once more.

*Stay alert, for some reason, something about this forest doesn’t feel right to me. Do not lower your guard

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