Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy (ARIA) novel Chapter 194

Chapter 194

ARIA

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“I’m fine.” I said automatically. Then, because that was clearly unconvincing, I added, “Just processing the day. The elders’ interview was intense.”

“I can imagine,” Margo said sympathetically. She hesitated, clearly debating whether to continue. Margo wasn’t my friend, she was a firm supporter of Ivory, and had always tore me down, whenever she could, but whatever she must have seen on my face must have made her decide to be less hateful towards me for now.

Finally, she said, “I heard some of the male pack members talking. About the Ghost Hunt. About whether the elders will authorize it this year.”

So she knew. Knew what I’d overheard or something similar. Knew about the potential competition and the impossible position it would put me in.

“I’d never heard of it before today,” I admitted. “The Ghost Hunt. No one mentioned it when I was learning about pack traditions and events.”

“It only happens when the Ghost Council visits,” Margo explained, moving to sit beside me on the bench. “It’s not a regular annual event like the harvest festival of the summer games. It’s specifically authorized by the elders as part of their assessment. A way to observe pack dynamics, warrior capabilities, leadership under pressure. They use it to evaluate strength and unity and how well the pack functions under competitive stress.”

“And it’s a two-person team competition,” I said, needing to confirm what I’d overheard.

“Yes,” Margo confirmed. “Usually ten teams compete. The matches are structured tournament-style over the course of a week. Different challenges each round-hunting, tracking, survival skills, combat scenarios. It tests everything. Physical capabilities, mental acuity, teamwork, strategic thinking.”

She paused, then added carefully, “Traditionally, the Alpha competes with the Luna. It’s a demonstration of their partnership. Their ability to work together under pressure. Their complementary skills and unified strength.”

“But Ivory and Kael were champions last time,” I said. “Not Kael and whoever was Luna then.”

“There was no Luna then,” Margo said. “Kael’s father was still Alpha. Kael was heir apparent and unmated. So he was free to choose his own partner for the competition. And he chose Ivory.”

“Because she’s exceptional,” I said flatly. “Because together they were unbeatable.”

“Because they worked well together,” Margo corrected gently. “Because they’d trained together for years. Because they had complementary skills-his strength and her precision, his aggression and her strategy. They were a good team.”

“They were more than a team,” I said, the words escaping before I could stop them. “I heard the stories. About the overnight survival round. About them being consumed with each other that they prioritized sex over winning.”

Margo’s expression became uncomfortable. “That was…hey were young. Less serious. Different people than they are now.”

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Chapter 194

“But it happened,” I pressed. “They were so passionate about each other that basic sense went out the

wait, couldn’t be careful, couldn’t control

window. That Ivory injured herself because they could themselves long enough to at least prepare properly.”

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“Aria-”

“And now I’m supposed to what?” I continued, the fear and hurt pouring out now that I’d started. “Compete with Kael and prove I’m nowhere near Ivory’s level? Stand beside him in this legendary competition and demonstrate to the entire pack and the elders that I’m inadequate? Or do I gracefully step aside and let him choose her as his partner, publicly acknowledging that she’s better, that she’s who he should be with, that I’m just the political necessity who doesn’t measure up?

Margo was quiet for a long moment, clearly struggling with how to respond. Finally, she said, “I don’t know what the right answer is. But I know that comparing yourself to Ivory’s past is destroying you. And that can’t continue. It’s not sustainable.”

“Tell me how to stop,” I said, and I hated how desperate sounded. “Tell me how to stop measuring myself against her when literally everyone else is doing the same thing. When I hear pack members casually discussing her body in that hunting outfit like it’s public property. When I learn about her and Kael being so passionate they injured themselves. When I know that if this Hunt happens, everyone will be comparing us and I’ll come up short in every possible way.”

“You’re different people,” Margo said. “With different strengths. Different ways of contributing. That doesn’t make you lesser. Just different.”

“Different and inadequate,” I corrected. “Let’s not pretend there’s no hierarchy here. Ivory is exceptional. I’m adequate at best. That’s just reality.”

“It’s your perception of reality,” Margo argued. “Filtered hrough insecurity and fear. But it’s not objective truth.”

I wanted to believe her. Wanted to think that my inadequacy was just insecurity rather than observable fact. But I’d heard the pack members talking. Had seen the elders’ reactions when they’d realized Ivory wasn’t Luna. Had felt the constant weight of not measuring up in countless small ways that accumulated into crushing certainty.

“The elders will decide about the Hunt,” Margo said after another pause. “If they announce it, you’ll deal with it then. No point torturing yourself over possibilities. Just wait and see what actually happens.”

“And in the meantime?” I asked.

“In the meantime, try to remember that you have value beyond comparison to Ivory,” Margo said. “That your worth isn’t determined by whether you match someone else’s exceptional abilities. That adequate is actually pretty damn good when you’re learning everything from scratch in the middle of constant crisis.”

She stood, picking up her harvesting basket. “I should finish gathering these herbs before dinner. Are you going to be alright?”

“Eventually,” I said, which was maybe true. “Thank you for sitting with me. For trying to talk me down from my spiral.”

“Anytime,” Margo said with a slight smile. “That’s what pack is for. Supporting each other. Even when— especially when-we’re struggling with things we can’t quite articulate.”

She headed off toward the herb beds, leaving me alone with my thoughts again. But somehow the solitude felt less crushing now.

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