AT THE SAME TIME
ZAVIER
The silence didn't break all at once. Like the entire arena had to rethink itself before deciding how to react. Then the noise came back, louder and different. It seems that it was time to see what Ben, Riko, and Leo can do.
"Do it again."One Alpha said.
"No way that was luck."Another one smirked.
"That Omega-"A Beta whispered.
I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulder once.
"Clean execution."Aiden hummed, satisfied.
"He was predictable." I said.
"Most of them are."Adrian added.
Logan's voice cut through the noise again.
"Next."He said.
And that's when things got worse, because Riko stood up.
"Oh no." I muttered.
"Oh yes." Riko said, already walking into the arena like this was the best decision he had ever made in his entire chaotic life.
Ben followed, of course, he did, and Leo… Leo was still sitting. That became normal, even to me.
"Leo." Ben said.
No response.
"Leo."Ben repeated.
Still nothing. Riko walked back, grabbed him by the collar Leo stood up instantly. Still half asleep.
"I was resting my eyes."Leo complained.
"You were unconscious." I said.
"Details."Leo frowned.
All three of them stepped into the arena, and the whispers came back immediately.
"The Omega has a whole circus."One said.
"These are his teammates?"Another asked.
"D-rank really is a joke."Someone smirked.
Riko grinned like he had just been handed a personal invitation to cause problems.
"Alright." He said, cracking his neck. "Who wants to regret their life choices?"
A Beta stepped forward.
"I'll go." He said.
Of course he would.
"Riko." I said. "Try not to die."
"No promises."He said.
Logan didn't even look surprised anymore.
"Begin."He said.
The Beta rushed straightforward, heavy hits. Riko dodged. Badly and messily like he was tripping over his own feet.
"What is he doing?" Someone asked.
"I don't know." I said and touched my forehead in annoyance.
Riko stumbled, actually stumbled then somehow ended up behind the Beta.
"Wait-"Riko began.
He kicked the back of the Beta's knee. Not hard, just enough. The Beta dropped slightly Riko immediately locked his arm and twisted, not clean, not elegant, but effective. The Beta hit the ground and Riko stood there, blinking.
"I meant to do that."Riko said.
"What?" Ben stepped forward next.
"I prefer tools." He said casually.
"Of course you do." I muttered.
Another Beta stepped in.
"Don't embarrass yourself." He said.
Ben smiled and that was new and I didn't trust it, not even a little bit.
"Begin."Logan said.
The Beta lunged and Ben stepped back, then forward, then suddenly the Beta stopped.
"Why did I stop?" The Beta asked.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Look down."Aiden stirred.
There it was a thin line a trap. The Beta shifted his weight the ground snapped. Not a hole, not a collapse just enough to throw him completely off balance. Ben stepped in immediately, controlled, precise, pushing him down with minimal effort. The Beta hit the ground and Ben adjusted his sleeve.
"I set that up earlier."He grinned.
"You what?"I stared at him.
"You are terrifying."Riko leaned over.
Leo didn't move at first, just stood there. Breathing slowly, eyes half lidded and an Alpha stepped forward this time. Not Adam, another one.
"Finally." The Alpha said. "Someone worth hitting."
Leo blinked.
"Do we have to?" He asked.
"Yes." Logan said.
Leo sighed, actually sighed. Like this was an inconvenience.
"Fine."Alpha said.
"Begin."Logan said.
The Alpha moved fast, faster than Adam, sharper and cleaner, but Leo didn't move.
"What is he doing?"One Alpha asked.
"Is he frozen?"Beta asked too, clearly confused.
The Alpha's fist came in and then Leo moved. Too fast,wrong kind of fast, there was no transition. Just movement. The Alpha stopped, mid step. Then slowly dropped to his knees. Leo stood there, hand still slightly raised.
"Done?" He asked.
No one answered. Even Logan didn't speak immediately.
"That one is dangerous."Aiden's voice was quiet now.
"Yeah." I said. "I noticed."
Leo yawned, turned around and started walking back.
"Wake me when it matters." He muttered.
The arena didn't recover quickly this time, because this wasn't luck, this wasn't chaos. D-rank not weak. Just wrong in a way no one expected. Then footsteps approached me. It was Adam. I turned slightly as he stopped in front of me. For a second, neither of us spoke. Then he grinned.
"You are annoying." He said.
"Thank you." I replied.
"I misjudged you."He held out his hand.
I looked at it for a second, then took it, firm grip.
"Most people do." I said.
"You fight like a problem."He huffed a quiet laugh.
"You hit like one." I said.
His grin widened.
"Good." He said. "Then we will get along."
"WE HAVE A FRIEND NOW?"Riko shouted.
"OR A RIVAL?"Ben added.
"Same thing."Leo, already half asleep again.
I released Adam's hand, glancing back at my team.
"This is your place now."Aiden hummed softly.
I exhaled slowly watching them.
"Yeah." I said.
A few days later, Adam stopped being 'the Alpha who tried to break me' and became 'the Alpha who keeps sitting at our table like he lives here now'. Mostly because Riko immediately decided Adam was his.
"You hit hard." Riko said, shoving a plate toward him.
"You talk a lot." Adam replied.
"We balance each other."Ben said.
"We absolutely do not."Riko said.
"He followed you here."Ben leaned over.
"I noticed." I said.
Adam ignored all of them and looked at me.
"You eat like you are planning something." He said.
"I am." I replied.
"What?"Ben asked.
"Survival."I said.
"He always is."Leo, half asleep with his face in his arms, muttered.
That was how Adam joined us. No announcement, no permission, just sat down and never left. Aiden approved.
"Another strong one." He said.
"Another loud one." I corrected.
It seems our team has risen up by one member.