Belligerent (Vicara) Read Free

percentage either. The fact that she’s already a Beta speaks to her ability to defy the odds, though.”
    Ryan listened with a grin to her ramblings. It was rare to see Alex actually excited about something, and he was always fascinated by her reaction to something she liked.
    “She was nice, right?” Alex asked. Then, she stopped her barrage to take a breath.
    “Yeah, sure,” he said, “but she's still a Belligerent. Wonder what she's in for.”
    “Maybe she isn't a criminal. I heard some of the Betas actually wanted their positions. She could be one of those.”
    Ryan shook his head. “You still shouldn't trust one.”
    “Yeah, yeah, I know,” she said. “Look! The next match is starting!”
    The bout was between two Omegas, who weren't formally trained like the Betas. Their knowledge was gained from experience. It provided an entirely different kind of entertainment in that manner.
    Alex and Ryan watched as the two Omegas battled it out using a mace and a dagger. The match dragged on for nearly a half hour and the end result was two battered, nearly dead combatants. The crowd seemed only partially interested as they talked amongst themselves, called their children back from the rails, downed cheap beer or otherwise occupied themselves.
    Eva's match came up and she made her way out to the center of the arena, griping a flail in one hand as nonchalantly as if it were an umbrella. Her opponent, another Beta, was a well-muscled teenager a few years older than her - likely in his final year at an academy. He towered over his opponent and chose a medieval sword as his weapon.
    The crowd, bored with the Omega match, perked in interest and volume as the Betas moved towards each other. Some of the spectators stood and pumped their fists as the duelists clashed. Steel’s clear ringing permeated the arena with each sharp meeting of weapons. The match was even for the first several minutes until Eva's opponent landed a lucky hit which knocked the flail from her hand.
    Eva was forced to be on the defensive, dodging sword blows while trying to find an opening. She wasn't concerned yet. They were both holding back in order to put on an entertaining show. If the excited cheers of the crowd were any indication then they were doing a decent job at it. Eva's opponent, Jordan, grew tired of prolonging their match and managed to nick her. Blood trickled down her arm, and Eva tried not to roll her eyes. That was the best he could do? She swung the retrieved flail around and smiled when it impacted with his ribs. Jordan grunted as the weapon left behind a bruise and several small gouges.
    “I was hoping to avoid the pods,” he said.
    “Should have dodged, then.”
    Jordan laughed, a deep chuckle emerging from his throat even as he swung his sword at her head. Eva avoided the attack easily. Blows that could kill were never performed at full speed or without at least a quick warning. Unlike Omegas, Betas knew how to keep themselves and their opponents alive.
    “Stop laughing so obviously,” she said. “We have to keep the show going.”
    Eva had schooled her features into a mask of seriousness, but Jordan couldn't wipe the grin off his face. They had the crowd on the edges of their seats screaming their names in excitement and anticipation.
    “About time to end this, don't you think?” Eva asked with a wink.
    “If you think I'm gonna let you win, then I suggest you think again.”
    Jordan growled and swung his sword in several tight arcs. Unable to dodge the furious assault, Eva watched the blade bite into her thigh.
    She hissed through clenched teeth. “What was that for?” she whispered even as the crowd's cheers intensified.
    He deflected her next attack. “You're in the running, right? Ranked in the top ten? You think I'm going to let someone from Shifter's collection get more points?”
    He started advancing, not pulling his blows like before. Eva hadn't gone into the arena with the intention of actually fighting for