Baffled.

When I heard Colin's name being called out, I was mostly eager to find out who his opponent was. When I realized it was a 25-year-old Alpha with a taller and stronger build than him, I thought he was a goner.

Like most people, I thought that the bigger and stronger man would benefit from these attributes and outperform my roommate in a combat that values strength above all else, but I was wrong — we all were.

In a move so fast, so precise, that it looked like something out of a Marvel film, Colin jumped onto the guy's lap, latching himself onto the man with his legs on his waist, and propelled his body down in such a violent way that if his hands and arms didn't support him, he would've crashed and burned hard. But he didn't.

He used that move to throw the guy forward with the core strength of his body and momentum as he stayed upside down, propelling the guy forward with his legs on his waist. He basically transformed himself into a catapult and catapulted the man far away, nearly disrupting another match taking place in one of the tatamis.

When I think about it, catapult is the most accurate word. But instead of pulling back the lever with a rope, he used his own body to catapult the guy to the ground. The medics on standby took his opponent to be treated. There is a medical unit inside the castle, available 24/7 to its staff and the royal family.

When Colin returned to the wall on his way out, all the boys were impressed by his skills - including me.

"Oh, my Goddess! Congratulations, man!" I was mesmerized by him right now.

"Thank you, Brad. I'll be rooting for you later. As soon as I get my phone, I'll log on to YouTube and check out the livestream." He spoke, as humbly as ever. He was behaving like it was just a day at the office, and I loved him for that. Most men would be boasting, but not him.

"I appreciate the support. Go rest. You've earned it." I told him, legitimately floored by how humble he is. We are not allowed to bring our cell phones into this room because there can be no outside interference during the competition. You are allowed to cheer for your friend during the match, as long as you don't do it loudly.

Colin walked away, as I was still nervous about who I was going to get as my opponent - especially now that Prince Elton put a bounty on my head. As if I needed any added pressure... fuck my life.

The competition is going ferociously as more and more competitors are eliminated from the tournament. Colonel Armstrong wasn't kidding when he said our numbers would be cut in half — though I don't think that man ever kids. Especially with the fate of the nation on the line.

When Elton's name was called, an hour later, mine was called right after him. My opponent, like Colin's, was an older man who just so happens to be taller and stronger than me. No biggie, right? *sweats in nervousness*

"Do I really get a grand just to knock this inbreed? Are you sure?" He asked Elton as we were walking to the tatami. I glared at him for calling me that word, which I'm not. My parents don't even come from the same state.

"Within the first five minutes." He confirmed the offer, looking at me with a wicked grin.

"It's going to be the easiest money I ever made." He smiled mischievously. I gulped down awkwardly. Elton had a twinkle in his eyes as he was gunning for my demise. Meanwhile, his opponent did not look very menacing in front of the guy who many view as the next King.

"Remember the rules. If any of you feel like you are overwhelmed by the fight, just tap three times on your opponent's body or the ground and I will end the match. Is that okay?" A soldier who was acting as our referee told us with a serious look on his face.

"Yes, sir." I replied, politely. My opponent was looking at me like a lion looking at a gazelle.

When we were cleared to fight, my opponent charged at me to use his superior strength against me. While he did that, I dropped on the tatami into a sitting position with my legs stretched out. I gyrated my hip - using my arms to support my upper body - to use my legs as a weapon to trip him as he came after me. It all happened very fast.

Before he knew it, my opponent was down on the ground, tripped by my legs as he lunged for me. He barely knew what hit him, it was a very split-second movement to catch him by surprise and trip him before his brain had the chance to react and dodge my legs.

Once he was down on the ground, I lifted myself up and told him boastfully:

"I'm sorry, were you under the impression that I was going to allow you to put your hands on me?" I taunted him in a snarky tone.

"Motherfucker!" He was about to charge after me but was contained by the soldier, who immediately called for help via mind-link. Before he knew it, he was being escorted out of the premises by two soldiers.

Elton had a guy wrapped around his steel-like arm, waiting for him to tap out of the fight or pass out. He barely broke a sweat doing so. He is such an Alpha.

"You're welcome for saving your money. You are going to need it when you are no longer in contention to be King." I teased him, who looked livid at me for not being eliminated like he wanted to. Tough break, blondie. I did not spend the last nine years being trained to wash out in the first challenge.

"You can go now." The soldier told me with a sour look on his face, so I did. I walked out of the room, grabbed my phone in one of the baskets that the soldiers were managing, and left for my dorm room. I don't think I have ever seen this many soldiers in one place in my entire life. But at the same time, I am not surprised.

Each contestant who washes out is escorted by a soldier to collect his belongings in the dormitory and leave the castle, except for the ones who need medical attention. They are being treated first, then escorted out of the property.

I get the feeling that no one will stay in this castle longer than they have to. It's fine. We are talking about the King's residence, though we do not have access to the West Wing of the manor where he works and lives. It's heavily guarded, naturally.

When I returned to my dorm room, Colin was there - already showered and wearing different clothes - and so was my uncle, looking proud of me. Damian had a big smile, then he pulled me into a hug and told me how proud of me he was. It's so nice.

"Dude, what was that? You tripped him by gyrating your body on the floor? Who even thinks of that?" Colin was impressed by my moves, still with the live stream open on his cell phone. Uncle Damian was watching on a tablet that he brought on the trip.

"I don't know, man. Who thinks of transforming their body into a catapult?" I shot back at him, equally impressed by him as he was by me.

"Touché." He chuckled.

"Both of you were very impressive. I bet you two raised your profiles in the betting pool." Damian spoke, grinning wide. I sat on my bed since I had been standing for almost two hours.

"There is a pool already?" I gasped in shock at the news.

"There are several, my boy. But the biggest ones are being run by legitimate sports betting websites. I know there will still be more than two thousand competitors after today, but that is a far cry from 5,600 people." Damian informed us, sounding excited.

"Speaking of the competitors, some of us will go out tonight to celebrate our victory. Can I please borrow your credit card, uncle?" I asked him, trying to take advantage of his good mood.

"Where are you going? You know nothing in D.C." He was quick to point out, suspiciously.

"Precisely. Since I'm stuck here, I might as well explore the city. Please, uncle. Just for a few expenses. I promise not to go overboard." I pleaded, not wanting to be the only guy counting dollars before looking at the menu. I deserve to have some fun while I am here. I have never been to a city as big as this. The furthest I went before was to Salt Lake City.

"You're 19 years old. You can't get into a bar." He countered, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Fine, uncle. Forget I ever asked." I sulked, aggravated. Am I really supposed to be stuck in my room all day, every day? How am I supposed to meet my mate this way? They are not going to come knocking at my room...

"It's okay. You deserve it, kiddo. But no drinking, please. If you need assistance, call me. Or get an Uber. I prefer that you do not take any chances." He advised me, handing out a credit card from his wallet.

"Thank you, uncle. I'll be good, I promise." I pledged, radiantly happy.

A|N: Okay, then.

It's very rare for me to start a novel where one of the characters has a secret right out of the bat. The only recollection I have is the secret relationship in "The Refugee's Mate". If you read it, you know it. There was also a secret romance in "Mean Streak", but that was discovered later in the book.

With all that being said, Elton already starts out his story with a huge secret. Well, more than one actually, but more on that later. It is so delicious for me as a writer to start from that perspective because the stakes have never been higher for him.

I will say some secrets will take a long time to be revealed, but it will blow your mind when you learn about them. That's a promise.

Love,

Léo.