BENEATH THE ASHES

ie's

nts. It was all a blur – rope climbing, wrestling, obstacle courses, and endless running.

a guy he recognized from the previous day's arm-wrestling match. Patrick, was it? The guy

challenge, and it stung. He missed his best friend, missed the easy banter and the comfortable silences. His hand itched

y Nessa's eyes sparkled when she laughed. A pang of possessiveness shot throug

engrossed in her conversation. He felt a twinge of disappointment, but p

me of strategy and wit. You'll be playing chess,

Tyler, kept rubbing his neck nervously. But as four Patrick and "Vyn" they seemed to be in a serious conversation, well Patrick talked whi

ill be paired with an opponent, and you'll play a standard game of ch

the rules. He'd played chess with Ness

nsulting a piece of paper. "Matt will be facing Tyler, Vyn

vously. Nessa, on the other hand, looked surprised, h

f chess. The two players studied the board, making calculated moves. But as the game progressed, Archie started to notic

nd racing with possibilities. Was Tyler inte

the winner. Archie was sure that he wasn't the only one who noticed Tyler's suspicious

her eyes locked on Ryker. Archie watched her, noticing the determined glint i

ssboard, she flashed a brigh

tegy?" Nessa asked, her eye

is expression stern. "I'l

omething a bit more...creative. Like 'I'll play to co

hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "I t

yourself, but don't s

g him about his favorite books and hobbies. Liam responded polit

teased, as she positioned her paw

. "Easy for you to s

where you're wrong. I'm not j

, but Nessa could see the

e her move, checkm

hrough the tension, "And the w

applause as Nessa, still grinning

reading across his face, despite the fact that

n," Liam said, e

. "Thanks, man. You're

clocks. Archie's eyes locked onto Patrick, his opponent for the next match, as he approached the chessbo

he weight of the competition bearing down on him. He wa

nded with the Queen's Gambit, pawn to d5. Archie's eyes narrowed as he cont

eyes fixed on the board. Archie's focus was laser-sharp,

shing Archie to his limits. The game seesawed back

ating checkmate. Archie's heart sank, but he refused to give up. W

turn the tables. Archie's fingers moved swiftly, m

led to recover. Archie's eyes never left the board, h

ove, checkmating Patrick's king. The room erupted into a col

d won, and he knew it was more than just a game. It was a declaratio

gh the tension, "And the winn

the room. For a fleeting moment, they locked gaz

l, and she looked away, leaving Archie won

's

pe, but not fast enough. He caught up to him, his eyes lockin

said, his voice

else, Patrick appeared out of now

sick moves up your sleeves!" Patrick exclaim

never leaving Vyn's. He didn't return Patrick

ipping with a subtle scuff,

ainst Vyn's, sending a shiver down his spine. But V

ou up on your offer," Vyn said,

Awesome! I'll show you the best spot to

nched in frustration. "Nes...Vyn!"

ng Archie to seethe as he enjoye

gs and sipping sweet, fizzy soda. The smell of sizzling meat and baked

I'm not eating that!' " Patrick sai

, when Tyler appeared out of nowhere, s

k protested, holding up his h

a big bite of Patrick's hot dog. Matt strolled up, a

have here?" Matt drawled, hi

ng to signal him to make a run for

ywhere, he turned to his oppressor, "Matt, really, we don't want any tro

er. "Oh Patty, I don't want anything from you now, you can relax."

dripping with venom. "Who'd have thought? Skinny Vyn could possibly make it this fa

be it's because you've never faced me before.

ed in a fierce line. But he kept his cool, hi

sound. "I doubt it. I'm going to

n. " Hmph, if you're so sure of that, so confident in yo

ok a step closer to Vyn, his eyes blazing wit

was steady. "I said...I'll see y

ocked on Matt's, a fierce challenge burning

, Matt's boys jumped them, dragging V

er him. Vyn's heart sank as Matt pulled out his lucky bow and snapp

decided to teach his sister the art. It had meant so much to him, accepta

and even. "You're resorting to intimidation

sdainful. "And I'm not some pawn you c

hing with anger, as Matt moved swift

n't you?" Matt sneered, his

ade it this far, but don't you get too comfortable. People li

iance burning within them. He stood his g

ce cut through the tension, his tone cold and deadly. "Let him go,

hie. But his smirk died when he saw Archie pointing a bow and

low and deadly. "Or I swear to God, we'll both

ly as he realized Archie meant every word. With a sneer, he

ss, huh?" Matt spat, his voice d

oys. "Let's go. We

o Vyn, his voice low and menacing. "Thi

hem go, his eyes

er face and arms for any signs of bruising. "If he hurt yo

und Archie's wrist as he looked up int

fore he nodded, his expression slowly returning

nodded curtly and turned to walk away, l

, finally found his voice. "What just happened?" he

ooking just as perple