CAELLUM’S POV
I watched a smirk grow on Thomas’s face.
The fool actually dared to look smug. I could imagine the thoughts that ran through his head. He actually thought he would win this.
“Everything is ready,” Matteo informed. Like I didn’t have eyes of my own.
“Great. Shall we begin?” I beckoned on the contestants – Naledi and Thomas. “The goal is simple. Hit the bulls-eye.”
“Yes Alpha,” Thomas said, picking up a pistol from the table.
Naledi looked less than pleased. “Lady’s first, asshat.” She muttered, loud enough for me to hear, but not enough for her contender who was busy, positioning himself for his best shot.
“Don’t you think the punishment is a bit too hard?” That was Matteo.
“Why?” I asked without sparing him a glance. “Don’t you have confidence in the men you train?”
“Thomas is skilled with a gun. He might be the best we have.” His tone told me he was anything but worried about the asshat.
That explained the chip on his shoulders.
“Naledi would do fine,” I said, and I believed it.
“I just thought it would-”
“Get them started,” I said in a dismissive tone.
“Yes sir.”
Matteo headed right back to the little competition I’d organised. Thomas was to go first. I watched with clenched teeth as he hit the bull’s eye without stress.
I got to admit. He was good. Too bad I was going to have his head in a platter of Gold tonight.
Next up, Naledi.
As expected, my mate walked in like the boss she is and took up the darned gun. Muttering something about how unsophisticated the guns were. Leave it to my mate to complain about the sophistication of a gun when her life was on the line.
One closed-eye shot later, she hit the bull’s eye. “Is that it?” She asked while everyone looked on in shock.
Except for myself and Matteo of course. The other pack members? They were bewildered. And that in a good way.
“A tie,” Matteo announced the results, but I wasn’t satisfied.
Thomas stood proudly with a chip on his shoulder. He gauged Naledi with a different look. Like a threat. He definitely hadn’t seen it coming.
“That’s too bad. I was looking forward to getting a winner.” I said in a mock disappointed tone. “Take the targets farther. There can only be one loser.”
“I think you meant to say winner.” That was Naledi.
Ever the smart mouth.
I gave her a pointed look and she immediately swallowed her words, looking away awkwardly. “Just pretend you didn’t hear that…”
The next round took a couple of minutes to set. This time, the targets were much farther. Making it difficult to hit the target. The guns were placed in front of them and this time, Thomas decided to be a gentleman.
“You can go first, my lady.” He said, handing the ground to her.
That was a ruse. It was clear he wanted to asses her from afar. See how experienced she was. A little too late for that if you ask me.
“Oh my,” Naledi fawned touching her heart in the fakest possible way. She’s got to know no one bought her act. “I don’t like going first. I have a superstition.” She said, causing everyone to scrunch their faces in confusion.
Thomas was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I guess he would have to go first. As expected, he picked up the darned gun and after a very long minute, made his shot, almost missing the target.
The crowd roared in applause when the shot hit the bull’s eye. It was then I realised that they were actually invested in the competition. It was clear who they favoured.
My eyes grew cold when a smirk reappeared on Thomas’s face. They were cheering for the wrong side. My sunshine would make that clear in a minute.
Naledi didn’t wait to be called. She immediately took up the gun and fired without missing a beat. She didn’t even aim. It came like second nature to her.
Silence returned to the place when they realised she hit the bullseye. I must have looked down on the probability of her getting hurt by the fact they were so obviously against her because she snapped.
“What? Do you all want me to fail that badly? Did I fucking disappoint your expectations?” She roared.
“Naledi.” My tone was stern, with a touch of care. “Calm down.”
“I’m done with this shit. It’s pointless. He wins. Case closed.” She said, dropping her gun and walking away.
“Do not fucking walk away from me, woman!” I roared in my Alpha tone and she stopped. “Don’t forget the rule.”
I could tell it took everything for her to stop, and eventually turn back but I was glad she did. I didn’t feel like getting bothered about how to punish her in a fitting way.
“I’m sorry.” She said under her breath but I was sure she didn’t mean it.
Nevertheless. An apology was an apology.
“Where were we?” I asked and Matteo came to the rescue.
“A draw.”
I tutted and walked close to the guns. Picking one up, I got a feel of it before removing the bullets and throwing it to the ground.
Everyone looked at me like I had grown a second head. I didn’t blame them. I thought I was crazy too as I said the words. “This is the final test. And for that, we won’t be needing an extra gun.”
Even Naledi corked an eyebrow at me. Her expression told me she thought I had lost it. But I was far from crazy.
Talking to Matteo, I said, “Take the target down to the other end. Let them have one try each at the same pot. Whoever makes a perfect shot, wins.”
Murmurs rose to the air as the words left my mouth. Everyone had something to say about what they believed to be an impossible task. Why? Because the target was so far, you could barely see it, not to talk of making a perfect shot.
It’d be a miracle to hit the board at all. And I really hoped such miracle would be far from Thomas. Yes, I was rooting for my bride. Sue me.
Everything was set and soon enough, Thomas was ready to shoot. The entire atmosphere cracked with tension as they all anticipated the results of the shot.
Boom!
The bullet was fired and it took a minute to get to its destination, and another several to get the results of his shot.
“Bullseye!” We heard the results and a roar of cheer broke free.
Naledi stood firm, taking up the gun.
“Is there any need for the lady to take her turn?” Someone said from the congregation and my cold stare was answer enough.
Naledi didn’t waste time. It seemed like she was desperate to leave this place because how else do you explain the lack of preparedness that came with her shot?
It would be a miracle if she hit the target with such lack of preparation.
I underestimated her. I fucking underestimated the skill set of my woman, because with one shot she blew me and the entire Cosa Nostra family away.
“Bullseye!” A voice gave the results. “She split his bullet in half!”