by G. K. DeRosa
Tyrien lifted his thick arms and called out, “Let the trials begin!”
The ground quaked beneath my feet once again, and a flurry of activity sprang to life across the arena. Stages, platforms, climbing walls, pits and a variety of other wooden contraptions appeared from below the sandy surface. The wolves standing behind us began to disperse, each headed in the direction of one of the self-contained areas. At a quick count, there seemed to be ten distinct sections.
My eyes must have been bugging out because Ransom turned to me and offered a reassuring smile. “It’s day one, Violet. The trials start slowly before ramping up. The lower packs will spend most of the day fighting each other off in epically boring displays of valor. We’ll mostly parade around, wave at the audience and compete in one or two basic events.”
Viceroy dug his elbow into my side and shot me a fanged grin. “He’s right. Today is mostly for show. No one really believes one of the lesser packs could win, not against our firepower.” His tongue slid between his teeth, showcasing the creepy reptilian cleft.
I eyed the nearest quadrant where a wooden tower had been erected. Five wolves circled the tall structure as a man in a white uniform spouted instructions.
Hunter moved, placing himself between Viceroy and me. “The first week of competition is all based on points.” He ticked his head toward the males around the tower I’d been scoping out. “For example, over there, each male will be timed to see who reaches the top fastest. Points will be awarded. At the end of the day, there will be a tally and a leaderboard.”
“But Ransom just said that we only compete in a few of these, while the others are forced to complete all, correct?”
He nodded.
“Then how would we get sufficient points to move on?”
“We always move on, Violet,” Ransom interjected. “The twelve of us essentially have a free pass. Until we near the finals.”
Viceroy smirked. “Once all the others have been eliminated, that’s when the real competition starts.”
This seemed all kinds of unfair. “So why do they compete at all? They don’t stand a chance.”
One of the faery wolves joined the conversation, lifting his perfectly straight nose in the air. “It gives them the illusion of grandeur. If we didn’t at least allow them to believe they had a chance to rule, it would only be a matter of time before they revolted. Though their power is insignificant, they greatly outnumber us. If they’re not kept content, we wouldn’t be able to live in peace as we do.”
“It doesn’t seem right,” I muttered. The five males from the normal packs had already begun to scale the tower. Even at this distance, I could see the fierce determination carved into their faces. They deserved a chance to rule as much as any of us.
“It may not be right, but it’s the way of the wolves,” Ransom responded. “Just be glad you were born into the right pack.”
I scoffed. The Mystics had been cut down, my father had been murdered and I’d spent my life in hiding. That didn’t exactly make me lucky.
“Enough mindless chatter,” Hunter interrupted. “Go and at least pretend you’re doing something.” He shooed off the rest of the sparkly unicorn wolves until only the two of us remained.
I tried to move, but my feet were planted to the ground, thick roots digging into the sand. I eyed the ten obstacles and tried to determine which looked the least foreboding. The tower was looking pretty good right now. I’d always been good at climbing, even enjoyed it back in human Phys Ed class.
“Come on, I’ll go with you.” Hunter’s hand eased onto the small of my back, and I couldn’t help but lean into his touch.
“Wait, were you just listening to my thoughts?”
He shook his head, but the corner of his lips lifted. “It’s like I’m a radio receiver attuned to only one station. I have to focus to block you out. With the others, I have to focus in to listen.” He shrugged. “I suppose it’s a side effect of the mate bond.”
“Then we definitely need to get that taken care of,” I huffed.
Hunter’s half smile twisted into a full frown, and his hand dropped from my back. He marched a few feet ahead of me as he led the way toward the tower. It had been a bratty comment, but sometimes I couldn’t help myself. He was so infuriating he was making me crazy and unstable. One minute I wanted to keep the bond and fight for him, and the next I wasn’t sure if all the pain was worth it.
I was a hot mess.
The moment we approached the tower, the attendant raced forward and dipped into a bow. The other five wolves scattered, leaving only Hunter and me.
“Supreme beta Aristaeus, it is my honor to serve, and you as well, alpha Sierra.” The man dressed in the white uniform kept his gaze to the ground the entire time he spoke.
Alpha Sierra? It kind of had a nice ring to it. My wolf purred in response, the faint vibrations filling my core.
“Will you go first, sir?” He inclined his head toward Hunter.
“No, we’ll go together.”
“Very well.” He straightened and motioned toward the tall wooden structure.
Now up close, I guessed it extended at least fifty feet high. Definitely higher than at gym class. I searched the looming obstacle for a pulley system or harnesses, but it really was nothing like the climbing walls we’d practiced on at school. No hand or footholds every few feet, only a few grooves and indentations in the worn wood. Perhaps I’d miscalculated the ease of this particular contest.
“Ready?” Hunter eyed me as we approached the structure.
The first groove was well beyond my reach at my measly five foot nothing. Maybe if I jumped? I wanted to smack myself for ever agreeing to this. I should’ve run away last week like Mom had suggested. If this was the easy stuff, I didn’t belong here at all.
“Sierra?”
“Huh?” I tore my anxious gaze from the wall and met a pair of warm golden ones.
Use your claws. Hunter’s voice interrupted my dismal thoughts.
Oh, right! Not that I’d ever summoned them on purpose. But they did seem to show up pretty easily whenever I was angry. I focused on everything I’d learned since arriving in Moon Valley, on the death of my father, the demise of my pack, my mate’s rejection and on and on.
My claws popped out, digging into my palm. I suppressed the squeal and latched onto the wood. “Ready,” I finally said.
The attendant pressed a button, and a timer appeared at the top of the tower. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Hunter took off, and I clawed my way after him. I grunted as I pulled myself up, my boots miraculously gripping onto the worn surface. My suit too seemed to magically adhere to the wood, tiny fingers of fabric clinging on and helping me ascend.
“Come on, slow poke.” Hunter was already at least ten feet above me.
“I’m trying!” I growled. “I told you physical fitness was not something the coven focused on. I’m amazed I’ve gotten this far.” I glanced down at the sandy floor maybe five feet below. Damn, I could’ve sworn I’d been climbing forever already.
“Use your legs, they’re stronger than your arms.”
“Maybe your legs.” His were like tree trunks, mine were like pillowy cookie dough. Hell, his whole god-like body was made for events like these. Starting tomorrow I needed a training regimen. There was no way I’d survive any of this if I didn’t shape up like yesterday.
I reached up and dug my claws into the wood, once I had a firm hold I pulled myself up. Again and again. My shoulders burned, my biceps on fire. My breath came out in ragged spurts as I struggled up the side of the tower.
A sharp ring turned my attention skyward. Hunter had reached the top and the victory bell reverberated across the arena. His dragon wings snapped out, and he slowly descended. Wrapping his arms across his chest, he eyed me with a mischievous grin. “Come on, Sierra, we don’t have all day. Tick-tock, alpha girl.”
I loosed one claw and shot him the middle finger. He chuckled, still leisurely flapping his wings as I pulled myself up anoth
er foot. “Why didn’t you just use those stupid wings to fly to the top in the first place?”
“No special powers allowed in the first round. It wouldn’t be fair to the others.”
“Since when do you care what’s fair to the lesser packs?” I huffed out between pants.
He floated a foot higher to keep up with my slow progression. “I do care, Sierra. I care enough to enter this damned competition again.”
Again. In my own moments of self-pity, I’d forgotten about what he’d gone through as a child. Forced to compete against full grown males to please his a-hole father.
“I want to ensure a better future for all my wolves, and that includes the other thirty-nine lesser packs. You forget my best friend is one of them.”
Vander. Where was he anyway? “I’m sorry,” I gritted out. “Maybe we can continue this conversation when I’m not avoiding a fall to my death, okay?”
His lips twitched, but he schooled them back into an irritated pout. “I won’t let you fall.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, now move faster. As it is, you’re going to be the last one to reach the top, and I’m pretty sure I saw a centenarian in the bunch. You’re going to be the laughingstock of the day.”
I shot him a colorful curse through the bond and reached up again. My claws sank into the wood, and I tugged myself up again. He was right, this was going to take forever, but I wouldn’t give up. I had to prove to these alpha heirs I belonged here.
An excruciating two hours later, I sat with Cass in the underground dressing chamber. Muscles I didn’t even know I had screamed in agony. My palms and fingers were bloody, my claws filed down to the tips.
“Hey, you made it to the top. That’s all that matters, girl.” She applied a minty balm to the hands, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from squealing at her tender touch.
“It took me fifty-five minutes, Cass.” I stared up at the screen that had been set up in the corner of the room. “That’s almost half an hour slower than the worst time.”
“So? You’ve only been a wolf for like a minute. These guys have been training for this their entire lives.”
“What am I going to do when I actually have to fight someone? I’m going to get killed. Which is exactly what Tyrien wants.”
“We’re just going to have to make sure that doesn’t happen. I’m sure Hunter would train you.”
I shot her a scathing glare.
“Or Ransom? What about Vander?”
I shook my head, and the muscles in my neck spasmed. Son of a werewolf! “There’s not enough time, Cass. And they’ve got plenty on their plates dealing with the trials, I can’t expect them to drop everything to help me.”
“Okay but Ransom already told you that all the Lunar Packs automatically move on to the finals, right? So all you have to do is stay alive till then. Once you’ve made it that far, there’s no shame in dropping it, girl.”
It was ridiculous to want to stay and fight. I knew that, but the alpha wolf inside me just wouldn’t let me quit. “Ugh. I’m going to have to ask them to train me. They could probably use the extra workout, right?”
“Riiight.” Cass squeezed me into a hug, and this time the cry of pain pealed out before I could stop it. “Ack, sorry, sorry!” She quickly released me and shot me a smile. “And I’m going to help you with your magic. You might not be able to use it yet, but if I can figure out how to pry it out of you, you’ll have a much better shot in the later rounds.”
“Thanks, Cass. What would I do without you?”
“Luckily, you’ll never have to find out.”
Chapter Five
“Again, Sierra. And this time like you mean it.”
I glared up at Vander as I imagined his face on the punching bag, pulled my arm back and swung as hard as I could. My fist hit the canvas and I winced, clenching my jaw to keep from cursing. Despite Cass’s magical salve and my enhanced werewolf healing, my hands were still killing me from yesterday’s climb.
When I’d gotten home last night, after a hot bath of course, I’d texted Vander about training. He’d shown up before dawn and dragged me out of bed to the university gym before my first cup of coffee. I was not pleased.
“One more time,” he barked. “Harder.”
Gritting my teeth, I punched the crimson canvas with my left hand then my right, back and forth, my knuckles numbing with each hit.
“Nice, that’s what I’m talking about. Now you can take a break.” He handed me a bottle of water, but my legs gave out before I could close the glove around the container. Did I mention my legs were sore too?
Vander folded down next to me and eased my gloves off. My shoulder blades stung, hundreds of tiny wasps jabbing at my tender flesh. I could barely keep my arm up long enough to gulp down the water.
“Not bad for your first day, Sierra.” He rewarded me with an indulgent smile as he tugged his shirt back over his head. Like most wolves, he was in ridiculously good shape. I was sure the Supernatural Intelligence Agency must have had a fairly strenuous workout routine for their agents.
“Thanks. You know, when I asked for help, I didn’t mean at five a.m. the very next day.”
“I saw you at the trials yesterday, Sierra. You need all the help you can get and the sooner the better.”
“Thanks a lot, jerk.”
A faint smile crossed his lips before he covered it with a chug from his bottle of water. “Hunter wanted to be here this morning, but he couldn’t get away early enough. He sent me to make sure you could learn to handle yourself.”
“Right.”
“He’s worried for you, you know.”
“He didn’t seem very worried when he kicked my ass on that tower of terror.”
“From what I heard, he stayed with you for the entire hour to catch you if you fell.”
I shrugged and took another sip. “Yeah, yeah.”
The gym was beginning to fill up, probably a quick last-minute work out before heading to the arena to check out the spectacle. A couple of the wolves had already eyed me as they entered. Word must have gotten out about my spectacularly disappointing first day.
Vander rose and offered me a hand. “We should head back so I can get you to the arena on time.”
I huffed out a breath and closed my fingers around his big palm. “Do you think this training is actually going to help? How much better can I get in a few weeks?”
“You’re a wolf, Sierra. You’re not like ordinary humans. Your body was created for events like this. You’re stronger, faster, more agile. We just have to remind your muscles of that.”
“Okay…” I wasn’t convinced, but I’d vowed to give the trials my all, plus there was the whole added incentive of not dying. “So same time tomorrow?” Please say no, please say no. I wasn’t sure I could handle another predawn wake-up call.
“No, actually Hunter will be on Sierra training duty tomorrow. He’ll meet up with you after the days’ events.”
I gulped. If they were anything like yesterday’s, I’d be wiped out before my workout session began.
Vander started toward the door and I followed behind him, ignoring the curious gazes trailing after me. “We’re working on a schedule between the two of us. I’ll take most days, but he wants to attend a few to check on your progress.”
Nosy, overbearing alpha… “Ransom said he’d help too,” I added, quieting my own thoughts. Vander let out a grunt as he held the door open, and sunlight blasted my pupils. I lifted my arm to cover my eyes as they adjusted to the brightness. “Why do you guys hate him so much?”
“Because he’s devious and conniving.”
“Maybe to you, but he’s been pretty decent with me.”
He arched a brow, his expression souring. “Wasn’t he the one that got you into the Alpha Trials mess in the first place?”
“Yes, but he swears he turned me in to Tyrien to protect me from his own cunning father, and so that I’d get a shot at alpha. Which he seems to think I deserve.�
� He opened his mouth to undoubtedly argue some more, but I cut him off. “Ransom’s my friend and you and Hunter are just going to have to live with it. Until he proves me wrong, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t prove you wrong at a precarious point in the middle of the trials.”
I shot him a good eye roll and turned toward Lupine Hill. “Later, Vander.”
“I’m supposed to escort you to the trials.”
“No need. Cass is coming, and we’re heading over together.”
A hint of excitement flashed across his hazel irises. “I should stay. The two of you together are a certain combination for trouble.”
Was that little sparkle in his eyes for my bestie? I’d been so wrapped up in my life I’d never even asked her how she’d been getting adjusted to life in Moon Valley. Had she and Vander hit it off the night of the gala after I’d disappeared?
“Fine,” I muttered and motioned up the hill. “After you.” My legs were still burning, and I hoped he wouldn’t notice my slow pace. I was going to be so screwed today.
Boos and hisses boomed from the arena as Vander, Cass and I passed through the stone archway. I’d been quiet since my best friend arrived, silently watching her exchange with Hunter’s wolf buddy. There was definitely something brewing there.
“What’s going on?” I asked when we crossed the threshold, and the howling and jeering became overwhelming.
“It sounds like a cat needs to be put out of its misery,” said Cass, clapping her hands over her ears.
Vander peered toward the crowd and shook his head. “Sounds like one of the Lunar Pack wolves used their powers.”
“Oh.” I’d really lucked out with this no special power thing for the first round. Because as of right now, I was lower than the lowest lesser pack wolf. Not only was my magic non-existent, but I also couldn’t shift and I barely knew how to control my own wolf. “What happens if you do?”