Chapter Two

It didn’t take so much time for our professors to grade our final results, As the initiation ceremony is fast approaching. The results needed to be out on time, so we all know the position we are fitting in, in the pack. That of course is after passing the initiation ceremony.

As expected, I came top of the class, but I nearly got a perfect mark. Everyone was surprised, myself included. Yes, I studied hard, but I never thought I could get such high score breaking the history in Dauntless park.

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I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I look around at the other young wolves, my heart racing with both fear and excitement. I’ve been waiting for this moment for months, eager to prove myself to the pack and finally become a true member of the family.

 It was the night of the trials, the one that will determine whether one will be initiated into the pack on the full moon or not. 

 The trials are intense, designed to test our strength and our courage. It’s not for the faint of heart, but I know I can handle it. I may not be the strongest or the fastest, but I’m smart with a strategic mind, and I’ve been studying the tactics of the other wolves, analyzing their every move and strategizing how to outsmart them in combat and I can use their weaknesses to my advantage.

As the sun begins to set and the full moon rises high in the sky, we gather together, ready to begin the trials. The air is thick with the scent of excitement and nervous energy as we form a circle around the open field, waiting for our turn to face our opponents, we will be asked to pick a random number on the jar placed in front of us, the number tells us who we are fighting with.

As the trials began, I was paired up with Lora, one of the strongest and most skilled young wolves in the pack. I could feel my heart begins to pound in my chest as we stepped into the center of the circle, our eyes locked in combat. Lora was fierce, with a wild look in her eyes, as we circled each other, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I could tell that she was sizing me up, looking for weaknesses to exploit, and I knew that I had to be careful.

The fight is intense, and I can feel my heart racing as we circle each other, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.  I tried to stay one step ahead, to use my mind to outmaneuver her. She’s strong, but I’m quick, darting in and out of her range and delivering quick, precise blows that leave her reeling.  

For a moment, it looks like I might actually win. Suddenly she catches me off guard, with Lora delivering quick, powerful blows that left me reeling. I tried to fight back, using my intelligence and strategy to find openings in her defense, but she was too strong for me. 

She was faster and more agile, with a strength that I couldn't match and suddenly Lora delivered the final blow, knocking me to the ground, my head spinning and my body aching with pain. I watch disgustingly as Lora steps back, her eyes glowing with satisfaction as she howls triumphantly at the full moon with the crowd cheering and howling loudly.

I can feel the weight of disappointment and shame settles heavily on my shoulders as I realize that I’ve failed.  And in that moment I knew that I won’t be initiated into the Dauntless Pack during the full moon. 

As I stumbled to my feet, trying to shake off the pain, something caught my eye. All my senses fall apart the pain I was feeling from getting beaten up fading in an instant, something smells so good. It’s almost like a calming agent, in the crowd, I saw him. The Alpha, Clark I watched as his eyes suddenly glazed in silver, it was just for a nano seconds, suddenly it disappears. My breath hitches in my throat as I watched his jaw slacking.  And I knew in that moment, with a sudden sense of certainty, that he was my mate. In that moment, the cheering and yells fade away, I felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that maybe; just maybe, I could still find a place in the pack. Suddenly I felt dazed and I was surrounded with darkness. 

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I woke up a few minutes later or maybe few hours, I wouldn’t know, looking at my surrounding I knew I was at the park clinic, wondering how I must have gotten there.

 The last thing I remembered was standing up from the ground after the ultimate defeat by Lora.

 I remembered getting the glaze and sighting Alpha Clark as my mate. I felt a little glimpse of hope but as the reality of my defeat settled in, that hope began to fade. How could I ever be a Luna, a leader of the Dauntless Pack, when I couldn't even win a simple fight? I had failed, and I knew what that meant. The Dauntless Park would never accept a weak Luna, and with my physical limitations, I would never be strong enough to lead.

I tried to shake off the pain and concentrate on the sounds around me. The room was quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of the machines monitoring vital signs. As I lay there, lost in my thoughts, I heard a knock at the door, and then the door to the clinic opened.

It was him. Alpha Clark, My Mate. 

My heart leapt into my throat as he strode towards me, his face stern and unreadable, his posture radiating power and authority. 

My mind was spinning with thoughts of what was to come. “Would the Alpha reject me, now that he knew I was not strong enough to fight? Would I be cast out, left to fend for myself?”

Clark was a formidable Alpha; even though he had to become an alpha at a very young age after the passing of his father I knew that he had high expectations for his pack. I just hoped that he would understand my strengths and weaknesses and maybe just maybe accept me for my strenths.

"Hello, Alice," he said, his voice low and gravelly.

"Hello, Alpha," I replied trying to sound respectful, my voice came out weak and frail barely above a whisper.

I groan slightly, as I try to sit up, my head is banging real hard, might just be the death of me. I’m sure my eyes are totally black by now as I could feel it throbbing lightly

He stood there for a moment, looking down at me, and I felt as though he could see right through me. Finally, he spoke.

Your performance in the trials was way out of it” Alpha Clark began, his deep blue eyes drilling into mine. “As the alpha of the Dauntless Pack, it is my duty to ensure that we have the best of the best. And I cannot afford to have a weak mate as my Luna”. 

I felt a sudden wake of shock, disappointment and hurt wash over me. Did he really think I was that weak and undeserving of being his mate? I struggled to hold back tears as I looked away, feeling like a complete failure. 

“I am sorry Alpha Clark,” I tried to mutter. “I tried my best, but I have always known that I am not strong physically but I can….”

“I do not doubt your intelligence, tactics and abilities Alice". He said cutting me off, with his voice softening slightly. “But in this pack, the utmost ability is strength, strength is of utmost importance. And to qualify as a Luna, as my Mate, You need to be a strong and capable leader, you couldn’t even go pass the first round Alice, I’m sure you should be aware that I wouldn’t take someone who couldn’t defeat just one opponent as my Luna. You barely have what it takes to even be a part of the Dauntless Pack..  "I'm sorry to say that I cannot accept you as my mate."

“I will keep trying Alpha, but please don’t do this, I will train harder, day and night, I will try everything I can to gain physical strength. I will use my intelligence and tactics to assist you as your mate”. I said desperately at the verge of tears. 

“Too late, Alice, I spoke with the elders of the pack and we have come to the agreement that; I reject you as my Mate” He said fiercely. With that, he turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my broken heart. 

I knew that I was not strong enough and I had always felt like I did not fit in the Dauntless Pack, I had hoped that Clark would see past my weekends and appreciate my intelligence and wit, and now, it was official. I was not good enough to be a part of them. 

The rejection stung more than anything I had ever experienced, this is like a new level of pain and agony, and I suddenly felt like an outcast, an unwanted member of the pack. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to hold back the sobs that threatened to escape. I felt so alone and helpless, lying in that clinic bed, feeling so lost and clueless as to what to do next knowing that I will not be initiated into the pack during the full moon, even though I will have to attend the ceremony.