"Those who have remained standing come forward.”
I heard the prince's voice, I saw a little shred of surprise in his eyes, I had been the last to get into this camp, I don't think he read my report, apparently.
I see six people in front of me, each different from the other and I know they're alphas' children, I know them. Well, I mean, I've seen the files on their packs and who their successors are. It gave me some advantage because they shouldn't have worried about reading about me. After all, I don't have any titles like Beta, Gamma and so on, despite having my own battalion.
The order of the presentation was the most logical, who was in front spoke first; in this case is a girl of 17 years, long blond hair, slightly curly at the tips, very white skin, despite being with her back to me, I know she has light brown eyes, thin nose, leased chin. She is currently wearing dark blue jeans with a black leather jacket with some silver spikes and a shift over his pants, black too, with silver accents.
"Jeniffer Newtown, I come from the BlackWoods pack, daughter of Alpha Jonathan and Luna Mary"
I heard her voice, had a slightly more hoarse tone and certainly serious, smiled in singing. The BlackWoods pack was further north, it was called precisely because the trees that grow there usually have a blackened tone and the sunlight hardly passed on the ground.
The second person was a man, he was 20 years old, one of the oldest there, dark brown hair chopped, his skin was white, I know he has green eyes like two esmeralds, a chin not so square, a beard unmade, but not by slouch, because he preferred it that way. His clothes were from someone who was at a gala event, not in a training camp, because he wore a black suit with a white shirt, his posture was one of the most relaxed.
"Dylan Miller, I come from the BlueMoon pack, son of Alpha Harrys and Luna Olivia"
I twisted my mouth lightly, turning my eyes. The BlueMoon pack was recognized for being very rich and powerful, its Alphas came from generations of academy warriors, and basically almost everyone in that pack had something of Alpha's blood, even their Omegas were strong. It was a place that valued blood and bloodline more than deserving.
The third to speak was a 15-year-old boy, one of the younger ones there, someone I could respect, his light brown hair fell to shoulder height, knew that he has eyes of two different colors, one greenish and another gray, which had more effeminate features, because the nose was thinner and the chin more rounded. Many would say he would not serve alpha' job. He was very comfortable, wearing only jeans, sneakers and a white shirt.
"Andrew Thompson, I come from the CristalLake pack, son of Alpha Michael and Luna Elizabeth"
The CristalLake pack is known to have something magical in its blood. I know it's a mixed pack between witches/wizards and werewolves, so rumor has it that your wolves, when properly trained, can activate some gifts, which is extremely rare. It was something I hadn't seen happen, but I know very well how to fight witches, if that kid has hybrid blood, then he'll be an excellent opponent.
The fourth person to open her mouth was a 17-year-old woman, had blond hair, more pulled to the gold, which fell like a cascade down her back, with her whiter skin that was highlighted by the red dress that went down to her thighs. I know that on the front is low-cut, his eyes are dark brown and his features are very reminiscent of British royalty.
"Sophia Snyder, I come from the RedHunter pack, daughter of Alpha Brian and Luna Lilian"
The RedHunter pack is known to specialize in hunting other supernatural beings, which gave them a permanent post with the Royal Council. It's a pack that didn't mind having an Alpha woman, something rare in our community.
Then another female voice invaded my ears and I looked at the person, it was an 18-year-old girl, just like me, black hair, trapped in two braids with silver ribbons adorning, her eyes are of a silver that reminded a lot of the moonlight, her features are more delicate and almost resembled the nymphs of the old tales.
"Brook Saunders, I come from the SilverMoon pack, daughter of Alpha Russell and Luna Kristen"
The SilverMoon pack was known to be blessed directly by Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, which also granted them a permanent post on the Royal Council. So it was a pack ruled by women. It was very difficult to be born a firstborn man and, even if alphas women were rare, no one dared question that pack.
And finally it was my turn. No one expected anyone else to speak, but I cleared my throat, making a certain joke too. I have short hair, on the left side cut very short, almost shaved, but with a drawing of a half moon with a dagger in it, the symbol of my pack, while the longer strands fall to the right side. The locks are colored in color, being purple at the base and pink at the ends. My eyes are an amethyst shade, which further increases the suspicion that I am a hybrid, my complexion is delicate overall, but there is a scar that runs from the top of my left ear down to my shoulder, around which I have a tattoo of a snake's tail that runs down to my collarbone. Not that anyone could see the full tattoo, as I am wearing a military uniform with a closed top over my t-shirt, a pair of baggy pants, and black boots.
"Hope Black, I come from the SilverRage pack, daughter of the Wyatt and Claire Omegas. I am a Delta."
My pack, the SilverRage, is considered one of the most brutal on record. Our warriors are loyal and can easily tear a neck apart without feeling remorse. All those who wish to train can start at age 5, although most join at age 8. I enlisted at age 5.
I smile wryly, passing my eyes over the people in front of me. The surprise in their eyes is amusing. I loved to see it, it was fun to know that I could cause this kind of reaction. After all, I am just a girl with a werewolf gene who had never transformed before, and here I am, standing while Betas, Gammas, and Omegas are kneeling.
"This was the first test."
The prince announced and once again the murmurs echoed.
"Those who are standing will be your new leaders. You must form teams of 7 people plus the leader."
I felt the prince's aura diminish, so those who were kneeling stood up and soon began to crowd around the Alphas. I just let them, I didn't want them to come to me just for my status. I noticed that some of the Omegas were being ignored and I just walked over to them, lightly touching their shoulders.
I am again further away, with my team behind me, I had not yet spoken to them, I pay attention to the prince, who looks at each team, assessing their potential and taking down the names without having to ask.
"Now that the teams are assembled you will go to the second test." He pointed up and a screen lit up with the fight keys, I wanted to laugh now. "You will fight each other, by elimination and score, last in the table will go home, leader and team. The arenas are already separated."
I watched him point around, there really were a few separate arenas, not much to use my advantage with.
"What are the rules of fighting?" I asked, looking directly into the prince's eyes. This was very important to the final outcome.
"The rules are simple: your opponent must be knocked out or ask for submission. Should the leader fall, everyone in the group is out. They can use their wolf forms."
I smiled in a corner, he hadn't said we couldn't leave the delimited area, further increasing my chances. Then I looked at the panel, and saw that the names of the leaders started to rotate, stopping at my name and Sophia's, along with the numbering of arena 3, the one closest to the exit. This was going to be a lot of fun.
Hope POV"You have five minutes to talk with your subordinates, then you must go to the designated arena. All fights will be evaluated."I picked up my cell phone and opened a message app.[Defend yourselves in case someone walks past me. Don't worry, I will take down the leader].I showed it to the group, who looked at each other.[Just trust me.]They nodded, but without showing much confidence. I walked to the arena and put my backpack on the ground outside the marker, and went to the marked place, but contrary to what they thought, I was right in front, very close to the center line, while my team positioned itself behind me.Sophia's formation was predictable, she had put the two strongest guys in front of me, while the others were on the side, she was right behind, first mistake. Beginner's mistake to underestimate your enemy."Tsc..." I spoke and ran my hands through my hair, neatening it, and put my hands back in my pockets, with a very relaxed posture.Immediately, when I hea
Hope POVThe murmurs increased, I could hear people talking about my strategies, they were not conventional, but if I was just a wolfless girl facing big beasts, then at the very least I should know how to use weapons and have several types at my disposal.I still had a few tricks up my sleeve, but it was better not to use everything. Or was it? Well, depending on that maybe I would get to the higher stages faster. I took a mint candy from inside my bag and put it in my mouth, just as I pulled out a canteen of water and drank some."Want some?" I offered and my allies accepted, I tilted my head slightly looking at the arena, we would probably have to change arenas, I hoped to stay in the last one, close to the wall and that would be a great advantage."Hope Black, your group is going to change arenas." I heard the guard's voice behind me and smiled in a corner, I was right in my assumption.I stood up, put away the canteen they gave me back, picked up my backpack, put it on my left si
Hope POV"Hey, watch out, my neck was there." I spoke, okay, now I would surely be in trouble. I'm used to answering to Alpha Julian and he always warned me that the others wouldn't be as benevolent as he was, because after all, that's how our pack worked. "You can't blame me for something Selene did."Did I immediately realize my mistake? No one would dare stand between me and the Prince, and I knew it.'I think Alpha Julian will kill me if I don't die now.'Another burst of energy and this time I had to use much more than the first to dodge. Something I had learned a couple of years ago, I had wolf gene, it meant that sometimes I could channel this mystical energy and use it to my advantage, it was something that tired me, physically and mentally and I didn't use it much. The prince gave me no room to continue, he knew what I was doing, I could see it in his gaze. Well, it was true, but that didn't mean I would be completely unprotected."A crime, for a crime..." I whispered, and i
Hope POVI am wandering in this place, in this dreamless dream, just an eternal darkness, no light, no hope.I walked until my body was tired, everywhere and still I couldn't find a way out, would there be any way out of this place? I hate this feeling of being just prey in the midst of an endless hunt.There is something about this place, I feel its gaze on my body, my skin creeps and instinctively I cringe, but I try to fight it and raise my head."COME OUT AT ONCE!" I shout into the void and feel as a laugh hits me and I twist my mouth, I want to grab whatever was laughing at me.The anger in me is palpable, it's like a wave of energy coming out of my body and disturbing this darkness around me."You won't win! I will never give up!" I spoke with conviction and this time I started running, I needed to find a way out of this place.A place that I was dragged every time I got too tired, every time I dared to dream, that I had been running and trying to fight since I was 8 years old,
Hope POVI felt Dylan's arms around me, I put both hands on his chest and tried to push him away, but despite my anger, the bond made me weak and as much as I didn't want to his smell was intoxicating, Dylan's smell was intoxicating, it was a mix between rum, tangerine leaves and musk in the background. Something elegant and powerful, unlike any other I had ever smelled. But wasn't that by any chance the sense of being Destined? The smell of his partner was heightened and just being near him was able to soothe and heal.I lifted my head and looked deep into his dark blue eyes and only realized I was holding my breath when I felt his fingers pulling a lock of my hair away and then I shook my head to clear my thoughts.'No... just no... I need to stay away...'That thought almost made me groan in pain, but I just pushed my head away and looked at the doctor."Am I cleared now?" I asked trying to keep my voice as professional as possible."Yes, I'll have them bring clothes for you to ret
Hope POVI heard the guys leaving and I was the last one to leave, I followed the guys to the practice area, when I approached I saw the coach looking down at me."I'm Joshua, this training is to evaluate your skills as a leader." I listened carefully, my face serious. "Your previous group will be passed on to you and from now on you will be evaluated on their development. In three weeks there will be a test to check your group's development."I nodded positively and looked again at the arena and well, I didn't like what I saw, it was something ordinary."Do I necessarily need to train them here?" I asked and couldn't help my tone of disapproval."Well, that's the right thing to do. That way it will be easier for us to evaluate you.""But is it mandatory that I train them here?" I asked again and looked into Joshua's eyes."No...""Good." I spoke quickly and walked past him and looked at the 7 who were my designees. "Come." I turned my back and started walking out of the arena. I pass
Kendrick POVI heard a familiar voice, well it had been many years since I had heard that voice, but it was almost impossible not to recognize it. Ever since I was 16 years old that voice haunted me, even in my dreams. I was happy and at the same time tense, if the rumors were real she didn't belong to me."Can I choose anyone?" I turned to see the colorful haired girl running her hand through various weapons. Rachel's response was what everyone expected, always start training with the weapon she is least skilled at. I saw her pick up the double metal baton. I arched my eyebrow, that was definitely not the one she was least skilled at, but it had been years since I had seen her train, my father had warned that she had improved a lot. As soon as she picked up the stick Rachel launched herself at her and her response made me laugh, it was something my father always said and then I saw her movements, pulling Rachel's paw away with a thud at the joint of her paws.Simple, if you are not
Hope POVI lost my mind, I let anger take over and all I saw were things my mind wanted me to see and not what reality was showing. I twisted my mouth. Kendrick was right, I needed to stabilize myself before I tried to fight someone again, otherwise I would most likely end up killing the person.I took a deep breath and ran my hand through my hair and entered the room, I was the first to arrive, since I had been dismissed from wolf training earlier. I took the opportunity to look around the room.The blackboard, it wasn't a blackboard, it was actually touchscreen, there was a computer on the table where the teacher would be and a projector attached to the ceiling. The students' desks were designed to have laptops instead of notebooks. All this technology was mixed with solid wood furniture, a large dark wine carpet with geometric designs in black and some gold details.The old blending with the new. I picked up my cell phone and opened the messaging app.[Um, I think I need a laptop]
Hope POVI know what I need to do, and I don't regret this decision. I know they will cry, but I can only pray that the Gods guide their next steps. I hope they find their second chance, that they can be happy without me.As I grab Melvin's collar, pushing him back and bringing the darkness along with me I see him smile in a corner, but that smile will disappear, because I use my left hand to pierce the place where his heart is and I see the surprise appear and die in those eyes that I once loved. I loved Melvin and not this corrupted version of him.I can feel the darkness around me surrounding me, hurting me, breaking the armor that covers me, and falling into that endless pit and I don't know how long I fought and defended myself, but I finally hit the ground. I've gotten used to the taste on my lips. Finally, I raise my eyes and I want to bow before the beings that are in front of me, the power that emanates from them is so gigantic that my soul shudders, and doubts begin to arise
Note: This chapter will be written in the third person because there are so many characters involved.There couldn't be any soul that didn't feel the grief, for even the Gods are crying, that heavy and freezing rain is leaning on their bodies and their souls understand that this day is a day of Mourning.For those who can see the other world, they could see the Harvesters walking over the battlefields collecting the souls that were making their way to the Mekai.The tears of children who had lost their parents and parents who had lost their children mingled with the Divine tears as if trying to console each other...That night had been exhausting, it had been heavy, it had been a disaster and as much as it was known that the Corruption had retreated, there was still no feeling that it had been won.It was simply all about loss because those who survived now had to bury those who died and had to mourn for those who were lost.The feeling of no winner is so dense that you can't hear the
Erick POVWhen my brother finally realized what a foolish thing he was doing, I saw that Kaiden was fighting a she-wolf and I knew that the two of them had been destined, my Beast told me what had happened.I approach Hope and soon I can see several smaller creatures piercing the blockade that is around as the other four chosen are focused on defeating Melvin. Using the movements of my hands, the chains that are at my feet begin to move to wrap around, trap and exterminate those smaller creatures that dared to approach.It wasn't tiring to do, just boring, because none of them had any power to compare to mine. I notice Hope is standing still, looking at the movements of her chosen ones, she is smiling happily, with a dreamy expression.She's seeing what the end of that fight will be like, and from the looks of it, it's going to be a good one.I turn my attention to a shadow that manages to gather closer, it had fed on the corruption that had not been annihilated before and that rain o
Dylan POVI don't want to believe what's in front of me, when Melvin's name echoed from Hope's lips I wanted to just explode with rage. How was this possible? I almost lost my Mate several times because she was afraid of what would happen if I marked her...I almost lost her because she had killed Melvin... I almost lost her because there is a curse on the place where my mark will be on her... I almost lost her because of that?!'No!'Sin shouted in my mind, our anger turning to Wrath as the images of the distant future flash by and I can sense that Marcus and Lestat share the same sentiment. Yes, I would have respected Hope's oath in that other future, because I would have seen that she was already on the right path, that she was already happy in her world...'That creature in front of us will be erased from existence!'Sin told me and I agreed with him, because after all when I met Hope I had seen a girl who used various tricks to hide how broken she was. Hope didn't want to get clo
Kendrick POVI didn't get to have much contact with Melvin, sure I had trained with him, but we weren't friends or close... When the first reports came out that Hope and Melvin were dating, Night immediately wanted to go back to the pack, but what were we going to do? Stop Hope from dating?That wasn't an option, so I focused on training, trying to forget that the person I loved was with someone else... Then came the news of Hope's first temper tantrum... I didn't see it, but from the reports, I knew she had been distraught and again Night wanted to go back to see her, but again, what could I do?What I did was just promise myself that I would stay strong enough so that Hope would never have to fight again in a way that could lose her control. That's how I began to unlock the powers Night had and after a year I was kneeling before the King reciting the Oath of Loyalty and Protection.I didn't do this at all without my father's permission, back then how could we have predicted that Hop
Marcus POVIt is no longer news that I am old, that I have been walking on this plane for many, many years... I have had opportunities to choose to die, rest and then reincarnate... I have had loves and enemies, family and loneliness...You all know that I no longer have descendants, that I chose not to bond with anyone anymore, and that I was simply being an observer on this plane, concerned with protecting humanity since I was Created for that.So I felt again, I lived again, I desired again... The one responsible for that was a girl who invaded my base and looked into my eyes saying that I would train her. The SilverRage pack had already requested a Delta who showed exceptional skills and had some Divine gifts. I denied it. How many times had I heard of some "saint" and it was nothing but nonsense?One afternoon the alarms at my base went off and no one could locate the person responsible, but the runes my sister had placed all over the place indicated that there was someone underc
Lestat POVWhat is the sun? It seems like a simple question, doesn't it? Some would say that it is the star that makes up the solar system... Others would say that it is a red dwarf, a classification of the types of stars that exist... Many would still say that it is what gives life to Earth...For me, the Sun is something greater, something that has brought me Light in times of Darkness, it is what has made me continue to have faith in the Gods, the One who blessed me and accepted me as I am... The Sun can be welcoming or simply burn everything!Right now I am the Son of the Sun, but I don't want to welcome, I simply want to burn! I want to consume and see that creature disappear amid My Light!I comforted Hope several times, even though she was appearing to be whole, I could see her pieces and the way she was bleeding. I could see through her soul, and I wanted to show her the beauty that was in the Light!I didn't know what I needed to do, but the Beast that dwells within me had al
Kaiden POVHow? Why? When? Even standing in front of me I don't want to believe it, it can't be real, Melvin would never become what I'm seeing. The boy that I knew, that I lived with, that was my best friend! That boy would never have chosen to become this creature so... so... I can't even find a word.Everything seems to be slowing down, and it really was, one second stretched into so much more and as I hear and see what my beloved is suffering and how the future could have been my disbelief turned to anger.'We will avenge her!'I heard my wolf speak, and I shuddered, I don't just want to avenge my beloved, I want to destroy that creature because that being was not my friend and never would be! Melvin, the warrior within the SilverRage pack had died and that was an aberration!I don't fight this pressure that is around. I don't want to, because I know that when I get free I will turn and I don't know if I will want to control myself.I let Lestat and Erick keep that bubble of time
Erick POVSomething inside me wants to get out, my Beast is restless, as those images pass, this sensation, this feeling increases and it is like a poison because I need to release it.What that boy had chosen was much more than just choosing the wrong side and I want to exterminate him. Yes, I don't just want to kill him. I want to eliminate any trace that he ever existed on Earth.I'm shaking, and I can feel my aura expanding and the space between everyone became heavier and yet when that creature screamed I wasn't able to protect Hope as I saw her fall to her knees and the smell of her blood spread to a catalyst for everyone to want to move and counter-attack but we are still "trapped" in this little bubble of time, not because of Hope but because of my aura.Not just mine, Lestat's aura is gigantic and blends with mine in such a way that even gravity begins to bend, just as it bends before the sun. I manage to walk over to Hope and help her up."You tried," I spoke calmly, a calm