2- THE DARK WOODS

CHAPTER ONE

-WILHELMINA-

The Alpha Games had been going on for approximately one week now, and today marked the final showdown. The competition had initially consisted of over a hundred highly skilled and experienced alpha werewolves. But as the days passed, that number steadily decreased until only three remained. Boris Gravemaw was an expected finalist, known for his incredible strength and clever tactics. However, I, Wilhelmina Growler, was a surprising addition, using a combination of intelligence and brute force to succeed. And finally, my older brother Weldon - a master strategist - completed the trio.

The final event was set at midnight during the full moon, when our transformations were at their peak. The rules were simple; whoever could retrieve the Alpha's Crown from the heart of the treacherous Dark Woods and bring it back to the pack grounds was the new Alpha. The Crown, a symbolic relic, was set deep within the forest, surrounded by traps and challenges designed to test our strength, cunning, and resilience. It was not just a physical journey but also a mental one.

Over the years, countless Alphas had traveled this path, their stories woven into the fabric of our pack's history. This time, it would be Boris, Weldon and me. Each of us represented different aspects of leadership; a blend of strength and intelligence respectively. We were about to cultivate our own stories that would either be enshrined in glory or sink into the depths of forgotten tales.

The night was upon us before we knew it. The moon, in her full glory, shone down upon our pack's gathered members, casting an eerie glow on the sea of faces looking up at us. A hush had fallen over the crowd, their anticipation tangible in the cool night air.

"May the best wolf win," Boris winked, his lips pulling up in a smirk as he met my gaze.

"And so we shall," I shot back, meeting his challenging gaze with unwavering determination. Weldon, ever the silent strategist, merely nodded his acknowledgment.

Elder Greymane, as ancient as the traditions we were about to challenge, raised his gnarled hand. The crowd held their collective breath. In the deafening silence, Greymane's voice echoed through the grounds as he marked the commencement of the final trial.

"Once again, we gather for the Alpha Games," he began, his voice resonating through the silence. "A tradition that has shaped our pack since time immemorial. Today, we have three candidates who will strive against each other and against the Dark Woods itself. Only one of them will return as Alpha."

A renewed hush fell over the crowd, the gravity of the elder's words hanging in the air.

"Remember," Elder Greymane continued, locking his gaze onto each of us in turn, "The path to leadership is not just about physical strength, but also about wisdom and courage. The Dark Woods will test your mettle. It will challenge your heart, your instincts, your very being. Every step you take, every move you make, will determine if the pack's welfare is indeed your foremost concern."

His gaze fell last on me, as if he was reluctant to look at me, but bound by duty. There it lingered, a hard glint in his eyes. He was a traditionalist through and through, and believed that the position of Alpha should be held by a male wolf. I had always known it, had fought his prejudices with my actions at every turn, but tonight his disapproval stung more than ever.

"May you meet your destiny – whatever it may be," he finally spoke. His voice did not hold the warmth and encouragement I heard when he spoke to Boris or Weldon. His words echoed around me, a cruel reminder of the uphill battle I faced. I held his gaze with determination, my heart pounding with defiance and resolve. I would not be swayed by his ancient beliefs or his disdainful glances. This was my fight just as much as it was Boris' or Weldon's.

"Let the Alpha Games commence!" Elder Greymane bellowed.

The crowd held their breath in anticipation, their eyes glued to us as we prepared to start the most grueling test of our lives. Boris and Weldon took off without a second thought, their forms shifting mid-air into large, powerful wolves that seemed to devour the moonlight, their fur shining with unearthly glow. But I, I took a moment. I stood there, feeling the chill of the night around me, the distant howls of our pack members echoing in my ears, the calm before the storm. Then, with a surge of adrenaline, I too morphed into my wolf form.

My paws pounded the earth as I dashed forward, a streak of silver under the moonlight. The Dark Woods loomed ahead, an ominous kingdom of shadows and secrets that held both our destinies and doom. I could hear Boris and Weldon ahead, their heavy breaths echoing through the dense forest. Boris had chosen strength, barreling through the forest with reckless abandon, snapping branches under his massive form as he went. Weldon, on the other hand, had chosen strategy, using his keen senses to detect and avoid traps as he darted along the shadowy paths barely used by our pack.

I chose to blend both strategies. I kept a steady but relentless pace, using raw strength when necessary but allowing my keen senses to guide me through the dark labyrinth. The world became a blur of dark, towering trees, the crackling of dry leaves under my paws, and the rush of wind past my ears, punctuated by the distant howl of unknown creatures lurking in these woods.

My journey through the Dark Woods was not without its trials. The forest was alive, teeming with ancient magic and cunning beasts that tested my resolve with every step. At one point, a vicious ghoul lunged at me from the shadows, its bared teeth gleaming menacingly under the moonlight. Without missing a beat, I leapt aside, narrowly avoiding its gnashing jaws. I retaliated with a snarl, my claws slashing through the air to strike the ghoul. It yelped in pain and retreated into the shadows.

My heart pounded in my chest as I continued, the ghoul's attack leaving a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. The scent of pine and wet earth filled my nostrils, mingling with the metallic tang of my fear. The chilling howls of hidden creatures echoed around me, their unsettling symphony a constant reminder of the perilous journey that lay ahead.

Not long after, a pit opened up beneath me with a sickening crack. I barely had time to react before I was tumbling down, darkness swallowing me whole. My instincts took over as I shifted mid-fall back to my human form, hands clawing at the rough dirt walls in a desperate bid for purchase. With a grunt, I managed to catch hold of a jagged root and halt my descent. When I finally crawled out of the pit, covered in dust and grime, I wasted no time transforming back into my wolf form. The transformation gave me renewed strength.

My heart pounding fiercely against my chest, I surged forward once again, my luminous eyes scanning the shadowy depths of the woods. A sudden storm rolled in, lashing the forest with rain and lightning, making it even more treacherous to navigate. But I was undeterred. The sky above erupted with a crackle of thunder so intense it sent the birds fluttering from their nests in terror. Sheets of rain battered my fur, soaking me to the skin. Lightning illuminated the darkness in flashes of stark white light, briefly revealing the gnarled faces of ancient trees contorted in silent screams.