All Chapters of The Heart Of Ice Alpha: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Rebecca gave us a dirty look as we walked up to the center area. Her groupies were behind her, looking more worried by our sudden presence than she did. They were in front of the entrance, not letting people enter. The elites protested at this as Judy and I watched. Comparing how many people entered the forest for the initial ceremony to how many were left now, a good chunk of the freshmen had been eliminated already. The center arena was bigger than I expected and totally enclosed, what was inside a secret other than the door leading in. Looking in I couldn’t make out what was inside other than the dirt floor. The door itself had two large mental portions that looked like they were swinging shut once the finale of the trial began - keeping us in until a victor emerged. I eyed the crowd to see who my competition would be…. It seemed like it wouldn’t be too hard. The entrance to the center arena was large but not large enough to get around the four girls who stood as a united front.

Rebecca looked shocked, her red-haired wolf took a few steps back as I shifted. As I did, the all-encompassing and powerful feeling overtook me. Arna awoke within me and then overtook me. The people watching us let out gasps as my wolf appeared. My white fur shifted in the breeze as I bared my teeth at Rebecca. Her wolf was smaller than mine and more lithe, but I knew I was more acrobatic and skilled than her. Now that I could shift, this fight seemed easier than ever. I had already defeated her wolf-less. Rebecca’s followers looked scared and moved out of the way, and Judy started cheering me on. I lunged out at Rebecca with all the fury and anger I had been holding in these last few weeks. My experience at the academy had been hard and almost deadly, because of her. I didn’t understand why she couldn’t just let things be. Why did we have to start this feud up again at the academy? It was supposed to be a fresh start.She had gone out of her way to humiliate me and thought she was

*Aria* Atlas had distracted me, he always looked handsome but this was different. The mate pull felt so strong now that I was in my wolf form. Arna wanted to be with his wolf more than anything. I couldn’t wait to be alone with him again, but I had to focus. The principal welcomed us, and I looked around at everyone else in the arena. This arena was smaller and more claustrophobic than the first we had come from. Much less natural as well. It was clear to me that we were going to be forced to fight. There was no hiding or avoiding conflict, you either eliminated yourself, were defeated, or were the winner… I was determined to be the winner of this trial. I knew I could do it. Especially with Atlas watching. I knew Arthur was next to me, I felt his shark gaze on me, and the two more injured-looking wolves were Rebecca and Scott. The pair looked better off than they were before, but still weren’t at full power. The only person here who would pose a challenge for me was Arthur. My

*Aria* Atlas beckoned to me with a wolfish grin, and I found myself following him into the tiny room. It appeared to be a study. Bookshelves lined the walls, and an ornately carved cherrywood desk stood sentry on the opposite side of the room. That was pretty much all I had the chance to observe, as Atlas shut the door behind us and pushed me against the wall, covering his body with mine. I couldn't think of anything but the feel of his hands on me, his mouth on me. Fire pulsed through my veins as he kissed me again and again. I had never felt this way about anyone before. While of course, I'd had boyfriends, it wasn't anywhere near the same. Atlas made my heart pound in a way that drove all other thoughts completely out of my mind. And it wasn't just physical. Atlas was kind and thoughtful, and somehow understood me without having to explain myself. I hated to admit it, but thoughts of him invaded my mind constantly. No matter what I was doing, I couldn't help thinking

*Aria* I woke up and groaned when my alarm went off the next morning. I'd arrived at the academy late the previous evening, and it felt as if I'd only just gotten to bed. I glanced at my alarm clock, hoping that somehow it had gone off early, leaving me time to get just a bit more sleep. But It was five in the morning, time to get ready to go to class again. I started the coffeemaker in my room, wondering if anything would change now that I had won the championship. I had no idea if Rebecca would leave me alone or not. And what about Arthur? His very public defeat couldn't have made him happy. As I sipped the fragrant brew, I thought about Atlas. His handsome smile. His hands on me, his mouth on my body. The way he always understood me without saying a word. The way he made me feel as if there was nothing I couldn't do. There was no doubt in my mind that he was my true mate, and the thought of it made me smile. However, I frowned as I contemplated the danger inherent in