The Alpha Trials

Chapter 13

To say that my first day of the trials had been hell was the understatement of the century.

They had started us off deceivingly easy. Our first course had been a basic introduction to weapons. The second course had been a specialty focus on a bit of strategy and group work.

And then we were quite literally thrown to the wolves.

After the first two classes, Beta Logan took another group and we were given over to Captain Sorenson. It had been with the Captain that we were given our first physical testing and conditioning since the initial running.

Whatever special ability powers and strength that had aided me then were far gone as the Captain made us run mile after mile and complete exercise after exercise. To follow that up he made us spar gently with each other.

Thankfully I was partnered with Ryker, and despite his great size and strength, the former Red Dawn wolf had absolutely no interest in actually hurting me. Which was good considering that it was him and Zeke who seemed the least affected by the running and hell we'd been put through all day.

Ryker even tried his best to give me little pointers here and there when the Captain had his back turned to us. A polar opposite to the fierce attitude and swiftness he regained as Sorenson walked over to our group to inspect us some more.

Just as the sun was starting to set, Captain Sorenson set us free to go straight to dinner then to retire for the evening.

I think it was the quietest meal we'd had yet. Beta Logan only laughed at the sight of us as he made his way to sit down at the table.

"I see Captain Sorenson found a way to silence the whole lot of you. Good thing too, since I was getting about damn tired of all the chit chat," he laughed, looking over each of us.

Not even Zeke had the energy to be a kiss ass tonight, and he gave the beta the same blank look as the rest of us.

"You all smell awful. Make sure to wash well tonight. I don't want your stink getting on my clothes as well," Logan muttered, finally seeming to sober up past his momentary enthusiasm.

At his comment I finally gave him a small glare before I forced myself to eat the food that had been placed out in front of me. After the awful day I'd had, hunger was the farthest thing from my mind.

So were all good thoughts I had previously harbored for the captain. How foolish I had earlier been to assume that him wanting me to actually compete in the trials was going to be a method for me to gain respect.

No. Maybe he was just jealous that I had come to take his alpha's attention and focus off of him. It felt like he was trying to kill me at this point. Maybe he was trying to really kill me. Plus it didn't actually seem like Tristan was going to come to my rescue should I actually need help during the trials.

I shouldn't have been surprised. Not really. This was how it had always been. No one ever actually stuck around with the intention of really helping me.

This seemed like one more thing that I was going to have to struggle through on my own. At least I had Ryker to offer me support in sparring. Assuming that he wouldn't grow tired of my weakness compared to him and just turn to bite my head off.

The thought was daunting, but I at least had to consider it. If I was really going to be on my own here, I was going to need to figure out who I could actually trust and who I couldn't.

Dinner was quiet. No one had much of anything to say to each other, and when Dariya stood up from the table, I took it as her unspoken request that it was time for us to get back to our room and rest.