JEOPARDY: The Cursed Soldier.

7. Almost, Almost.

It took Kayla exactly five days to realize that 'she should never count her eggs before they hatch'. A saying her father had repeated to her time and again.

It was Saturday morning, a few minutes into dawn, and there she was: walking behind Alex, who was, once again, running more than walking.

It was as déjà vu as it could get.

Kayla stayed silent as she trailed behind him, matching his pace. Just like she hadn't said a word when she had heard his knock as she was getting ready to hit the gym and found a shirtless Alex standing there, ready to escort her up to the mandatory epsilon training.

As much as she didn't want to spend any more time with Alex, she was thankful that she wouldn't miss such an important session. A training with all The Epsilons. It was a dream come true. Something she had imagined a hundred times because her father had spoken so highly of it.

And now there she was, looking at a mass of half-clothed werewolves split into several groups. Each group doing a different exercise. But that wasn't the best part. The best part was the potent Lycan power she felt simmering from the Epsilons into her and stirring something fierce and empowering within her.

She took a deep breath, relishing the beautiful moment. Finally, she was part of the pack. Finally, all her dreams were within reach.

"You've never seen this many werewolves in your life, right?" Alex sounded amused beside her. She turned to him and found his green eyes dancing in the faint dawn light.

"Is this everyone?" She gestured to the mass of werewolves on the field. Some were sprinting, others were doing laps, others were stretching and several had fully shifted into multiple-colored wolves and were running all around.

It was magical.

"No. The omegas are in their respective spots—working. So are the highest ranking members of the pack, like the council and the Kappas. Only The Gamma and the Epsilons are here. Every Saturday we gather and train together under The Gamma's guidance. On weekdays, every epsilon is up to something, swarmed up by their duties. And on Sunday, we rest." Alex continued explaining while he led her forward toward a familiar group of werewolves.

As they were walking and Alex was explaining, Kayla heard the sound of bones cracking and turned to see several werewolves shifting into their gigantic wolf selves. Kayla's heart twisted in envy. But just as quickly, she moved her focus to where Alex was leading her.

"Alex, dude, you're late. We're already paired up." Eliezer, one of the werewolves in that group, said before raising his eyes to them. "Shit! Sorry, shoulda known you were busy."

A series of hoots and laughs ensued in the group as they ran their eyes between Kayla and Alex. But it was a small pixie-haired girl who spoke next. "Read the room, idiot. Always. But you always suck. Big time."

"You would know." Eliezer taunted back. The girl's eyes glowed steel-blue as her ears went red.

"As I said, idiot." The girl turned her glowing eyes to Kayla and extended her hand. "Jiwon. You must be Kayla, Angela's new bodyguard and Alex's crush."

Alex glared at Jiwon while Kayla ignored her comment and shook her hand in a firm handshake, earning a smirk from her.

"Careful, Jinny, she may look young, but that girl killed Viktor. Don't challenge her." Another guy chimed in, running his eyes all over Kayla.

"I want to see for myself just how good she is. What do you say, Kayla? What about another duel? This time without a death penalty, of course." Jiwon got all up in Kayla's space, their chests were almost touching.