Conflicted - Twist Of Fate

Trials.

As I walk into the school with Aiden beside me, I feel the shocked eyes following me. Aiden has never walked me into school, not right by my side, especially with his hand on my shoulder and a loving look on his face. He was serious about not hiding anymore, his pride on show for all to see. 

While a big part of me was scared about the trials, worried about allowing Aurora to show the world what she could do, the bigger part of me was proud. Proud that Aiden was ready to show he wasn't heartless. Letting a small part of his past go, showing the pack he really did still have a heart. 

"Are you okay?" I ask, still worrying he may be anxious, or forcing something he wasn't ready for. Aiden smiles, his eyes not showing the slightest bit of worry. "Armina, I have been thinking about this for a long time now, I've seen how you are treated here. It isn't right, you are an amazing, strong, talented young woman, and I couldn't be prouder to call you my daughter" he stops walking as he reaches for my face. 

People around us stop walking, not trying to hide their staring "You brought me back to life my princess, I know you can look after yourself, we both need to stop living in fear" I try to smile but he sees right through it. 

"You've got this Armina, no more fear" I nod. His right. Aurora beams within me. 'We really do have this Armina, it is time to be who we really are' I want to agree but the same thought that has haunted me for years comes back 'we don't know who we are though Aurora, we never will' Aiden waits patiently knowing what is happening, 'No Armina, we don't know where we come from, we know who we are' I feel her conviction letting her strength fill me. 

Show time. 

I head towards the arena that all senior students are filling. Knowing we are going to be paired off to fight. They start announcing the first rounds. "Kade Andrews will be sparring Leo Mason" the excitement grows as the school buzzes with the two Alpha's sons prepare to battle. Our Alpha Ethan has two sons and one daughter, Kade comes from a fling before he found his destined mate and our Luna Cassandra, so having the 'bastard son' and the legitimate alpha in training battling is big news. I couldn't care less. Neither of them had ever spoken a word to me. 

The fight lasts over 20 minutes, both boys exhausted as Leo comes out victorious, coming from two strong bloodlines, while Kade only comes from one.  

I barely listen until I hear "Armina Carter and Serena Mason" my heart races. The alphas daughter. She has been my main tormenter in this school. She is considered one of the top warriors among the females in our level. We have sparred once. As always, I let her win, yet she went out of her way to try to hurt me. Throwing unnecessary punches when I pretended to be done. 'Hell yes, this is my time' Aurora is purring, this is what she has always wanted. 

"You okay?" Ethan looks down at me concerned, "Yes I just didn't think they'd pair me with her at the start, I thought they'd start lower" I'm surprised to hear Ethan laugh. "Your act hasn't really fooled anyone Armina." I shake my head, "What do you mean?" Ethan smiles "You may always lose, yet you are never badly beaten, heal quickly and put up a decent fight, your teachers see potential, they are not stupid Armina" I look back down at my feet. This is a mistake. 'No Armina, holding back was a mistake' Aurora states, 'enough is enough, this decides our whole future' she isn't wrong. 

'Okay, okay' I feel my resolve, 'I can't do this Aurora, but you can, you take control' I decide before I can change my mind, I take down my barrier and let Aurora to the front of my mind. Allowing her to take over our body. "What just happened?" Ethan's voice interrupts but I can't answer. "We are fine Ethan, she's just letting me take this part" Ethan gasps as he looks into our eyes, "Your eyes, they're glowing, is that you Aurora?" My body nods. I am nothing but a bystander as our elite warrior announces "Armina & Serena you're up". 

I see her blonde hair making its way through the crowd as I head to the ring. I feel Aurora make her way there too, feeling although I'm in a dream as I watch the world pass me by with no control. Our classmates cheer her on, sure of her win. I see a few surprised faces as some people notice my eyes glowing a violet purple. 

As I finally face Serena her eyes widen slightly before she takes on her normal condescending sneer, "look who has somehow become more of a freak, ready to get your ass kicked?" If I was in charge, I may have said something, but Aurora isn't one for words. Only action. 

"Begin" the word is simple. Aurora, not one to wait leaps. Serena barely has time to react with Aurora jumping forward throwing our right fist into Serena's face. Taken back she falls, holding her cheek. Aurora doesn't give her a chance to compose herself, throwing our body forward she is quickly on top of her throwing another punch before holding her down, "Do you concede?" our voice sounds. Serena growls, her wolf coming forward and pushing us off of her. I feel the strength in our body. Aurora allows us to fall back just enough to stand. 

She wants to milk this a little. Aurora allows her to stand with a smile. Serena only turned 17 a few weeks ago, her wolf new and inexperienced. 

"Look who thinks they're strong now, I'm going to make you hurt for that" she sneers, her overly lined lips curled. Aurora laughs, "Bring it" she states simply. Serena leaps forward, her fist aimed for our face. Aurora side steps, smiling as Serena tries to throw another punch, my hand reaches out and takes her arm. Throwing her over our shoulder and throwing another punch at Serena's face this one drawing blood and breaking her nose. Serena grunts in pain as Aurora throws a kick into her stomach sending her flying into the side of the ring. Serena grunts on the ground, struggling to stand as Aurora stands watching. Aurora throws another kick, sending her back to the grounds as her ribs crack loudly.

'Are you sure about this?' I ask, still hesitant on what this will mean. 'We will be okay Armina, I promise' I back off. Letting her have her moment. Wolves are always known to have control of the physical part of the trials. Serena's face turns to one of fear, her wolf sensing she is not in control of this fight. "How?" she asks, Aurora ignoring her, moving forward as Serena lets out a feral growl, her claws protruding, desperately she attempts to slice my face.

 Aurora takes her arm, snapping it easily as she drops to the ground in pain. Aurora laughs as she throws our head forward, headbutting her and rendering her unconscious.  Her body drops to the floor, groaning before remaining still. 

The crowd goes silent before I hear a voice I love, "Woohoo Armina, knew you could do it" Aiden claps, before several hesitant claps start. "Winner, Armina Carter" as more claps begin, including our future Alpha Leo, Serena's brother as he stares at me darkly, a slow clap of obligation. 

'This is going to be interesting' I state, as Aurora lets me regain control. 'They won't need another fight from us' she states confidently 'time to show them your strengths' I smile, knowing I was more confident when it came to the intellectual side of things. Choosing to embrace my new future I walk over to Aiden with a big smile, ignoring the curious stares around me.