The Throne and the Wolf (BakuDeku)

Chapter 17: The Third Trial

"Let's go again, young Izuku!" King Yagi instructed as he led the Omega back to the beginning of the Trial grounds, "you need to know this route perfectly before we call it a night." The sun had set about an hour ago, Izuku left wondering if he was even going to make it to his bed before tomorrow.

He groaned as he followed the tall Alpha. He knew the route by now, but he still hadn't got the timings down to where they were supposed to be.

They were deep in the Jade Forest. Apparently it was an ideal location for this type of challenge. They would all begin on the edge of the forest, where Izuku would give them each an item of clothing that was heavy with his scent. He would set off into the forest first, followed by the two Alphas. A classic hunt. Prey and predator. Omega and Alpha taken back to their basic characteristics.

Aizawa was walking behind him, "we won't be out here much longer. This is all for your own safety, so please just bear with us. You won't be out here alone tomorrow. But, you need to know this route like the back of your hand. The timings are essential for this trial to run smoothly."

All Izuku could do was nod. He was exhausted and was craving his comfy bed. Well, any bed would do right now. He knew that he had no say in the matter, however.

The three of them got back to training. Izuku again and again almost reached each checkpoint in time. He wasn't an Alpha, he didn't have the power or speed needed. Maybe he had to come at this another way?

He let out a deep sigh pausing at the second spot to catch his breath, "I can't do it. You are going to have to change something here. We've been at this for some time now and I'm only getting more and more tired. Therefore, still not reaching the required targets." He knew that if he put his point across in such a manner the Alphas would have to listen to him. He was their Prince after all. Their sweet and innocent Prince.

The two Alphas looked from the Omega Prince to one another.

"He may have a point," King Yagi said. He had been waiting at the checkpoint whilst Aizawa had been trailing Izuku, "maybe we made this too difficult for him."

A subtle smirk appeared on the dark haired Alpha's face, "yes, maybe we did. We need to consider that an Omega, even an Omegan Prince might not be able to reach these points in time. We are all aware of the two Alphas that are competing tomorrow. I'm sure they would want it to be somewhat of a challenge," Aizawa was holding the blond Alpha's gaze as he spoke, yet he could in his peripheral vision the sudden resolution on the young Prince's face. That had worked quicker than he had hoped. Maybe there was still hope for his problem child.

Izuku couldn't believe what he was hearing from the two Alphas. The very two Alphas that he trusted most. How could they speak about him in such a way? He stood tall before saying, "let's give it another go. I'm sure that I can master the timings before midnight." With that, the Omega was already off back to the start. He would not be bested by this.

As he strode off with purpose, the two Alphas couldn't help but stifle a laugh. They had both known Izuku his whole life. And one thing they knew, he didn't like to be bested, especially by an Alpha.

It was close to midnight by the time Izuku had finally managed to reach each checkpoint in the allocated times. He was exhausted and in desperate need of his nest. The small group headed back to the Palace, hoping to get at least some rest before the third and final trial began.

As he walked back, his feet too heavy to lift properly, his mind couldn't stop thinking about the trial itself tomorrow. Which Alpha would be victorious? Which did he want to be victorious? His inner Omega was pulling him towards his fated mate, Prince Bakugo. Yet, part of him felt drawn to Prince Todoroki. His head and his heart felt utterly conflicted. The only way to decide would be after the trial.