The Prophecy of the Red Wolf [WattpadPrize14]

Chapter 2

I feel like I’m experiencing a mental whiplash, my mind unable to handle the strain and stress I’ve been put under in the last ten minutes. I’m not usually arrogant or overconfident but I’ve always felt that the six years of training my father put me through had been ample for me to take over as alpha from him. It only took a mere ten minutes to prove me wrong. I am so not ready to be an alpha. Deep in the pit of my stomach, I have this sinking feeling that my training in the last six years had almost been a complete waste.

I am aware of Blake and Nate’s thoughts through the mind link but I hear none of it, my mind still whirring and grasping at nothing in particular. “Gentlemen, please sit. I will explain” Sir David’s voice snapping me back to my senses as I notice that Nate, Blake and I were still standing frozen in the opposite end of the room from him.  Slowly, I step forward, towards the handsome teak plush seats arranged in a circle of five, smack in the center of the room with Nate and Blake still flanking me.

We waited for Sir David to take the first chair before claiming our seats around him. “What did we pass? We weren’t aware that we were to be tested.” Nate shot me a look, seeking confirmation. I gave him a small nod in affirmative. Smiling sheepishly, Sir David shrugged. “Ahh.. Well, it’s a personal hobby of mine to test the next generation of alphas and betas. And of course, in some cases, the gammas as well, Mr. Evans.” Sir David nodded towards Blake. Blake grunted in response. “That’s such a caveman response, dude.” I sent to him and received an eyeroll in return.

Turning my attention back to Sir David, I have a million questions for him. “Sir, do you mind elaborating on this personal hobby of yours and how did we pass?”  Clasping his palms together, he takes a second to gather his thoughts while I fight the urge to squirm in my seat. These bouts of silence are really making me edgy. Whoever said ‘silence is golden’ clearly have not been subjected to aggravating situations like this.

“As you should know, in the absence of the Royal Family, the Council of Twelve absorbs all royal duties to ensure the Kingdom of Shifters function as smoothly as possible, justice served where it is due and welfare of all shifters upheld. When the royal family is reinstated, the ownership of all royal duties will be returned to the royal family and the council will be retained only in the capacity of advisors. But in the meantime, all royal duties are divided between the twelve members. As a member of the council, it is my duty to make sure that everyone toes the line and that alphas and betas do not abuse their powers. With the royal lineage still missing, we have no way of forcing alphas to submit. Even the council does not have that kind of power.”

“Okay…?” Blake drawled out slowly. “So, your personal hobby is to throw alphas, betas and the occasional gammas-to-be in a Globe and see how they react?” There was a hint of annoyance in his tone.

“Well, the easiest way to draw out a person’s true character is by putting them in danger. When under pressure, people rarely take the time to stop and think and thus, they tend to make rash decisions. While in survival mode, you’ll find that humanity and rationale are thrown out the window. A survive of the fittest, if you will. Lies, deception and even betrayal become survival skills. So yes, I suppose you can put it that way, Mr. Evans.”

My brain function was steadily returning, allowing me to grasp the concept Sir David just presented. Frowning, I couldn’t figure out how we passed. What were the passing criteria anyway? “But how did we pass, sir?”

Sir David smiled proudly. “Ahh.. May I congratulate you, Mr. Winters, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Evans, for being the only group of future leaders to pass this little test of mine.”

Whoa.. That totally floored me. Here I was, feeling dejected and majorly pissed at myself for being unable to cope with the mental stress of the ten-minute ‘test’, only to be told that we were the only ones to pass. I think I’m experiencing mental whiplash again. I just had my confidence shaken to the core but I’m being told I did well. My brain literally can’t wrap itself around that concept. Instead of being confident, I’m questioning my abilities to be an alpha, a leader. How is it possible that I passed?