Fuel to Fire

chapter five

THE TRIALS HAD BEEN rescheduled for tomorrow. The council didn't believe it was fair for Arden to Compete in the second round without going up Dominic first. Unfortunately, Dominic was due for a visit with his mother. She was a half-witch and half-werewolf who lived in the less populated part of town. His mother and Xavier were mates but sometimes the moon goddess was wrong. They tried to make things work but after they had Dominic, they split and went their different ways. Of course they were on civil terms and agreed to live near each other for their child's benefit. I'll admit, their failure to come together as a couple affected Dominic and sort left me feeling scared of the idea of mates. If that were to happen to me, I'd never recover. So as a quick replacement Arden privately sparred against Xavier that night and was able to move forward. The morning was quick to come and all of the remaining 60 contestants were ordered to meet in the forest. Xavier and I had sent home 40 of the participants already knowing there was no match there. Today I would be sparring with each contestant in a small clearing near the open river. The sand was covered in rocks and pebbles and had various divots in it. If there was ever an attack, it would take place here future participants would have become familiar with this ground. Before I left my bedroom I slipped on the black gloves again. Xavier and I walked up to the crowd of people and addressed them that there would be a new rule set in place.

Xavier began to hand out similar gloves like mine to the participants,

"Everyone here will be wearing gloves. It is only a precaution to ensure no severe damage comes to your hands". Yeah I didn't even believe myself but I couldn't risk Alec realizing we were mates when the trials were already 1/3 done. No one questioned my order but Alec. He was standing near Arden when bluntly said, "Bullshit". Everyone had gasped and even Arden went to slap his arm.

All the people surrounding him moved apart like the red sea when I began to approach him. His eyes held a glimmer of fire; he was testing me. This was normal for mates but since he had no idea of our bond it came out as disrespect. Before he could speak again I strike against his chest which causes him to lose his breath. Taking that time of weakness I grab his arm and flip his entire body over.

He lands on his back and coughs. Xavier and Arden begin to burst with laughter and at the same moment Alec opens his eyes. They are bright yellow; the wolf beginning to surface.

I reach down to where he was laying and wipe away a few fragments of sand that gotten in his hair.

"Don't ever question me again".

~ (Alec)

"Bullshit". I almost didn't even recognize my voice. I instantly wanted to cover my mouth with my hand not believing I had just disrespected my possible future Alpha. I turned to Arden only to see her shrug. Everyone around me began to part like the red sea. Something crept into the pit of my stomach. When she approached she immediately lunged and threw a punch to my chest. The breath was knocked out of me and a second later she grabbed my arm and flipped my entire body forward landing me on my back. I could feel me not being able to control my shift and knew my eyes were yellow, confirming I'd lost control. I expected her to keep going at me but she surprised me by moving my hair out of my eyes. She brushes the pieces of sand out of my hair and smiles,

"Don't ever question me again". She walked back to the front of the crowd and all I wanted was to be back home where I never got sick and had random outbursts of bad manners. The rest of the training went by somewhat smoothly and we were ordered back to our quarters to rest.

As I got out of the shower I heard someone knock on the door. On the other side of the door was Dean. He jumps onto my bed and puts his hands behind his head, his shoulders sticking out.

"So, big bro, I heard the Alpha knocked you on your ass! You know I really thought you were smart but your recent actions are proving me wrong". He ends with a chuckle.

I grab the towel on the rack and use it to dry my hair. Sighing I sit down on the sofa across from the bed,

"Honestly I've felt like a completely different person. First, it was the feeling sick on the way here and then I spilled a drink on her. That's not like me at all. Now she's got a bad impression of me". Dean nod attentively listening closely.

"I don't think I'm gonna be able to be a part of her trusted circle. I'm gonna fail mom and dad". I wince at the idea of coming all the way over here to compete just to mess it up with my behavior. Dean gets up from my bed and pats my shoulder,

"Don't worry big brother, you've still got the wolf portion. Maybe she'll fall in love with how big your wolf is".

I cringe at his words of advice. Maybe I should have opened up to Andrea or Arden.