Chapter 107
Zenovia
Cynthia’s words made me angry and annoyed but deep down I knew she had a point. I had to stop running to Callahan for every little thing.
He had hinted that himself. I wondered for a second if she was the one to fill his mind with those words because both of them said the same thing.
Frustration was welling inside of me and I angrily pulled out the phone and dialed Matt’s number.
“Hello, Matt?”
I spoke. He was surprised to receive my call. “Hey, what’s up? A little busy here. Is El not there or…” I cut him abruptly.
“I heard you are the one in charge of conducting the trials. I wished to register myself.”
Matt’s tone was a little hesitant.
“I don’t think that is possible. The list of participants is preapproved and no changes can be made.” “Pre-approved by who?” I asked pointedly.
“Alphas and the Lycan King himself.”
“Did the Lycan King specifically ask my name to be left out?”
“No, but..”
“Are you the one in charge of the trials?”
“Yes, that I am”
“That is settled then. Where are the trials being held?”
“Open grounds a short distance away from our pack. But I don’t think…”
I disconnected the call and got ready for the trials. Walking back to my room, I grabbed a bag and threw in a few spare clothes, a first aid kit, water bottles, and towels, and tied my shoelaces again.
Walking down the stairs, I zoomed into the kitchen and pulled out a few eggs, scrambled them, and ate with bread to not pass out due to exhaustion.
I would have not even eaten anything but I did not want to risk appearing weak in front of the participants.
Thankfully, I knew my way to the pack so I walked down the small patch that led to the packhouse a short distance away from the grand mansion.
When I reached the gates, I saw the security guard and he immediately waved at me.
It was then that I recalled Elijah had asked him to let me in and out whenever I wanted. However, I was not heading inside the pack.
I simply waved at him and began marching towards the open arena. A viewing area with chairs had been constructed around a large open arena that was in the center.
The arena’s ground was filled with sand and there were a few men with a whistle and caps, instructing everyone where to sit and what to do.
I looked through the crowd of spectators that was beginning to fill in the chairs. It was more like a colosseum with tiers of seating, filled with plush chairs going around in concentric circles around the huge space.
My gaze flitted through the crowd to spot Matt. He was holding a writing pad and a pen, scribbling something on a paper.
“Beta Matteo” I called out over the hubbub of the crowd.
Matt looked up at me once and shook his head, “I don’t think you can participate in the trials. You are not
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even supposed to leave the mansion.”
I pulled my hair back in a ponytail.
“So it was wise of all of you to be here and leave me all alone in the mansion? Great security?”
Matt opened his mouth to say something but closed it again. “There are enough security guards stationed all around the mansion.”
“But everybody is here. And so am I now. So you either add me to the list or I simply challenge someone on the spot.”
Matteo raised an eyebrow. “Who even told you all the rules?”
I shrugged, “People talk a lot. I picked up a few conversations on the way. Now, can I get that badge or not?”
Matt frowned but wrote my name on the list.
“Technically, these are not the trials but more of a group activity to keep everybody engaged and united. Take some stress off the rogue King and the attacks. You better be in front of me than anywhere else if Cal were to find out you are not inside your room. So, yeah, I can let you in.”
He said with a small smile and I smiled back at him.
I went to the desk where a few young boys and girls were busy handing out instructions, registering the participants, and noting down some basic information.
There were a few raised eyebrows when I told them my name and the pack I belonged to. Apparently, the Skalbeck pack did not have many newly awakened wolves so I was the only one.
I took the badge one of the boys handed over to me while eyeing me curiously.
“Didn’t know there were participants from the Lycan King’s pack himself.”
I fastened it to the front of my shirt and muttered, “Now you know”
We were all asked to gather in a small room with a door that would lead straight into the sandy pit where we were supposed to fight.
I looked around at the participants. Most of them were nervous but a few were smiling confidently.
I rubbed my hands as I realized this was going to be the first time I really fought someone. I had always trained alone or with as less people around me as possible so to have so many eyes on me would be daunting.
But I shook off the feeling. This was my one chance to not just tell that arrogant Lycan King but also other packs know that I was not a weakling.
Matteo entered the room and pushed his hands in his pockets.
“Alright, everybody. The trials will begin in ten minutes. This is a good way for you to showcase how much you have learned, how well you adapt to stressful situations, and in the future if you can take up big responsibilities to save the pack.”
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