9. Grace

Chapter 9

Grace

-Sweet but Psycho- Ava Max-

I feel like I’m losing my mind sometimes with what my wolf has me do. She assures me it’s for the best for the packs. We have enemies everywhere, including my half-crazed ex-baby daddy who’s still running around causing trouble.

Sitting between Ethan and Nic on the dais, I watch as the pack members put their written votes for the alpha trials into the ballot box. Christos and Jakob move among them, offering help and answering questions. Their presence is a comforting reassurance amidst the tension.

“What made you choose the alpha trials?” Nic asks, his hand squeezing mine in a gesture of solidarity.

“A strong alpha is integral to a strong pack. If we allowed things to go how they were, Joseph would have bullied his way into the mantle without contest,” I explain, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. My wolf echoes my sentiment, her voice a whisper in the back of my mind, urging me to stand firm in my decision.

I glance over at Nic and offer him a reassuring smile. “True alpha lines only exist in the Murphy, Volkov, and Jamerson packs. Everywhere else, it’s diluted. Betas can become an alpha through battle and deed. It’s a transformation within them. Their wolf decides that they have earned it,” I share, drawing upon the knowledge my wolf has bestowed upon me.

As the voting continues, a sense of anticipation hangs in the air, mingling with the undercurrent of uncertainty. We’re on the brink of a pivotal moment for this pack. It’s a moment that will determine their future and test their strength like never before. And as the alpha trials draw near, I can’t shake the feeling that our greatest challenges are yet to come.

After several hours of intense voting, the time has come to count the ballots. With a sense of anticipation, we divide the stack between the five of us and begin the meticulous process of counting the names. As we tally the votes, four names emerge as consistent contenders, and a smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Bodhi, Quinn, Luca, and Jack.

At the end of it all, I step behind the whiteboard and carefully write the names. My eyes scan the crowd, searching for the chosen candidates. I spot three familiar faces, but then I realize Jack isn’t a male. My smile widens at the realization, pleased to see a female challenger throwing her hat into the ring.

“Here are our four contestants for the Alpha trials,” I announce, spinning the whiteboard around for all to see. Stepping aside, I watch as the challengers approach. It’s a historical moment, the first time in history a female stands among the contenders for the alpha trials.

“There are four sections to the trials: intelligence, cunning, strength, and hand-to-hand combat,” I explain, my gaze piercing as I address the group. The three male contestants exchange glances, their confidence unwavering as they look towards Jack.

“Gentlemen?” I draw their attention back to me, my words laced with authority. “With a word, I can put you on your knees. Never underestimate a female who wants to win. We’re ruthless.” Allowing my wolf to rise to the surface, I lock eyes with each of them, the weight of my gaze leaving no room for doubt.

As Jakob takes over to explain the trials ahead, I feel a nudge at my side from both Ethan and Nic. “You know I hate bullies. The boys’ club deserves to be shaken up a bit. If she doesn’t win, I want to bring her to our pack as a beta,” I confess, my eyes never leaving Jack’s determined expression. She’s holding her own against the male challengers, and I have no doubt she’s destined for greatness.

-The next morning-

Last night, we feasted with what was left of the Wolverton pack, the tension palpable as we assessed the potential candidates for our pack’s future. The four contestants sit at our table, their presence a stark reminder of the responsibility resting on our shoulders. Jack and her partner sit close together, their hands intertwined, while the guys engage in conversation about compatible mates, their voices low but charged with anticipation.

I furrow my brows, studying the males before glancing at Nic for guidance. He smiles knowingly, his eyes flickering with a mixture of amusement and determination. “It’s an option since fated mates are so rare these days,” he explains, his gaze shifting to the young males seated before us. “Basically, an elder puts you through a series of tests separately and compares responses.”

As I observe the contestants, I come to learn that Bodhi is more of a romantic, hopeful that he’ll meet his mate in the future. The other two males, however, are more pragmatic, seeking a mate to calm their impulsive wolves.

Considering all I’ve learned, I decide that Bodhi and Jack are the best choices for our pack’s future. However, fairness dictates that they must undergo the trials like everyone else. This morning, Christos has handed out the first of three tests, focusing on intelligence. So far, only Jack has delved into it, her determination evident as she attempts to solve the puzzle.

“It doesn’t have a correct answer,” Quinn announces, pushing away from the table in frustration.

“Is that your final answer?” Christos queries, his tone neutral as he approaches.

“Yes, it doesn’t have a solution,” Quinn replies, his head tilted in challenge.

“Hmm. Let’s see what everyone else says,” Christos says cryptically before stepping away, leaving us all to ponder the implications of his words. The suspense hangs in the air like a thick fog, hinting at the trials and tribulations yet to come.

An hour has passed, and Christos calls time, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere of the hall. He gathers up the tests, his movements deliberate, and he and Jakob study each one with furrowed brows. “We have a tie. Quinn and Jack,” Christos announces, the words hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

The other two males immediately voice their complaints, their agitation palpable in the air. I watch them closely, noting their reactions with a critical eye. This behavior is very unbecoming of an alpha, and it doesn’t bode well for their chances in this competition.

As the next phase of the intelligence test begins, focusing on knowledge of the wolven codex, my mate Conrad is summoned. He strides into the room with purpose, his presence commanding attention. Conrad is the most knowledgeable on the codex, and his expertise is crucial for this part of the test.

I move to his side, offering a supportive hug, the gesture a small comfort amidst the tension of the moment. “Happy to see you here,” I murmur, placing a kiss on his cheek before turning my attention back to the four contestants.

“It’s nice to be able to witness history. Not every female would challenge to be Alpha,” Conrad remarks, his gaze sweeping over the gathered group. The hall is abuzz with activity, dozens of pack members moving in and out, their eyes fixed on the contestants as they take their tests.

The air crackles with anticipation as the competition heats up, each contestant vying for the coveted position of alpha. But amidst the chaos, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more at stake than just a title. The fate of their pack hangs in the balance, and every decision made here today could shape our future for years to come.

As the contestants finish, they bring their tests up to Conrad, and I return to my seat between Nic and Ethan, my heart pounding with anticipation. All around me, tension hangs thick in the air, each candidate’s fate hanging in the balance.

Conrad eventually stands, the weight of his decision clear in his expression as he addresses the room. “We have a clear winner. Jack has nearly a perfect score. In second place, Bodhi,” he announces, his voice echoing through the room. With a nod, he passes the graded tests to Jakob before excusing himself to head back home to watch over the children, leaving the room in a hushed silence.

Now it’s time for the last test, one I’ve devised myself. I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves as I stand to address the candidates. “The final test is one I devised,” I announce, my voice carrying a hint of authority. I had taken the time to write out a moral dilemma for the potential alphas to read and decide on. I’ve already written the acceptable answers for the situations and handed them to Ethan to hold on to. Not even the elders know what it says.

Nic follows me as I walk to each of the candidates, my hands steady as I hand them their question. Each one is different, tailored to the individual candidate, designed to test their moral compass and their ability to make tough decisions. To successfully answer the question, they’ll have to go against their nature and pick the answer for the greater good.

As I watch them read the questions, I can’t help but feel a surge of anxiety, knowing that their answers will determine the future of their pack. The air is thick with anticipation, each moment dragging on as we wait for their decisions, the suspense almost palpable in the room.

“This is bullshit!” Luca’s voice reverberates through the room as he slams his hands down on the table, his frustration palpable.

“What’s bullshit?” Nic steps forward, positioning himself between Luca and the table where I sit, his protective instincts kicking in.

“This question. An alpha would never be posed with this situation. The life of one doesn’t outweigh the many,” Luca asserts, his tone laced with conviction as he approaches the dais where the elders gather.

I watch as the tension in the room mounts, the weight of the scenario hitting too close to home. It’s a situation I know all too well—the very scenario that led to my existence. A rogue nearly tore me apart, leaving us faced with a dire choice: turn me to ensure my survival or hunt down the rogue responsible.

Jakob scrutinizes the answer Luca has written, his expression unreadable as he motions for Luca to sit down and wait for the others to finish. Nic takes the paper and slides it over to Ethan and me, our eyes widening in disbelief as we read Luca’s response. He would prioritize hunting the rogue, risking his half bonded mate’s life in the process.

As the others finish, Bodhi is next, opting to turn his half-bonded mate before pursuing the rogue.

Quinn follows suit, refusing to leave his mate’s side, choosing to bite her and remain with her while sending his pack after the rogue.

Finally, Jack faces the dilemma, knowing she cannot fully bond with another female. She takes the risk, biting her chosen mate on the off chance it works, and vows to stay by her side until the end, before embarking on a relentless pursuit of the rogue responsible.

Ethan stands abruptly, his grip firm as he takes my hand and leads me to stand before the room, the tension palpable in the air. “The scenario you were given actually happened,” he announces, his eyes glowing with the faint light of his wolf as he addresses the candidates, his gaze piercing and intense. “What you read is what happened to Grace.”

Pulling me firmly to his side, he kisses my temple, a silent gesture of reassurance amidst the weight of his words. “My half-bonded mate was attacked by a rogue and ripped to shreds,” he continues, his voice steady despite the memories stirring within him.

As he speaks, I lift my shirt, revealing the scars on my stomach and side, tangible evidence of the horrors I endured. Ethan’s words are punctuated by the sight of my injuries, a stark reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of survival.

“I had the choice of chasing the rogue and risking my own and my brothers’ deaths. Or focusing on Grace and turning her, praying to the moon goddess that it worked,” Ethan explains, his touch gentle as he slides a hand down my shoulder, exposing the prominent scar from his wolf’s bite on my shoulder, a mark of our bond and the choices we’ve made.

“I chose life. I chose my mate,” he declares, his voice filled with conviction as he traces the outline of the scar with his fingers, his gaze unwavering.

Suddenly, his head snaps up, his expression darkening as he fixes Luca with a death glare. “If you are half-bonded to someone and they die, so do you. Alpha or not,” Ethan asserts, his words laced with authority. “As an alpha, we make tough decisions every day. Life is always a priority.”

With that, he pulls me out of the room, his steps purposeful and determined. No sooner are we out the door than the room erupts in chaos, the sound of yelling and crashing echoing down the hallway. I can feel it in my bones that Nic lost his temper, the tension reaching a breaking point. More than likely, Luca said something stupid, and now he’s forfeited his life because of it.