14. Fourteen

Time to go.

To say I'm a bundle of nerves would be an understatement. I'm freaking out. Standing, plastered as close to the guys as I can get, everyone who's joining us on the trip is here in the training gym, bags packed, ready to go at the crack ass of dawn. It's only supposed to be a two-day trip.

I don't even know what I packed.

After I showered and got ready this morning, I drifted so deeply into my mind, all I recall is passing my bag to Corentin with a shaky hand and dazed eyes. He gave me a soft smile, went through my bag, then headed back into my closet, so I obviously left some things out that he had to go back for.

All I can think about is Lyker's intense battle, followed up by a deadly dagger to the chest, and the wails of his brothers ringing in my ears. Between the visions I've had of him and my almost nightly dreams, it's imperative today goes according to plan.

"Are you ready, child?" Gaster's gentle voice wraps around me like a warm blanket, and I go into his outstretched arms instinctively.

"I'm so nervous," I whisper.

"I know. Listen to me, Willow," he whispers low so no one can hear his words but me. "Whatever happens today, know that you can handle it. Elementra chose you for a reason, and she does not make mistakes. I know it feels like the weight of this realm is on your shoulders, but you'll be fine. This will be one of the many battles you've already conquered."

"Gaster, how…"

He puts his hand up to stop me from talking. "I don't know what you've seen, child, and I can't know, but me and your Nexus know you well enough to recognize that something horrid has been haunting you. Have faith in them, their planning, and most importantly yourself. Everything will be as it should."

He gives me a kiss on the top of my head then places me back in the center of my guys. His words are just the calming I needed to snap out of the freak-out I was internally having. Of course they could tell I was keeping something awful from them, and instead of pushing me because they knew I couldn't talk about it, they planned for it on their own.

Talking about my visions is a huge no-no. For the most part, I've seen every alternative that could happen if I were to slip up, but them figuring at least some part of it out on their own doesn't make me feel like we've broken some unspoken rule. Instead, it floods me with confidence that I'm one hundred percent going to be able to save Lyker's life today now.

Giving him a grateful smile, he moves over to each of the guys, giving them all hugs, despite their obvious objections to the notion, aside from Draken. He embraces him fully, picking him up, laughing as Gaster yells at him to put him down this instant.

"I can tell you're super nervous, but are you at least somewhat excited? Terian's beautiful, and I hear the pack lands are even more so. I've never traveled there because it's typically not allowed," Oakly asks as she bounces on her toes next to me.

"I'm nervous and excited. I read that it's gorgeous, so I can't wait to see. I just wish the reason for my first time traveling out of the Central was under different circumstances," I tell her honestly.

Both the mansion and academy are in a very secluded, highly warded, and guarded area of the Central. I didn't learn that until I returned from Oakly's, which is also in the Central, and the guys explained it to me. So this is my first time leaving this territory and it's to watch a damn battle, possibly be in the middle of one.

Two hands are placed over my ears, and I turn my head to see Caspian behind me. He did this yesterday too, protecting my hearing from the ear-piercing whistle he's about to let out. It may seem like a small thing to do, but it's so sweet and such a gentle gesture coming from him. My dark, damaged protector.

I could tell last night something was really bothering him, but I didn't dare say anything since he was willing to sleep in my bed with me. He's the type who'll talk when he's ready, and when he does talk, he lays it all out there. So I don't push because I know when he's ready to open up, I'll get the full, uncut, gut-wrenching story. I also don't push because I know how hard it is to talk about the trauma I've been through, so I'd never just expect him to lay it all out for me on my demand.

"Okay, everyone. We're going to transport in as one, outside the gates of the pack lands. Do not, and I mean this, do not approach anyone we see with a mark. This is recon. We've been planning this for weeks; no fucking it up the moment we arrive. We'll get checked in to our accommodations together and then proceed to the trial arena. Ready?" Tillman announces as we all gather around him.

To transport as one, everyone needs to be touching each other, and one person dictates the transport. I've never been where we're going, physically anyway, so I sure as shit won't be dictating anything. I'll just be along for the ride. As always when we do this, the guys surround me in the center, everyone laying a hand somewhere on my body, but they surprise me by kissing me senselessly.

Well, three of them. I won't beg Caspian for a kiss, but I definitely won't turn it down. He's only kissed me on the lips one time, and I sparingly get cheek or forehead kisses.

Ever so slowly, he leans down and lays his lips on the corner of my mouth, and I close my eyes, smiling, relishing the feeling of his lips on my skin.

"Ready, princess?" Corentin asks.

He's worn his emotionless mask all day in the presence of all these people, but right now, I get the softer, sweeter side of that mask. Last night when Caspian joined us, I could feel his happiness and hope flowing down the bond when he offered up his spot next to me, and more than a few times this morning, I've caught him looking at Caspian with so much pride.

"Ready, your highness," I shoot back with a flirty little smirk.

It quickly slides off my face when he hits me with a pure, unfiltered look of desire, humming at the nickname, and I can feel it vibrate all the way down to my core. I'd love nothing more than to run my hands through that perfectly styled dirty-blond hair, fucking it completely up as he gives me everything his eyes are promising.

"You sure there's nothing we need to take care of before we go, little wanderer?" Draken growls, stepping closer to my side, causing all of them to step forward with him, boxing me in completely. I can feel the hard press of Tillman's cock on my back and I force myself to bite back a moan that wants badly to escape me.

"I'm sure. Everyone's waiting on us," I pant out.

Fuck, what wouldn't I give to let each one of them give me the pleasure my body so desperately wants right now, but that'll have to wait unfortunately. And judging by their strained groans, they know it and don't like it either.

"Everyone out," Tillman yells, startling me out of the eye fucking gaze I'm still giving Corentin.

The familiar blackness steals my sight of them for a few seconds before bright sunshine beams from the opening of the transport. Stepping out, I can vaguely see the sun rising over the rugged peaks of a mountain range, its beauty blocked by the imposing structure in front of me.

A towering black gate stands guard, obscuring the pack lands behind it, and I feel the power of the wards pulsing off it. A massive metal wolf is welded on the front of the gate with its head lifted to the sky in a howl, and on each of the brick columns sits a stone wolf in a protective position, ready to attack anyone who dares to threaten the members inside.

It's a formidable but beautifully intimidating entry to see. If I didn't know half of this pack was corrupt, I'd be in awe of the protective measures they've put in place to keep their lands secure from outsiders.

Corentin steps forward toward the gate, and my dragon promptly stands at attention, watching his back keenly, ready to attack in a second. I have to rub my chest, mentally stroking the rope that attaches to her, reassuring her that he's okay and to calm down.

Moving his hands in an intricate pattern, there's a shift in the air as he speaks the incantation that was provided to him for our entry, and his magic easily slices through the wards. The huge gates shudder, then slowly creak open.

Unfolding before my eyes is a well-worn, winding path that's walled by a thicket of trees that rises high into the sky, casting a blanket of shade all throughout the forest. There's a handful of wolves standing nestled in the line of trees, observing our every step, while others run freely behind them.

As we walk in silence, the tree line gradually widens, and I see multiple figures standing at the end of the path, waiting for us.

"Who are they?" I ask quietly as I lean into Corentin, lacing my fingers with his.

"The Elders. They'll greet all who are coming to watch the trials and instruct us about our accommodations. They won't speak to anyone but me, so don't take any offense," he answers in a hushed tone.

"Why will they only speak to you?" Not that I gave a shit if they speak to me, but that's super rude.

"Wolves are social creatures amongst their own people, but not so much outsiders. They'll speak to me because of my standing as Headmaster, also because I'm the oldest in the Nexus and next in line for the ruling family. I'm higher on the hierarchy than they are. Plus, they have no clue who you are, and we'll keep it that way," he replies, clipped. I can tell he thinks it's bullshit they treat the rest of our Nexus and even everyone else like we're beneath them somehow.

The joke's on them. I'm a princess and also, fuck them. I didn't want to talk to the cranky old bastards anyway.

"Headmaster Vito, we are so pleased you are here. It is an honor you could make it," one of the Elders speaks, bowing his head to Corentin.

"Elder Rio, the honor is mine. Thank you for allowing us to witness such a historic event in your pack." Corentin's formal voice grates on my nerves, and I want to tell him to cut the shit out, but I know he has to carry himself this way, at least while we're here. Still, my nostrils may have twitched a little.

"The ruling family is always welcome. Please, follow young Sawyer to where you will be staying," Elder Rio instructs, dismissing us.

I have to hold back a sneer as the other Elders look at the rest of us like a group of rag-tag miscreants that are going to desecrate their pack lands.

Despite their complete dismissal and rude attitudes toward the lot of us, the scenery is stunning. There are multiple mountain peaks stretching far into the distance, creating a beautiful backdrop around the land. I can tell by the lack of homes or even people, they keep the outsiders farther apart from the pack members.

We're in a more secluded area of the land, where the trees continue to stretch for miles, breaking apart for small blooming meadows, and judging by the low sound of running water, there are streams somewhere hidden within the forest.

I swear we walk a mile before finally coming up to a huge dwelling standing alone in a small clearing. For some reason, in my mind, I was picturing we'd be staying in a small mountain cottage, not a mansion. It's not as large as our mansion, which is way too big, but it's still huge.

"Headmaster Vito, you and your guests will be in the east wing. Gloria's inside and can escort everyone to their rooms, and the trials will begin in one hour. You all can transport to the center instead of walking," Sawyer speaks for the first time.

"Thanks, kid," Corentin grunts, roughing up his hair as he walks by him.

"I hope our rooms are close to one another's. This place is huge," Oakly says as she walks up beside me, taking in every detail of the house as we follow a very stoic, meanly looking Gloria.

"I was thinking the same thing. I thought we'd be staying in a cottage or cabin you know?"

"Nothing but the best for the Vito family. These two-faced shits have to keep up appearances," she whispers low, causing my laugh to echo in the eerily quiet hall.

Luckily, we're in fact right next door to one another. Our two rooms are the only ones on this hall and they're massive. A replica of one another, with large Nexus beds, as I've dubbed calling them, and a bathroom each. Ry and San drop all their bags in their Nexus's room before converging into ours, shrinking the space completely. These eight massive-ass men make any room feel small.

"Are we staying here for the hour or going to the center?" I ask Tillman as I lean my head back on his chest.

Wrapping his arm around me, he pulls me back until I'm flush with his front, and I soak in the protective, safe feeling.

"Go to the center and meet up with Rhett and his guys. Scout out what we can before the trials begin."

"And there are three trials, each one eliminating a finalist, until the Alpha challenge, right?" I ask.

They warned me that these trials would be brutal, bloody, and possibly deadly if the finalists took it too far, and no one would step in to stop it. Shifter culture, especially Alpha trials, is cutthroat as shit apparently.

"Yes. The first trial will test their level of dominance. The second will be hand-to-hand combat with elements, and the third, their animals will fight. The Alpha challenge will be a combination of them all between the two finalists."

"Stay close to us, Willow, and don't wander off. We don't know if anyone else here was given a picture of you like Jarod was, so we aren't taking any risk. And go ahead and conceal your necklace. The palace team will be spread out in other positions, but the rest of us will stay together," Corentin orders as he pushes his communicator back into his pocket, extending his hand out for me to hold.

Doing as I'm told, I conceal my necklace, then go straight into his arms. The rest of the guys surround me once again, and I watch as Oakly does the same, the two of us nodding at one another. Our silent way of saying everything's going to be okay.

I know it's judgmental of me, but I honestly assumed and have been expecting the absolute worst at every turn. Granted, we've been here less than an hour, but that's just not the case, aside from the asshole Elders.

As I look out over all the people buzzing with activity, running all around in preparation for the trials to start, they all seem normal. There are homes, shops, restaurants, children running around playing. Nothing here screams evil cult. It's a community, a beautiful one.

I swallow roughly as we make our way to the farthest point in the center that backs to the forest at the base of the mountain. Standing shirtless in front of an enormous house are the ten finalists. The Alpha's house. I know it's the Alpha's house because I've seen it in my dreams, multiple times.

"It's impossible. How do none of them bear the mark? We thought for sure at least half of them would," Caspian murmurs, stepping up beside me and speaking over my head to Corentin.

"Maybe this will be more than just an Alpha trial. Maybe it's their trial to get into the society as well," Corentin grunts.

My Memoria stone begins blazing against my chest as soon as the words leave his mouth. It's so hot, there's no ignoring it. Turning my body so I'm directly in front of Caspian, he looks down at me questioningly. I give a slight shake of my head and slowly reach up to grip my stone. He works out immediately what's happening, pulling me into his chest, shrouding us in his shadows.

"What makes you think my gift will be the sight? I've had my elements for two years now and nothing's happened."

"I have my ways of knowing, Willow, you know this. And if I'm wrong, there's nothing you've got to lose when learning about a gift that rare," my stranger tells sixteen-year-old me.

"Do you even know anyone with that gift?"

"I'm very close to someone with that gift, thank you very much, Miss Priss. Are you ready to learn or would you rather continue to ask questions?"

"Well, if you're open to answering them, I got a list." I smirk, knowing I'm pushing my luck.

"Nice try. Now listen. Someone with the sight has far more abilities than just seeing the future or diverging paths of the future and there are three very important abilities I want to tell you about for now.

"Someone with this gift has a higher intuition when it comes to sensing the intentions of others and they'll likely know within the first few moments of meeting someone if they care for them or not. It's a powerful ability when faced with powerful people. They should always listen to that little inkling they get when meeting someone for the first time.

"They can dream-walk, enter the dreams of others. This permits them to forge deep connections with people when it's not possible to meet or know them in person, offering guidance with or without informing them of the futures they've already seen of them.

"Lastly, when the seer activates it, there's a spell that can be cast to show them things that have been concealed from the sights of others, but for someone who possess the sight, there's nothing that cannot be seen."

"Holy shit, that's incredible. There's no way I'll be powerful enough to possess this gift. Wait, that old dude is supposed to teach me a concealment spell. Is that the spell you're talking about?"

"He'd die if you called him an old dude." The stranger laughs. "But no, my smart girl. The spell he will teach you will show you how to conceal something. The spell I'm going to tell you would reveal the things people have concealed. You know…if you possess this gift."

"Well, get on with it. Don't leave me in suspense."

"Of course, filia mea. Reveal to me their disguise, show the truth through my knowing eyes."

Swaying backward from being thrown out of the memory so fast, my back collides with a much larger body that stops me from hitting my ass. Fuck, two out of those three abilities I've already used, just didn't know that they were related.

Damn it, I do have the sight.

"What happened, little wanderer?" Draken asks, gripping my hand.

"A memory just unlocked. I'm sorry to tell you all, but the sight is definitely a gift I have. And right now, I need to cast a spell and I've never cast one without some sort of guidance. Is it the same for all spells? Call my magic forth, say my incantation, then command it?" I ask quietly, looking at Corentin for advice.

"Yeah, princess. It's almost always the same. What's the spell?" he asks.

"Let's see if I can do it first. If it works, this is not something anyone should hear," I tell him seriously. I'll broadcast it to Tillman, and then he can relay the message.

Closing my eyes, my magic glows the moment I call for it. "Reveal to me their disguise, show the truth through my knowing eyes."

Releasing my breath, I slowly peel my eyes back open, flinching at the sight around Caspian. Turning around in a quick circle, all of them are strapped to the brim with weapons.

"Why do you all have so many damn knifes and I have nothing?" I whisper-yell.

"How can you see that, Primary?" Caspian asks, gripping my chin, forcing my eyes to his.

The sight allows me to see what others have concealed.

"Everyone touch me," Tillman orders.

"This is a really inappropriate time, dude," Draken jokes as he lays his hand somewhere on Tillman, causing me to snort.

"Fuck," they all say in awe.

"There's more, but that'll have to wait. I'm pretty sure when I turn around, our first assumptions of the finalists are going to be correct."

"I'm sorry, little warrior," Tillman says, laying a hand on my stomach. Glancing over my shoulder, his stricken face tells me he doesn't want to ask me to use this ability here, but he knows I have to.

"Don't apologize. You didn't do anything. We all have our jobs and responsibilities today. This will just become mine. I'll stay close to you and point them out as we go." Leaning down, he gives me a quick and hungry kiss, pouring his pride into me with each swipe of his tongue.

"Okay, Will. Tell us what you see," he orders gently as he steps back, turning us so we switch positions.

"Huh, would you look at that. From left to right, all thick like his was. One, three, five, seven, nine." I can see it clear as day.

The M marked on each of their chests above their hearts, all thickened like Jarod's. And just like that, we know there's a fifty percent chance the Mastery could have another in the Alpha position of this pack.

"Good girl. Let's walk around a little. It's not unusual for shifters, at least males, to be shirtless," Corentin orders, lifting my hand to his lips.

These gifts of mine sure can scare the fuck out of me sometimes and even though I know I'm powerful, I still have a hard time remembering it until times like this when they look at me with such admiration and devotion. They believe in me, and I've got to start believing in myself more. Walking through the slew of people, we grow closer to the platform the finalists are standing on and I can't help it as my gaze falls on Lyker. There's such a familiarity about him, like looking at a long-lost friend, and it chokes me up knowing what could happen to him very soon.

Almost as if he can sense my stare, he looks me dead in my eyes, just like he did in my vision, and I only hold it for a second before quickly adverting my gaze.

Holding a shifter's eye, well, anyone's really, isn't an issue for me. I had to get used to staring men in their eyes, and if he'd been anyone else, I wouldn't have looked away first.

For him, though, I'm too afraid he'll see my worry bleeding through. He has no clue who I am, but I don't want my look to give anything away. I really have to concentrate to hide my emotions. I don't have a poker face, so he'd see I fear for him.

"Mid-day, all of them, thin." The guys all turn their heads at the same time and look at the group of eight or so shifters to the right of us. Six have their shirts off and I can see the thinly sliced Ms carved on their chest, the other two with shirts I obviously can't tell, but they're being pretty chummy.

"May I have your attention, please," a voice booms across the center. Our whole group turns to face the voice and see all the Elders have joined the finalist on the platform.

"Terravile Pack today is both a day of remembrance and celebration as we host the first Alpha Trials in nearly five hundred years. We are thankful for the work and leadership of late Alpha Jarod Teri and know that Elementra is blessing him in the beyond."

Doubtful.

As the elder continues to talk about Jarod and introduce the finalists, I tune him out since I know all I needed to know about them, and I lean into Oakly.

"How is it they haven't had an Alpha trial in so long and Jarod didn't have any heirs?"

"Well, his father won the last Alpha trial they had to host. Jarod just inherited the role. He didn't have to compete for it. Plus, he wasn't at baby-making age yet. And from what I've heard, he and his Nexus didn't have a Primary. They preferred the company of multiple women, and they didn't really like to share. Odd fucking balls," she informs me.

"Talk about going against the grain. Don't want to share a Primary and are fucking scum," I murmur, rolling my eyes. I'm sure, just by the way he spoke to me, Jarod would've been a shit Nexus member anyway.

"Please make your way to the arena. The trials will begin soon." The cheering from the crowd draws my attention back to the platform as the Elder finishes off his speech.

The scents from the crowd are overwhelming me as we walk with the large number of shifters to the arena, and I lean my face into Draken's arm to breathe him in to block it out. The wet dog smell that was so potent to me when I first shifted has dimmed a little, but the smell of wolves is still very unpleasant. And there's a number of other shifters here, so I'm getting whiffs of multiple different species, all smelling foul to me.

"Just wait till you see the arena, little wanderer, you'll be too distracted to notice the stench," Draken whispers.

"How have you all seen the arena if there hasn't been a trial in so long and they don't let people in here?" I ask curiously. I know for a fact they weren't alive then.

"We came for E.F. recruitment one time with one of Corentin and Caspian's dads. The pack uses it for training and ceremonies as well."

"Holy shit…" I breathe as the arena comes into view.

It's massive, at least as big as the Coliseum. The architecture seamlessly blends with nature, almost as if the mountain stretched itself out to create it. There's no roof, just an open dome that allows the morning rays to shine over the center that's nothing but a plateau of sand.

The seating sections are constructed from a combination of weathered stone and sturdy timber, with greenery from the forest flowing all over the walls. And as we take our seats in the section marked with the Vito name, I swear center stage, I can't help but feel a sense of dread bubbling in my stomach. Like from my seat, I'll be the one giving Lyker a thumbs-up or down, deciding his fate.

We're completely secluded in our section with just our group but directly across the arena is a group of people, about fifty or so, who I can tell are separated from the rest. They're not mingling or laughing with the rest of the pack, and my senses instantly alert to them.

"Do you all notice the group across from us?" I ask low enough my words don't travel, but loud enough they can hear me.

"What about them?" Tillman asks.

"There sitting with the other shifters, but not talking or interacting with them at all. They're all tense, like they're waiting in anticipation. I think those are all the M shifter recruits."

All my men continue talking amongst themselves, but I can see each of them glance over there at the group casually as if they're just scanning the arena.

Simultaneously, Tillman leans back to draw Ry's attention, while Corentin leans forward to get Rhett's, both murmuring quickly then righting themselves, tossing their arms over the back of my seat.

"Good eye, Will," Tillman whispers, then kisses the soft skin behind my ear, making me squirm and the others laugh.

Tease.

The sound of iron gates creaking open draws everyone's attention to the far end of the arena where the ten finalists walk in single file, followed by the Elders. Their faces are masks of fierce determination, ready to begin this battle.

An Elder steps up and raises his hands to silence the roaring cheers from the crowd and as the noise dies down, his voice booms.

"Esteemed members of the pack and honored guests from the realm far and wide, welcome to the arena where Elementra herself will hold court! Today, we gather to witness a trial of dominance, strength, and unyielding resolve of our wolf. For on this momentous day, the time has come to determine the rightful heir to the mantle of Alpha. In this challenge, these men shall prove their mettle, for only one among them shall emerge as the chosen leader, the alpha who will guide our pack into a new era.

"As we embark upon this trial, let the echoes of howls and the whispers of the wind bear witness to the strength, ability, and courage that shall unfold. May Elementra guide and judge, and may the Alpha destined by her rise triumphantly. Let the Trial of Terravile begin!"

The shifters in the crowd go wild, stomping their feet, chanting, and howling at the sky. It's a contagious feeling of anticipation and excitement that makes my adrenaline pump.

"How will the elimination work? I can't figure it out in my mind with ten finalists and three trials, plus the Alpha challenge," I ask as the ten finalists step to the side and wait for their names to be called.

"This first round will eliminate two contestants. The second trial will be four on four combat. The losing group is eliminated, leaving the final four to shift. They'll be paired off and the winner from each fight will move on to the Alpha challenge," Tillman answers, eyes on the center in front of us.

This first trial of dominance is a lot like what we practiced in my shifter class, pouring our dominance out until someone yields, but instead of one on one, one finalist will hit the other nine finalists at once and attempt to force them to yield or at least show some sort of reaction.

"What will happen if no one yields? How would the Elders judge then?" I ask, still confused on how they'll be able to tell who has the most dominant command.

"Well, little wanderer, I know you're just used to sending them directly to their knees, but there are other reactions you can see before yielding," Draken picks, looking behind Tillman to shoot me a wink.

"Shifting is an immediate elimination. If only two yield, they'll be eliminated. If more than two yield, they'll be judged on that and the reactions they drew from the others. Watch their body language once they begin. Some will be balling their fists, their muscles may tremble, or they could start sweating, growling, or rumbles of warning coming from their chests. That sort of thing. There's an Elder for each wolf, so they'll be watched intently the whole time."

Despite his little joke, Vince had me join the shifter class on two occasions since my schedule change to work with my dominance on a group of shifters rather than just him and Walker, and I do in fact send all the rest to their knees, but I purposely do that because they all look at me like they still can't accept the fact I'm a female and the strongest, besides Draken, in the class.

I've noticed Walker's reactions to my growls, and he does a lot of what Draken just explained, so I have a keen eye on the ones reacting rather than the wolf growling. I want to see who seems to have the most control.

The first three finalists were all, what I've started calling them in my mind, normal wolves. They're just pack affiliated, no E.F. member or Mastery member. All their growls were strong and powerful, but none of the three drew any reaction from four of the other males.

Lyker being one of them and the youngest amongst them, only thirty-six years old with an earth element. Another was Rylan Thorn, the last normal pack member. From his file I know, he's fifty-eight years old, born and raised here, attended a different academy than my guys, he has a completed Nexus, with a chosen Primary, and his element is air.

The other two that hadn't been fazed at all so far were both Mastery members. Both of their Ms are just as large, if not larger than Jarod's was, and they're mean-looking fuckers. Both of their files were scarce, which was a tip-off to begin with that they were Mastery.

Eirik Bane, forty-seven years old, fire element, and Kael Black forty-eight, water element. Both joined this pack only eight years ago and worked as two of Jarod's lead training instructors. No family but both have all their Nexus brothers here with them and no Primary. Their whereabouts before now, unknown.

I watch ramrod straight as the first Mastery member is called up. Kael Black. The first three wolves hadn't drawn any attention from my dragon whatsoever, but this one has her poking her head up and he hasn't even done anything yet but walk to his position.

His first growl is strong, menacing, and I can hear the depth of it pulling from his chest. Even though his dominance is only directed at the others, I know if he had hit me with that, my dragon would've reacted. She would've wanted to eat him for his disrespect.

I swear Draken's dragon is rubbing off on me.

Watching the others, I see Lyker, Eirik, and Rylan all shift on their feet, fist starting to clench, just like Draken described. The other six are quivering messes. Two of them are bowing so low their backs are horizonal. I could sit a drink on them, and it wouldn't spill.

"Oh fuck." Draken's murmur has me looking over at him for a split second before I hear the second growl.

It's powerful, a command that a weaker wolf has no choice but to obey. Three of the four men who were struggling with the first growl keep themselves on their feet, but they're violently shaking. The other one instantly hits his knees and lowers his head.

The last two…fuck, the last two.

The sounds of bones breaking ring loudly through the arena before two beams of light obscure their bodies, fading to reveal two brown wolves who are snarling, with drool dripping down their muzzles, ready to attack.

As one, the eight finalists turn to them and growl viciously, causing the wolves' bodies to vibrate uncontrollably before another flash of light emits between them, forcing both men back into their human form.

"He purposely hit them with his full strength to end this," Draken growls.

"What do you mean?" I ask, dazed and confused about what just happened.

"Because he forced them both to shift, that's the end of the first trial. No other can be eliminated. Typically, they'd hold off that level of command until either the shifted fight or Alpha challenge. But he knew he could force them to shift, so instead of jeopardizing any of his fucking buddies to face elimination, he went ahead and took half the pack members out of the running," Caspian explains, seething from his seat.

Damn, he's right. All five Mastery members are moving on, with two pack members and Lyker.

"How's the four against four determined?" I ask.

"They'll draw stones. Black and white stones will determine who's with who. Technically, going into this round, everyone's supposed to be viewed as on the same playing field so it wouldn't matter who is paired with who, but that's not the case right now," Ry explains, answering from behind me.

"There's really no way to cheat that, though, right? So it's not like they can rig it to be four Ms on one team," Oakly muses, leaning forward to join the conversation.

"That's how it's technically supposed to be, but we'll see," Corentin grunts.

"I think it's going to be those four," I say, pointing to Lyker, Kael, Eirik, and Rylan. "Versus the other four."

"What makes you say that?" Oakly asks me with a questioning smirk.

"I didn't see anything. Just a hunch." I laugh.

"Then my money's on what Willow says. Who wants to place some bets?" she jokes.

"No one. No one's going to bet against my kitten. If she says that's how the teams are going to go, then that's how the teams will go," Draken states confidently.

"Let's find out then," Tillman says, nodding back toward the center.

An Elder's standing in the middle of the semicircle of finalists with a burlap sack in his hands. One by one, they each reach in, pulling their hands out with their stones inside their closed fists. Once the last finalist pulls their hand out, the Elder walks out of the center, and as one, they outstretch their palms, revealing the stone they'd chosen.

"Well, I'll be damned. I'm going to need your assistance, Willow, the next time I play the royal chance," Nikoli jokes.

We all let out small chuckles as we watch the teams split up. This round is hand-to-hand combat, with elements, and the team that's able to pin all four of the others down will be the winners and move on to the last trial.

At the sound of the horn, both sides throw their elements out, colliding forcefully enough my hair blows behind me. Surprisingly, both sides have an element each amongst them. But instead of going head-to-head with their counterparts, the Mastery members attack the non-mastery.

Although it's now obvious the four moving on to the final trial won't all be Mastery, they're still looking out for one another. Kael and Eirik attack the only non-mastery member on the opposing side with merciless strikes. He's giving it his all to fight them off, but it's going to be a useless effort here soon.

The three from his side, are circling Lyker and Rylan, who have their backs pressed against one another, fighting them off with just as much strength.

Lyker, coats his skin in stone and begins throwing savage strikes when Rylan dives out of the way of a fireball and the other two Mastery men take the opportunity to jump on him at the same time. Wrapping a vine around the neck of the one on his back, Lyker slings him across the arena before tackling the other to the ground. My heart beats in sync with the punches he's delivering, and I'm on the edge of my seat.

This is so fucking intense.

Finally, he calls on his element and completely encases the man in cement, only leaving his head out so he can breathe, but his small victory is short-lived.

The other Mastery member sends a tsunami of waves crashing over the top of him. I hold my breath and my eyes search the water for any sign of him. My mind and heart whirling because none of this was in my vision. I can't save him from this.

What if something changed between then and now?

My head's growing dizzy from holding my breath for so long. The seconds seem to tick by as hours with no sign of Lyker emerging from the large globe of swirling water. Looking down and to the left, his Nexus is on their feet, gripping the edge of the railing, shouting for him to break through.

Damn it, Lyker, bust through. Come on, you have to.

Just as my lungs scream for me to breathe, he comes flying out the top of the water on a dune of dirt, bursting the orb into cascading waves that flood over the edge of the wall, soaking the shifters sitting in that section. As soon as his feet hit the sand, I want to jump up and down cheering, but I force myself to stay down and grip my seat.

In a flurry of commands, Lyker has the man wrapped up like a mummy from head to toe in vines, flopping down to the ground, immobile. There's a heartbeat of silence, then the shifters burst into roaring cheers. It's only then I realize that was the last one of the other team that hadn't been pinned.

"That was intense. I couldn't even focus on everything going on, just Lyker. What happened?" I ask.

"The other two on his team toyed with that poor wolf damn near the entire time, then stood back and watched as Rylan fought with the other. He was able to get the best of him, right as Lyker burst through the water," Corentin answers, clipped, staring daggers at the last two Mastery finalists.

A small group of shifters enter the arena and begin clearing the water from the center. Right now, it looks like a mud pit but as soon as the water is cleared with fresh sand spread out, the four finalists and an Elder move to the middle, positioning themselves in a large square formation.

"Damn, so there are no breaks at all between the trials?" I ask as it looks like they're preparing to jump right into it.

"No, not really. Just the few minutes between each we've seen. The two finalists will have about half an hour break after this to get healed up, meditate, do whatever they need before they start. If you leave the arena before the end, you're not permitted back in, so everyone will stay put, then make it to the community center for a feast," Draken answers me as the Elder bows his head to each of them then moves off the sand.

"Who's against who? I missed it."

"You didn't miss anything. Looks like its every man for themself," Caspian remarks.

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"They're all against one another. The two who come out on top will be the finalists," he answers angrily as growls start to sound from the sand.

Whipping my head back around, the four of them are letting out fearsome snarls, their bodies shaking, and the light of a transformation shines bright, blinding us momentarily. The air is tense with the energy coming off them as they shift. I can feel their combined magic pulsing through the arena.

They're all big-ass men, and their wolves are just the same, standing as tall as me from paw to shoulder. The hairs at the nape of their necks bristle as they prowl around one another, preparing to strike, and aggression leaks from the growls that leave their peeled back lips, revealing sharp ivory teeth.

The only reason I can tell them apart is because each of their thick coats, shiny and sleek, match the color of their human hair.

Kael's a smooth milk chocolate brown, like a melted Hershey bar. Eirik's coloring reminds me of clay, burnt orange, the same dark shade as his ginger hair. Rylan's coat is blond, almost white, like sand on a beautiful beach. And Lyker's a streak of darkness. His coat is entirely obsidian black, the kind of black that when the sun goes down, you'd only be able to see his eyes floating in the dark abyss.

In a flurry of motion, Kael lunges at Rylan with the ferocity of a raging bull, sending the two of them rolling backward, kicking up a dust storm in their wake.

Eirik and Lyker waste no time. Fangs bared and claws drawn, they attack with lightning speed, their forms a blur of fur. The clash of jaws and the sharp sound of claws meeting resonate through the center. Each advance is a calculated move, a combination of aggression and defense as they attempt to establish dominance over the other.

Focusing hard on the two of them, tracking every movement, they're both testing the limits of one another. Whereas Lyker is trying to force him into a position to yield, Eirik wants to end him. I can sense the hostility pouring off him with every deadly strike he tries to land. His unwarranted hatred coats my tongue in ash and makes my stomach turn in disgust as I continue to glare at the wildly different fighting styles.

Blood-soaked paws pound into the sand as Eirik lunges at Lyker, jaws wide, preparing to bite a chunk out of him. With a powerful swipe of his paw, Lyker's claws rake across Eirik's side, leaving a trail of crimson pouring from the gash. Eirik's yelp of pain fades fast into a whine of submission as Lyker grips his neck in his teeth.

The moment of relief I feel and the breath I just released is sucked right back in when a blood-chilling no is screamed across the arena. Frantically following the sound, I find a woman and three other males being held back from trying to cross the railing to get into the center. At first, I thought they were upset about Eirik until I look down and see Kael pinning Rylan, ignoring his whine of submission.

"Holy shit, he's going to kill him. Can he do that? But Rylan's submitting. Can he do that?" I ask, yelling, standing up from my seat, locking eyes with the Primary across the arena from me.

Four sets of hands grab onto me as I try to take a step forward. "I'm sorry, little wanderer, you can't interfere," Draken says with mournful eyes.

"No, that's not right. No, they can't allow—"

I don't get to finish my tirade as a streak of black collides into the side of Kael, sending him skirting across the sand. Lyker's massive wolf stands protectively in front of Rylan, releasing a growl powerful enough to cause the sand to vibrate like beads of water on a speaker.

Kael stands tall on all four paws and lets out his own dark warning, one that promises retribution before turning his back to Lyker and shifting as he walks to the side of the arena where his Nexus is waiting on the railing with a healer.

Lyker may have just earned favor from the pack for saving Rylan, but he just made himself an even bigger enemy to the Mastery.