Chapter 41
“Are there ten deer in your herd?” Will asks, having spotted the deer in the distance.
“Eleven with the fawn.” I say, still snifling the air with my eyes closed.
“And you have, what, four coyotes nearby?” Benjamin asks, his head tilted to the side very similar to what his wolf would look like if he was listening to the sounds.
I sniff the air. “I smell four.”
“I do as well.” Daniel says. When I look, he has the same stance that I do; eyes closed, nose in the air.
“Alright! Now it’s time to see what everyone has been waiting for,” James says, rubbing his hands together quickly as if this is the most exciting thing ever. It’s pretty close.
“The Beast?” Logan asks.
“The Beast,” James says.
The young Alphas begin chanting
way out of the sensory area and inst Beast. Beast‘ as we make our
the strength training area. Out of
habit. I look up at Christina’s room. I know she’s not there, but I can’t stop myself from looking just in case. I see that she’s opened her windows to air out her room. I did the same in my room.
I get a flash of last night’s dream, me thrusting into her, letting myself lose control while the gentle breeze floats over my skin, atte ting to cool the heat that she ignites inside me.
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288 Mouchers
I drag my eyes away, forcing myself to focus, just as the Alphas stop their chanting.
“What the fuck is that?” Noah asks.
“That, my young Alphas, is the Beast. You didn’t think it was actually going to be easy, did you?” he asks them in a mocking tone.
“Holy shit,” Ezra says.
“Damn, I’d forgotten how big it was,” Daniel says.
“Gentlemen and assistants, the Beast spreads out over two acres. It is partially outside and partially inside, rising up to six stories high in some areas and even going underground in other areas. As you can see, it is meant to test your strength, your intelligence, and your instincts. The Beast isn’t just about using your muscles to get through. This bad boy is riddled with tricks, traps, snares, and ambushes that will push you to your limits.”
“Do all Alphas make it through by the end of the semester?” Tyler asks. staring at the sight in front of him.
“Nope,” James says, practically gleeful.
“How many make it through?” Liam asks.
“Some semesters, none of the Alphas do. You can test yourself in human form and wolf form. Points are given if you finish it before anyone else in the class in that form,” I tell them.
“I think I’ll be happy if I just make it through,” Logan says.
“Shit, I’m beginning to wonder how I ever made it through,” njamin says, staring at the Beast. “Did it get bigger?”
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James chuckles. “Nope, we’ve just fine tuned it a couple of times”
“Oh, good, because it wasn’t hard enough before.” Benjamin says. rolling his eyes.
“Wait. Alpha Sebastian, you added more points for one of us defeating an instructor on the Beast,” Ezra says. looking at me
“That’s correct,” I say.
“Did you mean that we just have to outlast an instructor, or we have to finish the obstacle course before an instructor?”
“Finish before an instructor,” I clarify.
“Did Alpha Christina understand that? Because she seemed excited about the challenge,” he says, frowning as he looks back at the Beast.
“I’ll clarify with her, but I’m pretty sure she understood the assignment.”
“Shit, she’s going to be tougher than I thought,” he murmurs.
He has no idea.
After dinner, we all stay in the dining hall that is also used as a meeting area for the Academy. My nerves have been ratcheting up ever since we arrived. I can’t afford to fail, and I refuse to let my family, my pack, and most importantly, my brother down. But that doesn’t mean that this isn’t more intimidating that I was expecting. The Beast is well, I’m just glad I wasn’t the only one who was startled to see how difficult that thing looks. But to hear that not everyone can get through the obstacle course? I/grit my teeth together, I don’t have a choice. I have to do it. I have to pass the Academy.
I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder a moment before I smell her
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Chapter 41
lavender and grapefruit scent mixed with the black tea she sets in front of me.
I smile up into her sweet greenish–brown eyes. “Thank you, Haley, Are you able to get together again tonight?” I ask her.
She smiles sweetly and nods.
“I thought we could walk around the Academy’s grounds, take a look at them a bit slower, what do you think?” I ask her.
Chapter 42
