Rejection Trials

TheGoddess

Eight Years Prior – Syrus POV

Running through the halls full of werewolves is never easy. They are all so big and bulky. A wolf’s natural instinct isn’t to run from a challenge either. But I am not a challenge. Mr. Wells, the chemistry teacher, he is the challenge. If I don’t make it to his class in time he will lock the door and I will be written up…again. He is always on some power trip like all wolves around here it seems.

Speaking of wolves on power trips. I haven’t seen much of Belvedere and his goons lately. This should please me but it is suspicious. They are all so suspicious. Just as I was rounding the corner of the hallway the bell rang and I could hear the door to Mr. Wells classroom all the way down the hall. This is why I shouldn’t be nosey and listen to people’s conversations after class.

I sigh and walk reluctantly down the hall. Trying to decide whether I should try and hide out until the next period or if I should just walk myself to the dean’s office. But like most things in my life I wouldn’t have much of a choice.

I was turning to walk down the stairs when I felt someone’s shoe hit the middle of my back. It hit me so hard my body slammed into the wall. I collapsed into a heap on the ground at the feet of the laughing group of teens. I must’ve whacked my head hard and my glasses fell from me. The bright light of the hallway hit my unprotected eyes blinding me.

Did someone really just Sparta kick me? If I had turned already I would’ve been kicked down the stairs! That would’ve done some damage.

There’s only one person at this school with the bravery to physically strike me. Much less laugh at me.

“Look the little freak is blind.” Belvedere’s voice assaulted my ears as his hand roughly covered my eyes mockingly. His hand pushed my head back into the wall and I could feel him come close to my face. “The hell hound mutt is nothing to but a pathetic pup at my feet.”

The group responded by laughing. Their laughs were always so unsettling. I could still hear the fear in their voices. Like they were afraid of me, but they wanted so desperately to be superior to me.

“Don’t touch them for too long Bel. I can’t have their curse wipe off on you.” I heard Helena’s voice. She was trying to sound sultry which made me sick. We are literally in high school calm down Helena. She was trying to pull Belvedere’s hand from my eyes but his grip tightened making my eyes water as I could feel his nails start to dig into my skin.

With an annoyed grunt he pushed my head back into the wall one last time and released me. I heard something clatter on the floor near me.

“Your glasses are on the floor in front of you. If you want to see so bad you can crawl to them.” I could hear the venom in his voice. I felt a rumble in my chest as I heard a low growl.

“Let’s go before that ugly beast comes out.” I heard one of his friends say.

“Are you kidding? Our future Alpha is such a badass. Making that freak crawl in front of him.” I heard Helena goading him on. I heard Belvedere move back in front of me.

“If you beg me maybe I will move them closer to you.” His voice was so close to me. He had bent over to talk down on me in a literal sense.

“Beg you?” I spit out. “Crawl for you?” I continued pushing myself to my feet. “I am not your free entertainment.” I moved swiftly. They were all stupid if they thought my eyesight was the only way I could get around. I have been living with my vision issues since I can remember. I heard exactly where he dropped my glasses. I didn’t need to be a werewolf to locate where they would be. I simply walked over to where they were and picked them up while my eyes were closed. The moment I placed them on my face however, another problem waltzed its way into my life.

Dean Cambell’s voice boomed down the hall.

“What are you all doing outside of class?” he shouted his face turning red as he rushed down the hall towards us.

“Dean! Thank the Goddess you are here!” Helena responded first already scheming it seemed. “We were going to class when Syrus blocked the stairs not letting us pass. They were snarling their teeth and threatening us.” She sobbed slightly. Goddess she is really selling this. Even I am buying her performance. How could I be such a monster? Note the sarcasm.

“It’s true Dean Cambell! If Alpha Bel hadn’t come to our rescue Syrus might have attacked.” One of their friends chimed in.

“Alpha, you have my thanks as always. I am so glad you are here while that thing is lurking in our school. It is reassuring to know someone is here to keep them in place.” Dean Cambell spoke to Belvedere with an obvious tone of ass kissing.

“Why were you out of class Belvedere?” I said coldly. How could the dean not even care to inquire why Belvedere was also skipping class?

“You have no right to question your future Alpha.” Helena’s voice cut in.

“That’s enough. Alpha Bel, will you please escort the kids to class?” Dean Cambell asked him so politely. “As for you.” he turned towards me without making eye contact. “You are well aware of where detention is held.”

Current Day – Syrus POV

“How long are we going to walk in what feels like circles?” my voice broke the silence.

“We are technically walking in circles.” Arnold responded with a grin. He seemed relieved I broke the eerie silence of our trek. “This path goes up the mountain. The peak is our destination. It’s got an amazing view you’ll see.”

“We are almost there Sai.” Virgil said.

“You said that hours ago.” I continue to complain.

Just as I opened my mouth to complain once more we reached a clearing of sorts. We were indeed on a mountain. Not the biggest or tallest mountain I’ve ever seen but tall enough to have a breathtaking view of the dense forest surrounding us. The lush green treetops went on forever. A sea of leaves stretching into the horizon. It was beautiful and a bit unsettling.

“We’re definitely not in Death Falls anymore Toto.” Belvedere jokes in his lackadaisical tone.

“Did you just call me Toto? You know better than to compare a werewolf to any dog or dog characters!” I huff after him heading towards a stone carving of a circle?

“This is the Moon carving of the ancient wolfs.” Arnold explains. Staring at the carving like it is a masterpiece.

“It’s a circle.” Belvedere says. I grimace a little not liking that we are sharing the same opinion. Stop sharing my thoughts stupid mate!

“It’s the doorway” Virgil says while rolling his eyes. “He is definitely your mate.” He continues under his breath. I could do nothing but grumble in response.

“What do you mean by that?” Bel inquires with a raise of an eyebrow and that stupid smirk of his.

“I am quite sure that Syrus thought the same thing.” Virgil gave me a knowing look as he smeared some mystery goop on down the center of the giant circle…no moon carving.

I wanted to say something snarky but I was cut off by what I was seeing. The carving began to glow. The outline of the moon symbol seemed to shimmer. Then the middle of the symbol seemed to disappear leaving a huge opening in the side of the mountain. It was indeed a doorway to a cave. I don’t know why I was expecting something fancy inside. It was a bare cave except a massive stone table.

Virgil and Arnold moved through the cave setting up candles and laying out different herbs and flowers. They were both chanting in the ancient wolf language. I had no idea what they were saying.

“You may place your sacrifice on the altar.” Virgil instructed.

“Sacrifice?” Belvedere spoke sounding borderline concerned.

“Sacrifice? Offering? Same thing. Don’t worry. I’ve got this covered.” I responded.

“You are so reassuring.” Belvedere said in the most sarcastic way possible.

I ignored him and approached the stone table, altar, thingy. I reached into my back pack and pulled out the offering I prepared and placed it gently onto the slab.

“Is that a turkey from the grocery store?” Virgil asked. I could here the disbelief in his voice. Arnold gasped when he saw it was indeed a turkey I got from the store before we departed.

“Did you expect me to bring a live sacrifice?” I asked genuinely.

“Are you trying to anger the Goddess?” Belvedere said.

“It was the turkey or a bottle of rum. I couldn’t choose so I went with the turkey.” Virgil and I continued to bicker over my choice in offering. I didn’t notice Belvedere walk up to the slab beside me.

“Goddess. Please hear me.” Tobias’ voice surprised me bringing me from my argument.

The candles flickered in response. I don’t know why I expected something more than the candles to just flicker. I frowned until the candles suddenly got brighter and the flames got bigger. Then in front of us a shadow figure appeared to be sitting on the stone slab.

“Goddess.” Virgil and Arnold bowed. I bowed swiftly not wanting to piss her off again. I looked over and Tobi who was still in control of Bel was smiling in adoration.