The Temptation Trial

Victory is ours!! A voice cried in the distance. Wounded men, beaten and battered made it back into their territory, some still remained in their shifted state and their four legs padded across the muddy ground. Although they had won, a heavy cloud seemed to hover around them, they had lost their alpha. He had torn apart most of the wolves of their rival pack, but in the end he was killed by a wolf, which was bigger than his. The wolf had appeared out of nowhere and seemed to harbor anger and deep hatred. He tore their alpha into pieces. They had attacked with full force and the wolf retreated, seeing as most of its men had fallen. They chased after it, but it seemed to have disappeared into the woods, and they had lost track of its scent. Theon of the Jereel pack led his men back home. He had been off fighting on the north side of their enemy's territory when he heard his father's wolf cry out. Out of instinct, he had hurried in the right direction, but when he had arrived, his father was already dead and the scent of the wolf who caused it lingered in the air. It was Ryder, the new alpha of the Larcon pack. They had never agreed with the Larcon pack and had killed its alpha a year ago. The pack maintained humility even after the loss of their alpha, and they appointed his son Ryder as their new alpha. Most of the wolves of Jereel's pack had retired that night and alpha Terry had only placed a few men on patrol duty. They were a dominant pack known across the region, they never expected to be attacked so suddenly. The Larcon pack had invaded Jereel that very night, it seemed they had been planning revenge for the loss of their alpha. But Ryder was still young and naive, having no true sense of leadership. He had led his men into a m******e. Jereel's pack overwhelmed them with numbers and strength and pursued them back to their territory, away from Jereel. Their alpha Terry, alone, tore through a quarter of the Larcon pack. Ryder stared off from a distance, he waited for Terry to use most of his strength fighting and when he knew he was beginning to get weak, he appeared from the shadows and tore through. He left Terry to die and fled. He knew Theon was not far off and if he and Thorne were to face off now, he would lose his life. Theon had unshifted and his human naked self stood proud in all his glory. As his father died, he shifted back to human. “Hand me a cloth,” Theon’s voice came out hoarse and bitter. The men quickly rushed to grab a cloth and handed it to Theon, who grabbed the cloth and wrapped it around his father to cover him, then he lifted him over his shoulder and began to march back to Jereel. The men of Jereel followed suit, they knew what this meant. Terry was dead and now his son Theon was going to be their new alpha. “Victory is ours!” one of the men shouted. Despite the solemn mood, they had successfully dominated the Larcon pack, it was a thing to celebrate. The men cheered once, then twice. “Hail alpha Terry!” they cried. Theon’s eyes were dark as he marched, his father's blood dripping on him and rolling down the expanse of his chest and back. Theon clenched and uncleched his jaw. If he ever found Ryder, he would make sure he suffered and wished for death then he would scatter his bones across the city, making sure to disgrace the Larcon pack. The men cheered as they arrived at Jereel and began singing a sad tune. They howled, tilting their heads to the moon. The women and children of Jereel ran out at the sound of the men returning. They knew the tone. Someone had died. They stood on the left and the right, making way for the men to pass. Theon led the caravan covered in blood and grime, purely naked. The mated women looked away while the unrated looked in awe and adoration. Blushing and squealing, Theon was still un-mated. They all wished and hoped to be mated to him. But more than that, he was carrying the body of their alpha. Terry was dead. Theon suddenly halted… “Alpha Terry is dead, he fought valiantly and single-handedly killed the men of the Larcon pack and their alpha ran with his tail between his legs!” “He will be remembered for his sacrifice!” Another man cried from behind Theon. He was Terry’s beta. The people of Jereel bowed, giving Terry a moment of silence. Theon adjusted his father on his shoulder and marched ahead. As Theon and the men moved forward, the women followed behind, and they came to where they buried their fallen wolves. Theon signaled to some men and they began digging the ground. He placed his father inside. They all paid their respects one by one before leaving. “You should go and rest Theon. You've had a long night,” the beta— Calvin said, tapping Theon on the back. “Alpha,” Theon murmured. “What do you…..” “Alpha Theon. That is what you would refer to me as,” Theon repeated and began to walk away. Calvin glared at his back. Before Theon could claim the title of alpha, he would have to go through a series of trials and tests and if another man beat him, he would not be the alpha. But he couldn't think of a man that would be able to better Theon.