Tournament of Alphas

Chapter 2

Strolling through the camp made me realise how similar it was to a circus I went to when I was little. My parents took me for my birthday and I had fallen in love with the little puppet shows, behind the flame lit sheets. That was when I showed my first signs of pup maturity. It was quite funny now that I think about it. Mum and dad were worried I wouldn't carry the werewolf gene, but I proved them otherwise. I had snuck into the wolf holding pen, petting the wolves and bonding with them. Mum and dad were freaked out but when they saw me, they knew at that moment I carried the gene.

Here I was, surrounded by tents and crowds of other werewolves. But, unlike my journey to the circus, this was for my tournament. Mine. The very thought brought down the sailing memories of happiness, sinking them below the surface. Betas and other high ranked members gathered around their pack tents, preparing their competing champions for the horrors to come.

I walked along with Rowen and Alice but my pace slowed down to a hesitant stop. I gazed into one of the tents, three figures fitted in an embrace, and who I could only assume was a competing Alpha was hidden from my view.

"My son, if you die, know that we are proud of you. You have died with honour."

The burning, salty tears welled in the brim of my eyes, casting a blurred spell over my vision. When Alice extended a hand toward me, I pushed past her and sped into the sea of people. No, not people. Beasts.

For so long I fought hard battles to fit into one world only to be pulled back into the other. When I fought to be part of the human world I was shamed. I battled my way to fit in with the world waiting for me, but now, I don't want it.

The logical sense of me doesn't want it.

Shuffling past numerous others I had lost my way in the maze, my head flicked over my shoulder left and right as I sought to find a way back to my guides. I groaned in annoyance. Had I not been foolish, I wouldn't have stormed off. I travelled the distance like a lost lamb, cursing myself for getting lost. Being in this situation was taught to be a dangerous predicament for the Unclaimed. The Alphas at any moment could just switch into primal mode at the drop of a hat.

In my spinning daze of trying to find my way around the campsite and not fall on my ass, well, I did just that. I collided with a stone surface that was quite warm from what I experienced. I made contact with the ground and spied up at what I bumped into.

Or I should say, who I bumped into.

Before me, the figure turned around and his eyes widened at the sight of me. He immediately shot down and brought me to my feet with careful hands. "Hey, are you okay? Sorry about that-"

I shook my hand in front of myself. "No, it was my fault. I'm so sorry."

I finally observed who my newfound acquaintance was. The sun brought a honey glow to his medium chocolate complexion and his angled, square jawline was bent in a certain way that made my heart flutter. He was handsome I would admit. His large, slightly pink-tinged lips curved up, showing his cave of white teeth.

"I take it you're the Unclaimed."

"How would you know that?" I quirk a brow.

"Your scent."

My mouth opened a little, muttering a small 'oh'. He huffed in amusement and I pressed my hands down the sides of my waist, not entirely sure how to keep the conversation from turning awkward.

"The name is Noah. Alpha of the Stoneclaw pack."

"Zara," I said. 

After his eyes gave me a once over to make sure I was alright, his lips parted to ask, "I was actually about to go and meet with a few of the other Alphas. Some of them are friends of mine. Would... you like to join me?"

I smiled with appreciation at his gesture. I would have assumed that all the Alphas were complete hotheads and sexually aggressive but Noah proved this assumption wrong it would seem. I nodded to his request. "Yeah, I would like that. I'm quite lost around here anyway."

Noah flashed a slight smirk and I could feel my heart melt a little, like wax too close to a flame. Noah and I walked side by side as he guided me through the large camp. "All of this for just one girl." I huffed out.

"You don't appreciate this life?" Noah asked.

"It... it's not that I do, but what I don't understand is how Alphas like you are fine with this tradition. Don't you just wish there was another way?"

Noah didn't answer right away. Then I heard him inhale, "Females, especially the Unclaimed don't understand it at first. My mother told me that when the Unclaimed comes back, she will understand why it is done."

I shook my head. "I don't think I'll ever understand why Alphas would sacrifice themselves."

"Your ancestors made this tradition," Noah said. "Well, they should have thought about what it would mean for future generations."

"It would be an honour to die for someone like you. As my mate or not, you're special."

Noah's words captured the sincerity of the situation. His pack must have looked up to him for guidance. He had a strong sense of leadership and he was prepared for any battle or fight. He was noble and that made me think.

"Do you think you will win?" My words caught him off guard.

"I don't doubt my skill, but I also don't underestimate the skills of my competitors," Noah replied.

Before another word could leave my mouth, we approached a small group of males sitting around a built campfire, ready to be lit when the night shadowed the land, stealing the world from the sun. A pretty boy walked up to Noah and they both shared a firm greeting.

I didn't question it, only passed it off as a male thing. I stood close to Noah though, becoming shy in front of my audience. The pretty boy had dark blue pearls and wavy, shoulder-length hair that was pushed back. This one was Lucas of the SpringShore pack. I found out he was from the coast. He had the body of a surfer which intrigued me. I had never been to the coast...I had remained in the forests of the Boreal sanctuary.

"Lucas, this is Zara, the Unclaimed. Zara, this is Lucas."

Lucas sent a flirtatious wink but he didn't make himself a threat. He shook my hand gracefully and grinned. "Pleasure to meet the Unclaimed. I didn't know she would be the stunning princess of the Natives."

His words stirred a warm feeling inside of me, just like Noah did. Lucas was quite similar but he had a tendency to show off a little more. "How long have you two known each other?" I ask.

"Ever since we were young boys. We grew fond of each other like brothers," Lucas laughed lightly. It was amazing how two competing Alphas could be close friends, but I feared what would happen should they confront each other out in the tournament. Would they see each other as close friends from childhood? Or would they only see each other as threats?

"Zara, come meet the others. They would like to meet you," Noah's voice broke through my wall of thoughts and fears.

"Oh, are you sure? I mean, they won't try and... do anything?"

Lucas and Noah look to each other and chuckle amongst themselves. "No, no. We are tamer than that. You see, Alphas don't get that drive that forces them. That only peaks when the Unclaimed initiates the tournament," Noah pointed out.

That brought relief to my soul and mind. After a deep breath in and out I followed Noah and Lucas, sitting in the middle of them, I was greeted with waves, flirtatious greetings and warm, welcoming smiles. There was no danger. I was just overreacting.

While in my stay at the campfire I learned more about Lucas and Noah, but I had also gotten the chance to meet the others. The twins, Carmichael and Samual were a pair of tricksters - the siamese twins if you will. They loved to prank their parents and pack mates. Both of them were flirty in their own ways. Samual was very upbeat with his alluring charm. His light brown hair was shaved on one side with an intricate design of his pack's origin. His brother, Carmichael, had long and curly hair like waves. Their nationality extended far across the sea to the tropical island of Hawaii. A beautiful place they had grown up until they moved a few years ago to a packhouse here. But they would often make trips back to the land of their birth. The clear ocean waters, the rainbow of fish and the hot sand between their toes - they made it sound like a dream. They met Lucas a few years ago and shared the love of the beaches and ocean.

But, I had to admit, Carmichael had the slightest advantage in muscle and facial attraction. He loved the guitar and I had moved spots (with Noah's and Lucas' okay) and perched myself next to Carmichael. His voice was the alluring sway of the palm trees.

Logan was quite reserved and shy, like myself but he still had a boost of confidence when I said something that encouraged him. He had short, black hair and his eyes reflected the honey, auburn dirt of his home, Australia. He told me that not many werewolves resided in Australia but he and his pack managed. To be honest, Australia wasn't as bad as rumours made it seem. He had a lot of survival techniques up his sleeve because of his training in the outback. He was trained in first-aid, fire making and shelter building. He also had a very good sense of direction.

Mercer was reserved with a stern, strong structured face. His accent was a loose Brooklyn type. Quite rare in my opinion because I had never met someone like that. Hidden beneath a leather jacket and hood he refused to pursue a long-lasting conversation leaving me wanting more. Beneath his cowl, his bright orange hues glared at me like the haunting fires Logan would talk about in the bushfires. Mercer would only hum or nod slightly to my disappointment. But his stubborn nature was eventually broken when I started to get a little cold as the day wore out with the sun ever so subtly inching closer to its bedtime.

Come this time, my body shivered a little at the chilling cold breeze. He immediately swept his jacket off his shoulders and fitted it over me. I thanked him and he slowly began to tell me about himself. Sadly, his mother had died during childbirth and his dad was killed during a hunt. His uncle took over the position as Alpha and raised Mercer. He had developed this stern persona from his uncle. I laid my head to rest against the bulging muscle of his shoulder. I could tell I was slowly chipping away at his ice king personality.

Vincent was knowledgeable but had the athletic and arrogant nature of a high school jock. He loved to show off and be the centre of attention - mine specifically.

He had a light beige skin tone and wide lips that were always upturned in a smirk. His dark brown eyes twinkled in the light. He joked a lot, however, despite his snobby jock side I figured it was all just an act.

During small private conversations, he told me he loved fixing up a few old cars he had, with his old man. Vincent had a sweet side that was just covered up by something false to observe. He would often read books when he did and got good grades. He had a great chance of becoming an athlete or something more, however, Vincent said it was all nothing compared to fighting in the greatest competition of all - the tournament.

He would give up his future of being a well known, inspiring athlete to fight for me. Again, that swelling pain took hold of me in which I couldn't stand to look at these males anymore.

All of them would either die or submit. Perhaps out of all of them, one would win.

"Hey, what about a song, guys?" Carmichael asked, earning a cheer from the group. "Zara, how about you be the lead singer?"