The Reckoning

Run, Run as Fast as you Can

When we arrived at the ballroom, the rest of the contestants had already arrived. Leaving Mason and I the last to arrive. The contestants were spread out everywhere talking to the different Alpha’s from each pack. Each of them trying to woo the alpha's before we have to take the microphones and be hounded with both personal and sometimes ruthless questions about our past, our abilities and even relationships.

A bell rings above our heads and alerts us it’s time to step up on the stage and get in a line to start the last step of finding our true packs. We are placed in numerical order, and instructed to stay behind the curtain and wait until the contestant before us is dismissed. I wait patiently for my turn, going over in my head all the answers to the questions they could possibly ask. As I’m wringing my hands together I notice I'm up next. Wiping my sweaty palms on my dress, I watch and try to pay attention to some of the questions being asked.

“What’s your alchemy like?”

“It needs some work but I’m willing to put in the effort and training to get better at it.” Number 31 seems a lot like a people pleaser. Which isn’t always bad, but if I had to guess which pack they belonged in, it would have to be Grimhide.

Rowan clears his throat, “Alright number 31 you are dismissed. Take a seat amongst your fellow competitors.”

Making my way on stage, I look out to the Alpha's, my eyes catching the prey from the woods in one of the Alpha chairs. The High Crown crest sits above his head and my body stiffens. His eyes were concentrating on papers jotting down notes. Taking the stage, I try my hardest to place a warm smile on my face.

Judging by the huge crest above his head, Alpha Deon of the Dawnfall pack speaks first, “I’ve got to say your stealth, strength, and agility really showed today. How good is your knowledge on the history of the different crises we’ve faced?”

Looking him in the eyes, I answer honestly, “I know everything that pertains to our history. Dating all the way back to the great divide. You can ask me any question pertaining to our history and I guarantee I will have the answer.” My heart races and I can feel my mate staring right at me. Keeping my attention focused on the Deon, I try my best to relax and show poise.

“In that case, what was the second established pack? What are their characteristics and what pack arose during the divide of this pack?” He challenges with a skeptical look on his face.

“The second pack to be established was Grimhide. This pact has always been known to have a kind, light hearted demeanor, they enjoy helping others and tend to stay out of wars amongst other packs. Overall, they are very peaceful in nature. The Shadow pack arose when a surprising number of people were found to have different characteristics than the rest of the pack. They were cunning and it made a war erupt amongst the people. After nearly 100 casualties, the alpha of Grimhide decided it was best for those that had this trait to start their own pack. Providing them with a large portion of land and crops to regrow in a new region. The same land we are on right this second.” His face is replaced with a small smile.

“Your father did right to teach you the knowledge of our history. Maybe you can tutor my son.” He lets out a little laugh then continues, “That's all the questions I have for you. Tobias, you look enthused about this young lady. Do you have anything to ask?” I followed his gaze and he was staring right at the mystery man.

Tobias is dressed in a white suit jacket with a black button up under it. The top few buttons are undone, showing off part of his chest. To match with the button-up he wore black dress pants and a nice pair of dress shoes. Biting my lip anxiously, I look up at his face. He’s staring right back at me and looks amused. Letting go of my lip with my teeth, I settle myself with a few deep breaths.

Flicking his hair from his eyes and clasping his hands together in his lap, he enquires, “Actually I have quite a few questions. You stated that you knew all the packs current and past events. If so, you would know who I am?”

Gulping quickly, I try to answer without giving anything away in my voice, “Honestly, I didn’t know who you were until this very moment. I assume you are Samuel’s son. If that is in fact the case, I had no idea he stepped down from the Alpha position. In my defense and with no hard feelings towards your pack, you often don’t attend gatherings or report back anything to most packs. So most current events regarding your pack aren’t knowledge I could obtain.”

"I have the following question: have you kept your soul clean of infidelity?” His thick accent sends me reeling with emotions. Why would he ask me such a question in front of everyone? Most people know of me but have only ever seen me today. How could I have lost my virginity or even kiss a male? Everyone around stops mingling and stares directly at me, eager to hear my response.

“I assure you I'm completely clean of all acts of infidelity to my mate.” I answered, even though I want to say I’ve done everything to keep his distance. I have to answer honestly or the other packs might not take me at all. There have been many wolves that have caused whole uprisings against each other when their mate has been unable to fulfill the mate bond due to the women's loss of fidelity.

I never expected I would ever have the opportunity to participate in the reckoning. I also never expected to find my mate. I always hoped if I had found my mate that he would share the same interests as me. So it would be easier to still achieve what I want and keep my wolf happy simultaneously. My wolf seems not to be as drawn to our mate as I once had expected she would be. She's almost frightened by him.

Everything I read on the matter was all the same. When wolves find their mate, their wolves will push them together no matter their origin, ranking, and abilities. On a rare occasion where one of the mates would reject the other, it was usually young wolves that first obtain the ability to find a mate. Given the fact they are teenagers, usually it was for dumb reasons.

“What's the best way you’d describe your dreams of the future?” His stare burns through me but I keep my eyes fixed on him.

“I'm not your average she-wolf. I want more than just to find my mate and bare pups. I want a future that is so much more than just that. I want to travel, I want to help protect my chosen pack. I'm a strong force to be reckoned with. I have displayed that many times throughout today and will continue to for the rest of my life.”

“I have a few questions myself.” Alpha Marcelo from the Bane pack pryes me from the deep gaze of Tobias.

“You have my attention sir.” I replied with a respectful smile.

After what felt like hours of questioning. I’m hit with one more question. “If you had to choose between one of these packs, as you seem to fit the criteria, for all but a few, which pack would you choose?” Tobias’s question has me reeling. The High Crown pack was my dream. However, having him in that pack as the Alpha, I would be genuinely happy with the way the pack works as a whole.

Deciding not to lie, I clarified,“I would be happy to be placed in any of the packs I meet the criteria for. However, one pack always called to me. The High Crown pack would offer me everything I’m looking for in a pack and more.” His lips turned up in a partial smile. Could this man get any more good looking? It turns out he can judging by that smile of his.

“Alright number 32, you can go sit with the others.” Rowan spoke for the first time during my turn on stage. I genuinely forgot he was even here.

I take a seat next to Mason and he smiles warmly at me. He wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me in for a side hug. Closing my eyes, I relaxed on him. The tingles are tiny and are hardly noticeable compared to earlier in the garden.

When I will myself to open my eyes, I catch a glimpse of Tobias. He grabs Mason and tosses him to the ground. Making me topple off my chair in the process.

“Don’t you ever f*cking touch her again.” Tobias’s whole body was tense with fists clenched at his side. Turning his attention to me, his body relaxed. A look of hurt crossed his face as I felt something drop from my face. Looking down, I saw a red droplet on the ground. Am I bleeding?

As I start to search for the bleeding, Tobias swoops me in his arms and takes off running. His touch was nothing like the synthetic elixir that Mason had. From head to toe, my whole body felt like it was electrified in the most erotic and exhilarating way. It was a feeling I could get lost in forever. My whole body calms and I nestle my head into his chest. Inhaling his stormy scent, my wolf purrs with excitement. I close my eyes trying to take this feeling in.

When I open my eyes, we are in my room. Tobias sets me down on my bathroom counter, placing himself between my legs. My dress shifts in the interaction, making me feel exposed. I glance at myself in the mirror and observe the cut on my cheek. Luckily, it's already healing.

Gently grabbing my face, he places a single kiss on my cheek where the cut is, leaving sweltering heat in its wake, not just on my face, I might add. As I catch a glimpse of my reflection, the cut is no longer there. Grabbing the purple hand towel near the sink, he wets it down and gently rubs the blood off my face.

Snapping back to reality, I think of Mason. I push Tobias away and push myself off the counter. Not only did he hurt Mason, earlier this morning Angelica smelled of him.

As I start walking, his voice makes me stop mid stride, “What is wrong with you?” His tone strikes a nerve in me and the rest of my calm goes out the window.

Turning around, I snapped,“What's wrong with me? What’s wrong with you? I have never been able to have not one friend. Not one! You just hurt the first person to ever show me that kindness. You have no right to be so impulsive. You don’t even know me.”

“On the contrary, I know you better than you think. When I took over my father’s position, my whole job was to get info on each and every pack. When I heard of the daughter of Oryn being locked away, my interest peaked. I quite naturally thought you would be some disformed mutant. That was until I heard from your brother. He informed me that you would be a part of the reckoning and I should attend because he perceived you as a good candidate for my pack. His letter was quite compelling. At first I was skeptical. Not many have enough strength, overall intelligence, and confidence all in one. That is if they aren’t raised in High Crown. So I denied his request.

Your brother even went as far as to show up to my territory to convince me. This time he brought with him videos of you and all that you were capable of.” My pulse quickened. He recorded those videos 3 months ago claiming they were for my father to overview.

He continues with a smile on his face, “Something in me was drawn to you. I just assumed it was because of how good you truly were. I needed to test it though. So when it came time to start, I came up with a plan with your brother. I would be the prey in the second round. It was quite brilliant actually. I got to see you in action and participate. When I smelled you on the field, it was hard to stay focused. Of course, I wanted to hunt you first, but the others were quite good at keeping my attention on them. When all the others had been eliminated, I hunted you. To my surprise, you caught me off guard and it was probably one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.”

“So you know of my skills. You don’t know me as a person.” I stated matter of factly. “If you don’t mind, I'm going to go find my friend who is probably wondering what the hell is going on.” Striding to the door, I almost made it until he grabbed my wrist, spinning me around into his chest. With his other hand grabbing my waist, he moves his face inches in front of mine.

His voice is rugged and raw “I do mind.” His hot breath hits my face and I do what I do best.

"You know the first moment I knew my mate was here. A woman by the name of Angelica was wearing his scent. I had never hated someone before. Count yourself the first." I sneered. With that, I kneed him right in the groin.