Chapter 2 — The Alpha Test
1013 Words
The next morning, Elena woke before sunrise.
For several seconds, she forgot where she was.
Then she saw the unfamiliar room.
Blackthorn Academy.
Her hand immediately went to her chest.
The strange mark was gone.
But the skin beneath her fingers still felt warm.
Elena sat up slowly.
Her mother's warning echoed in her mind.
Never let them discover what you are.
She dressed quickly and covered herself with a high-collared uniform.
Today, she would be tested.
Every new student at Blackthorn Academy had to complete the Alpha Assessment.
It was designed to measure strength, instincts, control, and wolf ability.
For Elena, it was dangerous.
She didn't know what would happen if the test awakened the part of her blood she'd spent years hiding.
---
The training arena was already crowded.
Hundreds of students stood around the enormous circular field.
At the center was a silver platform surrounded by ancient stones.
Professor Rowan stepped forward.
“Today, we determine your current abilities.”
The students cheered.
Elena remained near the back.
She wanted to disappear.
Instead, Professor Rowan looked directly at her.
“Elena.”
She stiffened.
“Come forward.”
Whispers immediately spread through the crowd.
“The unmarked girl?”
“She's being tested first?”
Elena walked onto the platform.
Kael and Adrian stood among the students.
Both watched her carefully.
Professor Rowan placed a hand on the first stone.
“Place your palm here.”
Elena hesitated.
“Is there another way?”
“No.”
She slowly placed her hand on the stone.
Nothing happened.
Some students laughed.
Professor Rowan frowned.
“Again.”
Elena pressed harder.
Still nothing.
Kael smiled slightly.
“Maybe she's not an Alpha at all.”
Elena glanced at him.
“Maybe.”
Then the stone cracked.
The entire arena fell silent.
A silver light burst from beneath Elena's hand.
The ancient stones surrounding the platform began glowing one after another.
Professor Rowan stumbled backward.
“What…”
The light changed from silver to blue.
Then to black.
The entire arena shook.
Students screamed.
Elena pulled her hand away.
The lights vanished.
Silence returned.
Professor Rowan stared at the cracked stone.
“Everyone leave.”
Nobody moved.
“NOW!”
The students rushed toward the exits.
Kael remained.
So did Adrian.
Professor Rowan looked at them.
“You two as well.”
Kael didn't move.
“What happened?”
“Leave.”
Adrian's eyes remained fixed on Elena.
“That wasn't normal.”
Professor Rowan's voice became cold.
“Neither is she.”
Elena's stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?”
The professor stepped closer.
“You need to come with me.”
“No.”
Kael stepped between them.
“She doesn't have to go anywhere.”
Professor Rowan looked at him.
“This isn't your decision, Prince Kael.”
“It becomes my decision if you're threatening a student.”
Adrian joined them.
“For once, I agree with him.”
Kael looked surprised.
Adrian ignored him.
“Elena needs answers.”
Professor Rowan stared at both princes.
Then he lowered his voice.
“You have no idea what you're protecting.”
He walked away.
Elena watched him disappear.
“What did he mean?”
Neither prince answered.
---
Later that afternoon, Elena sat alone beneath an old oak tree.
She stared at her hands.
The test had awakened something.
She could feel it.
Something inside her was no longer sleeping.
Footsteps approached.
She looked up.
Adrian.
“You followed me.”
“I wanted to talk.”
“I don't.”
He sat several feet away.
“You don't trust anyone.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because trusting people gets you hurt.”
Adrian studied her.
“You're different.”
“I've heard that today.”
“I mean it differently.”
Elena looked away.
Before she could answer, another voice interrupted.
“Am I disturbing something?”
Kael stood behind the tree.
Adrian sighed.
“You're always disturbing something.”
Kael looked at Elena.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
“You're lying.”
Elena stood.
“I said I'm fine.”
A sudden wave of dizziness hit her.
She grabbed the tree.
Both princes moved toward her.
“Don't!”
They stopped.
Elena closed her eyes.
Something was calling her.
Not a voice.
A presence.
Ancient.
Powerful.
And angry.
Then she heard a whisper.
Blood of the First Moon.
Elena's eyes opened.
She looked toward the forest.
Someone was watching.
“Who's there?”
Kael turned.
Adrian's senses sharpened.
“I don't see anyone.”
Elena did.
A shadow moved between the trees.
She ran after it.
“Wait!”
Kael and Adrian followed.
The shadow disappeared.
Elena stopped at the edge of the forest.
There was nothing there.
Then she noticed something on the ground.
A black wolf pendant.
She picked it up.
Her fingers began trembling.
She knew the symbol.
It belonged to her father.
The father she'd been told was dead.
Adrian stared at the pendant.
“Elena…”
She couldn't speak.
Kael looked toward the dark forest.
“Someone from your past is here.”
Elena closed her hand around the pendant.
“No.”
A cold voice came from behind them.
“Yes.”
They turned.
A tall stranger stood between the trees.
His eyes were completely black.
He smiled at Elena.
“Your father sends his regards.”
Elena froze.
“My father is dead.”
The stranger laughed.
“You were supposed to believe that.”
He stepped forward.
“He isn't dead, Elena.”
Kael drew his sword.
Adrian shifted into a fighting stance.
The stranger's smile widened.
“And he wants you to know that your eighteenth birthday wasn't the beginning of your power.”
He pointed at Elena.
“It was the beginning of the countdown.”
The ground beneath Elena's feet began to glow.
The mark on her chest returned.
Brighter than ever.
And somewhere beyond the forest, a wolf howled.
The stranger whispered:
“The First Alpha has awakened.”
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD