The Adopted Alpha

Cart Race

Turns out, our hotel experience was just a temporary thing or at least, it was kind of an opposing prelude to our first challenge which was to survive in the wild.

So basically, the regional packs competition has three rounds, hence the name. And it just so happens that the first round was a test your survival skills challenge.

They were to spend two days in the wild, and by wild, they really meant the WILD!

They would have no access to Electricity, there was no Wi-Fi, no comfort, just them and the Great Outdoors. There was even a location on some rocky terrain in a far-off forest.

So what then was the Cart Race!?

Basically, all the contestant's mates gets to pick what that contestants would take along to survive, in the form of a storage facility sweep in only ten minutes.

....you know, like the TV show "Supermarket Sweep"?

Those who came without mates could do it themselves.

Clare was able to talk Hunter into participating, after a lot of eyelashes fluttering and whiny pouting. Which meant that Hunter was getting her supplies for her.

On the plus side, Clare thought that Hunter seemed like someone who would know exactly what was needed to survive. On the minus side, he seemed too chill for that kind of competition.

She just had to cross her fingers and hope that Hunter cared enough to get the the most importantly necessities.

The cart racers all stood at the entrance of the supermarket waiting for the whistle to get them started. Aiden was standing in for Gabby looking super determined to ensure that his girlfriend was not at the mercy of wicked elements on her first challenge.

Neil was also holding a cart since he had no one plus one. He stood in what he called his ready to shop spree pose. He gave Kat who was standing beside him a once over, the other was oblivious to him.

As the shrilling sound of the whistle went off, they all dash off.... well, all except Hunter who for some reason, could not be bothered to run like the rest.

She felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought of being exposed to all sort of dangers in a probably super cold, and dangerous mountain top for two whole days just because her best friend could not be bothered to look uncool.

"I might as well give up." Clare cried dramatically and swooned into Gabby's hands. "I swear, Hunter is doing this on purpose."

Gabby chuckled and quickly grabbed her tightly. "You can share with me."

Clare pursed her lips at her, "I'm pretty sure Aidan can't get enough for the both of us. I'm doomed."

Gabby scrunched her nose at her out of habit "Between Neil and Aidan, I'm pretty sure we have you covered."

Clare piped up at the mention of her other friend "Speaking of Neil, did you see the way he was looking at Kat? I think he might take this competition a bit personal. He looked ready to throw hands."

Gabby grimaced "I hope he does not, We don't want our friend getting disqualified for clawing someone's face out. He's really good at cat fights."

Clare shrugged. "She would kinda deserve it though." making Gabby burst into laughter along with her.

People were giving them weird looks for their sudden outburst so they covered their mouth with their hands to muffle their laughter. Rick gave them an impertinent look before going back to ignoring them.

"About Operation Get Neil's Man, did Hunter agree to help?"

Clare rolled her eyes at that "Gosh, no. That guy never listens to me."

The girls continued giggling and discussing until the timer went off and the whistle was blown.

The cart riders began to trail out of the room. Aiden came out first with a wide grin wheeling his cart to Gabby. Gabby threw her hands around him before even checking the contents of the cart.

Clare kept watching the others exiting and saw Neil waltz into the room with a smirk. His cart was plentifully packed and Clare had to admit that Neil was the King of shopping spree like he claimed.

Kat was behind him with a significantly less full cart. Clare turned to see Rick to see his reaction and saw, to hers and her friends' delight, that his eyebrows furrowed and his face hardened.

Apparently, Kat had put more importance on snacks and drinks than on the most basic stuff he would need. For example, she did not even get him a blanket or a flashlight.

The last one out was Hunter, and to Clare's surprise, he had a pretty full cart too and every single thing he had looked important, the more she offloaded, the more she realized that Hunter really went all out for her.

"Aidan was dashing around like crazy that I almost thought he would get more items than I would. And... Hunter.... O. M. G. where the heck did you get a portable heater from? A-and a phone solar panel? And... and a frigging mini first aid kit?" He glanced up at the way taller guy with something akin to hero worship.

Hunter shrugged in his super cool Hunter Pyrros way "They were on the far end of the store."

"You got all the way there?" Aidan exclaimed.

"I admit defeat. You are the true king of shopping." Neil declared in a dramatic voice making the rest of them giggle.

Clare could not stop grinning the whole time their items were bagged and sealed in a bubble wrap packing while their names were stamped on there.

They all waited till the three bags were sealed before leaving the building together Hunter helping Clare's lazy ass with her bags.

"Rick, I really thought you would get to charge your phone and you could use the flashlight."

"Don't you know the meaning of camping in the wild, Kat? Where did you think I would charge my battery." Rick's voice was sharp yet dangerously quiet.

Clare and Gabby exchanged knowing glances as Neil walked ahead of the rest of them and passed right beside showing off his numerous bags containing actual useful camping paraphernalias.

"Looks like someone was not so good at running on heels." Neil declared looking straight at his mate. "If you ever feel cold at night, you know where to find me, Daddy!"

Neil's smirk deepened as he sashayed right in front of Rick making sure to swing his hips a bit more than he usually would.

Clare exchanged amused glances with Gabby and quickly followed after the rest of them. leaving Rick to fume behind them.