Rejected by the Alpha

Chapter 2: Trial of the Pack

The Blood Moon pack’s camp was shrouded in a thin morning mist, the air sharp with the scent of pine and tension. Lin Xia jolted awake at the sound of a piercing horn, her body still aching from the previous day. The strange heat still coursed through her veins, a faint reminder of the power she’d felt last night. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. Today, she couldn’t afford to show weakness.

Gar stood at the center of the camp, the pack gathered around him, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. His golden eyes swept over the crowd, his voice low and commanding. “The Black Claw pack’s threat isn’t over. We need more warriors. Today, all new members will face a trial—including her.” He glanced at Lin Xia, his gaze devoid of warmth.

Lin Xia’s heart sank. A trial? She was a mere human—how could she pass any trial in a world of werewolves? But she knew she had no choice. Ayla stood among the crowd, smirking, her voice dripping with mockery as she whispered to another wolf, “She won’t last a day. The trial will kill her.” Lin Xia clenched her jaw, resolve hardening within her. No matter what, she’d survive.

The trial took place in a dense forest, the rules simple but brutal: enter the woods, hunt a designated beast, and bring back its tusk as proof. Gar’s voice was cold as he added, “Fail, and you’ll be banished—or die in there.” Lin Xia glanced at the other wolves, their eyes brimming with confidence. She, on the other hand, had nothing—no claws, no speed, not even a decent weapon.

She was handed a rusty dagger, its blade dull and chipped. Gripping it tightly, she cursed under her breath. What can I kill with this piece of junk? But she had no other option. Steeling herself, she stepped into the forest. The woods were alive with danger, the shadows shifting, low growls echoing in the distance. Lin Xia moved cautiously, trying to mask her scent.

It didn’t take long to spot her target—a massive boar with razor-sharp tusks and blood-red eyes. She held her breath, creeping closer, but the boar suddenly turned, locking eyes with her. With a furious snort, it charged. Lin Xia’s heart nearly stopped, but she forced herself to stay calm, diving behind a tree just as the boar crashed into it, the trunk shuddering from the impact.

Using the moment, Lin Xia darted out from the side, driving her dagger into the boar’s neck with all her strength. But the blade was too dull—it barely broke the skin. The boar roared in rage, swinging its head, its tusk grazing her arm and leaving a bloody gash. Lin Xia bit back a cry of pain, seizing the opportunity as the boar turned to leap onto its back. With every ounce of strength, she plunged the dagger into its eye.

The boar let out a guttural scream, thrashing wildly. Lin Xia was thrown off, crashing into a rock, her vision blurring from the impact. But she clung to the dagger, scrambling to her feet. As the boar staggered, she lunged again, driving the blade into its throat. This time, it struck true. The beast convulsed, then collapsed, dead.

Lin Xia slumped to the ground, gasping for air, her arm bleeding, her body screaming in pain. But she forced herself to stand, cutting off the boar’s tusk and stumbling out of the forest. When she returned to the camp, the pack fell silent, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. Ayla’s face twisted in anger, muttering, “How? She’s just a human…”

Gar stood on a raised platform, his gaze unreadable as he looked down at Lin Xia. She threw the tusk at his feet, her voice hoarse but steady. “I passed.” Gar said nothing, only giving a slight nod, but Lin Xia caught a flicker of surprise in his eyes—something he couldn’t quite hide.

After the trial, Lin Xia was led to a small tent to rest. Her wounds were crudely bandaged, but the pain kept her awake. She lay on a pelt, replaying the day’s events. That strange heat had saved her during the fight, boosting her speed and strength beyond what she thought possible. She began to suspect it had something to do with Gar’s mark.

The tent flap rustled, and Gar stepped inside, his towering frame casting a shadow in the firelight. His expression was as cold as ever. Lin Xia sat up, instantly on guard. “What do you want?” Gar’s eyes bore into her. “You did well today. But don’t get cocky. You’re still weak, and you could die any moment.”

Lin Xia frowned, unable to hold back her retort. “Then why put me through the trial? Didn’t you want me to die?” Gar was silent for a moment, his tone carrying a hint of complexity. “I needed to see if you’re worth keeping around.” He paused, then added, “Your power… it’s not human. Be careful. Don’t let it control you.”

Lin Xia froze. Gar knew about her power? She tested him, her voice cautious. “You know something, don’t you? This power—it’s tied to your mark, isn’t it?” Gar didn’t answer directly, only letting out a cold grunt. “Survive, and you’ll find out.” He turned and left, leaving Lin Xia alone, her mind swirling with questions.

Lin Xia’s victory in the trial had slightly improved her standing in the Blood Moon pack, but she knew it was only the beginning. She was still an outsider in the eyes of the wolves, and the mockery and hostility hadn’t vanished—they’d merely become more subtle. She could sense it in the way some wolves looked at her, their gazes no longer just contemptuous but tinged with wariness, even murderous intent.

At dawn, Lin Xia was assigned to a gathering task, joining a small group of young wolves to collect herbs at the forest’s edge. She noticed one of them, a male wolf named Karl, kept avoiding her gaze, his eyes darting nervously. Lin Xia frowned, a sense of unease creeping into her chest, but she didn’t let it show, instead watching him carefully.

During the task, Karl suddenly suggested splitting up, claiming it would be more efficient. The other wolves agreed without much thought, but Lin Xia’s instincts screamed that something was off. She deliberately slowed her pace, pretending to focus on gathering herbs while secretly trailing Karl. Sure enough, he soon slipped away from the group, heading toward a secluded part of the forest, muttering under his breath.

Lin Xia held her breath, following him cautiously. She hid behind a large tree, watching as Karl met with a stranger—a lean, sinister-looking wolf with cold, calculating eyes and an ominous aura. Karl spoke in a hushed tone. “She passed the trial, and Gar seems to see her differently now. If she truly awakens her power, she’ll be a threat to us.”

The stranger smirked, his voice dripping with malice. “A human? How much of a threat could she be? The Black Claw pack’s plans can’t be disrupted by her. You know what to do.” Karl hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll take care of her, but it can’t raise Gar’s suspicions.” The stranger handed him a small pouch. “This is poison herb. Mix it into her food. She’ll die quietly.”

Lin Xia’s heart pounded. Poison? They were plotting to kill her! She forced down her fear, retreating silently to rejoin the group, pretending nothing had happened. Back at the camp, she became hyper-vigilant, checking every piece of food for tampering. But she knew this cautiousness was only a temporary shield—Karl would find another chance to strike if he was determined.

That night, Lin Xia pretended to sleep, her senses on high alert. As expected, Karl slipped into her tent under the cover of darkness, a wooden bowl in his hands, the faint scent of herbs wafting from it. Lin Xia held her breath, waiting until he was close before snapping her eyes open and grabbing his wrist with a fierce grip. “What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed.

Karl hadn’t expected her to be awake. In his panic, the bowl slipped from his hands, the contents spilling onto the ground, a sharp, acrid smell filling the air. Lin Xia sneered. “Poison, huh? You’re working with the Black Claw pack to kill me?” Karl’s face paled, and he tried to pull free, but the heat in Lin Xia’s veins surged, her arm erupting with surprising strength. She pinned him to the ground, his struggles futile.

Karl snarled, his voice venomous. “A human like you has no place in the Blood Moon pack! You’ll get us all killed!” Lin Xia’s eyes narrowed, her tone icy. “Me, get you killed? You’re the traitor, colluding with our enemies.” She twisted his arm harder, making him cry out in pain, his wrist nearly snapping.

Footsteps sounded outside the tent, and Gar stepped in. His eyes immediately took in the scene—Karl on the ground, the spilled poison, the tension in the air. His expression darkened instantly. Lin Xia released Karl, standing up, her voice calm but firm. “He tried to poison me. He’s working with the Black Claw pack. You’d better get the truth out of him.”

Gar’s gaze shifted to Karl, a murderous glint in his eyes. “Is that so?” Karl’s face drained of color, his voice trembling as he stammered, “Alpha, I didn’t! I was just—” Before he could finish, Gar seized him by the throat, his grip so tight Karl could barely breathe. “You know the fate of traitors.”

Karl was dragged away, his eyes wide with terror. Lin Xia stood there, her heart still pounding. Gar turned to her, his tone as cold as ever. “You got lucky this time. Don’t expect me to save you every time.” Lin Xia clenched her jaw, her voice low. “I never expected you to save me. I’ll survive on my own.”

Gar didn’t respond, only giving her a long, unreadable look before turning to leave. Lin Xia watched his retreating figure, her emotions a tangled mess. She knew Gar’s coldness was a facade—he had to know more about her power than he was letting on. And Karl’s betrayal had made one thing clear: the Blood Moon pack wasn’t safe. She needed to grow stronger, and fast, if she was going to survive in this brutal world.