The Nomad

Strength Training

At the end of week 2 the headmaster had to send home three students due to unsatisfactory marks. Since they were dismissed without graduating they will never be allowed to claim an Alpha title. The following two weeks for strength training flew by in a blur. My fighting abilities were already on par with the headmasters so they had me focus on building muscles. By the end I could lift 3 full grown wolves and fight off another 4. Nobody would spar with me due to fear of being hurt except John and the headmasters.

Once strength training was complete the headmasters called another meeting. "Alphas you have all grown quite a bit in the past month. You all possess the knowledge and strength that all Alphas should, but be sure your growth doesnt end with our training," the headmistress paused when a few students began to cheer as if this was the graduating ceremony. She continued once the cheers died down, "Now as some of you may recall the first day we met I explained the base curriculum for your stay. Does anybody recall what the base curriculum is?"

She nodded at me as I raised my hand above my head. "ma'am you stated that first we would do aptitude tests, then broaden our knowledge, followed by strength training, and last would be the challenge." With that a devilish grin spread on my lips.

"Thank you J. That means now is time for the challenge before anybody can graduate. This challange will determine who is a True Alpha and who isn't. You may back out now and avoid the challange, but know that if you back out now it will hold the same consequences as failing in week 2." She paused allowing her words to be absorbed by the students.

"If anybody would like to back out speak now. We will provide no more information about the challange." The headmistress surveyed the crowd taking note of who she thought would drop out before the end of the challange. Nobody stepped forward.

"Okay with that we will continue. If you all would follow me we will proceed to the basement." The headmasters exited the stage and lead everybody through the mansion and down a hidden stairwell, flipping on the lights as we spread around an open room.

As my eyes adjusted they settled on the 7 metal chairs evenly spaced in front of me. I started scanning the room and noticed a wall of weapons with a big mirror next to it. The weapons included daggers, chains, silver knuckles, and a clear liquid; probably wolfsbane. That's when it hit me. This isn't just any basement; it's a torture room.

"Okay Alphas please take a seat and we will get started."

Everybody chose a chair while the headmistress pulled a wooden box from the wall. She motioned for our betas to approach and lead them into a room behind the mirror, returning in a few moments alone.

"From this point on nobody can back out. If the headmaster and I feel that you cant handle the challange we will consult your Beta about pulling you out. With that said we will begin."

The next few days were filled with learning typical torture techniques and how to escape or withstand them. It wasn't too bad until we got into the wolfsbane training. We could back out of this one ourselves since it is highly controversial, but I opted to stay along with 3 other Alphas, the rest would return tomorrow as tho nothing happened.

Once the other Alphas and Betas left the Headmistress addressed us. "When you want to stop put your hand up and somebody will come unhook you; if you pass out somebody will come unhook you. For this your Betas will have no say. only you can pull yourself out, understood?" She asked sternly looking each of us in the eye as she spoke.

"Yes ma'am!" was the resounding response from all three of us.

"Okay students take your seats and we will begin." With that a nurse came out and hooked up an Iv to each of us.

Over the next 9 hours they injected us with wolfsbane slowly upping the dose every 20 minutes. Within the first hour and a half two boys had dropped out leaving only myself and another. He passed out in another hour. My vision began to go dark after hour 6, but I refused to give in. I managed to drag the torture for another few hours until the headmistress decided I could stop.

John helped me to my room and into some pajamas so I could sleep this off. After a few moments the doctor came in and hooked me up to an iv with fluids in it to help get the wolfsbane out along with some soup to settle my stomach. Apparently all 4 of us that did the challange got room visits from the doctor.

The following day we went onto the field as instructed only to find a new building had been built in the back.

"Alphas today will be the day that you learn who is a True Alpha and who isn't. We will be having mock fights today. Everybody will be paired up with another allowing for two on two fights. I have gathered some warriors to help with this stage so please do not hurt my men as I know they wont hurt you." With that she began pairing everybody off. Sam and I were placed as a team which put me at ease; since the incident in the library him and I have gotten pretty close.

We were shuffled into the new building to await our turn to fight. After 3 teams had gone we were called out. Stepping into the midday sun I caught sight of the headmasters and John on the side line whispering amongst themselves. They looked up as I cleared my throat.

"Okay Alpha J and Alpha Samuel your fight is going to take place in the woods here. Please use everything you've learned and prove to me your True Alphas." We turned and began walking into the woods.

"Be sure to watch your back out here. We dont know where the enemy is." Sam stated cautiously. I just rolled my eyes knowing that whoever's we are facing will be able to hear us ever if we're whispering.

A twig snapped to our right and we immediately got into defensive positions scanning our surroundings. I took a deep calming breath allowing Katara to surface a just enough to enhance our senses.

"Sam I smell two wolves to the north about 15 yards, but..." Before I could finish sam sprinted in the direction I'd just told me.

"Sam stop! They aren't going to attack us!" I screamed but he was too caught up in the chase. I wouldnt catch him in time.

"J let me take control I can get him"

"okay Katara but please dont hurt him. we're still in training" With that I stripped and gave Katara control as she bolted into the brush

We spotted Sam just as he was approaching the other wolves ready for a fight. Katara charged him knocking Sam sideways and coming between him and the other two. He had shifted also and was only focused on winning the fight to finish the challange. Katara and I would have none of him attacking innocent wolves.

I stood tall and pushed out some power while releasing a blood curdling growl warning him to stand down before I attack him. After a few moments Sam bowed his head and shifted back. I turned around to inspect the wolves behind me, but they had shifted back and were bowing too. Knowing there was no threat Katara turned heading to John.

When we emerged from the trees John jogged over while pulling off his shirt. He knew I hated being naked infront of outsiders. I shifted back as he handed me the button up dress shirt.

"What happened in there kid? And why did you have to shift?" He seemed very concerned about me as if I wouldnt have a reason.

"Just calm down. The warriors we faced will brief you and the headmasters once they get here." As if on cue the two warriors and Sam emerged from the trees wearing basketball shorts.

"Okay men how did our Alphas do?"

"ma'am while we were forming our plan we smelt the boy approaching and decided to see what he would do. He came charging at us from the back with intent to attack, but before he could reach us a small black wolf; which I can only assume was Alpha J, knocked him over and got into a defensive stance between us. He submitted after a few seconds then the black wolf turned and run back this way." He bowed his head and stepped back

"Alpha Sam, why did you attack the warriors?" the headmistress sounded annoyed

With his head down Sam began to explain how he thought the point of the exercise was to make the warriors submit, by the end his voice was barely about a whisper.

"Alpha J how did you know not to attack the warriors?"

"Well ma'am honestly I didnt" I murmured out

The headmistress seemed surprised. "Then why did you react how you did?"

With this question I had no trouble answering. "Ma'am I did as I was instructed. Once the warriors were located I knew they werent going to attack us by their scent, but before I could tell Sam he had taken off after them. Giving control to Katara was the only way for me to stop Sam before he actually attacked them. I arrived just in time." I stood firm and proud as I gave my explanation.

"Good dear now please explain why you not only stopped Alpha Sam, but also stood ready to fight for my warriors?" She questions as her lip twitched into a quick smirk

"because a True Alpha stands to protect all wolves no matter pack affiliation or status. It would have pained me to allow Sam or the warriors to fight without just cause. Thankfully he stopped at my warning and stood down." John beamed with pride at hearing this from me.

"Final question. What would you have done if Alpha Sam didnt stand down? Would you have fought or let the warriors handle the situation?" She asked this purely out of curiosity knowing it would make no difference now.

"I would have fought Sam without hesitation. He was warned by a current Alpha to stand down; therefore, if he refused it would have been my duty to make him submit or put him down." I stated with no emotion in my voice. While I would hate to take Sam out it would be my responsibility after using my Alpha tone on him

Sam looked taken aback with that answer, but he knew I just being honest. The headmasters dismissed up to go change and clean up, but not before informing us that we had passed this section of the testing. Sam was confused as to how he passed, but he wouldnt question it.