The Alpha's Hidden Mate

Underdog

*Kyan*

My day had been going remarkably well. I’m not in the same group as Malcolm, which is a relief. I definitely don’t put it past that bastard to cheat. I feel sorry for anyone who is in his group, and while Jaxson and I are not together, which is too bad, I felt pretty good about the collection of students I’ve been competing against so far. In the first two events, I beat everyone, hands down. No one else was even close.

Then… I ran into Emory.

Finished with the distance race, I went over to get water, like everyone else. He was walking right at me, head down, looking a little worse for the wear, like he’d given the last event everything he had.

Something about the kid draws me in. I don’t know what it is about him, whether it’s the fact that he looks so small and frail or that he seems like the sort of person who would give you the shirt off his back and then ask if you also want his shoes, but every time the thought of someone hurting him or embarrassing him comes to mind, I want to pound my fist into a rock.

So… it was nice to hear he’d done well in his first two events. I don’t think he was being sarcastic. I certainly believe he poured his heart out on the field.

Then, I made the stupid ass mistake of offering him a fist bump.

Goddess damn it! When am I gonna remember I can’t touch this guy without everything in my mind going all haywire?

Seriously, it’s like he has some sort of electric charge built up within him so that every time my skin touches his, I feel like a jolt of electricity just went pulsing down my spine. I’ve never felt anything like it in my entire life. It’s unsettling. I don’t like it.

I don’t like that I think I might like it.

Shaking my head, I rejoin my group, ready for our trainer to give us the next instruction. I’ve still got a long day ahead of me, and I can’t let my mind fixate on what’s going on with Emory. He can take care of himself. None of the guys in his group are assholes, like Malcolm and his posse, so I can just forget about him and concentrate on the next event. I can get him off my mind. He’s just my roommate. Just another guy. He’s no one. He’s nothing. I’m not gonna think about him anymore.

Except… I can’t help it.

What the f**k is happening to me? I have no idea.

***

*Ember*

We’ve completed four events now, and I’ve finished first in three of them and second in the other, which was a long jump. In fairness, Jeremy’s legs come to my armpits, so there really wasn’t much chance of me winning that one. Still, I’m proud of myself–and shocked. Not only am I tiny compared to the other students, they’re all men. All I’ve heard my entire life is how women are dainty and fragile and how men have bigger muscles and more stamina, how a woman could never train to be a warrior as effectively as a man can. Women should stay at home, bear the children, and help the pack through tending to the poor and needy. All of that is fine and good, but the idea that we are incapable of defending our homes is suddenly beginning to sound like utter bullshit.

When we break for lunch, it’s picnic style, and we’re allowed to intermingle with the other groups, which is great since Gary is the only guy I know in my cohort, and I really want to check in with Luka. When I spot my friend across the field, Gary follows along. “Is it all right if I hang out with you?” he asks.

“No problem,” I say, giving him an encouraging smile. “You’ve been busting your ass out there.”

“I’ve been trying.” I hear the disappointment in his voice. “But… I’m not very good at any of this.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll catch on.” I clap him on the shoulder. “We’ve all gotta start somewhere.”

“I thought maybe it was because of my size,” he says as we reach a food distribution station and grab sandwiches, chips, an apple, and a cookie, along with a large cup of water. “But you’re absolutely killing it, and you’re even smaller than I am.”

“I’ve always been fast,” I say with a shrug.

“You’re not just fast, though, Emory. You’re strong and agile, too. You’re going to end up in the top group.”

I almost laugh. The idea of me being in the top group is so comical, I can’t even wrap my head around it. “Whatever,” I say, and we reach the spot where Luka, Brock, Mikey, and a couple of other guys I haven’t met yet have already congregated.

I am not at all surprised to hear Luka telling a story–with an enormous bite of sandwich in his mouth. “So… I knew if I passed him on the left, he’d block me. So I had to go to the outside.”

“Did you get around him?” Shockingly, Mikey is also talking with food in his mouth.

Luka nods. “f**k, yeah, I did. Came in first. That’s how it’s done, my bros.” There’s a round of congratulations in the form of fist bumps, which I join into, glad that I feel absolutely nothing pulsating up my arm when I touch these guys.

“How’s it going for you, Emory?” I think I detect a hint of sympathy in Brock’s voice. “You hanging in there?”

Nodding, I take a bite of my sandwich and say, “I’m managing.” It disgusts me, despite not being able to see the wadded up food in my own mouth, but it must be done.

“Are you shitting me?” Gary asks, shaking his head. “He’s absolutely killing it. He’s won three out of four of our competitions.”

“What?” Mikey asks, his face scrunching up, turning it almost a shade of tomato red, thanks to his normal disposition and all of the exertion he’s been through recently. “No way.”

I’m not sure what to say, so I don’t speak, only take another bite of my turkey and cheese sandwich.

A deep rumble escapes Luka’s lips. “That’s my man,” he says. “I knew you were keeping something from me.”

I lift my head, staring into his green eyes, wondering what the hell he means. Surely, he’s not on to me. “What’s that?”

“You’re one of those… freaks of nature. Like one of those dude’s descended from a long line of Alpha Kings or some s**t. Small but mighty. Damn, Em. That’s impressive.”

I’m not really sure what he’s talking about, but I thank him with a nod, and then the conversation shifts, and I can sit and listen and not have to worry about anything for a few moments.

But as soon as the trainers blow the whistle, letting us know lunch is over, a sickening feeling sinks into the pit of my stomach. My first huge test is on the horizon.

It’s almost time for me to get naked.