Chapter 16
MAXIM POV
This has to end. More of the same training. Same as last year. What for?
What else is there for men like Kai, Silas and I to perfect? We are being brutalised as training partners for idiotic first–years when we should be working with the elite end. Not dodging feeble punches and flipping chunky idiots onto their backs.
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There is no point protesting. Warden Donlon is locked away in the third highest tower most days. No doubt due to the rebels and rumours.
20
I should be out there, gathering information, slitting the necessary throats. Wearing that black shirt with pride.
The fact we hear these whispers only shows he needs to be sacking his current Betas. The gossip flying around the upper years is constant as we steam out the bruises and injuries to our flesh in a large, foggy, green–tiled bathhouse. Every time I come in here I’m grateful the blood–red theme didn’t continue into this space. It would resemble an abattoir.
Over twenty of us spread out across multiple tiled levels, flashes of green and purple bruised skin. Bite marks with their livid scarring stand out amongst the cool tiling. Stripping off, my bite from Tessa nice and visible, I close my eyes and settle onto a tiled bench.
“The barbed wire defences outside the farming area completely shredded!”
“Like they want to be attacked!”
“Don’t get me started on those fucking elves! Land–grabbing little bastards.”
“They’re inviting a war. They want us to head on down there,” Isaac grumbles loudly. “I’d love to get stuck into them. Cocky, pointy–eared
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little shits.”
“If you’re doing something because of an Elf…it’s because they’re fucking with you. I’d be more worried they’re planning some sneaky flank surprise,” Kai reasons steadily.
+20
That is why Kai will be a top Beta. Probably one of Alpha Hale’s main confidantes. I’m certainly not made to lead men into tactical warfare. So I just keep my eyes shut and my opinions for myself.
“Good discussion men?”
A terrifyingly deep voice boomed across the large tiled room. Alpha Hale.
Fuck.
He’s naked too. His enormous dick swings with every step. Like he fancied clubbing baby seals whilst exfoliating. He silently ladles on water until his huge white blonde head and hairy chest vanishes into the mist.
He just stands tall, studying us all like the shocked fools we are.
Every man in here is on alert. And not just because of the Alpha’s still- visible genitals.
This can’t be good. Maybe a trap? Kai and Isaac look sickened at their voices carrying the furthest.
The last time Alpha Hale hung out among us, it was to tell us the last runaway Beta who had found their mate with the rebels had been found. Hung out is the wrong phrase to use right now.
Memories of watching my friend Alric plunge from the gray stone cliff are summoned unwillingly. Waiting above us all, the sheer rock face too desolate and cold for even moss to climb its jagged shards.
I remember it was completely silent when Alpha Hale delivered his
punishment. One rough push into his back. Alric flew down like an arrow into the black gloom below. He never said a damn word.
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I shake my head and stroke my cheeks roughly. The Alpha is here and I’m lost in the past.
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“Where has the conversation gone then? You couldn’t shut up five minutes ago about all the things I should be doing?” his booming voice somehow both a growl and roar. “Well? What does being the Alpha mean to you? My pack members?”
“Loyalty Alpha!”
“I’m done watching you lot fuck about from a distance. There are first years out there with more smarts than some of you. Changes are coming men. Changes are fucking coming.”
Pouring more water, he shut his eyes and leaned back onto a tiled column as his pale skin gleamed with sweat. After a minute he snapped back into
life.
None of us had moved. Waving the ladle slowly from left to right.
“Because you don’t know everything. Not at all. But I do. Every. Fucking. Thing.”
“Yes Alpha!” we cry in unison, heads nodding in respect. Minutes ached along, Kai and Silas silently mouthing “fucking hell” at me. That doesn’t help my burgeoning paranoia.
Isaac blushes when the Alpha’s huge, meaty finger points directly at him. “You. Tell me what you’ve heard. I’ll tell you if it’s true or not.”
Isaac’s tongue fails him, stammering before our leader. Sweat drips down the close–shaved sides of his head, his black centre braiding hanging limp
as a rats tail.
My wolf lurches forward with a scheme. To catapult up the ladder of rankings you have to pick a moment to shine. This seemed like a good
one.
Clearing my throat I seize my chance. “Alpha Hale, I’ve submitted a report
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GO
on rebel activity in the industrial sector. It is not just individual families. with grudges. The ringleader is in the farming district. The tactics suggest connections to the elves.”
Alpha Hale stared straight at me, blue eyes blazing. Then nothing but a grunt. All that balls it took to throw my knowledge out there and I get a fucking grunt.
With a wave of his hand, “Everyone out!” Dismissed like children. Insignificant.
All that effort, believing my report would be my ticket towards the top ranks. Shredded. Replaced by fury. More than enough boiling resentment for me to stride away from Kai and Silas and drag on some clothes.
I attack the archery range instead. Launching round after round in an attempt to cool my annoyance. I don’t care that I’m supposed to be assisting Warden Brock and Warden Gray with the first–year infantry drills. I just don’t give a shit. Fuck it, Marshall can make me carry logs on my back tomorrow. I won’t feel a damn thing.
Can an Alpha tell when one of his pack members is muttering, “Fuck you,” over and over, in between pulls of the bow?
The longer I practice, the more the cool breeze soothes my disappointment. The bells signal my edging closer towards what is
normally my favourite part of the day. Waiting outside for Tessa to return from her scent–tracing.
Only Kai and Silas appear first. “Everything okay? Warden Marshall wanted your hide.”
They know I’ve swung and missed. “Fine. Just…let’s not talk about it tonight. Tessa doesn’t need to know.”
“Sure?” Kai asked.
“Very.”
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They left me to it, allowing me to pull myself together before greeting Tessa. I quite like switching off the real world for a bit.
+20)
The instant she walks out of that stable and smiles up at me I allow myself to change. Soften. Wrapping my arm around her slender shoulders and keeping her close. The normally boring beige and gold uniform somehow makes her brown eyes brighter, her coppery hair wild after escaping the mornings plaits.
But tonight it’s not…right. We sat together. She’s leaning into me, even touching my face, but it’s not as easy as before.
Alpha Hale’s menace today has left me rattled. Edgier. Maybe a little callous. My food tastes like shit.
When I submitted my report over a week ago I included some extra thoughts for Alpha Hale to consider. Promoting, not just myself, but people like the bold, daring Allette. With her black hair and piercing gray eyes she is as cool as any fellow assassin.
Except, as I realised tonight, her forthright nature and lingering, steely gaze can make Tessa a little jealous. Well, confidence is attractive. It just is. Sue me.
Tessa seems to be in some constant moral quandary about what we’re doing with this lie. Whereas my blood is laced with self–destruction.
The art of being a gentleman has got me no further than kissing her outside Block A. I know she wants more. She just won’t allow herself. She won’t even tell me why.
Her wolf is clearly a hidden minx because once asleep, her hand rakes up and down my chest like a torturer’s apprentice. Dangerously, frustratingly close to the waistband of my briefs, those delicate fingertips dance like little devils.
I simply keep my breathing simple and wait for her to realise what she is
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doing. She always does eventually. Letting out a little squeak of panic and rolling over like a mouse. It’s almost sweet she thinks I remain asleep.
A woman’s fingertips playing with the dips and rises of my abs, nestling into my chest hair, then following that trail downwards, almost to the right place. There is no chance of sleeping through such tantalising exploration.
I doubt Allette would behave like that. She takes what she wants. I imagine she’s left a string of idiotic men in her wake. Or their corpses.
Even so, Tessa need not worry for a second. I just see Allette as a potential go–between into the Elven area. Wardens are meant to talent spot after all. If I’m the one to push her to the front then it’s my win. My validation.
If it makes Tessa sit a little closer to me, blush that deep raspberry hue and act a little possessively, I’m not going to resist.
It makes a change from feeling her scurry away. The nightly taste of abandonment is too bitter to endure for much longer.
Tessa still has so much to learn.
I’m already dreading the day Irene gets sent packing. It’s coming. She’s bottom in the Armoury section. I checked.
Tessa is going to weep. I’m not good with that.
Plus, I’m going to end up with a fucking cat in my room.
Tessa openly mentioning my fucked up attempt at climbing the ladder broke the attempt to suspend belief for a few hours. Allette chipping in, Kai and Silas looking awkward as hell.
“Excuse me,” was the best I could do.
Pacing outside my eye caught sight of the towers. Donlon will be up there, still not choosing me.
In fact. I’m going to find out why that is..
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Right after curfew.
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I ignore the heavy thud of guilt in my ribcage when I notice Tessa and her friends leaving. She looks for me and I’m not there. Tonight I’ve let her
down.
But students aren’t allowed in the towers after training hours, they are reserved for the Alpha’s family and Wardens.
Donlon won’t mind. Three years he’s been more of a father to me than any other man.
Advising me how to deal with Warden Marshall’s relentless dislike and trying to hide his disappointment when my mouth still got the better of me. With his pale gray iris and aging hair. his powerful, muscular strength is concealed. One of his greatest tricks, convincing the world he is weak.
Grabbing an oil lantern I start my way up the cylindrical space. Wooden doors every few flights offering access to various bedrooms and passageways into the main packhouse.
Donlon is second from the top. That blonde fucker Marshall above him. Lording it over everyone, always watching with that fucking telescope he has positioned in his window. I catch a trace of his basil–laced scent overlaid with Donlon’s peppery tang. He’s here.
In the pitch black I feel my way up the rough stone staircase. A speech formulates itself. I’m a changed man. I can argue Tessa, my beloved mate has rounded out all my flaws. Now I am focused. Dedicated to service.
Everything Donlon wants. I’m ready.
Tessa doubts our fake–bond will produce anything.
I’m not coming down that tower without my place in Alpha Hale’s ranks.
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