POV: Darius Hargreaves

The air was alive with an energy that pulsated from nothing and everything all at once. You could almost feel it if you stretched out and tried to grab it.

The sounds of men chanting in the famous chorus of the brave had a deafening effect that made it all worth a while.

"Fight, Darius!" he screamed.

"Watch your six!"

I ducked in time before the wooden sword could meet with my head cracking my skull in the devastating blow. These guys weren't fucking around and that was something since I was their Alpha. I thought they would at least hold back their punches even if it was a little but they were going all in. This wasn't how I had envisioned my 18th Birthday. It wasn't how I had envisioned any of my birthdays to be but a great number of them turned out exactly like this one.

The two Delta warriors emerged on me again spreading out for a kill manoeuvre. They wanted to end this thing as fast as I wanted to but I had an idea that would work faster.

"I yield," I said dropping my wooden sword.

They both gave themselves a look then shrugged and retreated. I just wished Devante could react the same way. He stared at me as if I had just committed a crime so grave that it would be enough to end the entire werewolf existence in one quick swipe. Like I had somehow hit the reset button on existence itself. He needed to chill out.

"Do you think this is a joke?"

I thought about it for a moment and was about to answer but he stopped me. "Don't answer that."

"You are going to become the

Alpha tonight after the ceremony.

The lives of every single were-man and were-woman in this pack would be under your responsibility and that sounds like a big thing to do because you make it feel that way."

I wanted to tell him to take responsibility and leave me the fuck alone but instead, I said, "I understand."

He watched me knowing I didn't understand shit. He could probably tell by the far-away look in my eyes and the way my body movement showed I would rather be anywhere at all in the entire world than there listening to his scolding. This was always how our training sections ended. He was the most decorated warrior of his time with unparalleled battle experience but he had no experience when it came to functioning in the real world. He was a soldier through and through even after being retired for almost ten years now.

"I'm just trying to make sure you're prepared for what's about to come." He said.

His voice had dropped into a soft slur but it still held elements of power that showed he was the type of man you wouldn't want to fuck with.

"I'm prepared." I lied giving him a reassuring pat on the back.

The only thing I was prepared for was to retreat to the comfort of my quarters where it was all peace. It was all I wanted but I knew that would be asking for too much especially since it was the day I would become Alpha and take the test of will.

"The test of will isn't-"

"Relax, Devante," I said giving him a poke. "I got it under control."

He looked at me with sad eyes and shook his head. "You don't have anything under control. You will walk into the pit and meet your inevitable death."

"You're about as fucked as a rat in the claws of a greedy hawk about to rip you into tiny little rat chunks., he said meaning every word.

"Whoa! Nice way to boost my confidence in this shii." I said in a pinched voice.

"You millennials! You're a hopeless bunch."

I waved as I walked away and hoped he wouldn't summon me back to hear the conclusion of his ceaseless ranting. He watched me with a sad mourning look that would make a person think he was preparing to witness my burial instead of the best coronation party in the world that I planned on enjoying from my room. I planned to avoid as many of the formalities as I could avoid.

The halls were filled with guards wearing their shiny decorated armour. Most of them saluted as I walked through the hall. I could do without all the royal ass-kissing but there was nothing I could do about it. Anything contrary to that on their part would be seen as an act of treason by whoever the fuck created the rule book.

"Darius. What are you doing back early?" My mother's voice ran through my spine as I froze by the door to my chambers.

So close, I thought. I was so close to getting into my safe zone away from the world but now I could kiss that goodbye.

"Hey, ma." I turned with a full smile.

"Don't. Don't 'hey ma' like you are a sweet angel. You aren't."

"Ouch." I sucked in the air. "That's cold."

She shook her head and her dark eyes held a sad essence that was almost the same as Devante's had been. Not this again! Please anything but this...

"I don't think you have any idea what you're about to face." She said.

My mom was a strong woman. She had been the daughter of one of the noble families and her strength could be seen in her straight upright posture as she spoke to me. Sometimes I suspect she must have fought in a war or two before my birth.

"Ma, I'm ready," I said managing to sound as uncertain as I was.

"Ready to die of course." She said shaking her head.

"I'm not going to die. How hard can it be? It's called a test of will. Sounds like a cakewalk to me."

She sighed. "Your father made you soft. I just wish you coul-"

The bells in the main royal hall rang cutting her short. Thank Goodness!!