Chapter 4

One slip during the trials and the questions would start.

The academy field buzzed with energy as the major sports trials kicked off under the bright morning sun. Top athletes from every house gathered, stretching and throwing trash talk while coaches shouted orders across the grounds. Dane stood tall in the middle of the chaos, forcing his usual confident posture even though deep exhaustion tugged at every muscle from the secret sessions and his still sore ankle.

Marcus bumped his shoulder hard. "Captain, you ready to dominate this thing? The whole academy is watching you. Which events are you hitting first? You look like you could take them all."

Dane clapped him on the back with a firm hand. "All of them if they let me. We set the bar high today. You feeling strong on the relays? I need you sharp out there."

"Hell yeah," Marcus said with a wide grin. "With you anchoring every leg, we are unstoppable. Scouts from the national team are already taking notes on the sidelines. Coach Harlan told me this decides who makes the elite squad for the big competitions. You carrying us again?"

Jake bounced up beside them, full of nervous energy. "Dane, man, you seem a little off today. Everything okay after you disappeared early the last few nights? You sure you're not pushing too hard?"

"I'm fine," Dane replied quickly, keeping his tone light and steady. "Just locked in and focused. Let's win this whole thing. Show everyone why Shadowpeak runs the show around here."

The sharp whistle blew and the trials launched into full swing. Strength and speed drills came first. Dane powered through the weighted carries, his muscles burning with every step, but he kept a strong smile for the watching crowd and coaches.

"Wilder! That's how you do it," one teammate yelled from the side.

"Keep going, captain. Show them what real power looks like," another shouted.

Dane finished his set breathing hard and caught his breath as Coach Harlan waved him over during the short break. "Impressive as always, Wilder. But your form looked a little stiff on that last carry. Shifts feeling okay lately? The board wants to see full power from our top guys."

Dane wiped sweat from his face with his shirt. "All good, Coach. Just pushing extra hard for the team. You know me. I deliver when it counts."

Harlan nodded but his eyes lingered a moment too long. "We need strong Alphas leading the way. Next up is the obstacle relay. Get your squad set and ready."

Dane pulled Marcus and Jake in close. "Alright, clean run through this one. Marcus, you take the walls. Jake, handle the ropes. I will close it out strong. Stay sharp and trust each other."

Marcus fist bumped him. "You got it, captain. But seriously, if you're hurting from anything, tell us. We have your back no matter what."

"No need for that," Dane said firmly. "We just win this heat. Let's go."

The relay started hot and fast. They built a solid lead until Dane's final leg. His legs felt heavy like lead from the hidden exhaustion. On the high wall his grip slipped badly. He hung there for a dangerous second as the crowd murmured and tension rose.

From the side of the course Ezra appeared suddenly, pretending to adjust a marker nearby. "Grab higher, Wilder," he called out casually but loud enough for others to hear. "You got this. Push through like we talked about. Come on."

Dane used the quick cover to readjust his grip and vault over the wall. He landed clean and sprinted the final stretch, crossing first. His team exploded in loud cheers.

Marcus tackled him in a rough hug. "Barely made it but you pulled it off. What happened up there on the wall? Looked pretty rough for a second."

"Slipped on the grip," Dane said with a forced laugh. "No big deal at all. We still won the heat. Good work, guys."

Jake high fived him hard. "That was a close one. Great recovery though. Those scouts are loving you right now. One of them even asked me if you ever get tired during these events."

"Tell him no," Dane replied with a wink. "We don't show weakness here at Shadowpeak. Keep that energy going."

Ezra walked by slowly a moment later and slowed just enough. "Nice recovery out there," he muttered under his breath so only Dane could hear. "You almost lost it completely. Keep it together, golden boy."

Dane nodded once without looking directly at him. "Thanks for the nudge. Didn't expect that kind of help from you."

The trials kept rolling forward without mercy. Dane pushed through more events, smiling and performing for everyone while fighting waves of deep fatigue inside. During a group strength circle later, Head Administrator Crowe and Coach Lang watched him especially hard from the edge.

Crowe approached during the water break with a sharp look. "Wilder, your numbers stay elite as always. But we need full shift demonstrations for the advanced track. Show us a quick partial right now to prove control."

Dane's heart jumped in his chest. "Right here in the middle of trials? Better save it for the big finale. Don't want to waste my energy this early."

Lang crossed his arms tight. "Most top athletes shift without any hesitation. Is there a problem we should know about?"

Before Dane could answer, Ezra jogged over from his own group, acting completely casual. "Officials, Coach Harlan needs you both at the timing station right away. Something about an urgent score dispute from the last heat."

Crowe frowned deeply. "We'll check on that. Wilder, we will circle back later for that demonstration. Don't disappear."

They walked off and Dane let out a slow breath of relief. "You saved my ass again, Kane. Why keep doing this?"

Ezra shrugged with his usual smirk. "Can't have you exposed before our private sessions really get going. Plus it was too easy to distract them. You owe me one now."

Dane shook his head. "This doesn't make us friends. But yeah, I appreciate the cover. Didn't think you'd step in during the actual trials like that."

"Neither did I," Ezra said, voice low as they stood a bit apart. "Watching you fake it out here changes things. Push hard through the rest of the day. We can talk more tonight if you make it through."

Marcus called out from across the field. "Dane, you're up for the individual power toss next. Let's go."

Dane moved back into action. "Coming right now."

He crushed the power tosses with strong throws, earning more loud cheers from the crowd. Teammates crowded around him afterward.

Jake laughed loud. "You're a machine out here, captain. I saw you wince earlier though. Ankle still bothering you from before?"

"Just a small tweak," Dane said smoothly. "Nothing stops me today. You guys killed your parts too. This squad is looking really strong."

Marcus lowered his voice a bit. "Some of the other houses are already talking. Saying you're too perfect and it makes them suspicious. But screw them. We ride with you all the way."

"Thanks, man," Dane replied, clapping his shoulder. "That means a lot. Now let's finish this thing strong."

The final team challenge wrapped up the long day. Dane led from the front, calling plays and pushing everyone hard. They took first overall, but the effort left him completely wrecked inside. As the crowds finally thinned, Ezra caught his eye from across the field and gave a small nod. That quiet cover during the wall climb stuck with Dane. The rivalry felt like it had its first real crack.

Back in his dorm that night, Dane dropped onto his bed, every muscle screaming in protest. He stared at the ceiling, replaying all the close calls from the day. A soft rustle under his door suddenly caught his attention. He sat up quickly and grabbed the folded paper that had been slipped inside.

He opened it and read the handwritten words. His heart started racing fast.

"Hidden dangers at Shadowpeak. Officials watch shifters too close. Experiments in old buildings. Trust no one. Your secret is safer than you think, but not for long. Watch your back, Wilder."

Dane stared at the note, turning it over again and again for any clue. No signature, no name. Just the stark warning. His pulse pounded in his ears as dozens of questions flooded his mind. Who sent this? Who knew about him? And what the hell was really happening at the academy?

He folded the paper tight and hid it carefully, his mind spinning way too fast for sleep. The big trial win felt distant and small now. Trouble was coming, and he had no clue how deep it actually ran.