Chapter 1 ~ I’m The Absolute Best

{Liam’s POV}

I’ve never been more bored in my life.

Levi, my so-called best friend, convinced me to attend this class with General Greybone. Now that I’m here, I’ve realized Levi isn’t my friend — he’s the enemy, sent to murder me with boredom.

I groaned inwardly. “No. This is silly. I’m leaving.” I warned, starting to rise, but Levi grabbed my arm.

“No, man. Wait. Walking out would be inappropriate!” he whisper-yelled, wearing that correctional look that always pissed me off.

“I know you’re not interested,” he continued, “and yeah, I know you probably want to punch me for making you come, but just chill. Unlike you, I need this class for my assessment. It’ll be over soon.”

I studied him for a moment, then sighed. “You’re right about the wanting-to-punch-you part.” I muttered as I turned away from him. Levi playfully nudged my shoulder in reaction and turned back to continue listening

We were in one of the six large halls of the Hex — short for Hexagon — which was one of the main buildings at Moonspire Academy. The Academy was a combat Sanctum created to educate and train Wereteens to become warriors of the Reigns. Claw Points were used to access and rank Combatants and these points were gained by doing feats like winning duels or excelling in training… and in unique cases, having sex with another Combatant— more about that later. 

Claw points could also be earned by excelling in coaching classes— Ongoing, was one of those coaching classes and I had three problems with being here. 

One was that the she-wolves here were all gawking at me. Now, I don’t usually mind the attention on me but sometimes it’s annoying when it’s coming from the wrong crowd— in this case, nerds who stare too intently and smile weirdly. 

Problem two was that I found this lesson prickingly boring, or any lesson at that. They are all a waste of time. 

Three was that I detested the bloke currently giving this lesson— General Greybone. 

I don’t particularly fancy hating people but then this particular General has been on my hate list for as long as I can remember. 

I don’t like the way he talks or walks or does anything for that matter, and on the flip side, he isn’t exactly a fan of me since he once privately trained me and it ended up being a crashing out fiesta for both of us… especially me. 

The Fucker’s fought in so many battles he walks around like he’s the fucking king when he’s not!

He’s supposed to have had his jutting ego humbled ages ago and I couldn’t help but glare at him now as he continued spitting out more boredom with his grating voice.

“So werewolf birth is a unique concept and generally categorized under three seasons.”

I folded my arms. I haven’t fought in any real battle yet, but I know I’m better than him. I know I am.

“The first,” Greybone went on, “is birth under the crescent moon. That’s what most of us are — cubs born under the light of the normal C-shaped moon.”

The class was dead silent, eyes glued to him.

Geeks.

“The second category of birth is the birth of werewolves under the light of a full moon.” He muttered and there were a few reactions from random axes.

He smirked. “Now, this is a very special type of birth naturally reserved for cubs of royal blood and heritage.” He continued. 

“What I mean is that, it’s only Kings, Princes, Queens, and Princesses that are born under a full moon as orchestrated by the Moon goddess.” He muttered and chatters started to grow due to the Combatants’ growing interest in the topic. 

Greybone entertained the chatters for a while and then he continued to speak, his smile immediately disappearing. “The last type of birth is those born on a Lunar Eclipse.” He said and the entire hall fell silent at once. 

“Now, this is a very rare type of birth but in the event that it takes place, it is known as the Taboo of births. This is so because Cubs birthed under an eclipse are historically known to be in possession of immense power and potential, but then that’s not all…” 

“…They are called Werewargs and they are also known to possess a natural tendency for evil and this is why such a birth is a taboo. Hence, these Cubs are usually killed at birth and not allowed to mature or exist.” General Greybone said in conclusion but then a dweeb named Gulli raised up his hand. 

“So they don’t exist anymore?”

Greybone frowned. “That’s what I just said, Gulli.”

“But what about the Battle of the Middle East? The records say there was a Warg there.”

Greybone stared at him, sighed, then answered. “Yes. There was a survivor, a cub born under an eclipse moon. His name was Kar. He’s responsible for the Middle East bloodbath and the massacres that have been going on for decades— this is why they’re not allowed to live.”

The room erupted in shocked gasps and uneasiness.

“But don’t worry,” Greybone continued, his voice rising. “The Royal Warriors are hunting Kar and his corrupt army as we speak. They’ll be brought to justice soon enough.” He said and then, more quietly— almost to himself…

“But they would have been caught already if the King had let me lead these attacks instead of stationing me here. I know I can take that Rotter down myself— once and for all!” He surmised and the crowd instantly cheered for him.

“YEAHHHHH!” They bawled.

I snarled. 

That’s the pride I’m talking about.

“Yeah. You’re the strongest, Greybone!” Someone voiced and everyone continued to cheer. 

I clenched my fists. 

… And the cheers grew louder.

“Why don’t we test your theory then?” 

Someone suddenly said, causing the hall to ceremoniously go silent as they were stunned by the utterance. 

That someone was me. 

“Why don’t you finally accept my challenge? If you beat me, then sure — you’re the strongest wolf here.” I rose to my feet, and ignoring Levi’s horrified stare, I descended the sitting steps toward Greybone. All eyes were on me and loud whispers started growing but I didn’t mind any of that. 

“I’ve told you, boy,” Greybone said when I reached him, “I’m not going to fight you.”

“Why?” I demanded. “Why won’t you fight me when you claim you’re the toughest around here?”

He turned away. “Lesson’s over. You’re all dismissed.”

Coward.

He started pacing away. 

“I know what it is,” I called after him. “You’re scared of me, aren’t you… Greybone? Or should I say, Greycoward?”

Gasps echoed through the hall at my utterance. Greybone froze. 

He slowly turned. “What did you just say to me?”

I stepped closer. “You’re frightened by me. That’s why you keep running — like the chicken you are.”

He strode back toward me now, fury radiating. “I will not tolerate such insults, boy!” He roared.

“Then prove it,” I said calmly. “Because I’ll keep insulting you until you do.”

He growled. “Very well, then.”

The edge of my lips cracked into a smirk. 

**

We were out in the fields that surrounded the Hex building and by ‘we’, I mean almost the entire population of the Academy. 

It was expected however, considering the significant nature of what was about to take place, and then it was also needed as I didn’t mind having so many witnesses for my defeat against Greybone. 

Levi was trailing me through the crowd and panicking. “I’m serious, man, this is a bad idea. Like—terrible.”

“I like bad ideas,” I said flatly.

“Come on, man. You can’t do this. It won’t end well.”

“Yeah — for Greybone.”

He grabbed my arm again. “I can’t let you do this”

“Let go of me.”

“I won’t!” He retorted and I sighed, pouring out a heavy breath to stop myself from getting more irked than I already was.

With that, I glared at Levi now. “You know why I have to do this, Levi! You fucking do so stop trying to stop me!” I told him sternly so that his grip loosened a bit and ripped my arm away before continuing onwards. 

With my outburst, Levi didn’t try to stop me anymore and it was no surprise because at the end of the day, he knows why I’m doing this.

I can’t end up like Luke, my older brother. I just can’t, so I have to be more than they think I am!

I continued towards the fight circle, the point where Greybone was waiting in readiness— or so he thinks.

He won’t know what hit him. 

I stopped before him and we were both instantly buried by the wild cheers and screams of the students. There were also other Generals around but none of them could interfere since Greybone had given his consent. So now, it was just me and him— finally.

“I’m giving you one more chance to act sensibly and end this, boy.” Greybone voiced through the noise and for a moment, I froze, before I angrily threw my claws out and shifted to my werewolf form.

“The one whose back touches the ground loses-- and loser losses all.” I said and then I stormed at him.

Yeah, I wasn’t here to chatter so the battle began instantly.  

I attacked Greybone with a quick right, a strong left, and an unexpected hook, all in quick succession.

He dodged everything. 

He dodged everything and due to my forceful momentum, I stumbled away with the missed blows and crashed into a girl in the crowd. The impact was rough but thankfully the girl brought me to a halt and I held her just as she held me. But then she didn’t want to let go of me and confused, I turned just to see her licking her lips and winking at me.

I instantly pushed myself away from her and turned to Greybone with an aggressive growl. I was mad now and I lunged at him without restraint, sending a fierce claw bash straight for his face.

He reacted by blocking it but then I had a quick right to his trunk as retaliation. 

Shockingly, he evaded it also and then the next thing I felt was two of his claws slashing over my jawline, sending me trembling away.

With that, I bled and the crowd gasped… while Greybone smirked.

The instance gradually grew silent as everyone stared intensely and studied the scene for our reactions. Greybone was standing confidently with his smirk now while I was starting to heave in anger.

The following seconds remained that way as Greybone received his accolades of growing cheers but then the next minute, I was pouncing on all fours and in the air.

I slashed the air before Greybone as he backed away and then he dodged my following blows with a quick swerve just as he had been doing before— but then what he didn’t know was that I had been observing his fighting pattern all this while… and was about to change mine.

He probably expected another fierce blow to his upper body or his face but then I disappointed him as I went below his expectations— literally. 

I cleared him off his footing with a sweep of my arm but then I caught him by his clothes just as he was about to hit the ground. I smirked with the eye contact we made and then I shoved him down, causing him to slam into the dust.

The air went silent for a moment, and then—

“YEAHHHHHHHH!”

The crowd cheered me and did it intensely… but then I didn’t need their accolades as I turned away from Greybone who was getting up from his humiliation and addressed them.

“Yes. Thank you, but I don’t—” I started to say but then someone crashed into me, cutting me off. 

“LIMA, YOU FUCKER. YOU ACTUALLY WON!”

It was Levi.

“You fucking beat Greybone!” He was shaking me up now. “You never cease to amaze me— your Claw Points would be up like crazy!” He voiced again, and with the way he and everyone was reacting, I couldn’t help but grow a little smirk. 

“With this win, you might have finally charmed all the girls in this school.” Levi told me now as he placed a rough hand over my shoulder.

“Who says I didn’t already?”

Levi smirked, “You proud motherfucker!” 

I kept grinning also. Now, my mood was switched to a jovial one and I didn’t feel like saying what I had planned to say anymore— no thanks to Levi. 

Hence, instead of strictly stamping my ascension on everyone’s mind, I decided to have a little fun. 

I spread my arms slightly apart as a calming gesture while I started to speak. “Alright.” I said aloud.

“Now that my point is made, now that you all know *I’m the absolute best!*… I’m calling out anyone who thinks they can face me!” I announced through the cheers. 

“I don’t care if it’s a top Officer or another fucking General, anyone who thinks they can beat, step forward so we can clear the air once and for all.” I said with my arms widely stretched now.  

As expected, nobody stepped forward.

“Thought so.”

Nobody moved a muscle and I smiled at that… but then within the following second, when I was about to leave, I was shocked to realize I was wrong. 

And with me being wrong, you would think you know the bullheaded gender that was daring to face me. But then I was also shocked by that.

“I will,” came a female’s voice and the growing cheers died at once…