Chapter 15: Tradition

  “This is the best day of my life! I can’t believe that today we get to see the five alphas!” Josh Elosquire replied, flashing a cheerful grin.

It had been two weeks since the incident with professor Miocent, and I didn’t exactly give a good first impression to him as he kept on tackling me all through the lesson that day. I was given a training partner and geared in the training garb. I was happy that he let me into the class, but it turns out it was just to humiliate me. During the lesson he called my training partner in front of the classroom and asked him to pick someone for a demonstration, so naturally my training partner picked me.

He called me and my training partner out for a “teaching demonstration.” The professor emphasized it was just for teaching purposes. But everyone knew Professor Miocent, it was obvious he wanted to make a ridicule of me. I was certain he viewed me as a weak nobody who needed to be humiliated.

“Now pay attention everyone, this is our second class together. In the first class I taught you the basics of combat training. For today's lesson we’ll be watching them display the basics. Lady Elsa, I’m sure you are already acquainted with the basics of combat isn’t it?” He asked.

Wow, I was familiar with that strategy, he knew I wouldn’t decline. I was deep in thought of how to reply, but I couldn’t say no, for I fear it'll know no end. I had to prove myself, there is no other choice.

“Ofcourse.” I replied.

My training partner was a rotund man, with a large belly fold under his uniform, he towered above me like a wall, and yet there was this concentration in his stance. It looked like he would smash me in seconds.

“Begin!”

It happened so fast, no one could really believe what just occurred but my partner who I later found out was Rodriguez Zelster, he knelt on the floor, the black pupil in his eye rolled back, revealing only the white. 

The thing is, professor Miocent underestimated me, zelster was dead strong but he wasn’t really the fastest and I’ve had to fight with rogue werewolves that were incredibly fast. My instincts were very impressive now, as soon as zelster threw in the first punch, I moved to the side with ease, I wanted to end as quick as possible, I spun my hips as quickly as I had moved to the side, delivering a crushing roundhouse kick to his head with such force that the others had to cover their face from the wind impact it caused.

It was unbelievable, no one believed I would be able to beat Zelster but I did it, without having to transform. Zelster seemed to be getting himself back, he rubbed his face and stood up looking extremely furious.

“Just who do you think you are?” He shouted, his fist clenched and rose swiftly.

“Stop! That’s the end of the class for today.” Professor Miocent said. Zelster stopped midair looking at me with intensity. He dropped his hand, walking closer to me.

“Watch your back girl, you just messed with Zelster.” Zelster said, his voice exposing his rage, he stormed out of the class thereafter. 

That's how the class ended. The others seemed to like what I did, some even came up to me, congratulating me for my performance. Isabel soon came to me and we left the class together. She still had the indifferent look she always put on her face, it seemed she really didn’t care about what happened in class today. The following days weren’t much relevant except the increasing hunger that was building itself within me. The only way I could really survive was eating my own kind, but it looked impossible since I got here.

I have to find a way, I have to sort this out, for it’s not just about growing stronger now, but survival as well. I couldn’t just kill anyone, I always had criminals or rogue wolves to kill and feast on back in Bulgaria. Even as I sat beside Josh, I didn’t get why he was so excited to see the alphas today, which was the induction of the Level one students into Sheffield Academy.

I felt my gut twist, and a deep rumble in my belly. We were seated at the field located at the back of the castle. There were a lot of preparations made for this day, it was a ritual which was held every year as a symbol of the alphas' support to Sheffield. Many alphas before them did it so it has been generational. Josh Elosquire sat to my left, Isabel sat at my right, followed by Oliver and the other guys. 

“Relax Josh, what's the big deal?” Isabel asked, her voice carrying a clear note of disinterest.

“What..what do you mean Isabel, the alphas are the world leaders, we are literally going to see the five strongest wolves in the country in a single space, what could be more interesting?”

“He has a point. Though, I wonder how Alpha Damion and Alpha Otega will react to each other considering their recent dispute and ongoing banter over the land.” Brad said. 

I remember Alex telling me how he couldn’t go to Estonia since they were at loggerheads with each other. It seems it was more serious than I thought.

“Ohh look at the first arrival, it’s Alpha Lucifer Fernot, the leader of Bulgaria.” Josh said, the excitement evident in his tone.

“Do you know Alpha Lucifer, Elsa?” Richard suddenly spoke, breaking his silence for the first time.

“Yep, on television.” I replied, winking at him.

“That's so hilarious, you guys forget that Elsa has no alpha blood, neither is she related to the alpha or have close ties with them, she just grew up in the capital with her parents.” Oliver said.

Alpha Lucifer didn’t stand out in size, He was built like a typical Bulgarian civilian, unlike the towering werewolves from Andovia and Estonia and yet just looking at him you could feel the weight of his presence. Alphas were extraordinarily powerful, Legend claims they walk with the gods blessing, marked by divine favor. On closer look you could see his Beta, Daniel greywood. The beta was the second in command of the country, he was also the alphas right hand man. Daniel greywood was in his werewolf form, walking beside Lucifer as he strode to his seat.

After a while, Alpha Otega entered next, his presence filling the space like a storm, he seemed to be the type to show off as he wasn’t putting on a shirt, he stood tall and strong in all his glory, displaying his chiseled abs and walking with pride. Everyone’s focus simultaneously switched to the beautiful lady next to him. Her smile was contagious just like my mom, her emerald designed gown, gleaned with beauty. They sat next to Lucifer.

“Your dad sure does know how to make an entrance.” I commented, staring at Oliver.

“What can I say, the old man doesnt like shirts.” He said, grinning proudly.

“Yeah men, your dad is so cool.” Josh added.

“It runs in the blood.” Oliver said, with a wistful smile.

Following that, Alpha Cain Ottoman, the leader of Miletus made his entrance, he had a huge scar across his face , a testament of the many confrontations he has had over the years, his breaths were slow and powerful, steam billowing out of his nose in sharp bursts, his Luna, Bridget, stood beside him rubbing his chest in an unsettling way which seemed to be calming him down.

“Why is he in such a bad mood?” Isabel asked.

“My alpha is always that way, in fact i would say he is happy right now.” Richard responded.

Shortly after, the leader of Hiroshima, Alpha Kennedy Laden, walked into the room, he had a gentle, settling presence, he seemed to be the calmest of all the alphas as he walked quietly to his seat. He also had no companion with him. He wore a crown on his head made out of gold.

“Shit, that guy must be dying of loneliness.” Brad pointed out.

“That’s my alpha, he is a distant relative too, he has a wife and a beta, but he likes to do things alone.” Isabel added.

“Wow, Isabel you never told me, you were the relative of an alpha.” I replied, surprised from the revelation.

“You never asked.” She answered, facing front again, her face unreadable and bored.

“Why do you al..”

I couldn’t finish my statement as the pressure got to me too, I felt unsafe, like I needed to flee from here, the aura was intoxicating, the strands of hair on my body stood in fear. I managed to look ahead again, them came Luna Agatha, her presence commanding and graceful, she had a fierce look in her eye that defined her more than words could do. Her mate on the other hand seemed to be the oldest, he had thick white beards. His frame was also quite big, they really gave off a power couple you wouldn’t want to mess with.

“Now thats real aura.” Josh said, in a whisper. 

They walked down to their seats which faced the stage, I could see the administrator, Salvatore walking down to the middle of the stage, I haven’t met him ever since I made him my first pack member, I wondered if I did the right thing.

“Welcome everyone, today is a wonderful day and we’re honored to have the very pillars of our world gathered in our midst to uphold an ancient and sacred tradition which we observe every year. Let us begin.”