SIX

“She didn’t say when I have to meet her, right?” I ask Phineas on my way out.

“Not that I heard. Why?”

“We have Combat Mastery next. It’s a general study so I don’t think I can miss it.”

“Yeah.” I’m sure Phineas notices my uneasiness because he slams his big hand into my back. “I’m sure it’s nothing serious. Don’t worry.”

When I regain the air he knocked out, I reply. “Yeah. There’s nothing to be worried about.” I perk up.

The worst thing has already happened, being kicked out would just be a slap on the wrist. I try to cheer myself up.

-

The worst thing has already happened?!

HA! What a fool I was.

I do all within my power to not throw up on the person in front of me. My hands are sweaty, my skin feels clammy, my stomach is in knots and I can’t even sit down because of this course.

Professor Diamond stands on an elevated part of the training ground. Apparently, for his first class he likes to see what skills we have so that he can classify us and teach each set based on what they know.

In other words, we have to fight each other. One on one until the last man is standing. Phineas looks like he’s ready to go, I can feel the pressure radiating for his body. It’s incredible and it’s not just him. I’m sure everyone here is radiating a level of pressure.

Pressure happens when an Alpha spreads their dominance outward. This can be used to show aggression, to intimidate and so on. Depending on the situation, Alpha’s can release pressure. Also, depending on the level the Alpha is at, other Alphas can either be beneath that pressure or at the same level or higher.

If there are 10 levels of pressure. Roman Vayne’s Father, who is known as one of the strongest Alpha’s in the world, is at 11. My Father will be around 7 or 8. The Alphas here would be between 3 to 5 and I would be -10.

It’s no wonder I’m shaking like a leaf and I haven’t even gone near the fighting ring where pressure becomes deadly. “Phineas Parker and Meloen Smith, step up to the ring.” Professor Diamond calls out. He is shirtless and in Were form, making him look more intimidating than anyone else in this room. I wonder who would win if he fought against Professor Sloane, she seemed pretty strong too. My consciousness returns to me just in time to see Phineas slam his fist into his opponent’s chest, sending him flying a few feet backwards.

“What was that?” I blink, I barely saw him move. Is this how quick he is at this level? Phineas is just as puzzled as I am. I’m sure he didn’t expect that hunk of an Alpha to go flying in one punch.

I hear Roman’s name being called in another ring on my left. Unlike Phineas who paved his way through with brute strength, Roman watches his opponent as he dodges him. I get the feeling he doesn’t want to end things too quickly but after two minutes of dodging, he closes in on the other guy. It only takes three punches to different parts of his body to knock him out.

Some people cheer like it’s the most casual thing in the world. I’m shocked to my core.

“Darien Artemis and Aaron Pine. You’re up.”

“Ouu this should be nice.” I mutter to myself, an evil smile creeping into my face. He looks all buttery with his slim frame hidden inside the white tee and joggers we’re all wearing. His hand is still in his pockets when he steps up. He looks bored.

I want to see the other guy put him in his place so I creep to the front to get a better view of his downfall. At least, I won’t be the only one going down. I’ve resigned to my fate.

“Hey, are you not taking this seriously?” His opponent questions.

“Just shut up and come at me.” Darien urges as his eyes return back to his opponent, he was scanning the crowd earlier.

“I’ll make you take me seriously!” Aaron lunges at Darien, just like this morning when he stole my phone, he steps aside with such grace.

“Wow, he’s quick.” I hear someone say at my side but I don’t think much of it. I’m rooting for Aaron.

A minute goes by of Darien narrowly dodging Aaron’s attacks. Anger boils inside of me. He’s not even taking this seriously. “Go Aaron! Beat him up!” I shout from where I’m standing at the front, I thought it wouldn’t make any difference because of the noise around us but at that moment Darien’s eyes caught mine through those glasses.

‘Found you.’ He mouths as a sinister smile crosses his beautiful face and I know that I’m screwed.

Aaron doesn’t miss a beat and uses Darien’s momentary distraction to lunge an attack but Darien jumps out of the way and does a round house kick which lands on Aaron’s neck, slamming him into the floor of the ring.

Gulp! I’m dead.

Darien heads straight for me but then I hear my name being called on my right so I dart in that direction. As I climb into the ring, I expect to see a huge person but the person in front of me is just a few feet taller than me and maybe a little bigger than Darien.

I remember seeing him in my Aunt’s folder. Elio Mordecai. His father is the Alpha of Pack Faolan. Elio is the calm and quiet type with dark blue eyes and brown hair which appears reddish in the sun. I spot tattoos at his back when he flexes his arm.

What a gorgeous individual. He looks me over before turning away to the direction of Professor Diamond, they stare at each other for a short while before he turns to me. “I told him to change my partner because you’re too weak, I don’t want to be at fault if you die.” He says quietly.

I huff a laugh. Is this brat underestimating me? He doesn’t even look that strong. I trained with some top warriors working as my Aunts body guards for six months so I know I won’t go down easily. I get into position.

“How about you forfeit? If you’re so scared.” I taunt. He sighs, looking away then he disappears. What the?

Darkness.

-

Next thing I know, I’m waking up in the infirmary with a dislocated shoulder. “Ha! How pathetic.” I place my free hand over my eyes.

“I know right? Who knew you were so weak?!” The sound of rings sliding against a metal rod tells me that the curtain around my bed has been pulled open.

“What do you want, Darien?” I’m not in the mood for him right now.

“I came to get back at you for cheering that guy over me but you were in an even sorry state.” He walks around my bed and stops where my head is. When I don’t hear anything for a while, I move my hand to find him inches away from my face.

My face heats up. “W-what?!”

“Why are you so weak? It’s not normal. Does it have anything to do with why you’re here?”

Is he concerned about me or just curious? The look he has on his face is the same one I saw when he was watching me that evening. Like I’m some specimen to be studied.

“Get away from my face.”

“Fine.” He backs away. “By the way, you came in dead last out of us all. Professor Diamond said if you don’t improve in the coming month, you’ll be expelled.” Darien casually mentions to me.

“And here I was thinking I was prepared.” I mutter. Darien glances my way.

“That was the last class of the day so you can rest easy. I’ll send the nurse in on my way out.” With another wave, he leaves me alone again.

What’s his deal? I try not to contemplate it as I focus all my energy on healing myself. I don’t want to carry a sling around on the second day of school. This type of injury is nothing for my kind.

Once again, I’m reminded how weak I truly am. I sigh.

Why do I feel like I’m forgetting something though?