Chapter 1

“Riley! Beta John wants to see you!” My best friend came running towards me. Hannah was every guy’s wet dream. Long blonde hair, baby blue eyes, big perky breast with a tiny waist. She was the Alpha’s daughter and princess. Never lifting a finger, she was born and bred to be a Luna one day.

I was Beta John’s daughter. My mother passed away giving birth to me. Dad always wanted a boy, but since he never mated again, he raised me to be a boy. Where Alpha Kent bought her princess dresses, my dad got me weights. She got fingernail polish, and I got workout DVDs. Despite all that, we were best friends. We were tied for valedictorian. Her older brother Simon was almost a spinning image of Hannah. However, he was 6’9 where Hannah was pushing 6 feet.

I, on the other hand was 5’ 7” but solid muscle. I’ve had a six-pack since I was eight years old. My chestnut hair waved down my back with honey-colored eyes. Despite being next to Hannah, I had my fair share of attention with the guys. However, they considered me one of them. To the point, I was untouchable. A full bro chick.

I was sitting on the picnic bench with Simon and Cameron. Cameron was Simpson’s best friend and future Beta. The hope was we were mates, but since I turned 18 two months ago, we have found out otherwise. He was just slightly shorter than Simon, but much thicker. Simon was skinnier, but still freakishly strong. Cameron was built more like a bodybuilder. His sandy blonde hair teased his brown eyes.

“Did he say what for?” I asked as I took another bite of my southwest chicken wrap.

“Nope. Just wanted to see you.” Hannah sat down and took the other half of my wrap.

“What did you do?” Simon smirked.

“Who knows? Probably didn’t bench enough today.” I sighed. He was a horrible dad and didn’t know shit about women.

“Did you get your dress for Saturday?” Hannah asked.

“You know I didn’t.” I frowned at her. I hated shopping.

“I know. I bought you a dress!” She was very pleased with herself.

“Saturday?” Cameron asked.

“Come on! The summer dance!” Alpha Kent put on this summer dance. When school got out, it was a way for kids to come together to find their mates, but in a fun way. Most of the time, we drank and made stupid decisions, but it was a good time.

“That’s this Saturday?”

“You would lose your head if it wasn’t for me.” Hannah sighed.

“Who are you going with?” Simon asked Hannah.

“Figured we all could go together. Since none of us have mates, we can go as a united front and then no one would be upset if mates are found.”

“I’m good with that.” I finished my last bite.

“Good luck.” Simon said, smiling at me as I stood up.

His face made me stop in my tracks. “What do you know?”

“You will find out soon enough.” Simon dismissed me.

Hannah looked between us and shrugged. Her eyes were wide with confusion.

The walk back to the pack house seemed longer than normal. Summer was in full bloom as half the pack was walking around in swim gear. Some just were laying out, had kiddy pools or were headed to the actual pool.

Walking up the stairs, I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what I was about to hear. Thankfully, both offices were on the first floor. Dad's office was right across from Alpha Kent’s. Knocking on dad’s door, there was no answer. I waited a few minutes before mind-linking him.

“Dad? You needed to see me?”

“In Alpha Kent’s office. Come in.” He responded.

Still, I knocked before walking in. Alpha Kent was sitting behind his desk as dad was in one of the armchairs in front.

“Riley, come have a seat.” Alpha Kent smiled at me. Dad kept a straight face as usual.

“Thank you, Alpha Kent.” I would be impolite to ask why I was here, so I just sat and waited.

“How has training been going?” Alpha Kent asked.

“Good. Not much of a challenge anymore.” I shrugged.

“So modest.” Alpha Kent laughed.

“She is the top warrior.” Dad said proudly.

“Which is why I have chosen you.” Alpha Kent said firmly. My heart started to beat rapidly.

“For what? Alpha Kent.” My mouth went dry as the impossible flashed in my head.

“For the annual Top Warrior Challenge.” The words were out of his mouth as my heart dropped. People die in this challenge. That can’t be right. “What do you say?” He worded like a question, but it was anything but.

“T-thank you, Alpha Kent. That is a huge honor.”

“After speaking with your dad and Simon, we believe you are the right person for this challenge.”

“I hope I can make you proud.” My mouth tasted like cotton and my stomach threatened to spill, but I kept my head high. “This is truly an honor.”

“Glad you feel that way!” Alpha Kent said.

“I knew you would be the right person for this challenge.” Dad nodded at me.

The Annual Top Warrior Challenge was just as it sounded. Warriors from all the packs enter. Whoever wins gets major government funding, all new technological advances and new machinery. Not to mention, major bragging rights. We haven’t won in years. The last person we put in, didn’t come back.

“When do I leave?” I asked.

“Sunday. There will be an announcement at the summer dance. Until then, this is to be kept a secret.” His alpha command washed over me. He waited till I shuddered before he pulled back.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“You may be excused and you may discuss with Simon only.” Alpha Kent stated.

“Yes, Alpha.” Standing up, I made my way out the door. I wasn’t sure where I was going. My feet just carried me as I walked.

“Riley! What up!” I heard Simon, but my legs didn’t listen. He had to run to me and grab my shoulders to get me to stop walking. “Are you okay?”

“Why me?” I said, a little more vulnerable than intended.

“You are our top warrior. You are of Beta blood and the only person you haven’t beat is me. I can’t join as I am Alpha blood.” He almost looked ashamed.

“People die in this. Steven didn’t come back last year.” I whispered as people walked by.

“I know. You have to do everything in your ability to just come home.”

“This isn’t just a survival thing. You either win or die trying.”

“So, win.” Simon shrugged.

“Do you honestly think I am capable of winning?”

“I do. I honestly do.” He seemed honest as his eyes begged for me to believe him. “You were literally raised to do this.”

“I know.” The events aren’t even advertised beforehand, so I have no idea what I was walking into. There wasn’t anything to prepare for. Expect the end. The end was the last two people fighting it out. Winner is the last man standing. Most of the times, it ended with a kill so nothing to dispute.

“I would have argued when your name came up if I didn’t think you could do this.”

At this point, in as done talking. “I’m going to finish my walk. I’ll see you at dinner.” I walked away from Simon. I knew he was still to be respected as an Alpha, but we were like brother and sister. He allowed me to speak more freely with him.

“Riley...” He called after me, but I didn’t turn around. Instead, I kept my head high as I kept walking.

There was a hidden pond in the woods I liked to visit. Most people don’t know about it. It took me a solid hour to walk there.

“I’m not nervous. I will excel at the challenge!” My wolf, Sierra was inching to complete. She was very competitive.

“And if we die?”

“Die an honorable death.”

“We haven’t even met our mate.” The watering hole came into view. Stripping my shirt and pants, I dove in. Most wolves hate the water, but I loved it. It called to me. As I drove under, the strong currents tried to sweep me away. Swimming with them was the key. What most people didn’t realize, the currents always lead to another opening. You could swim with them and allow it to take you somewhere new.

Coming up for air, I just started floating there. I was proud to be chosen to represent the pack in the challenge. It truly was an honor. However, they are designed to push you to your limit. In the past, they tested your survival skills, marksmanship and durance. I wasn’t stronger than them, but I was quicker. My small stature has really helped in beating my opponents.