Chapter 3

We round the corner, the final stretch, both of us, neck and neck. And while I know she’s really spent herself on that hill, I’ve kept a steady pace this entire time.

I still have some fuel in my tank.

I kick up my speed, leaving her behind before she can even think if she wants to screw me over or not. All I hear is the blood rushing in my ears and all I see is the white and black finish line ribbon, waiting for me, calling for me.

I feel her trying to close in on me, but I just keep running. Controlling my breathing and focusing on only my end goal.

I win.

I fly through the ribbon and all the shouts and screams attack my ears. I smile as I try and catch my breath and people with cameras surround me. Natalie walks over to me and shakes my hand, smiling. “I didn’t think you had it in you.” She says breathless from the race.

I smile, “Good job!” I shout over the noise. She nods, “You too.”

I’m yanked up into a hard chest as he spins me around and slams his lips to mine.

It’s not surprising, he’s never been shy about the way he feels about me, and a few cameras isn’t going to change that. I pull away to breathe, “Good job, Baby Girl.” He whispers, and I smile at him. “I did it.” I whisper and his smile widens, “You fucking did it.”

He puts me down and turns me towards the cameras, “Go take your pictures.” He whispers in my ear and nudges me forward towards Natalie and Sable who are already standing in their spots, their medals falling over their necks.

I reach the stand and the man grabs for the gold medal, then places it over my head. This moment doesn’t feel real.

I pinch my thigh as it dons my neck and I reach up to grab the medal, the pinch hurts and I look at the stand. I make my way to it and Sable’s eyes narrow, but Natalie smiles, moving back to help me get to my spot in the middle.

The cameras flash and my smile widens.

I did it. I actually did it.

—

The music blasts in my ear in the ballroom of the pack house.

The entire pack is here, celebrating the competitors who won their competitions. And honestly, it’s not even bothering me. I’m on cloud nine.

The only thing better would be to win the Lupa Elite Shadow pack competition. It’s not only a ranking. Winners are set for life. I could take care of my foster father, we could travel… Limitless.

People I’ve never spoken to before have come to congratulate me, take my picture, ask for an autograph.

“You know, even if you make it no further than this, you’ve made history today.” A deep voice whispers behind me, a shiver racing up my spine at the proximity of him.

I can smell his scent before I even turn around, my head spins and I feel faint. I really need to cut back on the champagne.

I slowly turn around, the blood freezing in my veins.

The Shadow pack Alpha.

I’ve only ever seen pictures, and honestly, it’s the closest I’ve ever hoped to be to this man. He and his brother hold the contest every year, but they’re reasoning behind it is purely strategic. They recruit members that they believe are strong enough to join their armies, making them the deadliest and strongest pack that we have ever known.

“I have?” My voice comes out weak, and fragile and I want to punch myself. His crystal blue eyes search over my face, and he smirks, “I heard a human was competing, I just didn’t believe it. Now to not only compete, but to win…” He shakes his head, and chuckles. “Maybe these contests have gotten too simple.”

My head tilts, “I’m not human. And I’ve trained my whole life for this.” I tell him, and he nods, “Maybe not technically human, but human adjacent.” He tells me. I shrug, uncomfortable in my own skin.

It feels like something is trying to crawl out of my skin. I reach for my arm, scratching at the skin there, he notices, but chooses not to say anything. Instead, he looks around the room, then back at me, “So, where’s that boyfriend of yours you seemed so keen with?” He asks, and my eyebrows knit, and I look around.

Where is he?