Chapter 3- The Annual Regional Werewolf Competition

OLIVIA

The day of the Annual Regional Werewolf Competition had finally arrived.

The university grounds, usually filled with students rushing to their classrooms, had been transformed into a venue for one of the most anticipated events in the werewolf world.

Large banners bearing the emblems of the participating packs hung from the buildings. The main courtyard was decorated with flags, while the university's enormous training arena was prepared for the upcoming battles.

Representatives from different packs had started arriving early that morning.

Some arrived in expensive vehicles, while others came in groups, proudly wearing their pack uniforms.

It wasn't just an ordinary competition.

It was a chance for every pack to show its strength and earn recognition from the Werewolf Council.

And the winning participant had an even greater reward.

One request that the council would grant.

I adjusted the sleeves of my white blouse before looking at myself in the mirror.

My long hair was tied in a simple ponytail, and I wore black trousers with comfortable shoes. I didn't want anything that would restrict my movements.

Most importantly, my sleeves were buttoned all the way down, concealing the tattoo on my left arm.

"Olivia!"

I turned toward the doorway.

Grace Hale stood there, looking unusually excited.

She was wearing the official uniform of the Crescent Moon Pack's university representatives. Her father was the Beta of our pack, so she had been assigned to assist with some of the event's preparations.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

I nodded.

"I think so."

She approached me and inspected my outfit.

"Good. At least you look comfortable. Some of the participants are already wearing their training clothes."

"That's what they're comfortable wearing."

Grace laughed.

"Come on. Let's go. The guests are arriving."

I picked up my small bag and followed her outside.

The university was considerably more crowded than usual.

Werewolves from different packs occupied almost every corner of the campus. Some were talking among themselves, while others were inspecting the facilities and training grounds.

I could even recognize a few familiar pack emblems.

The Silver Fang Pack.

The Red Moon Pack.

The Golden Crest Pack.

And several others whose territories lay in different parts of the region.

"Look at that!" Grace exclaimed, pointing toward the main entrance.

I followed her gaze.

A line of black luxury vehicles had just entered the university grounds.

The students immediately started whispering.

"Are those the Blackwood Pack's vehicles?"

"Of course! They're one of the most powerful packs in the region."

"Wait. Does that mean Alpha Ethan is here?"

The moment I heard that name, I noticed how everyone's attention shifted toward the entrance.

"Who's Alpha Ethan?" I asked Grace.

She looked at me as though I had just asked something ridiculous.

"Are you serious? You don't know who Alpha Ethan Blackwood is?"

I shook my head.

"I've heard his name, but I don't know much about him."

Grace stared at me for a moment, then shook her head.

"Olivia, sometimes I wonder how you manage to live without knowing what's happening in the werewolf world."

I chuckled.

"Then enlighten me."

"Alpha Ethan Blackwood is the leader of the Blackwood Pack. He's also the current Head of the Werewolf Council."

My eyebrows rose.

"The council head?"

"Yes! He's practically the most powerful werewolf in the region. Some even say his authority is comparable to that of a king since we don't have that."

Grace lowered her voice.

"He's ruthless, too. People say he doesn't tolerate disobedience, and even the most influential Alphas think twice before going against him."

I glanced toward the vehicles again.

"That sounds intimidating."

"It is. And he's incredibly powerful. He's considered the strongest Alpha among the regional leaders."

Grace paused before adding something else.

"Unfortunately, he lost his mate three years ago."

I looked at her.

"His mate?"

"Yes. She died shortly after giving birth to their daughter. I heard he has been raising the little girl alone ever since."

I didn't know what to say.

Losing a mate was painful enough. Losing one after having a child together must have been even more difficult.

"Anyway, let's go. I don't want to miss the arrival."

Grace grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the courtyard.

The first vehicle's doors opened.

A tall man wearing a black suit stepped out.

He had broad shoulders, a commanding presence, and dark hair neatly styled away from his forehead.

Even from a distance, he clearly wasn't ordinary.

His expression was cold, and his sharp eyes briefly scanned the surroundings.

A few seconds later, two other men stepped out of the second vehicle.

They both wore formal suits, and judging by how the university officials greeted them, they were important, too.

"That's Alpha Ethan Blackwood," Grace whispered.

I looked at the man again.

So, that was the Head of the Werewolf Council.

He didn't look particularly interested in the crowd surrounding him. Instead, he listened to the university president, who was explaining something as he walked beside him.

"Who are the other two?" I asked.

"They're the other council members. I think one is responsible for regional pack affairs, while the other oversees disputes and competition regulations."

I nodded.

The three council members were then escorted toward the university's main building.

As they walked, several Alphas and pack representatives approached them to offer their greetings.

However, none dared to interrupt Ethan for long.

His authority was apparent in the way everyone treated him. Even without saying anything, he commanded respect.

I watched them until they disappeared inside the building.

"He's handsome, isn't he?" Grace whispered.

I glanced at her.

"Who?"

"Who else? Alpha Ethan!"

I laughed.

"You're more interested in his appearance than his position."

"Can't I appreciate both?"

I shook my head.

Grace was about to say something else when someone called her from behind.

"Grace!"

She turned around.

One of the pack representatives was waving at her.

"Oh, I need to go. My father asked me to help coordinate the guests."

"Go ahead. I'll walk around for a while."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll be fine."

"Okay. Just call me if you need anything."

After she left, I decided to explore the university grounds.

I didn't particularly enjoy crowded places, and I wanted to familiarize myself with the competition venue before the first event began.

"Isn't that Olivia Norwood?"

I heard someone whisper as I passed by a group of students.

"She's one of the Crescent Moon Pack's participants, right?"

"Seriously? I thought they only accepted warriors."

A girl standing near the fountain laughed.

"Maybe they ran out of participants and decided to include their defective omega."

The others burst into laughter.

I continued walking.

"Hey, Olivia!"

I stopped when someone called my name. I turned around and found three female students approaching me.

I recognized one of them. Her name was Vanessa, and she belonged to a neighboring pack. She had always been particularly vocal whenever someone mentioned my inability to shift.

She looked me up and down, then smiled mockingly.

"So, it's true. You really joined the competition."

I didn't answer.

"How brave of you."

Her friends giggled.

"Are you planning to fight with your bare hands? Or are you going to cry and ask the judges to stop the match?"

I lowered my head.

"I have somewhere to be. Excuse me."

I tried to walk past them, but Vanessa stepped in front of me.

"Wait. We're talking to you."

I looked at her.

"What do you want?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing. I'm just curious. How does it feel to be the only participant here without a wolf?"

Her friends laughed again.

I clenched my fingers but remained silent.

I had already learned that people like them enjoyed seeing others lose their temper.

If I reacted, they would only become more entertained.

"Come on, Vanessa. Leave her alone," one of her friends said, although she was still smiling. "She might faint before the competition even starts."

Vanessa laughed.

"Fine. Go ahead, Olivia. Just make sure you don't embarrass your pack too much."

I walked away without saying another word. My heart was beating faster, but I kept my expression neutral.

I wasn't here to argue with anyone.

I wasn't here to prove anything through words.

I was here to compete.

And I intended to show them what I was capable of when the time came.

After walking around the university, I eventually reached a quieter pathway behind the main administration building.

Tall trees and ornamental plants surrounded it, with a few benches along the walkway.

I welcomed the silence.

I was about to sit down when I noticed someone approaching from the opposite direction.

A man.

He wore a black suit, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.

At first, I paid him little attention.

However, when he came closer, I realized that he was the same man I had seen earlier.

Alpha Ethan Blackwood.

I immediately straightened my posture.

He seemed alone, though I wondered where his guards and companions were.

I stepped aside to give him enough room to pass.

But just as I was about to lower my head, his eyes met mine.

And something strange happened.

My steps faltered.

For a brief moment, I felt an unfamiliar sensation spreading through my chest.

It wasn't pain.

It wasn't fear, either.

It was something warm and strangely comforting.

I couldn't explain it.

I simply found myself staring into his eyes.

He also stopped walking.

His brows drew together slightly as he studied my face.