4. A New Opponent

Athena

The young boy gave me a nasty look as he spoke with urgency. 

“I haven't seen this face around here…” The young man was immediately interrupted by who I just knew was a Shaman, “Tell the Alpha the enemies are stronger than we are but he can proceed if he believes in miracles. I'll be here if he needs my physical presence. Hurry now.”

“But the Alpha…” 

“Do as I say, Charles. You may leave now” 

The boy dashed out of the room after what seemed like a minute of confusion. My mind raced in panic as I heard about the presence of the Alpha. There was nothing that could convince me from thinking that it wasn't finally over. But did it have to be on my birthday? My whole body was shivering from the thought until the Shaman spoke, “you shouldn't be here, young man. Today's training is about to begin.”

I was caught between running away or telling the shaman the truth. But, what if the Alpha caught me on my way out? What would become of me? What if the Shaman hands me over to the Alpha himself. I stood there like a piece of dead bone afraid to be cracked by ferocious canines. I took the most irrational decision and confronted the Shaman who seemed to be deep in his meditation. “I want to train with you today” I replied boldly, swallowing the lump of fear settling in my throat. “I need your help. I want to be the strongest f…” I immediately corrected myself “…warrior in town. Please teach me yourself” I pleaded in the most convincing tone of a male while I touched the curved arms of the Shaman in order to force him to open up his eyes. Then I heard the growl behind me. One I was familiar with. We made a brief eye contact before he called out, “There's a thin line between pride and power, Shaman. I sent for you and you refused. What justification do you have for that?“ the Alpha growled. This was the first I'll ever confront the Alpha.

“Get lost,” the Alpha turned to me. Without a second thought, I dashed out of their presence. The growling of the alpha faded behind me as I ran past the corridor from which I came. The day was getting brighter over the expensively furnished structure. There was a synchronous chant from one of the doors. One should think I should be scared for my life, but I had the guts to wait. There was a large stage of young men about my age but they looked a lot bigger. My eyes watered in admiration. I was tempted to go in when I remembered how much I had trespassed.

“How was the visit?“ My mother asked as I returned home feeling half alive. 

“I want to join the warriors. I want to train like the boys,” I persisted while my mother continued with the dishes.

“I was afraid this would happen. Let me have the tag.“

There was no point protesting. I handed it over to her and asked, “ why did you bother to give me if I was never going to use it?“

“It was a temporary gift, Athena. I only wanted you to have a look. Nothing More. That place is out of bound for us”

“But my father is now the Alpha's advisor. Why can't I become a gamma like him? Why do I remain an omega!“ I lost my voice on my mother.

She threw a sorrowful glance at me and shook her head. There was more to it, I could tell. “Get back to your room. You're not ripe for this conversation”

I slammed my door so loud and slumped on my bed. Who was I kidding to think my birthday would be any better than the previous.

***

“Do you mind telling me the occasion?“ My mother asked over dinner. It was few days after I turned fifteen. I smiled meekly as I rushed my meal and headed back to my room without a reply. My father has been busy with warrior duties ever since he assumed position but he came home sometimes. I didn't care less, since I was beginning to fulfil my dreams. The only two things that bothered me was my mother's constant swollen face from his hit and the day I would get caught. Somehow, I never forgot that.

“What happened to your hair, Athena?“ my mother squeaked the next day. I had forgotten to wear my head warmer. She had no idea I cut my hair to look exactly like a boy. I smacked my head in disappoinment as I scuffed.

“If the moon goddess wouldn't make me a boy, why can't I look like one at least” I snapped back as I rushed my breakfast.

“How long have you been sneaking out?“ She asked as though she had already caught me. I tried my very best to conceal my flights.

“Since you introduced me to it I couldn't take my mind off it,” I replied her without a a second look.

“Now that's the height of it young lady, “ she raged then she squinted squarly on my left palm, then I knew I'd given myself away. I was holding the tag.

She snatched the card from my hands and scolded, “why! Do you know how much danger you're in?“

“I don't care, mum” I reached out for the metal card that has my brother's name on it and took it back in my possession while I dashed out of the house. Without it, I couldn't gain entry into the school. It didn't matter if my mother knew. She would hide me from my father, I told myself as I headed for the school. 

“You're late today,” the Shaman commented as I arrived at the training ground. 

“I was avoiding danger as usual,” I replied breathlessly as I took my position amongst the group of boys around me. I was in level 3 and the shaman always complimented my speed and sustainace. 

“There's a little change in today's training” the Shaman announced as we took our positions in the large training class. I tried to adjust my training suit to cover my already developing breasts. I was growing faster than I could imagine. Puberty was knocking. The other features that might have given me away was my hair, but I had it cut every two weeks.

“A new opponent would be joining us. Each of you would have to contend with him if you desire a promotion,” he continued as I stood eagerly, already anticipating my next victory. I was amongst the top students in level 3.

“The Alpha…” he announced, dramatically. Immediately, we made eye contact. 

“The aim of today's training…” he continued, pacing slowly among the groups, passing through the rows between the queues as my mind raced. Only the Shaman knew of my identity. No one else knew I was a female.

“…is to test your defense. No one is expected to conquer the Alpha, of course. Whoever wins is assured a direct promotion to level six and a chance to be recruited into the Alpha's warriors. Head down to the forest ground, the Alpha is waiting.“

Everyone marched along but my limbs were glued to the spot. When half of the crowd had left I ran towards the Shaman and asked in a fearful whisper, “what do I do? The Alpha might find out about me”

“I warned you three years ago but you insisted on changing the world. What else do you want me to do? I gave you a chance to back out, I'm offering you another chance now” he remarked coldly without turning to look at me as he joined the troop marching out of the room.

“I need your help. Pair me with someone else” I pleaded.

“It's mandatory that every to-be warrior confronts the Alpha. There's nothing I can do, Styles,” he concluded and left. I had two options; to quit or to face the Alpha.