CHAPTER SIX

SAMIEN'S POV 

Fear! It swept quickly through me.

Cold shivers ran down my spine, the instructor's words ringing in my mind.

No! This wasn't possible.

I couldn't take a strip test. I just couldn't.

Doing that would reveal my secret and expose me to the whole world. I'd be expelled from the Wolf's academy too.

My feet dragged against the tarred floor. Frustration sat pretty in my eyes.

I didn't look ahead, so I collided into a figure. Huge and hefty, it caused me to stagger.

“Watch where you're going girl.” It was Mark, and in his usual teasing voice.

I sighed. I had no time for this, especially now. 

Slowly, I tried moving around. He wouldn't let me. His big body blocked my way.

I frowned, my gaze narrowing. “What is it with you? Why won't you let me be, after all you won and I lost.”

It took every nerve to keep the tears in my eyes from rolling down. 

“You're alright?” He asked, his voice dripping with worry.

I shot him a cold stare, hissing. Then I tried to move, and again, he wouldn't let me.

“Mark!”

“You've not answered me!” He said. “You don't look alright.”

“Yes!” I snapped. “Anyone would look alright after taking a beating from you.” 

I shoved him aside, and forged on, the side that hit him, aching a bit..

Alone in my hostel room, I turned the lock through the door, then took off my shoes and clothes.

I was naked in a minute, my figure staring me in the face as I stood before the mirror.

My heart wouldn't stop thumping. How could it? This was crazy; everything.

How could I even request to undergo a strip test? 

My life would be ruined with this. How would I return to my father? He'd be so mad, and might have me skinned alive.

And my sister who had risked her life to process everything for me? She'd be so disappointed.

Hell, I couldn't do one simple thing.

Now, I allowed the tears down my face. There was no holding back anymore.

It was certain; my days at the Wolf's academy were limited.

Drained, I sprawled out on my bed, my head facing the ceiling…

Almost immediately, I sprung to my feet, racing swiftly towards the door.

A sigh of relief. I thought I hadn't locked the door when I stepped in.

Back to bed, tossing from left to right and back again until I eventually fell asleep.

Morning came as fast as it took death to execute its task. 

A loud yawn escaped through my lips as I sat upright. My body ached, the injury from yesterday still hitting.

Laying in bed the entire day was all I wanted to do. Never possible though.

I Lazily got out of bed and was ready in a jiffy. Out I went, not knowing what fate awaits me.

The training hall was half full when I strolled in. Eyes rested on me, taking me all in one stare.

This look was different though. I could see it in their eyes. It was filled with admiration.

I could imagine what thoughts ran through their minds as I made my way to my seat.

Soft murmurs and whispers.

A smile etched on my brows, fading as quickly as it came.

I settled in, my hand tapping against the edge of the table.

“Hey star girl,” a voice barked into my ears..

Ryker..

My eyes rolled in disdain. I wasn't in the mood for talks, especially with him. 

“Hello! Good morning,” a gentle snort. Passing off as a snub was the only way out.

He shook my arm then. “Didn't hear me?”

I sighed, turning my face towards him just then. “Good morning!”

“Didn't wanna respond?” He laughed. Nothing was funny to me, especially at that time of my life.

“I just thought to—”

Dane strolled in just then, his face stern. His eyes darted around like he was searching for something.

He definitely was.

His eyes stopped, resting on me.

“Roberts Scott!” He barked. I sprung to my feet, legs shaking hard as I looked at him.

“Yes sir.” 

The hall was silent, save soft whispers the others made.

“Come with me.”

I swallowed hard, moving quickly behind him. This was it. May or not, I might be expelled from the academy.

Not just expelled. Disgraced too.

My hands rubbed against each other, heart thumping hard.

In silence, we trudged on until we were at the clinic. 

 “Why am I here sir?” I asked, even though I knew fully well why he had brought me there.

The nurses stood, waiting for his words.

“The strip test will be carried out here and now in front of some other instructors. They should be here in minutes.”

I shuddered, only for a few seconds. Then something surged within me, swift and intense.

“Why do I have to take a strip test?” I asked. My voice was loud and hard.

His eyes widened, disbelief swelling in them. 

“What made you think you have the right to question me?” He stood akimbo, his feet dragging forward a few steps.

My eyes locked on his. “Since I've come here, I haven't heard of a student who had to take the strip test? Why?”

“You don't get to question me!!” He snapped, hands tightening into fists.

I stood firm, unshaken.

The other instructors arrived one after the other, their eyes dead serious. 

They stood beside Dane, lips grimly pressed against each other. I looked at them as if asking for them.

It didn't look like they would. They were all in this after all. 

“Well, I at least deserve an answer, and until I get to see other students who've been forced to take a strip test, then I won't take this.”

Dane smirked, then his fingers snapped. The other instructors charged forward, their hands grabbing my arms.

I struggled to break free but they were fierce, their strength unmatchable.

I didn't stop fighting. My entire life depended on this. 

“What’s going on here?” A voice echoed through the clinic.

My eyes turned. Mark.