Life at Nightfang

Aria jolted awake as she heard the sound of the giant bell. It was a wake up call. She rushed into the bathroom and had her bath real quick; ignoring all the side talks and advances. She didn’t want any friends and she didn’t want to make a bad first impression of herself by being late or slow.

After bathing, she put on her grey uniform, buckled up her shoe, put her dagger in place and rolled up her hair all in time for roll call.

The She-Wolf from last night walked in. “Attention!” She yelled, as she rolled out a scroll for attendance.

“Seems like this She-Wolf never wants a moment of rest,” she thought as she stood in line, waiting and listening for her name.

"Welcome to the Nightfangs once again," the She-Wolf said after roll call. "In all you do here, make sure you remember the rules," she said. She flung out a piece of paper from her pocket and headed for the door. She plastered it at the back of the door, and she walked out. The paper contained dormitory rules.

Roll call was soon over and the wolves were dismissed into the dining hall.

As Aria approached the dining hall, she was met by a huge sign board which read: ‘NO TALKING’.

Wolves strolled in from different doors into the dining hall, food was served in no time and silence fell around the hall. Rules were a thing around here.

She ate quickly and soon left the dining hall. Her mind raced with different thoughts.

“Find the Alpha, make him trust me, eliminate him from within,” she thought.

Aria then headed for the training grounds. A large room filled with so many wolves and so many sections. Wolves running through obstacles. The sounds of boots hitting stone. Generals combating. The sharp clang of weapons hitting hard. Sweat mixed with blood all over the place. It was like older wolves has been practicing all through the night. The air was thick in the hall and there was Kael on top watch, his eyes sweeping the hall. After a swift eye contact with him, Aria turned around. Though, she still felt his gaze on her every now and then.

“Why wouldn’t he take his eyes off me? Oh, dear Alpha, don’t get so lost with me,” she thought, a faint smile played on her face.

“New recruits assemble!” the voice was sharp. It was a wolf in black uniform and cape. It was General Thorne.

Aria and three others formed themselves in a straight line before him.

“Welcome to The Nightfang,” he said calmly. “I’m sure I don’t need to go over the rules again, the She-Wolf you all met should have explained everything to you,” he added, strolling left and right in front of them.

“Lyra vane?” He asked pointing towards Aria.

“Yes sir,” she replied.

“You step aside, the Alpha has designated specific drills for you,” he said, shoving her aside.

“The rest of you, come with me,” he ordered as he went along with the three other wolves.

Aria stood there in the middle of the hall.

Lost.

She didn’t know why the Alpha had designated separate drills for her. “What does he want from me now? I just got here and this mission is proving weird already,” she thought.

She wasn’t ready for any kind of tension between them. All she wanted to do for now was to gain his trust. But it seemed he was a step ahead.

“Lyra!” Another voice called out.

Aria turned to see a tall wolf, his eyes were deep black almost unseen except for his contrasting brown skin color. His uniform was well ironed out, his cape sweeping the floor as he walked towards her.

“I am Lucan,” he said calmly. “I’ve been assigned to train you in drills in preparation for the Iron Trial. The Alpha wants a newbie in the Iron Trial which is quite unusual,” he said, a smirk at the side of his lips.

He leaned in towards her ears, “a little advice: whatever you do…survive,” he whispered.

Now that sent shivers down her spine. She had heard that exact same sentence yesterday and now it’s coming from someone on black — a high rank officer. It definitely meant the Iron Trial wasn’t a small feat. Yet she didn’t understand why the Alpha had set her up for such.

“Okay sir,” She replied nodding in affirmation as she went with him.

He chose a part of the training hall and the other wolves cleared out the space. He was definitely someone of high rank and respect.

“Ready or not, we start with combat.” Lucan said.

He didn’t wait for her to give a clear response, he rushed at her throwing a blow at her shoulder and she landed in the dust.

“One thing worthy of note about the Iron Trial, you make your move before the end of the final command.” He said circling around her.

She picked herself up real quick. He ran at her again and this time she dogged. She had already learnt that.

Now a fair combat had begun between them, she moved fast, precise and ruthless. A foot sweep into his legs, a sharp punch to his jaw, a strong elbow push, she was swift.

Lucan retreated. “You’re fast.”

“I’m surviving,” she replied as she rushed at him again. She sure learnt that skill immediately he made mention of it.

“Enough!” Kael yelled from the watch tower, just before she hit Lucan.