Chapter 5 - The cull

They called the first trial an environment test, but it was an obvious cull designed to trim most of the participants down to the fittest wolves. That or they wanted to be rid of the women who had come from other packs. Either way, Cassy couldn’t help but wonder why they were attempting to chop the numbers so quickly. Alpha Jason said less than half would likely continue on after the trial, expediting the whole process. A Luna Trial would usually take at least a month, dragged out with parties and visits from other packs, but by the sounds of it, he wanted a Luna at his side within the week. 

Not that it really mattered to Cassy. The sooner she made the top ten and Zac chose her to be his mate, the sooner she could keep her head down and return to a life of obscurity. 

“Break a leg.” Alex grinned, as the group was herded out of the hall to the start line.

“You shouldn’t say that when I probably will.” Cassy grumbled. 

“Oh, I didn’t mean your leg.”

Cassy caught Alex’s nod towards Katie who, once again, was working her way through the crowd to get to the front. Cassy laughed, but it was a little too loud and earned her a glare from the bitch. She stopped, knowing it would come back to bite her, but she held onto her lighter mood and waved goodbye to her friend as she headed out of the hall.

It was then that the nerves began to kick in. Cassy wasn’t unfit. Most of the wolves in the Ash Mount pack were relatively fit, they had to be to live and work on the mountain side. On top of that, being Alex’s friend came with the added benefit of warrior training every now and again, but even Cassy could admit the first trial was going to be brutal. A race to the mountain’s base and back again? Her legs were going to hurt in the morning. With so many women not used to such a challenge, it’d be a surprise if everyone came out of it unscathed. 

‘Mum’s going to be busy tonight.’ She thought.

“This is ridiculous. It’s only the first trial.” A woman hissed nearby.

“I know. I thought I could at least make it far enough to be noticed by a good mate. Now I don’t think I’m going to make it through the first day.”

“I just wanted to make the top ten. Then bail out. No way I’d try and earn that rock of an Alpha as a mate.”

The women sniggered; muttering agreements that's made Cassy nervous. She glanced around, trying to see where there nearest warriors and High Guard were stationed. She jerked when she spotted said ‘rock of an Alpha’ walking at the edge of the crowd only a few meters away. The other women hadn’t noticed him and kept discussing their Alpha in a way that’d make Cassy nervous about losing her position in the pack. She nudged into the nearest woman, earning herself a glare before the woman ignored her again. Cassy growled under her breath and nudged her again.

“What?” She hissed. 

Finally, turning on Cassy allowed the women to see Alpha Jason. Her eyes grew large, her face paled, and she quickly shushed her friends. The women fell silent and ducked their heads as they maintained a slow shuffle forward. 

“You’re welcome.” Cassy muttered under her breath, shaking her head. 

Then, she looked to the Alpha again, a man so different to the sweet boy she once knew. He must’ve heard the women, yet his expression hadn’t changed. Not even the slightest hint of annoyance or anger or... anything. Alex had said less to him and yet garnered more of a reaction. Did he not care what his wolves thought of him? Did he really consider himself that high above them?

‘Geez, I wouldn’t want to be his mate either.’ 

Just as the thought popped into her mind, cold, dark eyes locked to her. She realised she had been staring at the Alpha, and quickly swept her gaze away, hoping he’d turn his attention elsewhere. He didn’t. She could feel his gaze on her like a hot prickle on her skin. It made her realise she had been foolish to think he had been staring at her in the crowd earlier instead of Alex. The intensity of his actual gaze pressed against her flesh, urging her to look at him, but she refused. She had already had too much attention on herself for her liking, she didn’t need more.

However, the Alpha kept his eyes on her as they left the packhouse and moved to the start line. He didn’t look away until he had to take his place at the front of the group to address them all. She must’ve pissed him off.

The crowd of women stood a short way from the packhouse entrance, fanning out over the flat rock that was carved by the first Ash Mount wolves to create their home. Those familiar with the territory stood at the rock’s edge, not bothered by the sheer drop and bloody death that awaited them if they slipped, while guests from neighbouring packs inched further into the crowd finding safety within the ranks of women. They wouldn’t make it to the end of the Trial, Cassy was sure.

“To reiterate the rules.” Alpha Jason’s voice was just as commanding in the open air as it was in the hall. “You must get to the bottom of the mountain, collect a token and bring it back to the packhouse. The first ten can present their token to a High Guard warrior, who will be waiting at the back of the packhouse, to earn an advantage in the next trial.” None of the guest would be able to do that and everyone knew it. The rocks that circled the building’s base grew rougher and more dangerous, making passing them almost impossible. “However, all who make it back here within the next two hours will carry on in the Trials. Is that clear?” 

The Alpha was clearly used to addressing warriors, which most of the women in front of him were not. They shuffled with nerves and murmured to each other.

“I said; am I clear?” His voice was sharp and cutting like the rocks his packhouse was built within.

“Yes, Alpha.” They all responded in an uncoordinated flurry of agreements.

“Good. Then go.”