Chapter 59Amber’s povLoud roars and cheers from the crowd rose up in the arena. The pack members stamped their feet, waved flags and even screamed my name. Their sudden support, it was surprising but it also made my heart squeeze.Something warm unfurled in my belly along with this intense feeling to make them proud.“I don't know how you managed to get so much support.” Gwen hissed in a voice low enough for only me to hear. A memory of her tying Mina to that pole flashed through me and the warm feeling vanished immediately.“Whatever.” She narrowed her eyes and pointed to the glasses. “Just a tip. Pick wisely.”With that, she flipped her dress and sashayed out of the arena.My heart was racing. The pounding sound loud in my ears as I swallowed.“Go on.” The trial instructor urged. “It’s time. Access your glasses and pick one.”With the go ahead from the instructor, I took another step toward. Standing closer to the table this time.The crowd was still roaring around me, but like i
Chapter 58Amber’s povToday was the last day. My heart hammered in my chest as I stared out of the tent window.“Relax, you’ll do fine,” Mina whispered from beside me, her hands squeezing mine.I just nodded distractedly. After passing the first trial, the second trial was easier.Maybe something about the way I attacked Gwen but she sat the second trial out. It had just been a panel of elders quizzing me and trying to determine if I was a spy for blood moon pack or not.It took only a few minutes of showing them the needle scars of wolfsbane on my arms before they softened.No one outrightly said it but they all knew. I wouldn’t work for an alpha who made me a living blood bank for his daughter. No one in their right senses would.And so I had passed, now I waited in the outside tent while the third and final trial was being set up. Safe to say, my stomach was a whirlpool of nerves.“It’s almost time,” Mina whispered, standing to her feet. “I’m not sure what the third trial is but
Chapter 57Amber’s pov“I already said I was sorry. Don’t come at me like that. We both know how the trials can be. Especially without training,”Through my sleeping hazy, I heard Gwen’s voice. She was speaking to someone. Her voice softer and more tender frank I had ever heard it.“Wait please—don’t go!”I jerked awake, coughing as the door slammed shut. Whoever she had been talking to was gone.I groaned loudly, my head banged as I looked around slowly and pushed myself up.They had brought me back to my room. The air. Someone had tried to scent it with perfume but it still smelled like smoke. Like me.“Good. You’re awake,” Gwen hissed.I turned my head to her sharply. Memories of the last trials flashing through my head.Did I make it in time? I didn’t know or even care. Mina.Goddess, Gwen had tied her up and—My breath left my lungs as I flew from my bed towards Gwen.“What are you doing! Are you crazy?!” Gwen snapped, fear flashing across her eyes as she tried to move back.But
Chapter 56 Amber’s pov Smoke choked my lungs making my eyes sting with tears but my steps did not falter. I rushed to Mina’s side coughing as my hand rushed to release her bonds. “Mina! Mina?!” I rasped, trying to breathe through the thick smoke. But she was unresponsive, her chest moving with laboured breaths. My mind was blind with panic, my fingers shaking terribly as I released her feet and rushed to untie her hands. From above, I could hear the audience’s roar. I knew what it must look like. I ignored the elder’s instruction and chose saving my friend over leaving the maze. “Don’t listen to them. Don’t listen to them,” I tried to chant out loud through the tears blurring my vision. But almost like Gwen could hear my thoughts, the air whirred with magic again. This time, the voices of the pack members. My heart shuddered and squeezed as my lungs threatened to collapse. “They’re both going to die,” “The maze is on fire, almost all the paths are burned down,” “Stupid gir
Chapter 55Amber’s pov“She can’t do this. She can’t do this. She can’t do this,” I chanted to myself as the guards pulled me towards the entrance of the maze.But I knew it was futile. She could in fact do anything she wanted, and Gwen made that absolutely clear.I shouted, cried, snarled, begged, but nothing and no one stopped Gwen as she commanded the guards to drag Mina into the maze.At the center. They had tied my best friend to the center while commanding me to simply find the exit.Was I expected to leave her in there?!!“YOU HAVE SIXTY MINUTES,” The announcer’s voice shattered my thoughts.Above the maze, a large object appeared and began to tick“THREE… TWO… ONE, GO!”Three sharp whistles rent the air and the door to the maze in front of me suddenly swung open.I had never felt so alone. My mind was blind with panic. No wait, I couldn’t do it. The trial had to stop. Mina was tied up in there!What was I going to do? I couldn’t leave her there, but I couldn’t defy the counci
Chapter 54Amber’s pov“Don’t listen to the crowd. Keep your head down. Try to be fast, speed will help, and—-““I— I’ll be fine,” I cut Delilah’s worried rant as I held her hands.We were at the edge of the pack square but sheltered from the audience outside by a tent.Several maids had come into the tent helping to dress me up and get me ready for the first trial.I still had no idea what it would be but no one was allowed in the tent with me except Delilah.“I promise,” I tried to reassure her again, squeezing her hands.Delilah had a strange expression on her face. Her eyes avoided mine as she shook her head and took a step back. At that exact moment, the tent flap pushed open and Luna Gwen stepped inside.I blinked in surprise.“She knew,” Vera whispered. “How did Delilah know Gwen was about to come inside?”I had no answer to that so I shook it off. She probably heard the Luna’s footsteps.“Are you ready?” Gwen purred smugly as she strolled into the makeshift room.I gave her a