Run or Die

Selene's POV

"Same guy I'm here because, now to be stuck in a room with him? Why?" I was fraustrated already , I dragged my suitcase down the hall.

Got lost three times and had to ask for directions like a lost child, I finally stood in front of Room 204. Backache, headache pounding, and all I could do was sleep.

I knocked once. Nothing.

I knocked again. Nothing.

"Great," I grumbled. "He's probably not home ."

I used my key to open the door and tried to push it open, but the door was already open. "Perhaps he's asleep," I whispered, slowly opening the handle so as not to wake him

And there he was—doing push ups like the space belonged to him. When he stopped to take a swig of water, my jaw almost dropped.

"Oh, what an asshole ," I breathed.

He glared up at me, and I simply stood there, shocked If I had been a chicken, I would have laid three eggs there and then.

And he said. "Name?"

"Huh?" I gawked.

"Deaf?" His deep, growly voice was full of attitude.

"Ah—oh, sorry!" I stammered. "Liam, sir. Liam Damfort."

He nodded and continued doing push-ups as though I wasn't even there.

I let out a sigh and went in, and, there was an empty bed. “ this one's mine I guess ," I said to myself, dumping my bag onto the floor.

"You smell funny ," he said abruptly, sitting up straight, his deep commanding voice. "And you're starting to sound weak."

I snorted. "Yeah, must have inherited my mum's genes."

He didn’t reply me and , just continued exercising.

I started to undress, not glancing in his direction When I at last got my opportunity to climb into the bed, my legs hurt like hell. Just as I was falling asleep sound of a loudspeaker burst—

"Newbies Report to the assembly ground immediately, all new recruits!"

Thud of thudding feet along the corridor. Wails of wolves, thunder. My stomach churned.

"What have I brought myself into?" I snarled.

He stopped in mid-push-up, glared at me, and said frankly, "I think they're waiting for you."

I sat down . "Hell! Tell me where to go!"

He pointed down the hall. "That way."

I did not even stop to thank him—I just ran.

I was the last to reach the location, having ridden onto the hall. All eyes were on me as I came in, trudging heavy boots on the floor. Shame—no, humiliation—hit me.

The commander's voice rang down the hall. "Newbies, hope you'd set your stations just the way you'd liked them! Your training begins today."

"What?" I roared before I shut myself up.

They all looked at me.

The commander's face became even more red with anger. "Do you object to that?"

I attempted a false smile. "No, sir.".

He continued, "Here to make you fearless Alphas. Always ready. Always strong. We start formal training tomorrow. Today, running. We do a mountain run. Tomorrow, physical training and cross games with seniors. They will train you. But today—you run. You run every day. Now go! Run yourselves to the mountain and back!"

There was no one around when I blinked.

"Run or die, eh?" I muttered, and ran too.

Already, after a minute, I was panting. My legs hurt, my lungs burned, and the shirt clung to my back with perspiration. I was among the last few.

Going up the hill, my lungs were about to explode. I paused to catch some air—

"Up, boy!" roared one of the guards behind me.

I jumped and almost fell. "I'm up! I'm up!"

He glared. "You cheat—you're half-running, you duck back—you're out!"

"Aww, darn it all." I grumbled, pull myself along. My legs trembled, but I wasn't going to give up.

It took more energy with every step than the previous. "Can't wait till midnight," I grumbled. "Once my charm wears off, things will be less tense. hopefully."

The others had years retired to their respective rooms before I was even halfway through. I was freezing from head to toe. I felt like screaming, but not giving up. I continued, though my eyes were tearful.

It was already dark when I arrived home. My legs were shaking. My chest was hollow.

The guards were looking at me, I think. One of them frowned at me, so I just turned my back on him. "Yeah, yeah," I grumbled. "Go ahead and stare."

I crept into my room unnoticed, crying my way there. "They're being mean to me here," I said to myself. "All of them."

He was reading when I entered my room.

I turned my back on him, kicked off my shoes, and fell onto my bed. My body was shaking

"That was a long run," he commented softly, his eyes lowered in his book.

"Whatever," I shouted.

"You're slow for an Alpha."

I backed my way to him and shut my eyes. "Didn't ask your opinion."

He remained silent, and I slept, praying. "God, let the old witch's curse stick."

Day dawned. Clanging bell rattled the corridors. I ached all over.

I woke, sat up, and found that he was already awake.

"Good morning," I croaked.

He just nodded and left.

When the door closed , I dragged myself out of bed and headed straight to the mirror . My heart was racing. "Please, please work," I prayed.

I peered into the mirror—

And my heart sank.