Challenge Corner Novels & Stories

Thornwall was not what I had imagined from the challenge protocols. The name suggested a wall. There was no wall. There was a broad stretch of neutral ground -- fields that had been left unfarmed for long enough that the grass grew knee-high and the trees at the edges were the thick ancient variety that had been growing since before the territorial codes existed. In the center of the field, a low stone structure that the codes called the Challenge House, built for the specific purpose of hosting formal dominance contests and used, by Kael's count, fewer than thirty times in three hundred years.

He frowned. "Where are you going?" "Just wait for me here.” I said. His expression immediately became wary. Honestly, he looked like I was about to sell him to human traffickers. Five minutes later, I stood in front of a competition booth for the Pack Hunting Challenge. The first prize was the Silver Guardian Spirit Doll. Unfortunately, the challenge involved throwing rings onto moving targets. And apparently, I was terrible. The children nearby began whispering. "Big sister can't aim." One little pup sighed.

His voice drops dangerously low. “That’s not happening.” But the challenger simply replies: “Then win.” The arena falls silent. Two warriors stand ready. The watchers lean closer in the sky. And deep inside me… Something stirs. Something connected to the growing life inside my body. Something that whispers a terrifying thought. This challenge… Was never just about Dylan. And the chapter ends with the challenger stepping forward— And delivering the final line that freezes everyone. “Second anchor.” His silver eyes burn brighter. “Try not to die.”

“What non-physical events are available?” The omega pulled out a list. “Let’s see. We have the Strategy Challenge, which is just a bunch of tactical puzzles and stuff. There’s the Memory Game, which tests your recall strength. And there’s the Trivia Competition, that's just questions about werewolf history and pack politics.” She looked up with a bright smile. “We also have archery and knife throwing. They only need precision and focus, they aren’t physically demanding like sparring, races or obstacle courses.”

I'd thought everything would change after Caleb appeared. But seeing that familiar gift bag, my eyes reddened uselessly, and my vision blurred. Just as I clung greedily to that brief moment, Vivian's phone rang. She hurriedly let go of the bag. The things inside spilled out. My mouth twitched. My heart felt as if it had been stabbed. Still refusing to give up, I asked, "What... is this?" Vivian froze with the phone in her hand and glanced at the underwear scattered across the floor.

It tastes sweet, nothing out of the ordinary, and I feel a little embarrassed about having caused a fuss over nothing. Rachel turns around, clapping her hands, “Well, now that Taylor’s little show is done,” – I stiffen at the titters all around – “let’s get started. Today’s challenge is going to be a little different. Instead of working in different teams today, it will be all of you against each other. I’ve hidden a red flag in the forest. All of you are going to spread out and try to locate the flag. The aim is to bring the flag back, but that’s not all. Obviously, since there is only one flag, you will have to steal it from each other. Anything is on the table except using your abilities.

A waitress drops off fries, jalapeño poppers, and nachos. “Go Auntie M!” Amelia cheers. “Come on, Meredith! You got this!” I yell, popping a potato skin in my mouth and sipping my beer. Meredith grins back and lets fly. First axe: outer blue ring—solid. Second: middle red zone—but it bounces. Third: bullseye, hitting so hard the wood splits. The entire place erupts in applause. Benjamin jogs over, clapping. “That’s what happens when you’ve got a Luna in the cage!”

I asked, trying to sound more confident than I felt. Zara shook her head, a small smile playing at her lips. “You’ll find out when it’s time.” Before I could respond, one of the men—the larger of the two—moved forward. His arms were thick with muscle, and his eyes were cold. “The first challenge is simple. You’ll face me in combat.” I blinked. “What?” Zara’s eyes glinted with amusement. “You heard him. Fight him. If you can land even one blow, you pass. If not...” She let the sentence hang in the air.

The Queen continued. “Now,” She smiled. “On to the challenge. In front of you, you will see a red buzzer. I am going to ask a series of questions regarding the history of werewolves, if you think you know the answer then you will press the buzzer. The first to press the buzzer will be provided with the first opportunity to answer. If correct, they win a point on the leaderboard. If incorrect, they are removed from this particular challenge and the second buzzer gets an opportunity to answer. Understood?” She questioned.

Jasper’s sharp gaze flicks to mine, and there’s something in his expression that promises Logan won’t escape unscathed next time. Eduardo steps forward, his voice loud and commanding. “Listen up! This afternoon, we’re starting the first rounds of challenges. You’ll each face an opponent for ten minutes. The first person to submit their opponent wins and earns ten points. If neither of you submits the other in that time, you’ll each get five points. Zero points if you lose.”