Alpha Deception

ken after hearing ab

already knew and had

"Alpha Trials," Mia felt

n and sprinted from the training ground, the

ale heir. The Tria

dodging pine roots and frost-slick rocks. When the sharp outline of Jessie's

he rhythmic scrap of metal against stone filling the

t the Alpha Trials,"

ed up calml

ened. "You kne

clean. "Since last night. Word spreads qui

ren't going

waiting to see if you were alert

ef rising. "You think I'm going to watch them choose

dy signe

s hit li

inked.

now," Jessie said firmly.

ong ago for a future they were never sure would co

whispered. "Pretending

ie interrupted. "If you want revenge, justice,

roat tight. "I don'

snapped. "Or you can remember how your mother died chained and

avage clarity, blood, fr

urning. "Do you have to cut the wound

't even loo

days stretche

ng, movement adjustments. Mia learned to walk with weight in her shoulders and silence in her spine. They bound h

ned her in

, blinked less, let his jaw set harder than Mia ever had. "You're not hiding

, Jessie returned wit

g dark hair spilling across her shoulders, s

dy?" Jes

swal

no

The jaw was hers, the eyes were hers but everything else belonged to Clinton. "You'll need to be able to juggle the life between Clinton and Mia

ved on a biting mornin

od shoulder to shoulder, each hopeful to be chosen for the legendary Alpha Trials. Only

neath it. Her boots felt too big, her stance slightly forced. The only problem was her sma

torm contained in leather and bon

behind a carved stone table. Their eyes

judge called as each c

," came a fa

he first boy she was always watched

wagger, his tunic crisp, his face smug.

changed glanc

re app

stepped

r called: "Clinto

cle trained to carry the w

nly Son of

ges sti

noble lineage. What

ld answer, a v

ak for

one t

Clinton is legally my son. And I carry a

tly. The Council hadn'

rowed his eyes. "Pr

r ring etched with the Crimson sigil. Anot

s eno

dge turned

ntentions for th

restore balance. And destroy

judges looked

re app

the Green Pack, Oligario, some of a General

aining field. This was the first step. The Trials hadn't even

back. She could feel

athering, the crowd began to th

lv

ed her slow

e muttered, eyes raking her up and down.

"Maybe you're just

led. "Watch

" she ask

ent longer befo

od strong. Kelvin hadn't changed . He alw

ath steadying. Her bindings bit into her rib

eyes lingering on her a second too long. She saw confusion ther

ze me, she th

Trial Quarters barracks. The mattress was thin, an

nding still tight against her chest, limb

about the competition and were to be sent home to

done by the Bet

hunters. From today, you are candidates for Alpha-heir to t

pa

e rang out wi

llow a certain number of r

es of the

nce & Res

Trials. Leaving without official clearance will result in instant disqualification. Howeve

bat St

ights may be with blade, claw, or hand but only one walks away.

xternal

ne caught sneaking in outside tools, poisons, o

Outsid

influence outcomes. This is your battle alone. External i

ate

may fight or kill them. The law does not bend f

ll Witho

testant outside of an official ma

May W

dice, it is the choice to live. But once you leave, you may never

havio

tage, intimidation will not be tolera

& Tactic

omacy, and survival instincts. Fail three non-combat trials and you are

ath o

e the Council and Moonstone Altar. Betrayal of that oath will

e scroll fal

The Trials begin tomorrow at dawn. Eat well. Sleep deep

d and left th

her chest. The bindings had left bruises already. Her limbs ached. Her head thr

a drink and sat

well,"

t the fir

nd is where most die without lifting a

own at her b

don't lik

Good. That means you

rom outside, re

ed at hi

step in?" J

Mia is the best chance we have. And because th

his tone. No fatherly

odded

se went to bed

he sleeping barracks. Mia couldn't rest. Her limbs ach

, letting the frost bite he

the distance,

he cold, gripping the railing,

about he

e stone

nce that follo

d not lo

to f

to b

to f

y not to boy

y waiting for the next d