Chapter 3 The Wolf's Den

Arya

The gates of Whitestone pack stood high like it was the only way to heaven. Steel-forged and decorated with thick spines, they shined brightly under the morning sun. Over there, I could hear mumbles of different voices, the boots of guards striking the ground and the faint clanging of steel.

My face yearned for the mask I had worn my whole life while hunting wolves. It had always been my shield—hiding my identity and what made me a huntress. "Show them your face. They must trust you." Rodrick's voice was loud in my head. Now, they would see Arya, the normal girl.

So here I was, standing bare-face under the sunrise. The forest clinging to me, but there was no hiding who I was anymore. Except, the other part of me. Of course.

Two patrols stepped towards me, their stone cold mirrored. Broad-shouldered with swords at their side. The scent of wolves lingering on their skin. Their eyes narrowed the moment they saw me.

"What brings you here?" One barked, his hand circling his sword.

I held my chin higher than normal as my pulse quickened. "P-please, I see-seek shelter." I stammered.

They both looked at each other at the same time before thick laughter burst out of their mouths. "We're already familiar with this game, rouge." One said.

"Another leech crawling here with lies," the other one spat, with arms folded.

The words hit me more than I could admit. Rouge, leech? I could have ended them here, right now but my identity had to be concealed. My eyes twitched in anger. They saw me as a beggar. But before I could reply, the guards froze in silence. They stepped aside, forming a passage.

Then I saw him, a man walking through them. "Alpha Kyle," the guards said as they bowed their heads in submission. This must be him—the alpha.

He moved like he owned the place. His confidence could be seen over his broad shoulders. His chiseled jawline showed his authority. His golden eyes glistened under the sun. And for a moment, I held my breath.

The memory of the forest came knocking. His gaze was familiar, too familiar. He looked at me like I wasn't a stranger. He halted before me and leaned towards me.

"We meet again," he said, his breath heavy against my neck. My eyes widened and my stomach growled in a way that made my face twist. He recognised me. Does this mean that the mission was over before it already started?

The guards stared at both of us. I could see confusion on their faces. And I couldn't make out what they whispered between themselves. The crowd gathered at the gate didn't make things easier either.

Kyle clenched his jaw, his eyes refusing to leave mine. "If you want to join us," he said softly, but with a stern look, "prove yourself worthy."

My pulse quickened. I had expected suspicion, interrogation, maybe being locked up. But a test? What was he up to?

The warriors around us chuckled, waiting for a show. In seconds, a circle was formed in the space outside the gate, with spears hitting the ground to mark territory. The crowd pushed forward, the stench of sweat and excitement filled the air.

"Choose who you'll fight against," one of the guards shouted through the noise.

Before I could say anything, a man stepped out. He towered against others. There was nothing on his chest except his scars. He had a cruel grin and his teeth shined white. He cracked his knuckles.

"I'll take care of this," he snarled, eyes studying me like I was his prey.

Cheers broke from the crowd. A stranger would think that victory had only been declared for the pack.

I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes, preparing myself. My legs were wide apart. Hands held up high and fists twisted to cover my face. This was similar to a hunt, but this time the prey was already prepared and more dangerous.

A drum sound was heard. Silence filled up the atmosphere. He jumped, his size breaking through the distance between us in a second. He was fast. His fist approached my face like a hammer. But he missed. I bent as low as I could and the breeze from his fist brushed my nose. My muscle memory could remember Rodrick's spars, the endless hours of drilling. The brutal training on speed and agility.

I slid past him, my elbow hitting his ribs before he had a chance to turn around. The hit impacted my hand, but his low grunt told me it landed. He turned towards me, his face squeezed with pain. His hand was placed where I hit him. I threw myself up in the air as my leg slashed the air and landed on his face.

Gasps broke through the crowd. The stares from them were enough to kill me.

The pack warrior snarled. "Looks like the heavens are on your side." He charged again, but faster this time. His fist hit my shoulder, pain running through my arm, but I refused to act like I felt it. I bent low, placing my palms on the ground and swept my leg under his boots.

He staggered backwards, cursing under his breath, but he didn't fall. His wolf claws flashed at me again, this time scratching my cheek, blood flowing instantly as I could feel them turning red. But this only increased my focus.

"Come on rogue. Is that all you got?" he teased, circling me in caution. "Hit me with your best shot."

I didn't reply. I've heard that sticks and stones may break people's bones, but words shouldn't. I closed my eyes, shifted my legs apart, my fist—clenched and ready for action. My breath in alignment with his.

He jumped again, but I was ready. I held his hand, bent it with all my energy and used his force against him. He crashed on the ground with a loud thud. I took the knife from his gird and put the blade against his throat.

The crowd went dead. The warrior stood still, chest rising and falling. His mouth left open as he realized he had been defeated_by me.

I threw the knife at his feet. "Killing you won't prove that I belong" I said, my voice flat.

The silence was long and then broke. Murmurs loud enough for me to hear them. Some were impressed, the others suspicious.

I turned, Kyle's gaze meeting mine. His gaze piercing me, unclear yet weighed with something I couldn't place. The same feeling from the forest hit my chest. My wolf stirred uncontrollably under my skin.

For a minute, it felt like we were the only ones in this world.

Then Kyle walked into the ring. The warriors divided immediately, bowing their heads in respect. He halted a few steps away, not faltering in his gaze.

"You've proven yourself." he said after forever.

Noise broke through the crowd. Not of victory but of belief in the alpha. While some warriors whispered secretly about Kyle accepting a rogue, the others said that I was worthy because of my skills.

But alpha Kyle didn't flinch. He raised his hand to silence them but his eyes were for me only. And even though he had accepted me, I knew it wasn't over.

I proved myself and was let in, but this wasn't over. I knew he would be watching me.