Chapter 2

CHAPTER 002

The car rumbled to a stop in front of the gates of the Redwood Pack. The sharp shadows on the ground below ... the towering iron bars reached the sky, reminding me that they would seemingly stretch on forever. These weren’t gates that welcomed anyone, they were gates that kept you trapped. The guards exchanged a few words with the driver and my stomach twisted.

The gates creaked open, and I saw a sprawling compound that was somehow colder than the forest I’d left. High rise buildings were sleek, modern, angular lines and polished stone, but there was something dead about them. Their gazes sharp, wolves were moving around the grounds, turning their way to the car. As I stepped out, I could feel the eyes on me, so I raised my head high anyway.

I heard the soft click of heels on stone path and a woman approached me. Young, late twenties, she had dark hair pulled tightly into a bun that looked painful. A few feet away she stopped, her expression neutral.

She asked, her voice clipped, 'Aurora Wrington?'

“That’s me,” I replied.

She gave a curt nod. “I’m Olivia. Follow me. And I’ll show you to your quarters.”

Hefting the canvas, she turned on her heel and walked away, not another word. I paused for a moment, then took my bag and followed her. Walking along stone path, the silence between us was stretching. I tried to concentrate on the hedges, neatly trimmed, the buildings towering above me, but their stares were heavy, and I couldn't breathe.

Olivia led me toward a massive building with large pale gray walls and large windows that reflected what was left of the light. The air inside smelled faintly of lavender and bleach. Long hallways with eerie silence, the only noise was our foot steps on the polished wood floors.

Olivia stopped in front of one of a line of doors at the end of the hall. “This is where you’ll stay.” She pulled out a key, unlocked the door and opened it. Inside you’ll find everything you need. At seven they serve dinner in the common room.”

I nodded and stepped inside. It was a small room, clean and with a twin bed, a dresser and a mirror. Just enough light came in through a window to keep it from feeling like a cell. My bag dropped on the bed and I turned to thank Olivia, but, she was already gone, the door clicking shut behind her.

I sank onto the bed, sighing. I let the quiet press down on me for a moment. I thought about everything that had happened, everything I still had to do. There wasn’t time to dwell on it, though. This was just the beginning.

Knock at door pulled me from my thoughts. I stood and opened it to see a girl with bright red curls and an easy smile.

“Hi! “Hey you’re new, right?” She asked happily.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

She stepped into the room like she owned it, and said, “I’m Mia.” “Right, you came with the group.” From the other packs?”

I answered cautiously, ‘Something like that’.

Mia didn’t seem to notice my hesitation. She plopped onto the edge of my bed and said, “You’ll like it here.” 'Well, you can like being here as much as you can.' It’s weird the first few days, but it gets better.”

A loud bell rang through the halls before I could respond. Her smile widened and she jumped up. “That’s dinner. I’ll show you the way, come on.”

Girls filled the common room, wedged into it with their voices were a chaotic hum. Food lined the tables, but no one cared to eat. All were too busy whispering, looking at each other nervously. Olivia stood at the front of the room holding a clipboard in hand.

She called through the chatter, her voice sharp. Tomorrow is the start of your challenges. These are activities that test your strength, intelligence and resilience. “Only the best will move forward.”

The room was filled with murmurs. I felt my chest tighten. I wasn’t here to impress anyone, but I couldn’t afford to fail. Not now. Not when it was everything.

The challenges started the next morning. First came the combat trials and the field was blurry with movement and sound. The eyes of wolves circled each other, determined. My partner was a tall girl named Elena that looked like she had trained since the day she was born.

Her punches were sharp and calculated, but I was faster. She came at me fast. I dodged her first strike, her second swept my feet and sent me stumbling back. She recovered quickly, but I didn’t let her get back on her feet. I lunged forward so quickly and knocked her to the ground, pinning her in place.

I barely noticed the crowd erupt in cheers. I got up and held my hand out to Elena who swatted it away with a tight jaw. I stepped back and let her walk away without a word.

Throughout the day it was a grueling treasure hunt though the dense forest, endurance trials during which most of the girls were gasping for air. My muscles ached by the end of it, but I had done what I came to do. I’d proven myself.

Olivia made that announcement that evening. I was at the top of the list, along with a few other girls. They took us to another building and greeted us with a team of stylists.

We barely recognized ourselves, but they wasted no time brushing and curling and painting. I looked in the mirror and saw someone else looking back at me. My honey brown hair flew in soft waves, my misty blue eyes were brighter and sharper. I felt so weird, as if I had a mask. But masks had their uses.

We were allowed to mingle with the pack that night. The smiles of the wolves were warm here and friendly; curious, but friendly. I laughed, I chatted, I played my part perfectly. What they saw was what I wanted them to see: a confident girl who belonged here.

One pair of eyes lingered longer than the rest, Max. The Alpha’s son. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead as he watched me from across the room. His gaze wasn’t curious like the others, it was intense, almost hungry.

As the crowd thinned later, he approached me. His voice was smooth; 'Aurora, right?'

I nodded, meeting his gaze. “That’s me.”

He smiled easily. “You did well today.” “Impressive.”

I replied, keeping my tone neutral, “Thanks.”

His smile widened and he stepped closer. “I’ll be watching you.”

He walked away with that and I was left with a weird combination of unease and curiosity. Something about him felt... dangerous.

The whispers began the next morning. They flew through the dorms and hallways, and with every minute they became louder.

His true mate had rejected Max.

Bianca.

Why? What did he see in me?