Trinity adjusted her stance among her classmates, a slight tremor in her hands. It was her first day back since the injury, and a mild wave of apprehension washed over her. She could feel the stares, the questioning looks that felt like physical prods. Everyone wanted to know what had happened, why she'd been confined to the pack clinic. But she refused to meet any of their inquisitive gazes, her chin slightly lowered.
The truth was, Trinity didn't even know what had happened herself. The stares, a hundred tiny pinpricks, seemed to zero in on her, but she knew none of them genuinely cared. They were simply curious, hungry for a piece of gossip to break up the monotony of their days: training, sleeping, eating, repeat. It was the only rhythm of life at this house.
From her spot, Trinity could easily pick out the defectives. They were grouped together, and for once, they seemed to stand a little taller, a subtle shift in their posture as if something had changed for them. They no longer needed to hold their heads quite so low in the presence of everyone else. There was only one face missing from their usual huddle.
Trinity didn't want to disrupt the entire class by making her way over to the group of defectives. So, she stayed towards the back of the class, seamlessly falling into the military-like lineup like everyone else. As her eyes drifted around the open field, she spotted Jess. It was odd to see her away from Ryan or the other defectives, but she was rather close to Noah, the second Stager. He wore a detached look, as if he were gazing over the newest recruits in an assistance capacity. Yet, Trinity couldn't miss the way his eyes drifted to Jess with an underlying sensual atmosphere. Something was definitely going on between the two of them, and this was a piece of gossip Trinity wouldn't mind knowing.
"The Titans track is one of the opening assessments for new recruits," Thomas announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "For some of you, this was your first attempt; others, your second." His eyes drifted around his students until they found their way to the one he was looking for. Trinity was near the back, hoping to blend in.
Keeping his eyes locked on hers, he spoke to everyone, but his words were meant primarily for her. "I saw outstanding teamwork. The ability to think under pressure. Leadership at an extraordinary level."
Luca felt a surge of pride, his chest expanding. This was only his second time attempting the course, and this time, he had finished. Not only had he finished, but he had finished first. He hadn't forgotten how Thomas had promised to reward whoever came in first, and he was excited to see what his reward would be. Lately, he was excelling in Warrior training and no longer felt scared to stand out.
"Trinity Carter, step up!" Thomas announced clearly, his voice resonating across the field. He wasn't shocked to see the looks of confusion and anger on people's faces.
Of everyone who had ever participated in the course, Trinity was the first to understand something that no one else had. It wasn't a race. He had told them point blank, but no one had quite believed him. Everyone thought they had to outdo everyone else to make it to the top, that the only way to win was to leave people behind and step on them. They forgot the essence of a pack. A pack was only as strong as its weakest link, only as strong as you let it become. In a pack, you could not think of just yourself. The whole was what mattered. An ego had no place in a pack.
Taking a deep breath, Trinity made her way towards Thomas, her feet moving uncertainly, and came to stand before him. She was still unsure if he actually meant that she had won.
His eyes, sharp and intense, followed her every step. What did it matter that he hadn't helped anyone else? It wasn't a requirement! No one ever offered assistance during the Titans course; it was hard enough to finish alone. A surge of indignant rage coiled in Luca's gut. He had finished first, had won the Titans track in his mind. The reward, the public praise, it all should have been his. Thomas's words had not only stripped him of his rightful victory but had also elevated a "defective" above him. His hands clenched at his sides, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
The anger, however, quickly morphed into something far more sinister when Thomas announced Trinity's private room. A slow, predatory smile spread across Luca's face. He'd only recently discovered that Trinity was unmated, and a private room presented a prime opportunity. It was a chance to be alone with her, away from prying eyes. His thoughts turned dark, a chilling blend of possessiveness and lust. He pictured her in that room, vulnerable and isolated, and a twisted sense of anticipation began to stir within him.
Thomas turned Trinity to face her peers. "You all have something to learn from her. Trinity Carter is the example!"
An onslaught of comments erupted, thrown not just towards Trinity but Thomas too:
"She gave up!"
"How could a defective win?"
"No!"
"This is blatant nepotism! Because she is the Beta's daughter!"
They wondered how she could win when she never even finished.
"I will remind you what I said at the beginning of the Titans track," Thomas's voice boomed, cutting through the dissent. "The point is to reach the end. It is not a race. I don't care how long it takes you to finish; the more of you that finish, the better for all of you." He let those words sink in. Stepping away from Trinity, he walked through the neatly aligned rows of trainees.
"You saw an obstacle but negated the instructions. It is hard to understand how a defective could outwit a wolf. But she is living proof that it happened. Not because she is stronger, or smarter. But she listened. Trinity is the example!" he called out again, making sure everyone could hear every word he spoke.
Trinity felt awkward as Thomas left her standing before the class alone while he walked among the students. "She's patient, a natural-born leader, knows how to inspire her team. She formed a group and refused to leave any of them behind, pushing them past their limits. A true leader does not only think of themselves, but their team, and the effect their actions have on their team. Who among you thought about the wolves around you?"
He waited to see if anyone would dare lie. They had all left each other behind, hoping to derail whoever came behind them, just so they could have the best time. Even though no one was timing them.
"She pushed a tire on Clyde!" Vivica, a girl with bright blonde hair and startlingly beautiful green eyes, spoke up. She didn't like Clyde; he was an absolute horny loser. But she wasn't about to be spoken down to because of a defective.
"She proved a point. No one is to be underestimated. Not even a defective. Trinity's group offered help to every wolf. Not one of you considered it."
Coming back to stand next to Trinity, Thomas rested his hand on her shoulder proudly. "You have been gifted a private room, and you are allowed to make a request, within reason."
Trinity's initial relief at the end of the awkward ceremony quickly dissipated, replaced by a growing unease. The "reward" of a private room felt less like a gift and more like a brand. Thomas, with his booming pronouncements and proud hand on her shoulder, had effectively sacrificed her peace of mind. A shiver ran down her spine as she replayed his words: "Trinity Carter is the example!" and "It is hard to understand how a defective could outwit a wolf. But she is living proof that happened." It was as if he wasn't just trying to compliment her. But to mock every wolf in hearing distance.
Being a defective was already a burden, a constant state of being "less than" in this society. They were already subjected to the casual cruelty of their peers, the snide remarks, and the outright bullying. Now, Thomas had elevated her, not just among the wolves, but above them, using her as an example of their supposed shortcomings.
The resentment emanating from her classmates was palpable, a heavy weight that pressed down on her. She could practically feel their eyes boring into her, a collective gaze of disbelief and anger.
The thought of being alone in a private room, while once a dream for some, now felt isolating. The vibrant chaos of sharing a bunk with Ryan and Jess, their hushed conversations and shared anxieties, was suddenly a comforting memory. That camaraderie had been a shield against the harsh realities of their existence. Now, she was exposed, singled out, and the prospect of facing the coming days alone, with the amplified animosity of her peers, was daunting. Trinity had only wanted to blend in, to survive, and instead, she had become a symbol – a symbol that many would undoubtedly resent.
Johnny offered Trinity a faint, reassuring smile as she rejoined the line, giving her a subtle thumbs up to acknowledge her phenomenal achievement. But even that small gesture couldn't stop the knot of worry from tightening in his stomach. He saw the harsh looks, heard the venomous whispers, and knew the volatile nature of his fellow wolves all too well. The acrid smell of animosity hung heavy in the air. Jealousy was a potent force among them, often overriding logic and reason. Thomas's praise, while undeniably deserved, had inadvertently painted a huge target on Trinity's back. Defectives already occupied the lowest rung of their society, constant targets for bullying and disdain. This sudden, public recognition would only make it worse. Johnny knew, with a certainty that chilled him, that he needed to keep a closer eye on Trinity. The pack could be incredibly cruel when their pride was wounded, and Trinity, with her quiet strength and unconventional victory, was now an unwitting symbol of that wound.
As Trinity retreated, the murmurs and stares intensified, each glance a tiny barb. Her classmates, a sea of shifting emotions, processed Thomas's pronouncement in their own ways.
Jess watched Trinity walk away, a pang of envy tightening her chest. She couldn't think of the immediate danger or the backlash Trinity would face. Instead, a sense of injustice festered within her. They had worked as a team, together they had overcome obstacles, and together they had succeeded. Why then, was only Trinity singled out for a reward? If the point was teamwork, as Thomas had claimed, then shouldn't the whole team be recognized? It felt unfair, a continuation of the same favoritism that always seemed to benefit certain individuals while others, like herself, remained in the shadows, their contributions overlooked.
"Your next task is called Shifting Sands. I need you to break up into teams of six." As Thomas watched the wolves start to pair up, he noticed that the defectives, who were already mostly standing together, just looked at each other while giving subtle nods. "Only one defective per team," Thomas called out, his gaze sweeping over them.
Originally, Thomas hadn't seen the benefit of defectives in his class. But they had proven themselves worthy of a voice in front of him. The mind of a defective, who had lived in the human realm for most of their existence, didn't think the same as a wolf embedded in a pack. That difference could be something potent, a catalyst to change the way that they approached a problem.