Alpha King Drake arrived at our table, shadowed by his Alpha enforcers. 'Hello ladies' he said with a deep baritone voice. Amara replied him shyly and Rein said a normal hello while I kept quiet. He looked at me curiously. 'What are your names and which faction do you belong to?' Amara answered for each of us which saved me from replying. There was an awkward silence for a moment. Amara pinched me on my arm which startled me. I mouthed 'what' to her and her face turned towards the Alpha King. I looked in his direction and noticed him staring at me heavily, was there something on my face. The stare did something to my wolf that I'd rather not say. I really don't want to think about it right now. 'What's wrong with you' I asked my wolf. She decided not to reply, I started sweating and squirming wondering how I could sweat in this hall. I mean there is no factor that can contribute to that. My wolf whined and pinned. This is unexpected. I noticed that the Alpha King's attention has turned to one of his Alpha enforcers who was whispering something in his ears. He turned his attention back to us and spoke 'Alright ladies it was nice meeting you. Seems I have to take my leave now' His gaze lingered on me for a while before leaving us at our table. To say that encounter was awkward and weird is saying the least. 'What just happened?' Rein asked while looking in the direction the Alpha King took. 'I have no idea' I said still a bit shocked by my wolf's and my body's reaction to the Alpha King. 'Seems his attention was more on you Elena' Amara said looking at me like I have something to hide 'Don't look at me that way, I am as clueless as you' I said. 'You know what let's forget about that and enjoy all these sumptuous and abundant drink before the nightmare begins, yeah?' Rein said 'Cheers to that Rein' I said. Amara still looked at me skeptically, Rein shoved her and told her to stop thinking and enjoy. She eventually did and the three of us ensured we had the best night of our lives that night. We retired to our rooms around midnight, drunk and in high spirits. I wasn't sane enough to change to my night wear before drifting off to sleep. I found myself in a deserted desert with no one in sight just sand and sand for miles. The air was still, the sun very harsh and it almost felt as if everything held its breath. I called out to anyone and my voice echoed back at me. The echo felt strange as I was not in an enclosed space. Then I saw a mirage and a woman standing close to it and a wolf similar to mine standing like a statue beside her. Her white dress was blowing in different directions with no wind I could feel. I called to her and walked towards her. I noticed she was speaking but I couldn't hear what she was saying. On closer inspection, I noticed she was the same woman I saw in one of the dreams I had a while back 'What do you want?' I screamed at her. I was glad she wouldn't drown me here, I was about to finish that thought when she pulled me into the sand with her. I couldn't see, couldn't breathe or scream. The sand started turning to hard stones around me when I woke up clawing at my throat. 'Elena, whats wrong, breathe, breathe, it was just a dream' I felt a hand rubbing my back and a voice telling me to breathe. I took a deep breathe like it was my first and calmed down a bit my cloth was soaked with sweat. 'Are you okay' Amara asked 'I am fine, I just had a bad dream that's all' 'It must have been a nightmare; I was scared for you. Your eyes were wide and it almost looked as if you didn't know how to breathe again. You sure you are fine?' 'I am thank you.' 'Alright I think you should freshen up, we have three more hours before the start of the trials, I want the three of us to strategize before going into the arena' 'Okay' I stood up amd went to the bathroom to freshen up. I really need to figure out what is happening to me seeing the same woman in my dreams and almost being killed by her twice is not something I should ignore, but I have no one to talk to. 'She is not trying to kill you' my wolf said 'What do you mean and what do you know?' I asked startled. 'It will soon be revealed to you' She said. 'Not only did you behave like a wolf in heat when the Alpha King was near, but you are also keeping secrets from me. Really?' She said nothing and ignored me, I really can't force anything out of her. 'You are being unfair right now' I whined. On getting back to the room, I noticed that almost everyone was awake and getting ready for the trials. I picked the appropriate combat ready clothes I could find and dressed up. I have to survive this, I must. Not long after Amara, Rein and I had discussed our strategy, we were told to move to the arena. I had to lie to my new friends that my powers are quite weak and I hardly use it; I told them I majorly depend on my wolf when it comes to fights. I am feeling quite guilty about this, I have to come clean one day, but not today. I will find a way today to not be a liability. When we got to the arena, I could hear loud voices getting ready to see us fight. I hate this; my new friends and I said our goodbyes and promised to meet at the arena to work together. We were separated and led to different single rooms. I was led to a room with a green door, when I entered I noted that Mark was waiting for me. I had forgotten about him, I wish it was someone else. 'Hi mutt' he said aggressively 'Lets kill him here' my wolf said 'No killing, calm down' I replied. I really don't need this right now, I sat on the only sit left in the room which was directly opposite him. We stared at each other and said nothing, I know he would not try to help in any way; I am quite at a disadvantage here and with someone that wants to watch me die. 'I don't need your cruel words right now Mark. You do not have to say anything at all' He kept on staring at me. I heard a bell ring which meant it was time to enter the arena, I stood up and so did Mark. I thought he was going to attack me and took a fighting stance I learnt in my training. 'You can't fight and win anyone in that stance, were you really not taught anything, I will not attack you. You could have avoided this you know' 'I told you I am not interested and never will be' 'Your loss. Try not to die too early.' He said and left the room. 'B*st*rd' I whispered to the empty room I took a deep breath and entered the open space in front of me, I was blinded by the bright sun for a few seconds and couldn't see my environment, after a while I could see clearly and noticed that I was the only candidate and could see no other candidates around me not even Amara and Rein, not even the noisy crowd I heard earlier, seems our strategy might not work, it's everyone for themselves. I looked around and noticed that apart from the wild forest surrounding me I could see a sword and a small note in front of me on the forest floor. I grabbed both sword and note, the weight of the sword was just perfect for me, I read the note. 'Rule – Do not use your powers in this trial, all she-werewolves must fight with their weapon or their wolf, the clue to the exit lies in the forest trees' 'Lucky me, no powers in this stage. I hope I get the clues fast and exit this place' I said. I do not know how to use a sword, but I do know how to fight with my wolf 'Elena unleash me when you have to, I will defend us as much as I can.' My wolf said. 'Alright, I hope we don't die'. I said and I took off running.
