Chapter 2. Presentations and Explanations

Hope's POV

"Those who have remained standing, come forward."

I heard the prince's voice, and I saw a little shred of surprise in his eyes. I had been the last to get into this camp, and I don't think he read my report.

I see six people in front of me, each different from the other, and I know they're alphas' children; I know them. Well, I mean, I've seen the files on their packs and who their successors are. It gave me some advantage because they shouldn't have worried about reading about me. After all, I don't have any titles like Beta, Gamma, and so on, despite having my battalion.

The order of the presentation was the most logical; whoever was in front spoke first; in this case, a girl of 17 years with long blond hair, slightly curly at the tips and very white skin. Despite having her back to me, I know she has light brown eyes, a thin nose and a long chin. She is currently wearing dark blue jeans with a black leather jacket with some silver spikes and a black shirt over her pants, too, with silver accents.

"Jennifer Newtown, I come from the BlackWoods pack, daughter of Alpha Jonathan and Luna Mary."

I heard her voice, which had a slightly hoarse tone and was certainly serious. The BlackWoods pack was farther north; it was named precisely because the trees that grow there usually have a blackened tone and the sunlight hardly passes on the ground.

The second person was a man; he was 20 years old, one of the oldest there; his dark brown hair was chopped; his skin was white; I know he has green eyes like two emeralds; a chin wouldn't so square; a beard unmade, but not by slouch because he preferred it that way. His clothes were from someone who was at a gala event, not a training camp, and because he wore a black suit with a white shirt, his posture was one of the most relaxed.

"Dylan Miller, I come from the BlueMoon pack, son of Alpha Harry and Luna Olivia."

I twisted my mouth lightly, turning my eyes. The BlueMoon pack was recognized for being very rich and powerful; its Alphas came from generations of academy warriors, and basically, almost everyone in that pack had something of Alpha's blood; even their Omegas were strong. It was a place that valued blood and bloodlines more than deserving people.

The third to speak was a 15-year-old boy, one of the younger ones there, someone I could respect. His light brown hair fell to shoulder height, and I knew that he had eyes of two different colors, one greenish and another gray, which had more effeminate features because the nose was thinner and the chin more rounded. Many would say he would not do Alpha's job. He was very comfortable, wearing only jeans, sneakers, and a white shirt.

"Andrew Thompson, I come from the CristalLake pack, son of Alpha Michael and Luna Elizabeth."

The CristalLake pack is known to have something magical in its blood. I know it's a mixed pack between witches, wizards, and werewolves, so rumor has it that your wolves, when properly trained, can activate some gifts, which is extremely rare. It was something I hadn't seen happened, but I know very well how to fight witches; if that kid has hybrid blood, then he'll be an excellent opponent.

The fourth person to open her mouth was a 17-year-old woman who had blond hair, more pulled to the gold, which fell like a cascade down her back, with her whiter skin that was highlighted by the red dress that went down to her thighs. I know that his front is low-cut. His eyes are dark brown, and his features are very reminiscent of British royalty.

"Sophia Snyder, I come from the RedHunter pack, daughter of Alpha Brian and Luna Lilian."

The RedHunter pack is known to specialize in hunting other supernatural beings, which gave them a permanent post with the Royal Council. It's a pack that didn't mind having an Alpha woman, something rare in our community.

Then another female voice invaded my ears, and I looked at the person. It was an 18-year-old girl, just like me, with black hair trapped in two braids with silver ribbons adorning, and her eyes were silver, which reminded me a lot of the moonlight. Her features are more delicate and almost resemble those of the nymphs of the old tales.

"Brook Saunders, I come from the Silver Moon pack, daughter of Alpha Russell and Luna Kristen."

The Silver Moon pack was known to be blessed directly by Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, which also granted them a permanent post on the Royal Council. So it was a pack ruled by women. It was very difficult to be born a firstborn man, and even if alpha women were rare, no one dared question that pack.

And finally, it was my turn. No one expected anyone else to speak, but I cleared my throat, making a certain joke too. I have short hair, on the left side cut very short, almost shaved, but with a drawing of a half moon with a dagger in it, the symbol of my pack, while the longer strands fall to the right side. The locks are colored purple at the base and pink at the ends. My eyes are an amethyst shade, which further increases the suspicion that I am a hybrid. My complexion is delicate overall, but there is a scar that runs from the top of my left ear down to my shoulder, around which I have a tattoo of a snake's tail that runs down to my collarbone. Not that anyone could see the full tattoo, as I am wearing a military uniform with a closed top over my t-shirt, a pair of baggy pants, and black boots.

"Hope Black, I come from the SilverRage pack, daughter of Wyatt and Claire Omegas. I am Delta."

My pack, the SilverRage, is considered one of the most brutal on record. Our warriors are loyal and can easily tear a neck apart without feeling remorse. All those who wish to train can start at age 5, although most join at age 8. I enlisted at age 5.

I smile wryly, passing my eyes over the people in front of me. The surprise in their eyes is amusing. I loved to see it; it was fun to know that I could cause this kind of reaction. After all, I am just a girl with a werewolf gene who has never transformed before, and here I am, standing while Betas, Gammas, and Omegas are kneeling.

"This was the first test."

The prince announced it, and once again the murmurs echoed.

"Those who are standing will be your new leaders. You must form teams of seven people plus the leader."

I felt the prince's aura diminish, so those who were kneeling stood up and soon began to crowd around the Alphas. I just let them; I didn't want them to come to me just for my status. I noticed that some of the Omegas were being ignored, and I just walked over to them, lightly touching their shoulders.

I am again further away, with my team behind me; I have not yet spoken to them. I pay attention to the prince, who looks at each team, assesses their potential, and takes down the names without having to ask.

"Now that the teams are assembled, you will go to the second test." He pointed up, and a screen lit up with the fight keys. I want to laugh now. "You will fight each other by elimination and score; the last in the table will go home, leader and team. The arenas are already separated."

I watched him point around; there were a few separate arenas, but not much to use to my advantage.

"What are the rules of fighting?" I asked, looking directly into the prince's eyes. This was very important to the outcome.

"The rules are simple: your opponent must be knocked out or ask for submission. Should the leader fall, everyone in the group is out. They can use their wolf forms."

I smiled in a corner; he hadn't said we couldn't leave the delimited area, further increasing my chances. Then I looked at the panel and saw that the names of the leaders started to rotate, stopping at my name and Sophia's, along with the numbering of arena 3, the one closest to the exit. This was going to be a lot of fun.