Page 50 of Villainous Fate

Slowly, I step toward the banner bearing the word ‘EAST’ on the east side of the courtyard space and carefully see where everyone else has been divided.

Brad Sullivan and Veronica Kent are at my banner. They're not the worst team I could imagine, as Brad is actually really resourceful, which he proved in the opening challenge and again in the duels, but Kent is worthless and has been carried through this retreat on Saints' back.

Sean Moore, Mason French, and Brent Barlow are at the ‘NORTH’ banner. I was supposed to be making a solid alliance with Moore since he’s from the Salt Lake City Pack, which borders ours, but he has no interest in aligning with an Alpha who isn’t taking over a pack.

At the South banner are Sage Perkins, Anthony Lucci, and Megan Clark. If I was betting, they would be the team that doesn’t finish. Sage can’t stand Megan, a thing we have in common, and Anthony is as wishy-washy as it comes to making decisions, so that group will probably end up walking in circles fighting.

At the West banner are Marcus Stone, Finn McCormick, and Conner Saint. If that isn’t the easiest decision I’ve ever had to make.

Once we are all at our respective banners, Rod turns to me, zeroing his one good eye on me as he waits for my decision.

“I’d like to trade with Cadet Saint,” I announce, and watch the smug attitude slide off of his face as he realizes I now get the team I want and the time advantage. Conner is equally pissed as he sees his new team and watches his time advantage slip away.

I smirk as I pass him on my way to my new team, handing him my slip of paper and snatching his in return.

Team West is now the team to beat. With all three of the top-ranked cadets and a time advantage, this is ours to lose.

Rod regains his composure and concludes the briefing with a final message that I can’t tell if it’s a threat or a warning.

“For this trial, there are no rules outside of the following.

Everyone on your team must return together with your item to count.

You may use your wolves.

No team’s items are safe and can be collected by another group if they so choose.

If you return with another team’s item, they are out, but you must have your item to be counted.

It’s every team for themselves. If you run into another team, you may take any means necessary to delay them and protect your item.

Alphas from the participating packs have been invited to attend the third day of the trial to see the groups finish and view the closing ceremonies. Do your best, Cadets. We are watching.”

He finishes his speech and walks off the platform, taking his guards with him back into their tent.

After hearing the rules for the final task, I know two things are abundantly clear. First, not everyone will make it through this challenge alive, and second, we’re going to have to be both fast and lucky to avoid all of the other teams because, from the faces I see in the other three corners, they want nothing more than to take us out.

Chapter 26

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