Page 69 of Villainous Fate

Pausing before I answer, I realize there is a tiny bit of fear under his question.

Deacon: I didn’t realize you were unaware.

“Alphas, if I can have everyone's attention,” Stickman starts now, standing at the microphone. “We will complete the trial for the first two teams now. I have been informed the other two teams are still some hours out, so we will reconvene this evening for the final release of the cadets so as to not waste your entire day. Would the two teams please rise and present your item,” he asks, pulling the attention of all of those in attendance.

We all rise, stepping forward. Finn guides a trembling Amira to stand in front of our team as Saint puts his hand out in silent request for their map.

“Each team was tasked with traversing a maze, acquiring a map, and following it to this arena. Team West. I was told you arrived first, bring your map forward.”

Finn guides Amira up the steps to the stage, turning her around before assisting her in revealing her tattoo. Murmurs spread among the boxes as they realize that the woman is the item, and eyes slide to the other group, questions hanging in the air.

Rodriguez briefly inspects the tattoo, turning Amira to show it off to the boxes before walking her back to the microphone with him. Finn waits at the top step, Marcus and I behind him.

“You have provided the map assigned to your team. I’ve been told no rules were broken in acquiring it. As such, you are the victors of this retreat,” he says before unceremoniously snapping Amira’s neck and allowing her body to drop to the stage unassisted.

Chapter 34

Marcus

Myheartstops.

My eyes see, but don’t believe, what has just happened as Stickman steps back around the platform and begins analyzing Team East’s flap of skin like he didn’t just end a woman’s life.

A woman I promised to protect.

Guilt crashes in right behind the anger fueling me, and my eyes shift as Deacon physically steps in front of me, hiding my reaction from the stage.

“I’ll kill him,” I spit out, barely containing my wolf as my sore muscles ache in response to the tension I’m putting into them.

I no longer have any reason to keep from shifting now that Amira’s dead.

“Get in line and get it together. Everyone is watching us,” he growls out, not turning to face me. “You want to be part of their world? You need to learn to mask that guilt, cover your emotions, and use your shield to keep them from your true intentions, Cap. You’re too good for them, but if that’s the life you want, you need to learn to play their game,” he whispers, giving me time to calm down.

My eyes drop to Amira and her unmoving body.

Hide my emotions.

They can't hurt me if they don’t know how to hurt me.

I clear my throat, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment before letting go of the feelings building in me. The only way to get to a position of power is to convince them I’m one of them. Then, I will burn it down from the inside.

The list of people I need to kill is growing by the day.

Conner Saint.

Brody Rodriguez.

They play by different rules in this world, and I will learn every single one to beat them at their own game.

***

Once Stickman has verified they have also completed their task, we’re released with the direction to return at nightfall.

Between the ache in my muscles from the fall, the exhaustion from shifting over and over, and not sleeping in over twenty-four hours, I have nothing left. My Alpha did not show up to this, which doesn’t surprise me, but it means I get to sleep until the final teams arrive.

“My brother is here,” Deacon says, nodding to one of the entrances to the arena floor. Finding who he is referring to takes no time. His older brother looks like a friendlier version of him. They have the same eyes, the same strong jaw, and coloring. “Let me introduce you before you head to bed,” he finishes, stepping toward him.

I follow, wanting to meet the future Alpha of the Northern Nevada Pack.

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