Chapter 115
Skye’s POV
Forty two Alphas plunged into the water simultaneously, creating a massive splash that sent water droplets flying through the air
like diamond shards.
The fortress was massive–a sprawling complex of stone buildings now covered in algse and coral after centuries underwater. Shadowy entrances gaped like hungry moichs, promisine darkness and danger within.
The camera l
ferds switched constantly between competitors, creating a disorienting me of their underwater journey.
Please be careful,” I whispered, though Adrian couldn’t hear me. “Just come back to me.”
Among the crowd of Alphas, my eyes were drawn instantly to Adrian. His imements were fluid and powerful, cutting through the water with an athlete’s precision. He glided ahead of many competitors.
“Look!” I gasped, pointing at one of the screens. “That’s Maswell!”
Adrian’s uncle appeared suddenly from a side passage, deliberately colliding with Adrian in what couldn’t possibly be an accident.
The impact sent Adrian spinning, his oxygen bubbles swirling in chaotic patterns as he fought to regain his orientation. Maxwell powered forward without hesitation, leaving Adrian to recover as precious seconds ticked away.
“That bastard!” Ryder snarled beside me, his hands clenching into fists. He just rammed Adrian to slow him down!”
That despicable Maxwell!” I spat out.
Though momentarily set back, Adrian quickly regained his composure and continued toward the fortress.
Took at those Alphas, Ryder pointed to a group of three who were deliberately avoiding the main entrance, swimming around the perimeter of the fortress instead. “They trying to find a back way in. Smart move.”
I nodded, impressed by their strategy. “If everyone fighting to get through the front door, finding another entrance could-
My words died in my throat as something massive and terrifying burst from the shadows at the rear of the fortress. The creature moved with shocking speed for its size, jaws opening to reveal row upon row of needle–sharp teeth, The Abyssal Direwolf lunged at the closest Alpha, who barely managed to twist
A second Alpha wasn’t so lucky. The beast’s jaws clamped around his leg, the reinforced wetsuit providing only momentary protection before giving way. Blood bloomed in the water as the Alpha desperately tried to break free. Within seconds, bis emergency beacon activated, sending a pulse of red light through the water as he began to sink,
“Moon Goddess, I whispered, horror freezing my blood. “I thought there was only one Direwolf guarding the central chamber!”
Rescue divers immediately deployed from a nearby boot, racing toward the injured Alpha as the D Direwolf retreated back into the shadows. The injured candidate was quickly brought to the surface, his trial ended before it had truly begun.
But my relief was short–lived. On three different screens, more Alphas encountered similar ambushes from different directions. Another Direwolf emerged from the wastern wing of the fortress, a third from the western approach, and a fourth guarded the northern passages.
There are four of them,” Ryder breathed, his face pale with shock. “Four Abyssall Direwolves?
The realization sent panic spiraling through me. Adrun was swimming directly toward the northern entrance, completely unaware of the beast waiting to
ambush him.
“This is insane!” I turned to confront the neatest Council Elder, unable to contain my outrage. “Why didnt you war them about multiple Direwaben? These are supposed to be trials, not death traps!”
The Elder–gray–haired man with eyes like flint–regarded me with cool detachment. “Would your enemies announce their numbers before an attack, Beta? Would they provide you with a map of their defenses?”
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Chapter 115
“This isn’t wear,” I argued, struggling in keep my voice lavel.” “I s supposed to be a fair assessment of strength
“On the contrary,‘ the Elder replied, his voice carryling centuries of werewold tradition. The Alpha Ring surprises that could meen file or deaths for their park. A leader who esperti failures in batti
screens where Alphas no fimight desperately against ambushes they couldn t have anticipata survival.”
I wanted to argue fether, but the truth in his words silenced me. Still, my heart pounded painfully as I turned back to the screens, despermaly search
Adrian
There his midnight blue for glidel cautiously through a half–collapsed archway. The camera angle shifted, revealing the northem and barking an beyond his line of sight, its massive body coiled to strike.
“Adnan,”
- I whispered, knowing he couldn’t heat me. “Behind you!”
The beast lunged forward, water exploding around its massive form. For nor bumible moment, I thought I was about to watch Adrian being torn apart, that at the list possible second, he twisted sideways, propelling himself through a narrow gap in the stonework. The Daewolf & momentum carried it part him, ifr claws scraping against the ancient stones as it tried to reverse direction in
Adrian didn’t hesitate. While the creatie strapded to maneuver in the light corridor, he shot formand, using the beast i confusion in pain valuable distance. His tactical awareness and quick reflexes had saved him where brute strength alone would have failed.
“He made it,” I said, relief washing through me. “He’s past the northern Direwoll.”
Ryder nodded, a grin spreading across his young face. “Did you see that move? Pure Alpha Adrian style–using brains over brawn.”
Bat our relief was premature. As Adrian swam deeper into the fortress, approaching the central chamber where the gold coins waited, the four Direwolves began to converge. They moved with unnerving coordination, as if responding to some silent command.
“Something’s wrong,” “I said, dread pooling in my stomach. “Look at their movement patterns. They’re herding the candidates.”
Ryder followed my gaze, his expression darkening. “You’re right. They’re not just guarding territory–they’re driving everyone toward the center”
On the largest screen, we could now see the central chamber where the gold mins gleamed. Candidates who had survived the initial ambushes were arriving from different directions, each believing they’d outsmarted the dangers. But as they reached for the coins, the true nature of the trap became apparent.
The chamber had only one exit
And all four Direwolves were now positioning themselves to block it,
“It’s not just a test of strength, It’s a test of cooperation. They have to work together to escape.
But cooperation was the last thing on these Alphas minds. As more candidates crowded into the climber, grabbing coins and turning to leave, the first confrontations broke out. Alphas shoved each other aside, using their rivals as shields against the approaching Direwolves,
The camera focused on Adrian as he entered the chamber, quickly assessing the deteriorating situation. He snatched a coin and immediately backed away from the growing chaos. But before he could plan his escape, a massive explosion rocked the underwater structure.
Stone and debris filled the water, and suddenly every scheen went black. The entire arena fell silent for one breathless moment before erupting into chaos.
Screams and shouts echoed across the lakeside as spectators leapt to their feet, Council members rushed toward the control stations, their formal compare shattered. Pack members who had accompanied their Alphas to the competition pushed forward, demanding answers that no one seemed to have,
I stood frozen, my heart suspended between beaty staring at the dark screens that had swallowed Adrian and at least fifteen other Alphas–now trapped with limited oxygen and four converging prodators
