Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers
Chapter 34: The Wrong Alpha Brother

Chapter 34: The Wrong Alpha Brother

Evaline:

The dining hall was bustling despite the decrease of nearly fifty percent in the original numbers of applicants.

After the second test, only sixty applicants were left to take the third test. Thinking about the third and final test that was to take place the day after, I felt my nerves tensing.

I knew only one thing about this test - it’s tend to be harder than the first two. And this alone was enough to make me nervous.

"Is he that handsome?"

Mallory’s sudden question pulled me out of my thoughts and I turned my confused gaze at her. "Who?"

"That guy over there. You have been staring at him." Mallory pointed at a certain guy at the other side of the hall, making me realize that in my trance, I had been facing him. Fortunately, he was busy with his friends and didn’t notice me.

I quickly shook my head. "I wasn’t looking at him. I was thinking."

"About?" She pressed, not ready to give up yet.

I let out a small sigh before slipping into the seat opposite from hers. "About the final test. You guys must know what it’s going to be. Right?"

I was hopeful as I looked between her and Kyros, waiting for at least one of them, or both, to reveal some information about the final test.

Kyros watched me for a long minute, making me wonder if I said something wrong. "What is it?"

He exchanged a quick look with Mallory who, for once, looked just as clueless as me. Turning his attention back to me, he answered, "I’m just surprised by your question. You make it sound like you haven’t done any research on the entrance exams at all."

This time, Mallory nodded her head, showing her agreement.

"That’s because I didn’t." My response had them looking at me with shock and confusion. "I just heard about the exam and decided to try my luck at the last minute. So... I have no knowledge regarding these tests."

The two were silent at my response. A moment passed. Then another. And then...

"It’s one-on-one combat," Mallory explained. "No wolves allowed. No weapons either. Just hand-to-hand. First one to either pin their opponent or force them to yield wins."

"But if you get knocked out," Kyros added, "you lose. Immediately."

My heart sank immediately, and I found myself asking, "And the people I’ll be fighting...?"

"Most will be shifters with stronger reflexes and healing than you," Mallory admitted softly.

I inhaled sharply and then muttered, "You are not sugarcoating it."

"No point," she said in honest and unflinching voice before adding, "But that doesn’t mean you can’t win."

"Mallory’s right," Kyros said. "You are faster. Smarter. You read movements like you have been fighting your whole life. And your pain tolerance also seems to be high."

I let out a small bitter and dry laugh. Before I could have stopped myself, I was whispering the words. "That’s because I have spent my whole life getting hurt."

Mallory reached out and brushed her knuckles lightly against my arm. "Then maybe tomorrow will be the day all that pain finally count for something."

Their belief in me... it was strange. Almost unfamiliar. I had never known people who stood beside me like this. Who didn’t care that I had no wolf or that I was, in their world, broken.

I still didn’t trust easily. But this morning, I let myself hope.

Even just a little.

* * *

The arena was already filling up by the time we arrived.

There were dozens of applicants, instructors, and high-ranking academy members lining the benches. Even some seniors were present to witness the test, as if it wasn’t already pressing enough without their presence.

We were standing in a long line of applicants outside the circular ring. Each one of us was filled with tension, watching as names were called one by one to step into the center.

I had no idea why I didn’t think about this part when I decided to take on the exam. And now, I was at a loss about what I was going to do. I wanted to pass the test and join the Academy so badly, but at the same time, I was worried about the life forming in my belly.

My hands itched to cover my belly, but I held myself back.

"What if I get paired against someone like Noah?" I whispered under my breath.

Kyros was standing right beside me and he didn’t look the least bit concerned after hearing my question. Instead, he replied in a way that was so him. "Then beat him."

I gave him a flat look.

Mallory snorted, clearly amused. "If you can outwit the maze warden, Eva, you can survive this."

I knew they were trying to ease my nerves, but my stomach was still twisting. No matter how fast or clever I was, I was still wolfless. I had no boosted strength. No healing factor. No instincts to fall back on.

I had... just me.

And the memories of every fight I’d had to survive before this one.

I kept my eyes low, trying not to draw attention. I was hoping the officials would overlook me for the first few rounds, and maybe give me time to watch and learn.

That was until the murmurs started behind us.

It was Mallory’s sharp intake of breath that made me look up. And that’s when I saw him.

Alpha Oscar.

He just walked into the arena with his brother, Alpha Kieran. Their presence was unmistakable, drawing attention from everyone present there - applicants and staff alike.

But while everyone else was appreciating either their looks or power, I felt the ground slipping beneath my feet.

My lungs stalled.

Why was he here? I asked myself even though I knew the answer. He was an instructor at the academy, and his presence during a combat test made sense. But still, I was hoping to not cross paths with him until this test was over.

My heart was thundering, louder than the crowd.

"Eva," Kyros said under his breath once he noticed the sudden change in me. "What’s wrong?"

I didn’t respond.

I couldn’t.

Because in that moment, I knew something had gone terribly wrong.