"Attention!"

"Stand at ease!"

"Attention."

My dad booms, his voice can be heard throughout the grounds, where around 30 wolves are gathered, including women and children.

"Today the Halvester family men are up for inspection."

Routinely, my dad assigns 1 out of the 10 families in our pack, trained fighting partners from the Army and they have to spar to evaluate their physical fitness. It is all part of protocol in case of a sudden attack. Earlier we used assign the pack's members against themselves.

That went south as soon as they started going easy on each other, trying to fool us right under our noses. In fact, I had to point this out to Dad to make him choose Army wolves for this.

"...Tomorrow the women will be evaluated..."

My dad is showing me the ropes for today on how to manage it. The roster must be read every time as a requirement. 

We have to do this for every family at least twice a year. It is quite hard to hide this from humans, especially because the wolves have to fight in the second round.

Luckily, the principal of the high school is Lucas Jennings, one of our deltas, he permits the grounds for early morning training and evaluations. We make sure the premises are secure to prevent suspicion from humans.

".... Pregnant women, human mates and members with physical illnesses are exempted from the evaluation. Grounds of exemption will be decided by the respective Deltas, but in case the Beta decides that the member is being untruthful with regard to illness, the Beta's decision overrules all."

This is usually rare. The consequences of failing the exam include daily training to be attended with the Army wolves for a month so sometimes people tend to do weird things to themselves to escape evaluation. However most people usually decide to stay in shape.

"As the names are read out please assemble in pairs and wait for further instructions."

I am reading the names for today.

"Remus Loven with Lucas Kurtis, John Heston with Jay Cooper...." I read out all twenty names.

And finally we have 10 pairs of half-naked men standing in the ring. 

"First round will be 15 minutes of sparring in human form. Begin at the whistle."

Everyone takes position on the X- shaped chalk-marks on the ground.

PHEEEEEE....

They begin. The soldiers were advised to go easy on the older wolves. Since the younger wolves are usually the strongest, Dad paired them up with the best men we have.

I wait in the stands with Al, who often goes in to spar with the men in spite of being a Gamma's Son. Being associated with the title of Gamma itself he doesn't need to have any physical capabilities, as he is not expected to fight. To Al however physical fitness is like second breath. It really helps out as he is a Police Officer.

"Are you staying for the second round too?"

"Heck ya, Sia doesn't allow us to watch anything too violent in the house. My wolf's craving for some action tonight." he beams with excitement as he sees the wolves sizing each other up.

"Awww... look at you all whipped and saddled. That woman is riding you like a country horse." I smirked. If you would have seen him two months ago, he would be in the ring at the center of the action.

"Go on, laugh at me. You wouldn't understand. Unless you find someone as awesome as her." his eyes grew wistful, accompanying the foolish grin on his face. I just threw up inside my mouth. 

He was always like this. Speaking whatever came to his mind. He didn't even care to be delicate about it because I haven't met my mate for six years. My family avoids the subject like the plague. Even Gus is careful about that subject. Unfortunately for them, their pity shows on their faces most of the time. That is real reason I never come back home often. Not because of a big project that always come up right at the holidays. This time, however, because I had some work here, I couldn't avoid it anymore.

That's what I love about Al, you know. He is the one person whom I can trust to keep things real for me.

"I can't imagine ever giving up anything I love for anyone, let alone for my 'mate'." I informed him.

"You just wait and see when you find the guy of your dreams, you'll be singing a different tune."

"Ya whatever man," 

His face suddenly lights up with a smile. "What is it?"

"Don't forget Lia. Meeting with the Alpha is at 2," he announced, walking away.

"Hold on, you aren't staying to watch? I thought we'll go together?" He's got to be kidding me.

"Got to pick up my baby girl for lunch. Laters dude." He slaps my back and leaves. He must have been mind-linked by Sia.

I sigh, turning my attention back to the field where the sparing has begun. Every wolf fights unleashing all their pent up savagery, blood and sweat mixed until there is no difference between them. This is necessary  in order to keep our sanity. We are wolves at heart. Eventually, Dad announces the 5 minute break before the second round. All the mated wolves return to their partners and the unmated ones huddle around, pumped with adrenaline. 

I stood at the sidelines next to Dad who was talking to the Halvester Delta. After exchanging a few pleasantries I head to the stadium seats to watch on from above. Children are running here and there, playing their little games, totally unbothered about the violence and gore of it all. I check my texts again, 

I'm cming

If Boss is coming, things will change, and learning from the past, not for the better.

'Wes, what do you think? Should I accept  the Beta position?'

'Never shy away from responsibility,'  comes her calm voice, laced with determination. ' You must pick up the baton when your time comes, remember.' 

'Ya, but don't you think it will all become too much?'  I do have other responsibilities, like the one I'm currently staring at.

'You have to tell the people you love and trust about our secret before it becomes too late.'

'I think, you must go back to just minding your own business right about now, Wes.' Why does she have to be so reasonable about this? It frustrates me.

'All I'm saying is you don't have that long before you-know-who comes and then it will become too risky t-'

"Attention Wolves! Second round is about to begin, gather around and return back to original positions. Begin at the whistle."

*******

From my apartment it takes under 20 minutes to reach the packhouse. And it is already 1:45. If I have learnt anything from my time at the packhouse during summer vacations as a kid, it is that Alpha Carmine does not like to be kept waiting.

My phone buzzes as a message pings up.

Unknown Number:

Meet me at the tree after the meeting.

I decide to text back this time. Who does he think he is?

Me:

Can't do. Coffeeshop at 5.

Immediately I get a reply.

Unknown Number:

Coward.

Coward? Coward? I'll give him coward... How dare he?

I just didn't want Dad or Al getting any ideas. Therefore I needed some time to stall, and the coffee shop is a neutral location. Is that too much to ask? Apparently we are playing the ego game now.

I count to 10 and calm myself and Wes down and decide to not dignify that with a response. Wes is kind of touchy when it comes to any jibes regarding bravery. I remind her today is the day she could be nominated Beta, and she calms down.

The sun is bright, and the leaves dance in the faintest breeze, as I pass through the entrance, to where Samuel at the reception greets me.

I arrived with 5 minutes to spare. 

Just as I head over to the kitchen, the fire alarm goes off.

**********

sup humans!

thanks for reading y'all beautiful ppl

hope you enjoyed your reading...

just a random question, what Genre do you think is the most underrated in your opinion and why? most sincere answer gets a shoutout;)

pls do feel free to vote and comment to your hearts content!

laters ppl!