Chapter 27 Summoned
Chapter 27 Summoned
William's POV
She was a fast learner. She also got pretty easily frustrated.
We spent two hours going back and forth. Sometimes I made her repeat things over and over just to get a rise out of her. It was cute, the way her nose flared when angry or her cheeks flushed when embarrassed. The way she rolled her eyes when frustrated and twirled her hair when nervous.
There was an edge to her. A fieriness I could sense just sitting beneath the surface. At school she flinched and hid and cowered but right here, right now, in my living room, she was a firecracker. Quick witted, stubborn, goofy….All the things Conner would never in a million years appreciate.
A guy like him, didn't deserve a girl like her.
But it was not my place to decide that. It was Melanie's choice. I still held firmly to my belief that love and the mate bond was a sham. I was not interested in it so whatever became of Melanie after the bond was broken should be none of my concern.
We ate some of the muffins Camille had delivered the previous day. I had assured her I could make my own meals and after a brief back and forth, she had conceded by insisting on sending baked goods twice a week instead. The muffins were heavenly and I made a mental note to ask for the recipe the next time I was at the mansion.
Dusk had fallen by the time I drove Melanie home. Well, two streets away from home because she wouldn't have me drop her off at her front porch for fear of her Dad seeing me. I waved her goodbye with a big goofy grin on my face and the grin stayed in place long after she had disappeared from view.
“She's ours. You can't deny it." Rhys said in my head and I could feel him chuckle
“She's our friend, Rhys. That's all."
He made no further comment but I could feel him smirking.
When I got back home, a letter waited in my mail box. One look at the red crescent seal and I knew what it was; A summon from my father.
The letter said I was to report to the pack house at eight am. The training phase was about to begin.
I barely slept through the night and by the next morning,I was a ball of nerves. Father could've called or sent a text but he sent a stamped and sealed letter instead. This was a lot more serious than I thought.
" Your father says to wait for him in the great hall.” A servant informed me as soon as I stepped into the foyer.
" Alright. Thank you.”
He bowed low and walked off meekly. I still hadn't gotten used to all the subservience. I also wasn't quite sure where the great hall was.
I wandered around a bit, unnerved by the significant reduction in stewards that morning. Where had everyone gone to? Even Camille was no where to be found.
I finally found the great hall by sheer luck and walked in to find Conner sitting in the middle of the huge room.
There was a long table set up with two chairs placed side by side. Conner occupied one of those chairs and was currently peering at the contraption placed on the long table.
“You sure took your sweet time. Father does not appreciate tardiness." Conner remarked without looking up.
"I couldn't find this place. And where are all the servants?” I pulled the other chair out and took my seat.
"They were most likely told to make themselves scarce so as not to interfere.” Conner stroked his jaw with interest.
" Interfere with this? What is it anyway?” I leaned forward to take a closer look. Deep grooves and gouges had been carved into the surface of the table, making it look like some crude racetrack. A sealed, tube like entrance or exit was affixed to one end of the table and beside it were two long rods holding a system of wires and one bulb each.
It looked like something out of a crazy inventors forgotten log book.
“What the hell is this supposed to be?" I asked in bewilderment.
“Beats me." Conner leaned back into his chair. “Been staring at it for like thirty minutes now."
“It's a little hobby Castillo picked up about a year ago." Father's voice boomed as he came in through a door I didn't notice in the corner.
“Castillo? Someone I know?"
Conner snorted, “Doubt it. He is the Gamma's son. Thirteen. Trouble maker."
“And he built this?" I looked down at the table.
“On my request, yes. Anyways, welcome to your first test boys." He rubbed his hands together excitedly. I couldn't help but feel this whole ordeal he was making us go through was more for his benefit than ours.
“Your first test is pretty simple. You're going to count how many red balls roll down that concourse during the next one hour."
The astonishment on my face was perfectly mirrored on Conner's.
“Uh…what?" I blurted out at the same time Conner said,
“You're joking right?"
Dad shrugged and bent to turn a dial under the table.
“Rules are pretty straightforward. Count how many times you see a red ball. Do not touch the table or try to look under it. Do not move from your seats. Are we clear?"
Conner shot to his feet, “Clear? What? I thought you were supposed to be testing us to see who would make a better Alpha."
" And I am.”
" By making us count balls?”
" Red ones. Return to your seat Conner.”
“What the fuck? I'm not going to sit here and count balls." He smacked the back of the chair in anger.
“Just sit down, Conner." I grumbled wearily. It was one hour. Pretty doable. And honestly, it was best we got it done and over with instead of arguing.
“Oh shut up British boy." Conner sneered.
“I said, Sit down!" Dad roared, his eyes flashed red and Conner plopped onto the chair immediately.
A few tense seconds passed before Dad spoke again,
“When the hour is up, you'll each give me an answer. Whoever gets it wins this round. Are we clear?" He stared pointedly at Conner.
“Clear." I replied.
“Clear." Conner mumbled a few seconds after.
“Good. Your time starts…” He tapped a button beside one of the rods, " Now. Goodluck.”
We both waited till the door slammed shut. I rolled my eyes and Conner let out a yell of frustration.
" Counting balls?” He groaned.
" Red ones.” I drawled In response.
" How the fuck does that make us better Alphas?”
" Maybe something about focus and paying attention? I haven't got a fucking clue mate. Let's just get this over with.”