Chapter 30: ; Hiding Something

"I know you are hiding something, so we are not done here," Cheska said to Matthew before returning to the crowd.

She couldn't shake the feeling that her mother was keeping something from her. Cheska asked herself this question in a thoughtful trance. All she knew in her youth was the story her mother told her. Other than that, she knew nothing. Cheska murmured to herself and shifted her gaze to her mother and Matthew, who were now back in their chairs.

Then she looked at the participants seated, their faces illuminated by the bright lights of the room. Everyone was still quiet, perhaps unable to recover from the shock of what had happened.

"Now that we have completed the second part, let's quickly move on to the third and final part. Follow me," Matthew said.

All the participants quickly stood up and followed the chief event manager. They went to the spring, where the ground was soft and mossy beneath their feet.

"This spring is not ordinary... The water here will decide whether you pass the test," Matthew announced.

"Excuse me, but how can this water decide?" one participant asked while playing in the water.

"That's also my question... Although I am happy to be in the water after a long and tiring day," another participant added.

All the pack members smiled as they watched, confused.

"The water in this spring is not ordinary," Matthew said and stood in the center of his pack. "The test we gave you earlier was just to gauge your capabilities, but it won't be the determining factor for whether you're accepted," he explained before taking a dip into the cool, refreshing water.

Everyone was taken aback when Matthew revealed a crescent moon mark on his forehead. The other members of the pack also went down into the water, and, just like what happened to Matthew, the crescent moon appeared on their foreheads.

"The mark will eventually appear if you are eligible, but it takes time to manifest... If you are ready, it will appear right away, but if not, it will take a long time," Matthew continued to explain.

Their jaws dropped in awe when they learned of this thing for the first time. "But what will happen to us if the mark doesn't appear immediately?"

Matthew smiled, "Don't worry, you have a month to prove yourself. And while you're at it, why not join us for a training session?"

One month... Thankfully, they had a month. Since there was a month's grace period, the fear had been removed from Cheska's heart.

"In the meantime, use this opportunity to get to know each other..." Matthew stated before going up into the water.

As the competition ended and the tension faded, everyone chatted casually with one another.

"Cheska Macbride, right? I'm Ava Santiago..." a woman with almond eyes and wavy hair looked at Cheska with a broad smile.

Cheska was taken aback when someone approached her, her heart pounding in her chest because of the events of earlier.

"Are you open to forming a friendship? You're so remarkable earlier..." Ava added.

"Huh? Do you want to be friends with me? You're not scared?" Cheska asked, stammering.

"Scared? Why would I? Do you know I've wanted to meet you for a long time? But you don't socialize, so I don't have a chance..." Ava laughed loudly to ease the tension.

Cheska smiled sparingly. Ava was right... Although she often went out, she went out alone... So there was no chance for them to meet. "I'm boring..." Cheska murmured with a shy smile.

Ava indifferently shrugged before telling a story, and Cheska listened patiently. She found out that Ava was the Beta's sister. She discovered Beta had been away for several months, and it became apparent that they were on a clandestine mission.

"Well, the pack's future is in their hands, so whatever he is doing, it's for the pack's progress. Like Matthew, he's been away for five years..." Cheska answered and looked at Matthew, who was busy talking to a group of recruits.

Ava nodded and smiled. "Speaking of Matthew... How is he as a brother? Is he scary?"

Cheska couldn't say that their relationship was beyond everyone's imagination. Of course, she couldn't. "Alpha's always out. When he's at home, he always talks to Eunice."

"Eunice?! The daughter of the Paragon Alpha?!" Ava exclaimed.

All eyes were on them, and Cheska heard whispered murmurs as she blushed in embarrassment.

"So, the descendants of the strongest pack will be the ones to take the Luna role in our pack?!" Ava did not care about the others' attention. She was excited to hear the news.

"Huh? I-" Cheska never got to answer because Matthew had already appeared before them. "Cheska, it's time to go home. Let's go," Matthew said with a poker face.

"Matthew, how did you..." Cheska decided not to finish her question since everyone knows Jacob's ability... "Where's mom?" she asked while frowning when she saw the gloom on his face.

"She's back at the manor," Matthew said, with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Matthew, how are you?" Ava smiled at the memory, her eyes bright with tears, as she thought of how much time had passed since they'd last seen each other.

"Do I need to answer your question, Ava?" Matthew's response was cold.

Ava's smile faded. "Are you still mad at me?" sadness could be seen in her eyes as she stared at Matthew.

Cheska looked at Matthew and Ava... Why did she feel the tension between these two? Especially with Ava...

"Mad at you? For what reason?" Matthew asked indifferently as he walked closer to Cheska.

"I know it's very late, but I'm really sorry for what I did... Back then, I was young and childish."

"Cheska, I said let's go. What's keeping you from taking a step?" Matthew ignored Ava's emotional remarks and instead frowned as he held Cheska's arm.

"Ava, it was nice to meet you..." Cheska quickly uttered when Matthew stepped forward.

Ava called out, her voice cheerful, "See you at the manor..." as she waved.

"It's better for you to stay away from Elise..." Jacob warned Cheska when they got out of the water.

Cheska picked up her jacket and put it on. "What's wrong? With her sweet face and kind demeanor, I couldn't help but want to get to know Ava better."

Matthew did not answer, but his face was still dark. Cheska couldn't help but speculate. What's the catch with the two...