The First Test

The First Test
The sun had not yet risen, but ShadowFang Pack was already fully awake.

The moment the first hint of dawn brushed the sky, the entire pack began buzzing with sharp, disciplined activity. Warriors jogged in formation. Council members hurried to their designated posts. Omegas rushed about preparing food, halls, and guest chambers. The scent of tension and excitement filled the air like electric current.

Inside his room, Damon was already awake, sweat glistening on his skin as he moved fluidly from one push-up to another, then to squats and stretches. They weren’t allowed formal training that morning, but he needed the exercise to steady his nerves.

He kept replaying the fight in his mind—strategies, weaknesses, possibilities. And underneath all of it… Elina’s face.
He shook his head hard and pushed himself harder.

Ella’s organization skills were unmatched. Days ago, she had already assigned:

maids for hospitality, maids strictly for guest chambers, maids for the ceremony grounds, and special attendants for each distinguished Alpha and their Luna.

The entire estate moved smoothly under her careful planning.

Meanwhile, Liam and his chosen elite warriors swept across the territory, inspecting every guard post, ensuring each warrior stationed at the gates, walls, and forest borders was alert and armed.

His voice echoed through the air as he gave orders “Shift change in ten minutes! No blind spots. Check the east ridge again!”

But Lucain was the most tense of all. His job was simple—and deadly serious:

No one must disturb Damon and Elina before the competition. No one. Not even family.

He double-checked the guards at both chamber doors, staring each warrior down.

“No distractions, or excuses,” he warned.
“You report anyone who attempts to enter either of the chambers immediately.”

The guards bowed sharply. “Yes, Beta!”

Satisfied, Lucain turned to leave—And collided with someone soft.

He frowned and looked up— Then froze.

“Susan?” His daughter stood before him, dressed beautifully and pretending she hadn’t been caught sneaking around. Her eyes were wide, guilty, and shining with hope.

“F-Father…” she mumbled, clasping her fingers together. “I… I just wanted to see how Damon is doing before the competition begins. And also wish him good luck.”

Lucain pinched the bridge of his nose.

He knew about her secret crush on Damon. In fact, everyone did—except Damon himself, who was somehow either oblivious to anything he wasn’t hitting with a sword.

Susan looked at him with pleading eyes.

Lucain chuckled under his breath.

She frowned instantly. “Why are you smiling at me like that?”

“Because,” he answered, straightening with Beta authority, “no one is permitted to see Alpha Damon or Elina today. Not even you.”

Her mouth fell open in an offended gasp. “What? Father! I’m not anyone! Damon and I—we’re—”

Lucain lifted a brow. “You are a girl who likes him. He is a warrior preparing for the most important fight of his life.” Susan blink rapidly.

He leaned down to whisper, “And he needs focus. Not a love-struck distraction.”

She blushed furiously. "Father! Who is talking about love here?"

“No one... Now,” Lucain continued, “go home and help your mother prepare. Or go assist the betas. Or literally anything that doesn’t involve stalking Damon.”

“Stalking? Father!” She stomped her foot. “I would never— I only wanted to— Ugh!”

Pouting, she turned around dramatically and marched away, head held high but cheeks burning.

Lucain watched her go, chuckling softly, his heart warm despite the stress of the day.

Then his smile faded. The real challenges of the day were only beginning.

By late morning, more invited guests poured through the grand gates—Alphas, Lunas, nobles, commanders, and elites from far. They were thrilled to have been personally invited by Damian.

To them, this was not just a competition—
It was a privilege. An honor.
A sign they were valued by the most dominant Alpha in the region.

Lucain was everywhere—checking guest seating, warriors, security rings, escort protocols, and ensuring not a single mistake tarnished the day.

After making his final rounds, Lucain walked toward Damian’s study room with a deep sense of unease.

Damian had not been himself since the injured maid arrived with Matt’s letter.
He had spoken less, smiled less, and shut himself away for hours— quiet, dangerous, unreadable.

Lucain paused outside the door, inhaled sharply, and knocked.

A calm but heavy voice answered, “Enter.”

When he stepped inside, he saw Damian fully dressed for the ceremony—dark, fitted royal coat, hair slicked, expression still and lethal. His eyes were closed, but the aura around him… cold, sharp, suffocating.

Lucain bowed. “My Alpha… the invited Alphas and dignitaries have arrived. Everything is ready.” Silence. Lucain swallowed.

Then— BOOM!

A deep horn sounded outside, echoing across the entire pack. It was the ceremonial horn of ShadowFang. The competition was about to begin.

Damian’s eyes snapped open. He rose without a word, the air tightening around him. Lucain immediately fell into step behind him and Liam, who was approaching from the opposite hallway, froze, bowed deeply, and then followed behind Lucain according to rank.

By the time Damian reached the arena, the place was bursting with energy.

Pack members stood behind the stone barriers, murmuring with excitement. Elite guests sat in reserved sections, whispering eagerly about the two prodigies they had heard so much about.

But the moment Damian entered— Silence fell.

Every single person in the arena
stood and bowed deeply.

He walked with steady, predatory steps to his elevated seat beside Ella. Selena stood respectfully behind Ella, head bowed to show proper submission.

Damian gave Ella a single nod of greeting—then gestured slightly.

Lucain stepped onto the raised stage, projecting his voice.

“By the command of Alpha Damian Shadowfang, and the entire northern region ” he announced, “the long-awaited competition begins!” The cheers erupted like thunder.

Damon and Elina walked into the training grounds assigned for the competition. Both were dressed in light warrior attire—dark, fitted, strong—but their presence alone commanded attention.

They bowed deeply before Damian and the elders.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

“Look at them…”
“They’re both magnificent!”
“Elina looks like a true Alpha’s daughter.”
“And Damon—Moon Goddess, he's powerful.”

Lucain returned to his seat while Liam walked forward, stepping between the two competitors.

His voice boomed “First test: SPEED and AGILITY! Four elite warriors will accompany you to ensure fairness.Your task is simple—
Retrieve an animal prey from the forest and return. Whoever comes back first wins the first stage. Remember, no shifting, and no using of special abilities.”

Warriors stepped forward immediately to flank Elina and Damon.

Damon rolled his shoulders, warming up, eyes fixed ahead.

Elina inhaled slowly, a faint ripple of silver light flickering around her fingers from her healing energy—controlled, and steady.

The crowd leaned forward.

Liam lifted his hand. “Ready…”

Damon and Elina bent their knees, tense, prepared.

“Set…” The forest ahead seemed to breathe with anticipation.

“GO!” And the two shot forward—fast as lightning, disappearing into the trees
as the first stage of the competition officially began, everyone wonders who is going to come back first.