Chapter 12: The Test

MORANA

I swallowed hard. Yes, I knew my scent would be enough to make them lose control, but I also knew he was using that just to try to scare me, and he was almost succeeding.

"As long as you understand that I'm not offering my body, I can find a way to deal with the rest," I said, trying to hide my hesitation.

"Are you forgetting how irrational males can become and if one of us lost control?"

"I prefer to believe that won't happen. And, in your rational state, you would have to agree that none of you would touch me without consent. But, if it did happen, I would have the right to defend myself, of course."

"You know you're just provoking us by saying that, right?" He narrowed his eyes.

"This is a terrible idea and the reason is quite obvious to me," Kallias interrupted, drawing my attention.

What was he trying to say? That he was unable to control himself?

"See? As I said, I don’t make the decisions here alone. You want in, but for that, you need the majority to agree," Lyall explained.

It seemed I was just wasting my time trying to convince them.

"However, I think she deserves a chance," he declared surprisingly, his lips curling almost imperceptibly. "I have an idea, but the majority needs to agree, so..." He continued, turning to the others. "What do you think about a test?"

A test? What kind of test?

"Olcan, what do you think?" He asked, addressing the male with long black hair.

"I think she needs to prove she's good enough," he said, winking at me with a mischievous smile at the corner of his lips.

"Yes, she will have to prove herself," Lyall agreed. "Kallias?" He said, turning to our right, where Kallias was leaning against a corner.

"No," he replied, short and blunt, without bothering to look at me.

However, his response didn’t surprise me. For some reason, he didn't seem to like me, I just didn't know why yet.

"Ivaylo?" Lyall addressed the male next to Kallias, who had a scar on his eyebrow.

His hair was tied up in a bun, and he also had an austere air, just like Kallias.

"It doesn't seem like a good idea to me either," he said, causing my hopes to plummet dramatically.

"Two against one, this can be decided now if you say no, Lowell," Lyall said, turning again.

This time towards the blond who was further back, sitting in a chair with the backrest facing forward and his muscular arms resting on it.

Lowell smiled, his green eyes twinkling with amusement. He had a perfect face, with a square jaw that matched his long blond hair.

He remained silent, prolonging it long enough for me to know he was just enjoying my discomfort. It was clear he liked to provoke me.

"As I said, I'm sure we can find some use for her," he finally stated, making me release a long sigh.

Two against two. It was a tie. That meant only one of them left to vote... Lyall.

His blue eyes were already on me when I met his gaze, feeling nervousness take over.

"I said you deserve a chance," he said, ending my agony and allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief.

I couldn't help but smile.

"So, what's the test?" I asked, eager.

"You said fighting isn't the only way to survive... so you'll have to prove it," he explained. "This test will show whether you have other skills that can be useful, besides strength."

I nodded. It seemed fair.

"Pay attention, there's a river in the forest to the east, about two kilometers from here. If you can cross it before being caught by one of us, you're in."

"This is getting interesting," Lowell commented.

"It could be even more interesting if there were a reward for the first one to catch her," Olcan suggested with a malicious smile.

"You mean, if you manage to catch me," I retorted.

I could already smell their excitement, as well as my pulse quickening.

"But I have one condition," I said.

"Of course, you do," Lyall smiled. "What is it?"

"No transformations, after all, that could end badly."

"Fair enough. But you know, we can't always control our animal side. There's always a risk," he said, with a look that was both seductive and threatening.

"Fine, as long as you try to control it."

"Agreed," he nodded. "Lastly, we'll give you a two-minute head start."

His words were enough to make my heart race.

I began to think of all the possible strategies, considering the agility and keen senses of our species.

What were my chances? There were five of them.

I could just try to run as fast as I could, but that seemed too risky, as they were as fast as I was and could easily catch me.

"So, are you ready?" he asked, catching me off guard.

"Now?"

"Yes. When you step out the door, your time starts. And remember, you need to cross the river before sunrise."

"Alright," I nodded.

"If you have no more questions..."

"Just try not to enjoy this too much, boys," I said before turning to head for the door.

I could feel my breathing accelerate with each step, along with my heart pounding in my chest and the sensation of adrenaline spreading through my bloodstream.

"Hey!" Lyall's voice made me stop as I reached the doorknob. "Run as fast as you can, princess."