Chapter 10 A MOUSE AMONG WOLVES
Sebastian’s Pov
The next morning, I stood outside the pack house, my stomach in knots.
The courtyard was packed with huge werewolves— people who looked like they could snap me in half without trying, people who looked like they could kill me without me even noticing. They must have come from all over the states.
They were all tall, broad-shouldered, with scars and muscles that screamed warrior. I felt like a mouse standing among giants. “I shouldn’t be here,” I couldn't help but say, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “This is a mistake.”
“Don’t you dare leave,” Alisander growled. “You made it this far. So stay.”
I glanced at the other candidates. Some were relaxed, others sizing each other up, their eyes sharp and confident. I didn’t belong here. I really didn't. I wasn’t heavily built or fierce-looking, and I’d never been in a war.
“They’re gonna laugh me out of here,” I said under my breath. “I’m gonna make a complete idiot of myself.”
“You won’t,” Alisander said. “Just stand tall. Act like you belong. You’re here for a reason.”
“Yeah, because you wouldn’t shut up,” I muttered, but I stayed put, joining the line of candidates, at the end. Some of the pack’s main guards were walking around, eyeing everyone, their faces hard and unimpressed. I tried to stand straight, but I could feel their eyes on me, judging me. I wanted to bolt, but Alisander’s voice kept me rooted.
“You’re doing fine,” he said, excitement bleeding into his voice. “Just wait for Ragnar.”
I didn’t have to wait long. The crowd parted, and there he was, striding into the courtyard like he owned any land his feet touched. My heart jumped into my throat, the organ seemingly intent on rushing out to meet him.
He was wearing a dark tunic, his hair pulled back, his blue eyes scanning the line of candidates. I forced myself to look down, not wanting to meet his gaze. I was already regretting this.
Ragnar moved down the line, stopping in front of each guy, asking questions, testing their strength with a quick grip or a shove. I could hear him talking, his voice low, but I couldn’t make out the words. My palms were sweaty, and I kept wiping them on my pants. At this rate, I'd look drenched by the time he got to me, not exactly a symbol of strength.
“You’ve got this,” Alisander said. “He’s coming. Just look him in the eye.”
“Easy for you to say,” I muttered. “You’re not the one about to humiliate himself.”
Ragnar got closer, and I could feel my heart pounding harder with every step. When he finally reached me, I forced myself to look up. He stopped, his eyes locking onto mine. He wasn't surprised I was here, and maybe I was delusional, but I could have sworn there was a soft smile on his face.
Whether it was truly there or not, it makes me stand straighter. Alisander sighed in my mind, content to just stare at him. He looked like he hadn't been sleeping and I wanted to reach out to him, touch him, feel his skin. Thankfully I still had the good sense to not do that.
“Well, look who’s here,” he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “Didn’t expect to see you in this line, Omega.”
I swallowed hard, my face burning. “I… I thought I’d give it a shot,” I said, my voice coming out shakier than I wanted.
He raised an eyebrow, still smirking. “A shot, huh? Interesting.”
I opened my mouth to answer, but he was already moving on. I breathed out, trying to settle my trembling.
All done, he walked back to stand in front of us. Then he began calling out people, pointing at those whose names he didn't know.
“Toren, you, you, you, Brak, you, Fai, Joran, you, Helena, Calen, you, you, Mikal,” he said. They stepped forward, chests puffed out, looking every bit like the warriors he’d asked for. “The rest of you, will move on to the training grounds with the Beta for a chance to prove yourself. A chance to show her what I maybe missed seeing in you.”
Oh gods. I started to turn away, my stomach sinking, thinking of I should just duck out and go home. “Told you,” I muttered to Alisander. “I’m out of my league.”
But then Ragnar’s voice cut through the air again. “And Sebastian,” he said, his eyes flicking back to me. “You’re the last.”
I froze, my mouth dropping open. The other candidates turned to look at me, their faces a mix of confusion and annoyance. I just stood there, staring at Ragnar, trying to process what he’d just said.
“It’s not always about speed and strength, as Beta Ava will show you. It's also about being nimble, resilient, determined and brave,” Ragner announced, hands behind his back, his jaw set.
I couldn't believe the next words he spoke, and I was sure the others standing beside me couldn't either. “He has the assignment of guarding my private quarters. The rest of you are dismissed.”