Chapter#14

Liam’s POV

“Listen up, everyone,” the commander barked, “The beast battle trials start today. The first trial begins in an hour. It is an ultimate test of your survival skills. You’re already in pairs, one strong, one weak, to balance the odds. Your objective is simple: make it out of the valley alive.”

He paused as his eyes swept over us, “The valley is infested with feral beasts; faster, stronger, and smarter than anything you’ve faced. You’ll need to fight, adapt, and protect your partner at all costs. If your partner falls, you fail. If you fall, your partner fails.”

The trials sounded brutal. Many trainees here were beginners, barely ready for standard drills, let alone this. Pairing the strong with the weak might balance some groups, but not all. I glanced at Kaelen. I could feel his anxiety as if it were my own.

The commander’s voice cut through again. “The rules are simple: stay within the designated boundaries, no abandoning your partner, no direct interference with other pairs. This isn’t about glory; it’s about survival. Complete the first trial within the time limit, and you’ll earn additional rewards. Fail, and you’re out of the running. Permanently.”

He turned to leave, then stopped, facing us again. “One last thing, these beasts aren’t ordinary. Show me you deserve to be here. Prove you belong.”

Before the words could fully sink in, Varian stepped forward, “I’ll be fighting alone,” he declared. What an arrogant.

The commander’s gaze hardened. “This is a team challenge, Varian. No exceptions.”

“I’ve been the top trainee since I arrived,” Varian countered, “I don’t need anyone slowing me down.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd. The commander’s expression didn’t waver. “No,” he said firmly. “This trial is about partnership and teamwork. Everyone will be paired.”

Varian straightened, “With all due respect, Commander, Liam’s partner fractured his leg in training and doesn’t have a partner now. That leaves two options: let Liam fight alone, or let me fight alone. We both know what makes more sense.”

The commander hesitated. His eyes narrowed as he considered Varian’s words. My gaze drifted to Kaelen, who stood frozen with guilt and fear etched into his face. I couldn’t let Varian’s recklessness endanger him, not when my wolf was already urging me to protect him.

I stepped forward, “Commander, if Varian insists on fighting alone, let him. I’ll partner with Kaelen.”

Kaelen’s head snapped toward me. The commander studied me, then shifted his focus to Varian. “The first lesson here is discipline,” he said, “And the first rule of discipline is to follow orders. This battle requires pairs. I won’t make exceptions.”

Varian shrugged, “You’re saying Liam should fight alone?”

The commander turned to me. “Liam, you’ll fight with Kaelen.”

I nodded, glancing at Kaelen. Then the commander’s gaze shifted to Varian. “And you’re paired with Liam and Kaelen. No more questions.”

Selene’s POV

The valley was a nightmare made real, a vision of hell carved into the earth. Cliffs rose on either side, casting jagged shadows across the uneven ground, rocky, scattered with old bones from past battles. A shallow stream cut through the middle. Its dark water was stained with blood, reflecting a gray, clouded sky.

The beasts were unlike anything I’d seen; smaller than I’d expected but deadly, with powerful limbs, razor-sharp claws, and teeth like daggers. Their glowing red eyes pierced the shadows. Only their chilling howls gave them away as they echoed off the cliffs. The smell of blood and wet fur filled the air, making my stomach churn.

As we stepped onto the battlefield, I moved closer to Liam. “Stay close,” he whispered.

“I…” My voice was barely a whisper, “I can’t do this…” My legs locked as panic surged through me.

Before I could react, Varian was on me. His hand gripped the collar of my shirt, dragging me toward the cliff’s edge. He snarled, “I won’t let you ruin this for me with your cowardice.”

“Varian!” Liam’s shout cut through the air. He shoved Varian back with a force that sent me stumbling to the ground. My palms scraped against the rocky terrain. Pain shot through my hands. Liam’s grip was firm but gentle as he helped me up. “I promised your brother I’d keep you safe,” he said in a low tone, before turning to Varian, “You know the rules, Varian. Touch him like that again, and I’ll report you.”

The tension between them crackled. Varian’s jaw tightened. His gaze burned with hostility as he stepped back, casting me a scornful look that made my skin crawl. What had happened to him? His behavior, his sudden shift, the way he’d turned on me like I was nothing.

Why was Varian behaving like this? My thoughts churned as I followed Liam. Varian had abandoned me before the trial started, urging to fight alone. And now he threatened me, dragging me to the cliff’s edge as if I were a burden he couldn’t wait to be rid of.

He knew who I was. And if he knew I was his mate, why this sudden change in his attitude? Why the hostility, the threats, the abandonment?

Or maybe he didn’t yet know who I was. Maybe he was just trying to get over my nerves back in the gym because that clearly satisfied him.

We hadn’t gone far when a beast lunged from the shadows. Liam moved like lightning. His blade met the creature mid-leap. The impact sent a spray of blood across the rocks.

I stumbled back as my heart hammered. My breaths came in short gasps, but I forced myself to stay put. Running wasn’t an option. “Eyes up, Kaelen,” Liam called, “You’ve got this.”

Before I could respond, Varian’s mocking tone sliced in. “He’s shaking like a leaf. Are we supposed to babysit him through this battle?”

“Enough, Varian,” Liam snapped, “He’s holding his own.”

I swallowed my fear, tightening my grip on my sword’s hilt, meeting Liam’s gaze for a fleeting moment of reassurance. I wasn’t the most skilled. Each swing of my blade was a desperate bid to survive, but I couldn’t falter.

Hours later, we found shelter beneath a gnarled, ancient tree. Its twisted roots clawed from the earth like skeletal fingers. Liam leaned against the trunk. I sank to the ground beside him. “Are we even halfway through this?” My voice came out hoarse.

“Don’t think about the end,” Liam replied, “Think about the next step. We survive one moment at a time. Always be ready for the next.”

I parted my lips to respond, but a low growl rumbled through the dark trees. Liam was on his feet in an instant. His hand gripped his blade as he shoved me behind him. “Stay back,” he ordered.

I refused to hide, stepping to his side, “I’m not standing by while you take all the hits.”

A blur of movement to our left caught my eye. Varian, scaling a nearby ridge. His figure was a dark silhouette against the jagged cliffside. “What is he doing?” I hissed.

“Being reckless,” Liam muttered, “He’s probably scouting ahead for beasts. He refuses to stay low or stick to the plan.”

The growling deepened. It was massive. Without hesitation, it lunged. Liam surged forward as his sword sliced through the air, but the creature was quicker, twisting mid-leap as its claws raked across his back in a brutal swipe.

“Liam!” I screamed as he staggered. Blood bloomed through his torn shirt.

“I’m fine,” he gritted out as his teeth clenched against the pain. His grip on his weapon was still steady despite his shallow breaths. The beast turned its gaze to me, sizing me up. My heart pounded, but I didn’t flinch. Planting my feet and squaring my shoulders, I raised my sword.

“Kaelen, stay back,” Liam rasped, trying to step between us.

“I can handle it,” I snapped, cutting him off with a sharp glance. The beast growled. I steadied my grip, drawing a deep breath.

I moved faster than I thought possible. My sword flashed as I met the beast’s attack head-on. It roared. Claws swiped inches from my face, but I held my ground, refusing to back down. This was my moment to prove I was more than my fear. It was now or never.

“Kaelen!” Liam shouted as the beast lunged again. Its jaws snapped near my face. I dropped low, driving my blade into its side. A pained howl tore from the creature. But it wasn’t done. It reared back, towering over me.

I froze, knowing I couldn’t dodge in time. Out of nowhere, Liam surged forward, ignoring the pain in his back. His roar echoed as he shoved me out of the way and drove his blade deep into the beast’s chest. The creature let out a final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing. Its massive body hit the ground with a thud.

I stared at Liam, breathless, wide-eyed, as he slumped to one knee, gripping his sword for support. “I told you,” he rasped, “we get through this together.”

Before we could catch our breath, a roar ripped through the valley; a scream so deep, loud, and heavy it felt like the earth trembled in response. “Varian,” Liam hissed. His hazel eyes narrowed as he forced himself to his feet, blood still seeping from his back. “We have to go find him!”