CHAPTER 4 Alpha Zachary
Kayla's POV
The Southern border loomed ahead, a thin, invisible line between my past and my future. I adjusted the hood of my cloak, ensuring it shadowed my face as I stepped into Palecrown Pack territory.
For six years, I had trained in the North, stripping away the weakness that caused me to not be able to defend my family and pack. Now, I needed to get close to the people who destroyed my family. If I wanted answers, I had to play the long game. And that meant infiltrating the Palecrown Elite Warriors.
The village was bustling with wolves. It was exactly how I remembered it. I thought I would feel fear or perhaps disgust for these wolves, but I felt utterly numb.
I noticed that the second that they noticed me, their chatter dimmed. I could feel the weight of their stares pressing down on me. Rogues were unwelcome in the South. They saw me as an intruder, a threat.
I hated to admit, but my grandmother was right. I would have no chance in hell if I had just walked in. Thankfully, I found the scent blockers and a note in my backpack telling me how often I needed to take it. I'm glad I listened for once.
I made my way to the large wooden building in the heart of the town- the warrior hall. A bored-looking guard leaned against the entrance, barely glancing at me before scoffing.
"Move along, rogue. This isn't a place for you," he said, waving me off like I was annoying insect.
"I'm here to apply for the Elite Warriors," I said evenly, meeting his gaze.
The guard barked out a laugh. "You? A scrawny little female? You must be joking."
I clenched my fists but forced my face to remain impassive. Losing my temper wouldn't get me anywhere. "Is there an application process or is it just you being an asshole?"
The guard's grin faded, replaced by irritation. "You need a sponsor to even be considered. And who the hell would vouch for a rogue?"
I hadn't anticipated this requirement. I needed another approach. "Who's in charge?"
The guard snorted. "Beta Colton runs the program, but good luck getting past him."
I didn't need luck. I just needed an opportunity.
Pushing past the guard, I strode into the hall. Inside, warriors sparred in an open training area, while others observed from the edges. The scent of sweat, leather, and blood clung to the air. At the far end of the room, a broad-shouldered man stood, scrutinizing the fighters before him.
He must be Beta Colton.
I made a beeline for him, ignoring the sharp glares thrown my way. He noticed me before I even reached him, his green eyes narrowing in warning. "Whatever you want, the answer is no."
"You haven't even heard my request."
Colton exhaled through his nose, already impatient. "Let me guess. You want to join the Elite Warriors?"
"Yes."
He tilted his head, scrutinizing me. "You're a rogue. A Northern one, by the look of you."
"I have no pack," I said, choosing my words carefully. "But I can fight."
A few warriors nearby chuckled. One of them, a tall man with a jagged scar down his cheek, sneered. "Sure you can. Why don't you go prove it by hunting rats in the alley?"
I ignored him and held Colton's gaze. "Give me a chance."
Colton sighed. "I don't have time for this. Go back to whatever hole you crawled out of."
I gritted my teeth. "What's the harm in testing me? If I fail, you'll have the satisfaction of proving me wrong."
The warriors around him chuckled again, but this time, Colton's lips quirked upward in amusement. "Fine," he said. "You want a chance? You'll get one."
He gestured toward the sparring circle. "You last three rounds against one of my warriors, you earn the right to an application."
"Just three rounds?" I asked.
Colton smirked. "Against Jarek."
The laughter around us died instantly. The scarred warrior stepped forward, his grin sharp and cruel. Jarek. I had heard of him- one of the most vicious fighters in the Palecrown Pack potentially the entire South.
I rolled my shoulders. "Let's do it." I was going to put all of Nightshade Warrior training to the test.
Jarek wasted no time. The moment I stepped into the ring, he lunged. I barely dodged his first strike, feeling the rush of air as his fist sailed past my face. He was fast- faster than I expected.
I spun, aiming a sharp kick at his ribs. He caught my foot with ease and yanked me forward, throwing me off balance. Pain exploded in my back as I hit the ground, but I forced myself up immediately. Jarek attempted to stomp me but I rolled out of the way delivering a punch to the back of his knee causing him to buckle only slightly.
"Round one," Colton called, amused. "Keep going."
Jarek smirked. "That all you got, rogue?"
"Just sizing you up," I said simply earning a laugh from Jarek.
"I was going easy on you but since you don't know your place rogue, I'll make sure to show you," Jarek said, cracking his knuckles.
I didn't answer. I pulled my hoodie off revealing my muscular and scarred toro that caused the other warriors to whisper about my physique. I glared at Jarek as I slid into a defensive stance.
When he charged again, I shifted at the last second, using his own momentum against him. I hooked my arm around his arm and wrenched it behind his back, kicking his knee out from under him.
He hit the ground hard, cursing. I stepped back, letting him up.
His grin was gone. "Lucky shot."
We circled each other, and this time, I went on the offensive. I aimed a series of quick strikes at his ribs, forcing him to block. The moment his guard dropped; I slammed my elbow into his jaw.
Jarek stumbled, but recovered quickly, grabbing me by the throat and shoving me back. My vision blurred for a second.
"Jarek, that's too..." Beta Colton growled.
"No," I snarled, cutting off Beta Colton. I didn't need any charity. I had to prove I was worthy. I twisted free of Jarek's gasp and drove my knee into his gut, earning a grunt from him as I put space between us.
"Round two," Colton called, clearly intrigued now.
Jarek wiped his mouth, eyeing me with newfound respect. "Alright, rogue. Let's see if you can last one more."
The third round was brutal. Jarek fought without restraint, and I had to dig deep to keep up. Every strike, every dodge, every movement was a test of endurance and skill. By the time the round ended, I was battered and aching but still standing and Jarek had a gash over the bridge of his nose.
The room was silent.
Colton clapped in amusement. "Well, damn. No one has been able to give Jarek a wound in a long time." He crossed his arms. "You've got heart, girl. And skill."
I gave him a thumbs up as I attempted to catch my breath.
"What's your name girl?" Colton asked.
"Kelly," I said.
Colton studied me for a long moment, then nodded. "Well, Kelly, you've earned an application. But don't think for a second that this means you are part of the pack."
"I wouldn't dream of it," I said.
As I stepped out of the ring, Jarek let out a breathy laugh. "You're either crazy or desperate."
"Both," I admitted.
"Alright, show's over. Get back to training," Colton ordered.
As the warriors returned to their drills, I allowed myself a small, victorious breath. This was just the first step, but it was a step in the right direction. I wasn't here to make friends. I was here to infiltrate, gain their trust, and destroy those who had taken everything from me.
Days turned into weeks and before I knew it a month had passed since my fight with Jarek. Since then, I had done more than just hold my own- I had made them bleed. Every time I stepped onto the training grounds, another so-called Elite Warrior left with bruises and broken pride. Their whispers had changed from mockery to reluctant respect.
But respect wasn't what I was here for.
I kept my head down, focused on getting stronger. Then, tonight, I overheard one of the female warriors.
"Did you hear about Alpha Zachary?"
I kept my expression neutral as I adjusted the wrappings on my wrists, but my heart pounded against my ribs.
"He's been keeping a close eye on us," another voice whispered with excitement. "He's coming here."
I forced myself to keep stretching, pretending I wasn't listening.
"Why?"
"They say he's looking for someone."
My pulse thrummed in my ears. I didn't expect to encounter Alpha Zachary so soon.
I exhaled slowly. 'Keep calm. Stay focused. The scent blockers won't fail us,' my wolf reassured.
Just as I turned to leave for the night, a sharp cry split the air. My head snapped toward the sound, my instincts kicking in before reason could stop them.
In the dim glow of the lanterns, I saw a shadowed alley. A figure was collapsed on the ground- a woman, small and trembling and above her.
My breath caught. The way he hovered over her, his hands gripping her arms- it looked wrong.
Another pained whimper.
I didn't think. I moved.