Chapter 128
HANNAH
My hands kept slipping over the flashcards I was holding. I cleaned my hands on my dress, but the sweat just kept coming back.
Nerves.
Although it was so near, the voice of the moderator sounded far away. She was saying something to the crowd outside, which caused laughter. Apparently, she had said something funny.
The waiting room door opened again, letting in more sound as one of the contestants hurried nervously into the room. She sat beside another girl and began reading her flashcards, her lips moving as she did so.
I too was as nervous as hell, but it was not about whether I would pass the quiz. It was about what would happen after the quiz.
If I didn't pass to advance to the next round, the Lycan Royals would think I had deliberately flunked the test to get out of the competition.
And what if I won? What would happen then?
'Much more contact with the Lycans,' said a voice at the back of my head.
That was something I did not want. Lycans were deadly and cunning. With them, you didn't know what to expect. I would be in so much more danger from them than I would be with werewolves like me.
And then there was this recent attack. Another one could happen soon, though Alpha Wallace was doing everything he could to prevent it. Last night, he had gathered several bodyguards and instructed them on how to take care of them.
Standing against the wall, so still that he seemed to blend into the room's decor, was one of Alpha Wallace's guards. There were others, too, in every corner of the hall and outside.
My mates were here too. I knew would be watching me closely. That made me feel safer. At least a little bit.
About ten minutes later, a girl, wearing a tag indicating that she worked for the contest organizers, walked in. I felt everyone in the room tense up.
The girl looked around.
"The quiz is starting now," she said. "All contestants, please follow me."
I felt my stomach twist into knots as I followed the other contestants backstage. We were called according to our numbers. I waited my turn and was almost losing it when I heard the moderator call my name.
The applause I got was almost drowned out by murmurs as I climbed the stage. Under the weight of their stares, I felt like a bug under a microscope.
This time, the moderator was a tall woman who seemed to have a flair for the dramatic. Her dress was sparkly and shiny, every inch of her face was covered with makeup, and her hair was dyed a weird colour blue.
It looked like the organizers were going out of their way to give the Lycans entertainment. Too bad I was supposed to be part of that entertainment.
I spotted the triplets in the crowd and focused on them as the moderator said, "Before we begin, I will go over the rules again. You will be asked seven questions. If you answer five correctly, you will be qualified for the next round, which is the pageant. Now... let the questions begin," she finished cheerfully. "Over to you, judges."
Three judges were sitting on special chairs in front of the crowd. The first one shuffled some papers in front of him.
He said, "Your first question is... who was the first Alpha to unite all the packs in one territory?"
I took another step toward the microphone, sure that my voice would fail me. I was surprised when it came out sounding clear and strong.
"Alpha Alaric," I said.
"Correct."
There was a smattering of applause from the crowd.
And then the next question came.
"What event marked the beginning of the Lycan's superiority? Tell us the name of the event and what you know about it."
If I didn't feel like I was on trial for my life, I would have rolled my eyes. Of course, they would find a way to bring in that question. The Lycans were always reminding themselves and everyone how superior and powerful they were.
"It was the moonlit betrayal," I answered. Seeing the judges all staring expectantly at me, I remembered the second part of the question and quickly added. "During this event, the Lycans defied the moon goddess by seeking independence from other packs."
"Correct."
More applause.
"On to the third question," he said.
The third?
Had I answered only two so far? It felt like ten. All those eyes on me...
I saw Jace give me a smile and nod. I relaxed. A little.
"Who is considered the most powerful Alpha in werewolf history, and why?"
"Alpha Fenrir," I said. "He was said to possess the strength rivalling the Lycans and the wisdom of the moon goddess herself."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
