She is My Hope

Hope POV.

My eyes are closed as the music echoes in my ears. I'm leaning against a comfortable armchair while paying attention to the movement of the bus on which I find myself.

I don't want to listen to the murmurs about me, who I am or why I'm on this bus. I looked through my eyes with anger. It was so normal to judge without knowing, without knowing me.

Just because my smell is different from theirs because I don't have a wolf, they think I shouldn't be on this bus. You don't know me, but you're going to know me, and a lot of people are going to regret that.

I can already imagine what my life will be like in the next 5 years. In the first few months, people will be saying things that should not be said, supposing that I am a hybrid and that I have some hidden power, but the answer is much simpler, I just know what I'm doing.

I finally feel the bus stop, but I don't open my eyes, I just wait; I wait for everyone to get up, I hear some shouts of excitement, the noise of suitcases being pulled, while some who have come in groups of friends already begin to make plans for the next few days.

I don't think anyone has read the edict. There wouldn't be much time for parties and celebrations. Theoretically, no one was there to go to parties, but to become the best warriors they could be. Well, at least that's why I'm here.

It is obvious that the children of the Alphas leave the bus first, those who have powerful wolves and who will one day replace their parents or create their packs; then they are followed by Betas, then Gammas, Omegas, and finally me, a Delta.

I'm not the most peaceful person there is. I usually freak out, as they say, very easily, that's why I take some medications to try to restrain my temper, and at that point, I picked one of the vials that were in the inner pocket of the blouse and put it in my mouth.

I was the last one out, I had my backpack hanging only by my left shoulder, I placed it properly on my back and only then looked around. I'm just in front of a heavy iron gate. I see several silver details. They were the five phases of the moon: New Moon, Crescent Moon, Half Moon, Waning Moon and Full Moon. These figures form a circle, in the middle of the ring, the symbol of Selene, our Goddess, the Goddess of the Moon.

I gathered a deep breath, narrowed my eyes and allowed myself to get carried away by the situation. I was delighted, I just have got to a point in my life where I could move on, what I could have learned from my pack I did and so I'm here. I felt my heart race just by this thought, smiled from the corner of my mouth and opened my eyes again, listening to the gates open.

Inside it was even more magnificent, the surrounding walls were a massive stone with a few extra layers of protection and several protective towers, and on top, some guards were doing their rounds, all of them used long and modern arches and as my eyes go down, I notice there is a balcony on the opposite wall, plus a small, exposed gallery. Some people were present on the external balcony. They must be the evaluators.

I went down a little more and saw a stone arch making the opening of the arena that gave access to the interior of the Castle, there ahead was a man with short and messy dark hair, half messy, wearing a black Dolman with silver details, black pants and boots. Some scars on his face showed he had much experience. His eyes were a deep blue shade, with a squarer chin and a harsh and harsh expression as he observed us.

"I am the Crown Prince, Erick Makedon, from today your lives will change, here there will be no room for banter, parties, or disrespect. You weren't chosen for this training because you were anyone, but because you were the best and you passed the selection tests."

I could feel the wave of power emanating from him even though he was a good meter away, yet those who didn't have such a big resolution already felt uncomfortable and changed the weight of his foot or sometimes lowered their heads.

"There are seven levels. Everyone here is at level 1 and as the internal trials go on you can move up a level. At any time, those of you who want to can ask to quit. Some of you are here just to get some medals, certificates and there is nothing wrong with that, but for those who are here and want to become the best they can be, it will be long years of training and in the end, if it is deserved, a position with the royal army or in elite training. "

Ra! Yes, that's what I wanted to become the best if I spent well over five years here. Sincerely? I don't know if I intend to return to my pack after this training.

I'm so excited that I barely understand the energy wave sweeping the arena, the first to get down were the Omegas, then the Gammas, and for now, there's only the Betas, the Alphas and me standing. It was a virtually silent command.

Shall we play? Can I start the game right now? Since I'm the last one, people can't even turn their heads so bothered, so I hear:

"Get down on your knees!" The Prince's voice resonated like thunder in a storm forming.

My knees began to bend, and as I approached the ground my head stared at the grains of sand; I knew that the Betas had now also bent over, and the Alphas were weaker too. Then I smiled, feeling the weight of that aura on my back, over my chest and my head, I got up as if I had picked something up from the floor and smiled again.

I put my hand in my pocket and made a slight nod to my head as if that pressure was nothing but a breeze. I realized then that the people in front of me, who were standing, felt uncomfortable moving their heads lightly, opening and closing their hands, and changing the weight of their feet. And here I am.

Hope POV.

"Those who have remained standing, come forward."

I heard the Prince's voice, and I saw a little shred of surprise in his eyes. I had been the last to get into this camp, and I don't think he read my report.

I see six people in front of me, each different from the other, and I know they're alphas' children; I know them. Well, I mean, I've seen the files on their packs and who their successors are. It gave me some advantage because they shouldn't have worried about reading about me. After all, I don't have any titles like Beta, Gamma, and so on, despite having my battalion.

The order of the presentation was the most logical; whoever was in front spoke first; in this case, a girl of 17 years with long blond hair, slightly curly at the tips and very white skin. Despite having her back to me, I know she has light brown eyes, a thin nose and a long chin. She is currently wearing dark blue jeans with a black leather jacket with some silver spikes and a black shirt over her pants, too, with silver accents.

"Jennifer Newtown, I come from the Black Woods pack, daughter of Alpha Jonathan and Luna Mary."

I heard her voice, which had a slightly hoarse tone and was certainly serious. The Black Woods pack was farther north; it was named precisely because the trees that grow there usually have a blackened tone and the sunlight hardly passes on the ground.

The second person was a man; he was 20 years old, one of the oldest there; his dark brown hair was chopped; his skin was white; I know he has green eyes like two emeralds; a chin wouldn't so square; a beard unmade, but not by slouch because he preferred it that way. His clothes were from someone who was at a gala event, not a training camp, and because he wore a black suit with a white shirt, his posture was one of the most relaxed.

"Dylan Miller, I come from the Blue Moon pack, son of Alpha Harry and Luna Olivia."

I twisted my mouth lightly, turning my eyes. The Blue Moon pack was recognized for being very rich and powerful; its Alphas came from generations of academy warriors, and basically, almost everyone in that pack had something of Alpha's blood; even their Omegas were strong. It was a place that valued blood and bloodlines more than deserving people.

The third to speak was a 15-year-old boy, one of the younger ones there, someone I could respect. His light brown hair fell to shoulder height, and I knew that he had eyes of two different colors, one greenish and another gray, which had more effeminate features because the nose was thinner and the chin more rounded. Many would say he would not do Alpha's job. He was very comfortable, wearing only jeans, sneakers, and a white shirt.

"Andrew Thompson, I come from the Cristal Lake pack, son of Alpha Michael and Luna Elizabeth."

The Cristal Lake pack is known to have something magical in its blood. I know it's a mixed pack between witches, wizards, and werewolves, so rumor has it that your wolves, when properly trained, can activate some gifts, which is extremely rare. It was something I hadn't seen happen, but I know very well how to fight witches; if that kid has hybrid blood, then he'll be an excellent opponent.

The fourth person to open her mouth was a 17-year-old woman who had blond hair, more pulled to the gold, which fell like a cascade down her back, with her whiter skin that was highlighted by the red dress that went down to her thighs. I know that his front is low-cut. His eyes are dark brown, and his features are very reminiscent of British royalty.

"Sophia Snyder, I come from the Red Hunter pack, daughter of Alpha Brian and Luna Lilian."

The Red Hunter pack is known to specialize in hunting other supernatural beings, which gave them a permanent post with the Royal Council. It's a pack that didn't mind having an Alpha woman, something rare in our community.

Then another female voice invaded my ears, and I looked at the person. It was an 18-year-old girl, just like me, with black hair trapped in two braids with silver ribbons adorning, and her eyes were silver, which reminded me a lot of the moonlight. Her features are more delicate and almost resemble those of the nymphs of the old tales.

"Brook Saunders, I come from the Silver Moon pack, daughter of Alpha Russell and Luna Kristen."

The Silver Moon pack was known to be blessed directly by Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, which also granted them a permanent post on the Royal Council. So, it was a pack ruled by women. It was very difficult to be born a firstborn man, and even if alpha women were rare, no one dared question that pack.

And finally, it was my turn. No one expected anyone else to speak, but I cleared my throat, making a certain joke too. I have short hair, on the left side cut very short, almost shaved, but with a drawing of a half-moon with a dagger in it, the symbol of my pack, while the longer strands fall to the right side. The locks are colored purple at the base and pink at the ends. My eyes are an amethyst shade, which further increases the suspicion that I am a hybrid. My complexion is delicate overall, but there is a scar that runs from the top of my left ear down to my shoulder, around which I have a tattoo of a snake's tail that runs down to my collarbone. Not that anyone could see the full tattoo, as I am wearing a military uniform with a closed top over my t-shirt, a pair of baggy pants, and black boots.

"Hope Black, I come from the Silver Rage pack, daughter of Wyatt and Claire Omegas. I am Delta."

My pack, the SilverRage, is considered one of the most brutal on record. Our warriors are loyal and can easily tear a neck apart without feeling remorse. All those who wish to train can start at age 5, although most join at age 8. I enlisted at age 5.

I smile wryly, passing my eyes over the people in front of me. The surprise in their eyes is amusing. I loved to see it; it was fun to know that I could cause this kind of reaction. After all, I am just a girl with a werewolf gene who has never transformed before, and here I am, standing while Betas, Gammas, and Omegas are kneeling.

"This was the first test."

The Prince announced it, and once again the murmurs echoed.

"Those who are standing will be your new leaders. You must form teams of seven people plus the leader."

I felt the Prince's aura diminish, so those who were kneeling stood up and soon began to crowd around the Alphas. I just let them; I didn't want them to come to me just for my status. I noticed that some of the Omegas were being ignored, and I just walked over to them, lightly touching their shoulders.

I am again further away, with my team behind me; I have not yet spoken to them. I pay attention to the Prince, who looks at each team, assesses their potential, and takes down the names without having to ask.

"Now that the teams are assembled, you will go to the second test." He pointed up, and a screen lit up with the fight keys. I want to laugh now. "You will fight each other by elimination and score; the last in the table will go home, leader and team. The arenas are already separated."

I watched him point around; there were a few separate arenas, but not much to use to my advantage.

"What are the rules of fighting?" I asked, looking directly into the Prince's eyes. This was very important to the outcome.

"The rules are simple: your opponent must be knocked out or ask for submission. Should the leader fall, everyone in the group is out. They can use their wolf forms."

I smiled in a corner; he hadn't said we couldn't leave the delimited area, further increasing my chances. Then I looked at the panel and saw that the names of the leaders started to rotate, stopping at my name and Sophia's, along with the numbering of arena 3, the one closest to the exit. This was going to be a lot of fun.