Chapter 5 Welcoming Words

• Cadeon
• There can only be one reason why the Omega from last night is here, standing beside Instructor Wylde.
• She's the Omega who qualified to enter Noctem Lunae?
• Her?
• She stares back at me defiantly, something akin to anger glowing in her cerulean gaze. Her chin is tilted and her arms are on either side of her. I don't detect an ounce of meekness in her. The way she's steadily meeting my gaze is considered offensive in some parts of the region. Omegas have been punished for less.
• Beside me, someone clears their throat. I look left and see my father watching me sternly. Despite his declining health, he has come to watch me give the speech. This event means a lot to him because it means my Alphahood will be complete.
• An Alpha without his Luna is no Alpha at all.
• I grew up hearing these words from him, and now, my time has finally come.
• His look makes me realize that I haven't said a word in a few seconds, perhaps more. I've been staring at the Omega instead of focusing on my speech. I give him a curt nod, clear my own throat, then say to the audience, "My apologies. As I was saying, it is my pleasure—both mine and my pack's—to be hosting this event."
• After a short round of applause, I continue. "Today marks the beginning of what will be a memorable journey; one that will test your strength, wisdom, and overall ability to lead. I believe each and every one of you has the capacity to be a leader—it's why you've been chosen to stand here, after all. Let me make this clear; this isn't just. competition, it's an opportunity to become the best version of yourself, and to find strength and courage in the darkest of times. I know how challenging the tasks can be—everyone here does—so, it is my belief that everyone in this room is already a winner. A leader."
• Again. they applaud, and I try not to look at the Omega, but from the corner of my eye, I can see that she's not clapping like everyone else, and her act of defiance burns right through me. "I also want to take a moment to thank the people who have made this possible—thank you to the Noctem Lunae committee that has worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. To the instructors who are present here today and will guide you all to greatness.
• "And lastly, to the contenders," this part of the speech goes to the group of women seated before me, their hands clasped together, their legs crossed, painting a picture of demureness and decorum, "give it your all. Give it your best. Show me, your pack, and yourselves what you're capable of. Be the Luna you were born to embody. Let the challenge begin."
• My father places his hand on my shoulder as we make our way down the steps on the side of the stage. I meet my mother and Timmon, who has a foolish expression on his face. As soon as I get close to him, he says, "That last part was really painful to hear, brother."
• I shoot him a withering look and in a voice barely above a whisper, say, "Not more painful than having to lie to our parents about your whereabouts last night."
• The stupid grin slips from his face. "I said I was sorry."
• "You always are, aren't you? Do you realize how disappointed our father would be? We can't start a fight with anyone in the pack now. We need their support for the competition, and now that there's an Omega among them, the stakes are even higher."
• "Where is the Omega?" he wonders as he looks around. "I only saw the girls who're always around."
• I don't answer him. For some reason, the thought of the woman I insulted being the chosen Omega sickens me, especially since I know what she was up to with my little brother last night. I didn't have any plans to make her my Luna, of course—such things never happen and never will—but it's still uncomfortable.
• Can the tests even be trusted? How is it that someone like her passed it?
• Prejudice, thick and prickly, courses through me. I don't even bother suppressing it. My parents are thanking the instructors personally. I was the one who was supposed to do this, but they've taken over, and right now, I'm not in the right state of mind to be polite.
• Without meaning to, my eyes search the crowd for her. The male and female students are already heading toward the exit, and she's standing with her back against the wall, looking around. It doesn't escape my notice how everyone who walks past her shoots her a look. The Omega ignores them completely. Then, she's approached by the front desk administrator of the academy—I recognize her from the meeting last night—and they both leave.
• I breathe a lot easier once she's gone and redirect my attention to what's being discussed around me. "Yes, yes. We've received a lot of complaints so far from a lot of packs. The Omega is a risk to our reputation, but what can be done? We impose fairness, and in her case, she truly is a qualifying contender."
• "How could an Omega pass the test?" my father wonders. "None has ever passed it before!"
• The test in question has three categories: a physical test, a mind challenge, and what they call the leadership quiz. In the physical test, they're meant to test their endurance and strength, as it will be needed for the second quarter. With the min challenge, I believe they're confronted with puzzles and questions on strategizing. Then, there's the last category, the one that, before, counted more than the others.
• In the quiz, the participating females are asked the same set of questions, and they're meant to test their empathy and ability to lead. Usually, these qualities are unique to Alpha- and Betaborns.
• The woman standing before us—the vice-chancellor—offers my father a thin smile and explains, "Yes, it hasn't happened before, and what shocked us most was how high she scored in all the categories."
• "How high?" I ask. All eyes turn to me.
• "Well, she came close to last on the second category, but that's because she's never had any experience fighting. With the others...she was the highest."
• Silence falls upon us. We all stare at her, shocked. Even Timmon seems taken aback by this.
• "But don't worry," she assures us. "We will ensure that she won't make it past the first quarter. It's highly unlikely that she will, anyway. Also, not to be forgotten, but you, Alpha Cadeon, hold the last vote. You get to decide who your Luna will be, not us."
• A proud grin stretches my father's lips. "And he'll make the right decision, I assure you."
• I nod, offering the group a small, unconcerned smile.
• But deep down, my wolf is raging.