Spurned Luna’s Return: On Your Knees, Alpha Chase

“Alright, playtime’s over. Let’s get to the real business. Today, as the norm, each Alphaless pack must produce 6 members to battle. We’ve specially selected the warriors from each Alphaless pack. So I’ll be calling your names. Then you’ll take your spot on the field with your pack members and form a group. Am I clear?” she asked with a serious expression.

Those in the packs who were to compete today yelled: “Yes!!”

“Fantastic! I’ll be calling the names randomly but you’ll know where you belong. (looks at the paper in her left hand) First on the list is… Dexter Iddyson.”

Hearing his name, the particular warrior left his pack mates and headed to the field.

Seeing this, she continued without looking at the audience. “Ralph Linnington, Cuzner Louis, Ryan Cooper, Juliet Ackley… Hmm, interesting. Romeo Bierton, Urwin Zacksfield, Gilbert Dallison, Zain Dumphy, Zachary Braxton, Eaden Kaine, Zyair Leoson, Liam Brooks, Vincent Rangecroft, Jade Daliby, Erwin Zacksfield, Karlin Naylor, Johnson Roman, Oliver Miles, Luca Jandrill, Kyle Foster, Robinson Jephcott, Kai Mcllvain, Arleth Weston, Greyson Hunter, Dominic Jaxon, Zehelina Mockridge, Dante Harrison, Hazel Anderson, Mel Puxty, Aubrey Pulvertoft, Theo Xavion…”

Minutes later.

“Emberlyn Galusha, Mylah Fynch, Isla Ayrmyn and lastly, Oaklynn Elrod.” she put her hand down, heaving a small sigh as she faced the audience once again. All those whose names were called stood with their pack members forming 20 groups, each having their own flag with their pack’s name on it, held by the chosen pack member at the front. Seeing this, Ms Charlotte nodded in satisfaction.

“Now that you’re all here, I’ll let you know a few things. Of the 6 from each pack selected, only 2 will compete. One is the main fighter, the other will be the substitute. The other four members will be the supports of the 2 fighters. You are to give them the encouragement and whatever they need during the short breaks assigned to them. The breaks are no more than 2 minutes so you supports must be diligent. Boxes will be passed around each group. You all must pick whatever you touch in the box with your eyes closed. Please pick whatever your fingers touch otherwise if unlucky, you’ll be disqualified from the group immediately. That could mean one less support or, worse, one less fighter. Alright, please close your eyes. Stretch out your right hand only when the assigned staff instructs you to.”

The 20 groups closed their eyes, hands clasped behind their backs.

20 assigned people headed to the field carrying several beautiful small boxes of various colours. They took their positions in front of the groups and at Charlotte’s signal, they started going around, gently tapping the shoulder of the warrior they stood in front of, urging him or her to pick something from the box.

Those who tried to pick something that they hadn’t touched were pinched on the left shoulder by the assigned staff carrying the box. This meant they were disqualified and must leave silently. Soon the people carrying the boxes left the field.

“Some of you can be so headstrong.” Charlotte shook her head in pity before continuing. “All of you, open your eyes,” she commanded and they obeyed her. Some groups could see to their dismay that they were missing one or more members.

Ms Charlotte resumed speaking again with a serious expression. “Those holding leather wristbands, you are the main fighter. Those holding either an arm sleeve or armband, you are the substitute fighter. The others holding ribbons of varied colours, you know yourselves. The groups who lost members are displayed on the screen along with what they lack together with those groups whose members are complete.”

Everyone could now see on the screens around the venue, the current status of the groups.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

[ Blue Cove – Minus substitute fighter.

Moon Dream – Minus 2 supports and substitute fighter

Bravemane – Minus main fighter.

Western Moon – Minus substitute fighter.

Serenic Moonlight – Minus main fighter, substitute and 1 support.

Shadow – Minus main fighter, substitute fighter.

Blood star – Intact!

Storm Riders – Minus 4 supports.

Crimson Fangs – Intact!

Mystic Howl – Minus Main fighter.

Wild Fang – Intact!

Volatile Berserks – Minus 4 support, substitute fighter.

Cruelcrest – Minus main fighter, 3 supports.

Silent Inferno – Intact!

Lunar stone- Minus 4 supports.

Blazepaw – Minus main fighter, 2 supports, substitute fighter.

Moon’s Paladin – Intact!

Real Fangs- Intact!

Erion- Intact!

Goldfang – Minus main fighter, substitute fighter, 1 support. ]

Everyone awaited the decision that would follow.

A few minutes later, a stern-looking, brown-haired man of average height, dressed in a red and black striped suit ascended the stage and introduced himself as George Whitlock, Gamma of the 10th-ranked pack. He was the one who would decide the fate of the packs who disobeyed.

“I will announce the solutions and penalty for you disobedient fellas. Firstly, the following packs listed will not participate in this event today. You’re welcome to try in three years’ time or just disband if this was your last chance. Serenic Moonlight, Cruelcrest, Blazepaw, Goldfang, Shadow, Volatile Berserks. Members of these packs, please leave the field.

Secondly, two people make a group, hence, Storm Riders and Lunar stone packs can participate without supports but before the fighters can compete, they must serve the punishment of 1000 pushups which must be done in a span of 20 minutes. If unwilling, they are free to go home! And lastly, Blue Cove will sacrifice the last two supports to bring back the substitute fighter. Bravemane and Mystic Howl will sacrifice all 4 supports to bring back their main fighter. These three packs penalty is also 1000 pushups. Congratulations to those other packs who stayed honest. I wish you all good luck.” he then descended the platform.

Ms Charlotte resumed speaking: “This activity has never been done in the past contests. This competition features things that no one expects. And it will be a warning and a lesson for future competitors. Now that you guys know where you stand, it’s about time to prepare for the battle. For the groups with complete members, please head to the costume centres and for those who are under penalty, please head first to the disciplinary hall. If you successfully serve your punishment, then you can compete.”

After the contesting groups had left the field to the various destinations, Ms Charlotte smiled.

“We’ve prepared a little show for you all to send away your boredom as you await the upcoming battles. Have fun!” she then left the platform, blowing a kiss at a dark-skinned older man who was standing behind an Alpha King. He simply harrumphed. That was her father, Beta James Demanuel.

The 9th-ranked Alpha King, Dyneley Rowden chuckled. “James, your daughter never minds where she is. You’re lucky to have such a nice baby girl. I wish I had a daughter like that. Mine only loves guns more than her father. (sigh)”

“Alpha, I’d love it if we could switch daughters.” Beta James replied.

“As if you can last a week without your real daughter. I don’t want you knocking on my door for another exchange. I’ll pass!” the Alpha laughed while his Beta just folded his arms.

“And why do you keep standing? There’s space here. I told you to sit.”

“Alpha, maybe at home I can agree but not here.” Beta James replied.

Gamma’s usually stay behind in the pack, maintaining order during this competition. But in rare cases, if they are assigned a role in this competition, they can then tag along with the Alpha.

Not long after, a group of 8 men dressed in matching costumes and a veiled woman whose fur costume was different from the rest rushed to the field.

6 of the men were carrying drums of various sizes and colours while the other two stood in front of them hands clasped behind their backs, wearing stoic faces. The lady stood in between them, hands akimbo.

Suddenly, flute music was heard as two pretty ladies ran unhurriedly to the field dressed in a different dancing costume that was not as elegant as the first woman’s.

The 6 men commenced playing the drums while making different nature sounds. Then the lady in the middle of the two men raised her hands towards the skies and knelt, before singing in a language only werewolves would understand. The two men pressed their palms together and hummed occasionally while taking a few steps forward. Then they’d return to the original spot.