Alpha Kael

~Jada

Cruel.

Cruel was the first word that came to mind once those words left his mouth. Initially, there was no way I was about to believe him. As far as I was aware, we aren’t even halfway through competition, so with him saying that, I assumed immediately this is some kind of test to gauge my reaction.

As serious as Kael is, I wouldn’t put it past him to use this as a test against us all. Swallowing uncomfortably, I lean back in my chair, refusing to look affected by this. I can’t believe him, and I won’t believe him.

When I don’t react, a small smile comes across Kael’s features, and I’m sure in that moment that I’ve cracked him. He can’t convince me of something to ridiculous.

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I look at him as if he’s crazy. He is foolish for thinking he could trick me, considering how many are left in the competition. There is no way each and every one of us will be offered a position as a Silent. And after what has happened recently, I see no reason why Kael would want me out of all of the other competitors.

“The competition isn’t over,” I say flatly, letting him know I’m not say easily fooled. Perhaps this is a test to see how gullible we may be. I clearly aced it. “I’m assuming this is just another test of yours.”

Kael slowly shakes his head, still amused by my reaction. “I’m not lying to you. I’ve decided you’ve won.”

I blink. “Not possible.”

Kael motions for me to pull the strange contraption off my head that has me attached to the lie detector, and I do so, glad to have the weight off my shoulders. He then stands, and I follow suit, knowing I have no other choice. Hopefully all the questioning is over and he has accepted I passed his test.

As we walk to the door, Kael holds it open for me. “I’m the Alpha, you know. I can decide who wins whenever I please.”

Instead of leading me back down the hallway where I came from, he lead me the other way. He doesn’t say anymore, letting whatever he is about to show me speak for itself. Doubt about whether this is real or not seeps into my mind.

I can’t have won… Right?

The building leads off into another seperate area, hidden behind a door Kael has to unlock before entering. It feels dark and forbidden following the Alpha into a restricted area, however, he isn’t stopping me, and clearly whatever is beyond is going to prove whether this is a test, or if Kael is telling the truth.

We are in another gymnasium like area like the main one we have been using throughout the competition, accept this one is much smaller and intimate and the equipment in here is more advanced than I’ve ever seen.

A few people are scattered around the room that I don’t recognize immediately. That is, until I meet the striking gaze of Blue, one of the Silent’s.

I shiver.

Each of these Silent’s I’ve only seen briefly. Most of them work with other groups within the competition. They all look awfully casual, as if they haven’t reported to work this morning with the rest of the competitors. They all stare at me, scrutinizing me beyond belief. I wish I could just turn around and walk out of here.

“Jada here doesn’t believe she won the competition,” Kael announces to the group, smiling as if it’s the funniest idea in the world that I can’t possibly believe him.

Blue looks at me. “Welcome to the family.”

“I didn’t expect this test to go this far, but this is ridiculous. I know this isn’t real,” I tell them firmly, folding my arms over my chest. Even as I say these words, doubt has crept in. I can’t imagine how I would get selected to be a Silent when Kael hardly knows me. He hardly knows how capable I am; especially physically. For all he knows, I’m only good at following people into dark forests in the depths of night.

A Silent from one end of the room chuckles. He has dark eyes of melted brown and hair to match. The way he looks at me is unnerving, secrets about their life as a Silent trapped within their gaze.

My attention is brought back to Kael as he speaks. “There are no rules to this competition that I, as the Alpha am obliged to adhere to. I can select the winner whenever I please.”

So this isn’t a test.

“Then why me?” I question, looking around the room for answers from anyone. Only Blue and Kael could possibly answer, since these other Silent’s were mentoring other sects. Nothing right now seems to be making any sense to me. I assumed the lie detector test alone would have me eliminated.

Kael takes a seat on a small couch pressed against the wall at the other side of the room while I remain pressed against the door. “I had a feeling.”

By the way some of the Silent’s roll their eyes and look away, they are as bothered by that answer as I am. I have so many questions I’m not sure where to start. None of this makes sense. It should have been between four people who made it to the end. Not one person getting selected half way through.

“A feeling, that’s it?” I question in disbelief. “You hardly know me at all.”

Kael shakes his head at me. “It is besides the point to argue with me. I have chosen and that is all that matters. At this point in time, I need more Silent’s to be trained and ready. And I had a feeling you would fit in best here once you’ve been trained.”

I’m dumbfounded, trying to wrap my mind around this. There is no way I went from thinking I was about to be eliminated to winning the competition.

And it was only a few nights ago that I broke into his own home… That Sinful, the Immortal covered for me. Had he known about that, there is no way he would invite me to be a Silent. Although this doesn’t feel like an invitation, but more of an obligation. I suppose I did sign the contract in the beginning.

“So what happens now?” I question. “Do I get to see anyone I know after this? Do I get freedom again…”

It’s not like I have anyone to go to, however, I haven’t been out of the compound since I snuck out following Kael. The city could have changed dramatically and I wouldn’t know. And my dreams to travel haven’t disappeared since entering this competition.

Some of the Silent’s laugh, not even trying to hide it.

Kael, however, looks grim. “As you might have read in your contract, your known life from the outside has now been erased, and you now will not be known by Jada to anyone. Any remaining family will be sent notice that you were in a fatal accident at work and you will be forbidden to contact them again.”

My mouth almost fell open at that. I didn’t know that was apart of it, however, I should have seen it coming. It’s not as if I have any family remaining that hasn’t already been targeted, yet it still bothers me.

“So I can’t do anything else aside from this?” I ask, looking around at the other Silent’s for additional information. They are no help.

“If you were to become injured or if I were to not deem you fit to be a Silent anymore, you would be located to another Pack with another identity where you would live under strict contract to never speak another word about your prior life as a Silent,” Kael explains to me.

Sighing deeply, I try not to freak out. This is it. My life now is as a Silent serving Kael. It may have been what I’ve competed for, however, now that I have it, I’m afraid of what it might entail beyond this.

And who else won…

I put my concerns into speech, waiting to see if Kael picked someone ridiculous like Jake. If he did, then I would be beyond suspicious. Did Sinful keep his promise not to tell Kael, or is this apart of an entire plot of revenge?

“You’ll be surprised to know I also selected the male winner from your group,” Kael tells me, to which I can’t decide whether or not I should be worried about that. What if it’s Parker? “And I should go now to alert him. He will be less doubtful when he sees you.”

When Kael stands, a sudden amount of fright seizes me at the idea of being alone in this room with a group of Silent’s. Especially Blue…

“Watch her,” Kael demands to his Silent’s before he disappeared.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

And just as the door closed, it was Blue who was first to stand up. “Don’t worry. I’ll deal with her.”