Episode 7

...Brandon Scott...

"Amara, venturing out dressed like that can be risky."

Brandon grumbled, tracing his fingers down Amara's exposed back. As he caressed her smooth skin, he tightened his grip on her arm, pulling her closer to his chest. Inhaling her hair's citrus scent, he was pleased to feel her breath against him. His keen hearing allowed him to catch the rapid beating of Amara's heart, sending a jolt of electricity through him, leaving him oddly aroused.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Amara gasped, catching Brandon's faint smile as he noticed her flushed cheeks. Feeling this, she pulled away from his grasp, and anger pulsed through her.

"What am I doing? Just sharing some advice. Next time, dress more modestly; you wouldn't want to attract wolves hungering for pleasure, nor could you fend off an attack should one decide to pounce."

"Thanks for the advice; I'll keep it in mind next time."

As Amara stepped back from Brandon, a sudden ache clutched her chest, sending shivers down her spine. Her vision blurred, the world spun around her, and as her body began to collapse, she felt strong arms wrapping around her waist. Her eyelids grew heavy, giving way to endless darkness.

"Amara?"

Brandon called out as she slumped in his arms. A surge of concern struck his heart unexpectedly. He gently placed her in his car, treating her as if she were a precious treasure, and drove her to the nearest hospital. After handling the admission paperwork, he stayed in her room, vigilantly watching over her sleep. Amara's pale form in the hospital bed brought an anguish to his chest he'd never imagined feeling.

"Alpha Brandon, thank you for calling me about my daughter, and for taking care of her."

"Worry not, Gama Lian; I'd do it for any pack member."

The doctor has seen her. It seems a drop in blood pressure. Once her IV finishes, you can take her home.

"All right, thank you, Alpha!"

...Amara Follen...

As I came to, the unmistakable scent of hospital hit me. My eyes struggled against the brightness, and then I heard a familiar voice brimming with concern.

"Daughter, you're awake at last. How do you feel?"

"Dad? Why am I in a hospital?"

I pushed my mind to recall recent events, and the image of Alpha Brandon in that corridor sent shivers down my spine, igniting a blush of embarrassment on my cheeks.

"You fainted, and Brandon brought you here. Be polite to him next time you see him, and thank him for bringing you safely."

"I will when I can."

I replied reluctantly, as what I wanted most was to stay as far away from him as possible.

"I will call the nurse to remove your IV, after that we can go home."

...Royal Academy...

"Amara? Where have you been? I called several times, left multiple messages, do you have any idea how worried Kyra and I were, especially after you didn't show up for class this morning?"

"Sorry, I didn't feel well this morning and decided to come only for the afternoon classes."

I lied because I didn't want to tell them about the previous night's incidents, but I saw Kyra narrow her eyes as if she sensed a lie.

"Well, I'm glad you're feeling better now!"

Kyra exclaimed.

"Not to spoil the fun, but we should head to Alpha Brandon's training. We can't risk being late; I don't want to be the next one doing push-ups. (Laughs)"

"Why is Lina in our training class? I thought it was only for veterans. Kyra frowned in distaste."

"I don't know what she's after, but she's got to be up to something." Amara said, concern in her voice.

"Now that we're all assembled, let's divide into three teams: red, orange, and blue. Put your hand in the box and draw a ball; the color will determine your team. Please take your turn."

"Let's hope we're on the same team; just the thought of being with Lina gives me the shivers."

"Then you'd better cross your fingers and hope you don't pick the red ball, Mia, because that's what Lina just got."

I had a bad feeling about this. Mia and Kyra would draw next, then it was my turn. Relief washed over me when they both got blue balls, but it was short-lived as I drew a red one.

"Everyone, please join your team. Each will receive a compass and a map to the location of your team's colored flag. The first team to retrieve their flag wins. No transforming or magic is allowed; breaking rules means disqualification. Ready, set, go!"

"..."

"Lina, how much further to our flag?" Vick asked.

"According to the map, we're close."

Amara, since you're the dead weight here, you should fill our water bottles. We passed a spring a few minutes back.

"But that's far and could delay us."

"Don't worry, we'll press ahead. Meet us at the spring with the water once you've taken the flag."

"I don't know, this doesn't seem right..."

"Do you dare defy your Alpha?"

"No, it's just that... alright, I'll go."

I knew Lina would never make my life easy, but to stoop so low when on the same team? Yet hours have passed since we split up; I was left to return alone, hoping to remember the way back. I need to reach the academy before daylight fades.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***