Trials Under The Moon

5 Years Later

The sun wasn't up yet, but Zoe and I had been awake for 10 minutes already, stretching and warming up. Every day since my arrival I would sneak out before sunrise and jog laps around the barn. Followed by 2 sets of 50 sit-ups, 50 squats and 50 push ups. It was a routine I had been assigned since I was 10. Just not quite so early in the morning.

But here, at Black Moon, I wasn't looking for any extra reasons to be whipped, deprived of food or yelled at by the Shrew, or anyone else.

At week 3, I was able to convince Zoe to join me. If I ever managed to escape, I was taking her with me. But she needed to be in better shape...and overall health.

I hadn't given up on running away, but I made the decision to be patient. Learn the enemy before attempting anything.

Its not like anyone was waiting for me. I still had no idea where Avery could be, or if she was even alive.

The pack lands are heavily patrolled. Black Moon's reputation for merciless killing, and torture wasn't just petty gossip either. Tier 3 omegas like us were kicked, punched and whipped, if a higher ranking wolf felt in need of entertainment. Being cautious was an understatement.

I built trust, and allies with any wolf who would pay me any positive attention. Even a Tier 1 or 2 omega could be useful to me later.

Most of those relationships were forced, and irritating to maintain.

But Zoe and I, we became real friends. She reminded me of Avery in a lot of ways. And that kept Avery alive in my heart and memory.

The two of us were always together, wether working, bathing, sleeping or eating. If you happened to see the two of us, odds were, Brandon and Ava weren't far away. The four of us bonded over our losses and the general distain for Black Moon. Brandon was the flirty clown; always kept us laughing. Ava was the quiet one; always ready to listen. I was the bossy protector; pushing the other three to fight more for food, to keep up their strength, and coming to their defense when they were threatened. Zoe completed our little group; she was the peace keeper with a silver tongue. She could resolve any issue and sweet talk her way through hell.

Since forming our little family, the other three became more alive. No longer skin and bone, color returned to their flesh and even their hair seemed shinier. It made me happy.

And I became stronger thanks to them. The constant drive to keep them safe, and the hope of a future for us away from Black Moon kept me motivated. Brandon was mostly successful at keeping a smile on my face when times got really rough.

The pain of losing my family and pack would have eaten away at my mind and soul, otherwise. Before them, I had nothing and no one left to stay alive for. To fight for. They reminded me everyday of the land that was mine, and that I did survive for a reason.

No matter how hard we tried though, Brandon and Ava refused to train with us. I couldn’t blame them entirely, it was risky, but I always tried to change their minds. To no avail.

-

After checking the yard around the barn, Zoe and I jogged 5 laps around the barn and then headed for the trees.

About a mile into the run, another set of running steps approached us from behind.

Zoe and I increased our speed ever so slightly. Teasing our pursuer.

Zoe was the first to greet Damien, "Good morning slacker, it's about time you showed up." The flirty lick in her voice was enough to make me roll my eyes and chuckle.

Damien had refused to tell me why he'd spared me that day in the woods. Why he brought me back to Black Moon. He refused to tell me anything about Avery. For that, I wouldn't fully trust him.

But so far, he's kept our training a secret, and even offered to help Zoe and I, ever since he caught us four years ago.

We thought for sure we'd be punished. T3O's weren't really allowed to train at all. Prevents them from fighting their way up the ranks.

Zoe and I didn't see or smell him that morning. He managed to spook us as we completed our fifth lap around the barn.

He flashed us a smirk and offered a better running route, through the woods, just far enough from patrols.

Since that day, he's run with us every morning before he conducts training on the pack field. Damien has even brought extra food to Zoe and I when he could sneak it. He was charged with monitoring the Omegas, training the warriors and nannying the Alpha's son. I was skeptical as to why he risked so much for us. At first, I thought it was because he was interested in Zoe. I thought that maybe they had some Romeo and Juliet situation going before I got here.

But the more he offered us aid, and training, and food, the more my stomach would twist with excitement to see him. It made me feel special. He made me feel special. Perhaps it was foolish, but I liked the idea of someone as handsome and strong as Damien, being interested in me. He was clearly different from the rest of his pack, and I wanted to trust him, but my heart and my brain were at odds.

I didn’t understand these feelings, and I never got to have the “boys” talks with my mother. I had to figure this out on my own. There was something different about the way he would look at me, and speak to me that brought heat to my cheeks, and butterflies to my belly.

I couldn’t tell anyone though, not even Zoe.

Any fool with eyes could see the pure adoration that Zoe had for Damien. It wouldn't do any good trying to convince her to let it go, so I just trusted that when she met her mate, she'd forget all about Damien. I’d hoped the same for me too actually, I couldn’t be with him..it just wouldn’t be possible.

Training was more important, now than ever, because my opportunity at freedom was near.

The annual Torneamentum Mortis,

The Tournament of Death, was only 3 days away. A savage and beastly tradition that packs like Blood Moon relish observing or participating in.

This pack, in particular, is made up almost entirely of sadists. Which makes this event, the highlight of the year. All pack members are required to attend, but participation is limited.

Torneamentum Mortis Rules/Requirements:

• Once entered, no one is allowed to withdraw from the tournament

• Personal bets placed by the Participants, will be honored, regardless of Victory/Death

• Mercy is Strictly Prohibited - only One Victor or Team is allowed per event

• Those participating in attempt to ascend rank must be victorious of every match to gain a higher title. Failure = Death

• Each Participant must be at least 18 years in age

That's what I have been waiting for. By some twisted humor, my birthday falls on the same day as this years tournament. Even omegas are required to be at least 18 years of age to be thrown into the pit. Omegas of Tier 1 and 2 are usually safe from forced admission, due to the fact that they serve higher ranked wolves. Many of them become favorites.

However, Tier 3 Omegas can be plucked and sacrificed into the tournament without our consent. Some events are designed that way.

One such event, pugna vivere, entails 5-10 omegas thrown into an arena with inadequate weapons, if any at all, along with 1-4 contenders.

Pretty much anything goes. All on either team must be dead for there to be any winners. Untrained, malnourished t3o's never win. How could they?

It was clearly set up strictly for entertainment and probably population control. No wonder all the t3o's were so young.

Each year I watched as they fought. No doubt, visualizing themselves as ancient gladiators: shredding skin, breaking bones and spilling blood in the name of Victory. Not in honor, nor in fame. But merely for amusement.

Savage.

Cruel.

Murderers.

But I too, must become those things if I were to be successful. My eyes stayed glued to every second of the c*****e, in order to learn. I had to learn. It was my only hope. Strength and skill were nothing if I could not outwit my opponent.

Oddly enough, it wasn't the higher ranked wolves I was worried about. To them it was a show, an all-to-easy way of flaunting themselves, they were cocky. The first few that I'd fight would underestimate me, therefore costing them their lives.

No, it was the other omegas I needed to be wary of. Zoe and I weren't the only ones fighting a little harder for scraps, or waking up earlier to train. A T3O's only chance of increasing their status is to survive the Tournament. You either leave with a higher rank, or you die.

I guess it beats committing suicide.

But these other omegas looked crazed, and feral. I've been here 5 years, there's no telling what 10+ years of this kind of life does to ones mind.

But it was either them, or me. And I choose me.

*Beep! Beep! Beep! Bee- * Damien's watch sang the tune that commenced the end of our run. My body was slick with sweat and my muscles were warmed up. We reached the little clearing in the woods right on time. Patrols have just passed through, and wouldn't return for another 2 hours. In that time, we cover combat training and muscle building.

The gleam in Zoe's eye disappears around this time. Even the handsome, brooding Damien can't revive it during training.

Because this hour reminds her of how lucky she was to be spared from last years tournament.

——

Zoe always volunteered to train first. Like always. Today they worked on speed. Zoe had a slower reaction time than normal, and that could be problematic in the future. After 30 mins was up, Damien had us trade out.

Damien and I began sparring with each other. Throwing punches and dodging. Thinking about the tournament was distracting me. I’d been too slow to react, and Damien landed a blow to my stomach. “Wake up, princess!” He taunted.

I hated the dainty and girly nickname he’d given me. One night, He walked in on Zoe and I talking about what we had wanted to be when we were little. She wanted to be a nurse, and I wanted to be a princess. The thing is, I was an Alpha’s daughter. I was as close to being a princess that any wolf could be. Use to be. Damien didn’t know who I really was, so he found my answer to be quite comical.

I managed to duck in time to evade Damien’s fist, and spin kicked him in his side. I went to grab his shoulders, but he took hold of my waist instead, throwing me to the ground. He straddled my body, and pinned down my arms. “Where’s your head Bella?” He asked in a breathy voice.

Goddess, it was times like this that I imagined crashing my lips onto his, and swimming off in his deep blue eyes. My chest was bouncing furiously trying to take in oxygen. Focus.

“Right. Here.” I said tightly, as I banged my forehead into his. His hands lifted off my arms, allowing me to free myself. My head was hurting too, but I ignored it and started to throw a combination of kicks and hits into Damien’s body.

I was doing pretty well, considering I’d just been pinned to the ground. But as I went to land another punch,Damien caught it, twisted my wrist behind my back, and kicked the back of my knee in.

He dropped my hand and started to walk away.

I stood up. “Again!” I demanded.

Damien turned and looked at me, “we’re done for today, you both did good.”

“It’s not good enough.” I panted. “We have some time still, we can go again!” I repeated.

“What’s your deal today, huh? You’ve both have made excellent progress. Undoubtedly the best of all the omegas.” Damien said.

With that, I was beginning to get angry. “I don’t want to be a strong omega,” I spoke from clenched teeth.

“But you ARE a strong omega,” he began, but I cut him off.

“I AM NOT AN OMEGA!” I screamed. Both Zoe and Damien were taken aback by my outburst.

After a deep breath, I said, “I’m going to enter the tournament this year.”

A look of concern flashed over Damien’s face, but was gone soon after. “You’ll get yourself killed.” He stated calmly.

I couldn’t help the small chuckle as I said, “I’d rather die fighting, than to live like this anymore. I don’t belong here. Zoe doesn’t belong here! I’ve looked at all my options, and this is it!”

Damien turned to Zoe, “And you?” He asked her. Zoe sighed, “I’m joining too.”

No one said anything for a long while, so I decided to break the silence. “What did you think we were training for Damien?” I wished that I could see beyond that blank mask he wore all the time. But he didn’t let anything show. He didn’t say anything.

“We can’t live this way anymore. I won’t risk being forced into the tournament. It’ll be MY choice. And we aren’t stupid enough to believe that Aiden won’t force Zoe to participate either.” I continued.

Damien finally responded, “Well it seems you two have made up your minds. You better head back before the Shrew realizes you’re gone.”

Then he just.. walked away.