Chapitre 7

Delta Ivan marched back and forth on stage.

"Here you will get the chance to become real warriors and serve your pack. You will protect your families and your country. You will carry the honor of Silverblood into the world and through you no one will dare to harm us!"

Loud cheers went through the ranks, but I stayed motionless at the back. Carrying the honor out into the world, what was that supposed to mean? I glanced at General Astor, the corners of his mouth turned down as so often. What did a smile look like on him?

A giggle caught in my throat at the thought of a smile on his lips. He turned his head to me and immediately I put my hands over my mouth.

"Are you all right, soldier?" he asked in his intimidating way, but instead of fear, I felt something else that I couldn't place.

"Everything OK. I didn't mean to be disrespectful," I managed between my hands. General Astor just nodded before returning his attention to Delta Ivan. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my heart, which for some reason wouldn't slow down.

What was wrong with me?

"Remember, Hell Week is for testing your skills. Our enemies will do anything to defeat us, but if we are an invincible unit, they can't touch us. You're going to go through tough training and then we'll sort you out so everyone can shine at their strengths," said Delta Ivan.

I eyed the warriors in the squares. Compared to them I would have nothing but weakness to show. They had more muscle mass, strength and endurance than me. Let's see if Delta Ivan could keep his word.

"And now go! From tomorrow you will need all your strength!"

The spirit of optimism settled over the soldiers and the first pushed through the tent exit. A muffled rumble went through the running masses. I glanced behind me, but General Astor was already gone.

"Dan, there you are!"

Luke pulled me into the crowd while Ulf walked calmly beside him.

"Man, the general seems to really hate you. What did he want from you?" Luke asked and I just shrugged.

"II have to tell you something."

We escaped the stuffy tent and I breathed in the fresh night air.

"What's happening? Spit out!" said Luke. I was glad that snippets of conversation were being exchanged around us. It was time I gave them the lie they didn't deserve.

"I don't have a wolf," I said, lowering my head to avoid looking into her eyes.

"What, really?" Luke asked and I felt his hand burn into my shoulder again. "Cheer up Dan. Here you can prove it to everyone. We'll get you through it."

I smiled in relief when I heard his words.

"I've never met a wolfless person," Ulf admitted and stroked his graying beard. "How's your nose? Can you still smell everything? And can you heal yourself?"

My wolf paced back and forth with the questions and she would have liked to show him.

"I uh yeah. I just can't transform. My nose and healing powers are still good, just my strength and stamina aren't."

"Interesting," Ulf murmured as we stepped through the tent entrance. The smells from the soldiers were scattered everywhere and their voices boomed through. I received a few looks, but I did my best to ignore them.

Now everyone knew, I could feel it.

"Hey, I know you're all huge fans of Dan, but stop staring at him! That's rude," Luke called, and the tension eased a little. The wolves went back to their own conversations or cots.

"Thank you," I murmured as we got to our own beds, beds being the wrong word. I put my things back in the bag before anyone could see them and slid them under the bunk. Then lay on top. The fabric was hard, not much better than stone.

"Damn," Luke grumbled and I glanced over at him. I laughed as I watched him look for a comfortable position with his size. At least I had a bit of room to the sides. After his back was turned, it was Luke hush.

I raised my eyes to Ulf on the other side. He had his hands clasped behind his head and was staring at the tent ceiling. He was probably thinking of his mate and his daughter, Alice.

I looked around. Most here were young, but all were physically fit. Many were already lying on their bunks and here and there someone whispered something. The more minutes passed, the quieter it became. The breathing of some wolves was already deeply relaxed.

I laid my head back on the bunk and exhaled. Luke started snoring like he was chopping down a tree. I tried to keep my thoughts here so they wouldn't paint the horrible pictures that would await me tomorrow.

I should go to sleep.

A yawn escaped my lips.

Today was a long day.

I should...

...

"Is that all you've got?! Ten again! ONE!"

I did a push-up, my arms shaking as my nose touched the dusty floor. Water dripped into the dust beneath me, running into weird shapes.

"TWO!"

I took a deep breath and secretly looked up. General Astor was at the other end of the chain. As if he felt my gaze, his head jerked towards me. A pang pierced my stomach.

Oh no, oh no, oh no!

I lowered my head and stared at the floor below me. The water seemed to laugh at me. Why did my hands only have four fingers?"

"Eschwald! You get the last eight, the others can watch!"

My wolf wanted to let out a growl, but I held her back with all my self-control. The scratching in my heart was much more painful. Why did Astor do that?

"THREE! Count everyone!"

My nose touched the ground and I looked to the side. Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared at me as if to watch me fail.

"FOUR!"

I cast a pleading look at General Astor, but his features were blurred.

"What is it, are they too easy for you. I can help you with that," he said. His boots stepped out of my sight and I felt him next to me.

"FIVE!"

Just as I neared the ground, I felt pressure on my back. My arms caved in and my cheek landed in the dust. I turned helplessly under Astor's power, but I had no chance.

I tried to look at him but could only see the shadowy eyes.

"Why?" I asked, feeling the waterfalls running down my cheeks. Why was he doing this to me? Astor leaned his shadowy face down towards me, but said nothing.

"Why?" I asked again. "I thought we were gef-"

"Dan, wake up! Come on, it's five o'clock!"

Something shook me and I opened my eyes. My heart was racing in my chest as the fog of sleep slowly turned back into reality.

A dream.

I was only dreaming.

"Get up, we're the last ones!" Luke shouted, pulling me off the bunk by my uniform. I stumbled after him. My heart didn't have time to settle as we ran out into the dark night. The air was still icy and not a single star ventured into the black sky.

"No more beauty sleep, now we're going to work! You're the last ones, go go go!" a voice suddenly yelled from the side, sending a shock through my body. I was almost relieved that it was only Delta Ivan.

In the distance I could hear the running footsteps of the soldiers, like distant drums. Once around the whole lake.

"Come on, we have to catch up!" Luke shouted and set a high pace. I didn't know what to do with my thoughts, which were racing in my head. My body was definitely five o'clock too early, it was still half in a trance.

The cold that lashed at us didn't make it any better. The drumming grew louder and soon we dove into the forest. The footprints of our predecessors were clearly visible, fresh.

A prick formed in my ribs, but I didn't slow down. Luke could have been at the top but he was kind enough to save me from the nightmare. The first ridges appeared in the distance, as did the lapping of the lake.

We couldn't be last for that.