Chapter 6 Into The New Pack

• Adriana Pov
• "So… Do you mind telling me why so many officers were after you?" Lane asked and I swallowed nervously. I couldn't possibly tell him about Tristan.
• "Well.. I—"
• "—Nevermind!" Lane interrupted and flung open the curtains. In our view was a well structured building which looked like an inn. It was beautiful. I began to notice that the further we went, the more engulfed we were by the freshness of the town.
• Men and women went about doing their activities by the roadside.
• "Freshly baked bread!"
• "Buy your beautiful jewelries here!"
• "This is the heart of the seven packs. New Moove town."
• I was in awe by how homely New moove felt. I could already tell that I would like it here.
• We were greeted by two men wearing a golden badge.
• "Alpha Lane Lockwood,"
• Lane gestured to the man riding the carriage to stop, so did his men around us.
• "Our Alpha asked us to give you a warm welcome to New Moove,"
• "Is that so?" He said proudly.
• "Yes sir. As soon as we were informed of your arrival we booked the best rooms for you and your men."
• "Is that so?"
• I rolled my eyes at Lane's attempt to be cool and hopped out of the carriage. "Thank you for helping me get here Alpha Lane Lockwood but we part ways here." Without another word, I walked away feeling free for the first time in a long time.
• I went to an inn to get myself something to eat and it was only then I realized that I was stranded and no matter how cool of a place New Moove was, I could do nothing because I had no money.
• I was walking around miserably in the streets thinking of reasons to be grateful and I found several. I had my baby and I had my freedom.
• It was as though a lightbulb switch because right at that moment I saw an information calendar pasted on the wall.
• At the sight of ten thousand worth of gold, I was hooked.
• Play a game involving courage and wits in New Moove great hall and win ten thousand worth of gold.
• There was no need to think twice on it, this was the information I needed!
• "Excuse me ma'am," I deliberately and not so politely bumped into an elderly woman. "Do you know where New Moove great hall is?"
• "Of course, it's right down the street."
• "Thanks!"
• I happily hopped around like a happy soul until I arrived at a creme-coloured building packed with people. I guessed it must be the great hall. I inched closer to the front, to hear what the guard was saying.
• "Everyone, you must register to be able to participate in the competition. Hundred coins per person!"
• My jaw dropped. I did not have a single coin, much less a hundred.
• But my sadness did not sit in for too long, I skipped over to the guard in front and pulled him aside. "Sir, I want to join the competition but I have no money. Please let me in? Once I win the competition, I promise you 500 worth of gold, hmm?"
• "Nonsense. You look like a weak fragile lady, how could I let you in?" The guard was about to walk away but I grabbed him by the shoulder. There was no way I was letting go of such an opportunity.
• The guard gave me an enraged glare so I let go of him swiftly and lifted the sleeve of my left arm showing a red mark. The color of my wolf.
• It was history, but it was also a widely accepted rumor that wolves that were red in color were stronger and fiercer than other wolves.
• The guard's eyes seem to widen in shock upon seeing the mark. But then he nodded and led me to the registration unit. After registering, I was allowed into New Moove great hall.
• I couldn't help but smile as I hopped in. That was way easier than I expected.
• My excitement turned into that of awe when I was consumed by the smell of well-cooked foods in the center of the room. Yes, there were crowds scattered over the room and the decorations glittering around was above perfection but I only had a target.
• "Hmmm," I moaned in excitement as I ripped from the flesh of the chicken on the plate. It smelt so good but it tasted even better. This was definitely something my baby needed.
• I carried on eating until I belched. And that was when I sensed it. I looked around only to see that literally everyone in the hall was staring at me. I chuckled nervously, and froze when I caught the eye of someone familiar standing on the highest floor in the room.
• It was Lane Lockwood. He wiggled his eyebrow at me naughtily causing me to purse my lip at him.
• I had to admit, this was embarrassing. If I knew Lane was going to be here I would have followed him. But it didn't matter now, I was here anyway.
• "Lady," A man I did not know cascaded down the stairs gracefully. He had a pair of youthful blue eyes and long black hair which danced along his back eventfully. His cheeks turned a pink shade once he noticed the amount of eyes staring in his direction.
• He walked towards me and cleared his throat, "You eat very well miss,"
• I laughed nervously, not knowing what to say.
• "The guard outside alerted me that we had a high-strung warrior in our midst, I didn't expect it to be a woman." I was taken aback by the thick yet soothing words of the tall man that was now heading towards me. He was attractive. Chocolate brown eyes and short black hair. But what attracted me to him was mostly his height and voice.
• "Hello, there, miss." He said kindly once he got my attention, "My name is Abel Anderson, Alpha of Frozen moon." I extended my hand for him to kiss and he grabbed him and just stared at me.
• The man from earlier cleared his throat causing Abel to release my hand. "And, my name is Carmen Moove—"
• I gasped excitedly, "You're the Alpha of New Moove?"
• Carmen nodded shyly.
• "My name is Adriana, gentlemen,"
• Lane was walking towards me with a snobbish smile, his fan wide open as he fanned his neck slightly. "We meet again, lady warrior. I didn't know you were so good at diving into roasted chickens, very impressive."
• I gave Lane a dirty look, "Don't even start."
• "Well, well, well, when's the competition going to start? Most of us here are for the competition, not some unnecessary chitchat like you fellas are doing here." A man stepped forward in pure annoyance.
• "Yeah, that's right." Someone replied and I heard a couple more grumbles in agreement with the man.
• "Fine, fine." Carmen turned to them. "Everyone listen carefully. The competition hosted by I, the Alpha of New Moove is quite simple. And the aim of this competition is to recruit some talented individuals to work for the sake of our pack."
• "The competition is divided into three sections. The first one is to determine the dexterity of might and abilities of contestants which is, Fight. Any weapons are allowed as long as they are endorsed by the hall's requirements."
• "The second section is to read poems. New Moove promotes grace and well-spokenness in everything we do. That means you must not be too brutish either."
• "What is the big deal about reading poems?" A man in the crowd scoffed.
• "If anyone fails in any of the categories, they will be ultimately removed from passing."
• Carmen ignored the murmurings of the other men and said, "As for the third category, you'll be required to eat a sumptuous meal within a time duration."
• Everyone cheered while Carmen turned to me and asked, "Would you be able to make it to the third category?"
• I smiled, letting the crinkle in my eyes show. "Yes."
• They all chuckled.