Chapter 42

  Who Makes The Cut

  Thoran:

  I had been wrestling with the idea of trying out for the Gamma position ever since Jack mentioned it. I told my new dad what I was planning. He didn't try to talk me out of it. He just asked how I knew I was qualified for the position. I opened up to him honestly. I was a 5 Star General in the human military. One of the youngest ever. I excelled because of my abilities. Being a Time Master has its perks. I don't have the out of body type of experience that Maurice has, instead, everything around me slows down so I can evaluate the battlefield. I'm able to pick up and move people where I want them. I can freeze them or slow them down on the enemy's side and speed up our side at the same time,making sure we don't lose any people. The men that were under my command knew I was special but never questioned me. They thought I was a military experiment. I had a couple of supernaturals under me but they never knew I was a master.

  Dad was dumbfounded by my answer but agreed with my experience and abilities I would be the best for the job. He told me that being a Gamma was dangerous and the only reason he was against it was because he was scared he would lose a son, but now he knew more about my abilities he said that he knew I would make sure not only our allies but also myself stayed safe. I thanked him and told him thank you for loving and caring about me and we hugged.

  As I stand waiting for my turn on the first obstacle course I run though the course in my mind to figure out the best route and make sure I hit every obstacle. There are several paths one can take. I know we all are being timed. I need to make sure I'm the fastest without using my powers. Judging by the paths others are taking it shouldn't be a problem for me. I'm used to this type of training.

  The whistle blows and it's finally my turn.

  I take the rope wall first, then crawl under the razor wire, swing over the mud hole and jump and swing rope to rope, then I run jumping over all the huddles jumping 2 at a time. The holes in the walls are easy. You just have to fit your body to match the frame of the holes, some you have to roll through or squeeze through with your hands above your head. I made up my mind that if I do win Gamma position I will be using this obstacle course for training not only the adult males but also females and children. Everyone should be able to defend themselves if they need to. Next the Camouflage course. We have to hide our scent and ourselves, we can only use what is around us. Mud, leaves, trees, sticks, stumps and moss. This has to be done in both forms. The whistle blows and we all take off to find what we think is the best spot. We only have 5 minutes before someone comes looking for us. I found a spot I think is perfect. It's by a small pond. I see reeds that I can hollow out to make a straw to breathe. It's a perfect place for hiding or an ambush. A horn blows indicating the test is over. I link Jackson and ask him what the hell, I haven't been found and I refused to tell him where I was. He lets out a loud roar to get everyone's attention and tells everyone he just got a link saying not everyone has been found and he is going to find the contestant. After an hour of searching he yells telling everyone to give up their search and tells me to come out. I snuck out of the pond right in front of the crowd and Dianna declared me the winner of this round. Next was the run around the pack border. 1 square mile around 640 acres of land 6 times, alternating between human and shifted forms. That is a breeze for me. I haven't paid attention to any of the other participants, that is only a distraction for me. I can't afford distractions at this point. The whistle blows and everyone takes off in a full blow run, like zombies were chasing them. They apparently never heard of pacing yourself. The rate they are going they are not only going to tire out their human side but also their counterparts. I can't wait until I can shift. I don't like to shift in front of people but this is a worthy cause.

  I hope no one will run away from me when they see my other half, but if they do, there will be less competition. Only Ashura, Nome, Tanchi and my new parents have seen me shift. I didn't lie on my written exam so I'm sure the rest of the family knows what I am after reading my test if they did read it. Maybe they just read my name and since I'm now family they just threw it in the acceptance pile. Yes I am Lycan- Warlock or what is commonly called a Lockcan but I'm also something else and soon everyone will know.

  I pass several people on the track. They were wheezing and coughing, some even emptying the contents of their stomach. There are water stations set up along the makeshift track. I won't need to hydrate at all. That is why you pace yourself. I don't keep up with who is in front or behind me. I'm only interested in myself.

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  I reach the finish line, rules state that we can not shift until both feet cross the line. As soon as both feet cross over. I shift. I grow into a 8 foot tall Lycan frame, long light brown hair forming quickly on my arms and legs, my face changes into a cross between wolf, human and Vampire. Yes I am part Vampire. I hear loud gasps as I shift. My speed is unnaturally fast thanks to my hybrid counterparts. As I cross over the line again I shift back into my human form, jumping into a pair of shorts without stopping. I keep the same game plan I had going in this race. I finished the 6 laps. After I cross the finish line with both feet I put on my shorts and walk over to the water supply and pour water all over me and drink 4 bottles of water and 2 bottles of mixed with a hydration powder mix. I sit down on a bench and wait. There are others waiting as well. I don't know if I finished first or not. The results won't be announced until everyone either finishes or forfeits. It took about another hour before the announcement was made. I was announced the 1st place winner. A guy named Hynes came in 2nd and Wayne came in 3rd.

  We have enough time to get washed up and have lunch before the final two tests. The battle of wits last is the strength. I'm not truly a fan of puzzles and riddles like most vampires and dragons are but I don't mind them. Right now I just want a hot shower and food.

  The shower was just what I needed to relax my muscles and the lunch was filling and definitely refreshed our energy. We had roast beef with a fruit salad.

  Now it's time to go to the public gym for the Battle of Wits.

  There are individual tables set up just like when we had the written test. A long table is on the left side of the room with wooden boxes sitting on it. Each box has decorative engravings carved into them. They are beautiful and all different colors and sizes. Nome stands in front of the room and asks us to find our assigned sets. We all sit. She explains the rules of this game. We will be called up one at a time to collect our box. A list of riddles will be given to us once we collect our box. We must solve each riddle to open our box. Each list is just as unique as our box. Nome calls my name. I found my box. I realize my box isn't wood, it's made of what looks like solid Red Garnet. Apparently that used birth gems to make the boxes. We each get 30 seconds to examine our box. I know we need to memorize the carvings, size, patterns and the different colors when it's held up to the light. This test isn't just about problem solving, it's about memory. Hynes was the first to open his box followed by Wayne, then myself. I don't feel disappointed about coming in 3rd. In fact I'm happy about it. I thought I would come in last. After opening our boxes we are allowed to go outside and relax until everyone finishes or gives up. I talk to Wayne and Hynes. I find out that Hynes is a Warlock Vampire hybrid, he is just an Omega but he is smart and has a human military background as well. I informed him that in this pack we didn't believe in lower ranks. Everyone is equal. He said that's why he had chosen to leave his pack and move here with his mate. She is from here and when he met Jackson and saw how everyone was treated. That was what made him decide to stay and join the PHC. His mate is the head chef at the pack house. He told us that although the Alpha and his family don't stay at the pack house several people do and his mate is treated like royalty because of her exceptional skills. He told us about how Omegas are treated in his old pack and hybrids are looked down upon. He didn't want that life for his mate and when he saw how everyone was treated,not just her but everyone, even the people who cleans the toilets are treated with respect. He knew he couldn't leave. 3 hours passed by quickly with us talking and laughing. We were called back in. We were informed that it was only us 3 remaining. The strength test is the finale. Played Rock,Paper, Scissors to see who went first. Wayne, Myself and Haynes. We were to do dead weights and bench presses in human form. We couldn't draw power from our counterparts at all. We each had spotters. Wayne had Dad, Haynes had Jackson and I had Dorian. Haynes and I tied with each other in both dead lift and bench press, Wayne, that poor man threw his back out and had to go to the infirmary. Sophie-Ann made Wayne forfeit the contest even though he was released to continue. That left Hynes and I with a tie. We had a Q&A which was to be graded not by the adults but the children. I didn't know whether to be impressed or crawl in a hole. The questions started off fun. The questions were what would we do if we were suddenly frozen in place, what would we do if we suddenly fell into a hole, what would we do if we were suddenly hit by a water gun in the face. Then the more serious questions.

  Do we have a problem with children being present in important meetings? Do we have any issues with listening to children's theories and opinions? Do we have plans on having children of our own? Do we plan to train women and children to fight?

  The kids made the announcement that Hynes and I were both Beta and Gamma. We are to share the responsibilities equally. I like this idea the kids came up with. I wonder what punishments they came up with for the cheaters. If it was anything like the questions they asked us, those poor souls will think twice about lying and cheating again if they didn't die of embarrassment from kids' punishments.