" Welcome to the death game , pup , " Jordan sneered , towering over me with a sick grin . " Hope you've said your prayers " I met his eyes and smiled coldly , " I'll still stick to the rules and let you live , boy . " His face twisted in insult . The fight started in a blur of movement . Jordan lunged , his fist aiming straight for my head . " The tiny one dies today ! " someone laughed in the crowd . I didn't spare them a glance . I ducked his punch , my agility saving me , and countered with swift jabs ribs , knee , ribs again quick , surgical strikes . Smirks dropped when Jordan staggered , dropping to his knees and clutching his side . A deadly hush fell . Without hesitation , I kicked him hard in the head , sending him sprawling into the dirt . A furious growl tore from his throat as he glared up at me , disbelief etched across his face . " You little fucker , " he spat , groaning as he dragged himself up . " Some skills for a newbie , huh ? I'm going to crush you ! " There it was . I remembered I couldn't afford to seem too skilled . This time , as Jordan's fist swung , I let it connect with my shoulder . The force made me stagger , and I grunted in pain . The crowd gasped , some smirking at what they thought was my weakness . Jordan laughed darkly , advancing with renewed arrogance . " Is that it , tiny bastard ? " " You don't deserve everything I've got , " I replied flatly , meeting his gaze without flinching- That hurmiliated him .. His eyes bled red , fury overtaking reason , and as he lunged , I sidestepped , grabbed his arm , and flipped him clean over my shoulder . He hit the ground with a heavy thud , the air rushing from his lungs . Alphas watching from the sidelines were stunned silent . Jordan groaned , struggling to rise , but I planted my boot firmly on his chest , pinning him down . " Yield , " I commanded , " You motherfucker ," he snarled , his body trembling . " You think you can defeat me ?! " His muscles bulged and bones cracked as he began to shift . My stomach dropped . Shit . I tensed , preparing to defend myself , when a dark blur moved between us fast , lethal Ronan . His broad back faced me , muscles shifting under his shirt as he grabbed Jordan's half - shifted wolf by the scruff and slammed him into the ground with a sickening crack . Not satisfied , Ronan hauled him up again and hurled him against a nearby tree so hard the trunk - split . Jordan didn't move . Casps rippled through the crowd . I stood frozen , pulse pounding . " No shifting allowed . " Ronan growled , voice like a storm rolling over the training grounds . I forced myself to breathe , while watching Ronan handled Jordan like a broken doll- and all without shifting himself . 114 PM P P Alpha Instructor Gideon's voice rang out , sharp and final . " Alpha Jordan is expelled from the academy for breaking the rules " The world seemed to stop . My stomach twisted . Just like that ? One mistake and he's gone ! I lifted my gaze , and Ronan was already moving toward me a predator closing in . - I met his eyes and scowled . " Who said you could interrupt my fight ? He was mine to finish ." " Yours ? " he echoed , tilting his head . His expression darkened , the sharp glint in his gaze dangerous . " Didn't know it was that . casy . " What ? " I frowned , confused by his reaction . Before I could demand more . Alpha Gideon spoke again , announcing the next trial in the background . " The Hunter's Trial : You will be both hunter and prey . The last ones to reach the finish line will be eliminated , " he paused , then added . " And whoever stands before you when the horn sounds is your prey . " The horn sounded the next second . My mind blanked . Wait , what ? slowly lifted my gaze to see who was standing in front of me . Ronan His lips curved into a slow , predatory grin . He leaned in , voice a low promise against my ear . " Don't let me catch you , Seth Darven . Send Gifts