Chapter 30: The Trials


    "Today is the day Cornell." The petite bird sitting on the shoulders of Can nuzzled its mane to the


    flesh of the man. Can looked at the open field which was starting to fill in with young enthusiasts who


    wished to prove their capability and serve the Alpha. The contenders this time were three times more


    than what used to be in the previous trials. He was aware of the fact that most of the men were eyeing


    the head warriors spot. The men presumed that levelling a human in the field would be a child''s y


    and they could easily surpass Can''s mettle.


    Everyone underestimated Can for he was human.


    Can looked at the ground which had a long rope circled above the earth around his knee height and


    then he looked sideways at the long stand where his father and other elders had already taken their


    seats with their mates. His eyes caught the anxious and hopeful eyes of his father- the current head


    warrior.


    Justus was devastated when he came to know that Can was not a shifter. Still he kept his hopes


    alive and trained the boy to outperform any expectations which came his way. Can had proved that


    he could tackle any shifter or any adversity with ease. Justus made his son tough and brave. What


    worried him though were the sheer number of participants who nominated themselves to challenge his


    son. Under any other circumstances Can could fight four to five people at a stretch but to face these


    many people would tire him out and eventually his exhaustion would force him to quit.


    When Justus registered Can looking at him, he smiled in acknowledgement. He smiled for he knew


    that whether his son wins or loses today he was already a champion for his parents. The love Mary and


    Justus will shower on him, would never depend upon the legacy of their forefathers which Can may


    lose today.


    Can smiled cheerfully and shifted his focus to take note of the other participants. He noticed that


    among the men some juvenile entrants were also present. It was a no brainer that they were willing to


    grab the easy pie.


    Can huffed at their stupidity and moved his focus to other people. His smile faltered when he saw


    Aldous, Marden, Richard and Tusker flexing their muscles and ring at him. This was not a good


    sign. Though these four were always after Can and deeply hated him, the fact that they were some


    of the best fighters amongst the pack could not be ignored.


    Can fidgeted his fingers as he exhaled an air of anxiety.


    "I have been preparing for the trials for my entire life and now when the moment has finally arrived I


    feel like a deer caught by the hunter." The raven cawed and bobbed its head up and down. Can


    chuckled "No you silly bird. I don''t want you to interfere in any of the fights I go through today. I


    appreciate your concern but I will keep myself safe."


    But the bird was not having it as it cawed and bellowed its voice in a threatening manner. Soon the


    entire crowd looked at the man in confusion. Can embarrassingly smiled at them and bowed his


    head. "Fine, fine you can meddle in between only if my life is in danger."


    "If that''s the case than you should take the bird with you. Keep it as your secret weapon." Can was


    startled for a moment when he heard Aurora''s voice. He embraced her with a smile. She winked at him


    and caressed the mane of the bird "I can see you are all ready."


    "I think so. By the way what are you doing here? Shouldn''t you be going to the stands, cheering for me


    perhaps."


    Aurora chuckled "You are my one and only favorite people around here. Who do you think I would root


    for? I just came here to see how you are and to tell you something."


    "What? "


    The healer hesitated "It is more of a request actually.." Aurora held one of Can''s hands and brought it


    up to his chest height, pointing to the shining metal wrapped around his wrist "I want you to keep


    wearing this throughout your bouts."


    Can was taken aback at this appeal "No way! keeping this bracelet would mean that I am cheating


    my way up. Besides this metal acts on its own sometimes. I have no control over it. If something


    happens, we could get exposed."


    Aurora was persistent "I know you are worried but I am worried too. If you keep wearing this bracelet it


    would give me assurance of your safety. Just wear it for my sake please."


    "What if it shows its powers?"


    "It wont. It will only act when you have extreme emotions. So try to take deep breaths and keep your


    mind cool." However what Aurora was saying was theplete opposite of how the metal worked. She


    just wanted to keep him under check. For the past few days she had been working on deciphering the


    know how of Can''s powers through the old book. In the meantime she wanted Can to control his


    powers so she could be ready to teach him what she learned through the book.


    Can reluctantly nodded at his friend which brought an enthusiastic smile on Aurora''s face.


    ****


    The anticipation and anxiousness of the crowd was silenced when the Alpha entered the arena and


    took his rightful ce besides Rosaline. He moved his head around the entire open field and saw the


    one for whom his heart ached, standing near a tree all alone. He looked to his sides and noticed that


    Garrick had left his ce to stand among the participants.


    Einar stood from his ce and raised his head to reach the sky. He bellowed his howl to show his


    authority and dered that there was no one above him. The crowd all at once bowed their heads and


    kneeled in their own ces expressing their respect and acknowledging the Alpha''s dominance. These


    were the times when Can regretted not being a wolf. Unlike everyone else, he was notpelled to


    bow down or submit to the Alpha. It was very hard for his conscience to give in before any other force.


    His instincts denied this enfeeblement. With a sigh and reluctance he kneeled before Einar.


    Einar then linked everyone andmanded them to take their positions. He saw the look on Can''s


    face expressing dispassion. Though he would have overlooked a million of his misdeeds but when it


    came to respecting him as the leader, Einar could not tolerate the disregard Can showed.


    He gulped his anger at the moment and looked at everyone around with delight "It is with great honor


    and privilege I announce that this years participants are the most ever witnessed than in any of the


    previous trials. I am humbled to know that you all are willing to serve your Alpha. It means that I have


    proved my worth. Thank you." He quickly scanned the ground and located his father. He acknowledged


    the proud look of his father with a smile of his own.


    "Now to begin with, to make our pack more efficient and self reliant I have decided to bring in some


    changes..." As soon as the words left his mouth the crowd erupted in murmurs. The wolves loved their


    everyday lives however monotonous it might''ve been. It was their basic instinct. It was one of the


    reasons the rituals and traditions were followed generations after generations without any questions.


    They did not wanted to embrace change.


    Einar cleared his throat "I know that you all are disinclined to do something which you have not done


    ever. However I would want you all to trust me because whatever I do will only be for the betterment of


    the pack."


    The crowd hummed in response. Einar looked around before bellowing his voice "Before we begin the


    trials I would like the defenders to step forward." Amongst the chattering and buzzing of the people


    Garrick, Arthur and Can made their way to the stands of the Alpha. They stood at afortable


    distance from each other and turned their backs to their Alpha to face the crowd.


    "Standing before you are the sons of the former beta, gamma and the head warrior. Make sure you


    choose the right person to challenge for there are no second chances." Einar pointed his finger towards


    Garrick "The ones who wish to challenge Garrick; step forward."


    People looked around each other and wondered who would turn up to face the former beta''s son.


    Though Garrick was not at the same level as Einar but still he was a skilled fighter nheless. Add it


    to the fact that he had been trained along side the Alpha and had never lost to anyone aside from his


    best friend. After long anxious breaths a tall muscr man raised his hand and marched his way to


    stand in front of Garrick. It was Aldous.


    After waiting for a few brief moments Einar spoke again "I guess that''s it for Garrick then." He looked


    towards Arthur and gestured his hand "The ones who wish to challenge Arthur may step forward."


    Tusker and two other men made their way to stand in front of the former gamma''s son.


    "Finally the ones who want to face the head warriors son may step forward."


    To the astonishment of everyone in the stands, a chain of people lined up in front of Can. The


    numbers were such that three rows had to be formed to amodate the challengers.


    While someughed at the situation, people close to Can were tensed and worried for he was


    outnumbered by arge factor. To face so many people and ovee their confrontation was out of


    the bounds challenge for Can. He cautiously put a brave front in front of his opponents and smirked


    in artificial confidence.


    Can knew he was cornered.


    On the outside he was showing a courageous front while on the contrary he was scared and lonely


    from within. People were sure of the demise of the Ashton legacy with Can''s defeat. He could see it


    in their eyes. The hatred; the rage; the detest for him. Like every particle in the universe was pitted


    against him.


    And then he saw the smiling face of his mother.


    She gleefully smiled and swept the tear drops from her chin. She lifted one of her thumbs to him and


    cheered him with her love. That was all what Can needed. The simple gesture from his mother gave


    a new zeal of confidence to him. Instead of caring about the oue, he decided to give his all in the


    matches.


    Einar whistled to gain attention of the muttering crowd "Let me summarize the rule for you once again.


    Every opponent will be picked at random to face the defenders. You can either fight in your wolf or


    human form. You have to force your opponent to submit. This process will continue till only a single


    man stands tall. He will be dered the winner."


    Einar held the hammer with a big wooden head and struck therge metal disc "Let the bouts begin."


    He than gave the hammer to the announcer and sat near a smiling Rosaline.


    The first match to be announced was between Aldous and Garrick. Both the men took their respective


    stance in the ring and waited for the match to start. As soon as the metal ringed, both the men turned


    into their respective wolves and snarled at each other. They circled around the circumference judging


    each others actions before making a powerful dash to the centre. Both the bodies collided with a great


    force while their muzzles were trying to dominate the other mouth. They used various manoeuvres to


    subdue the other. There was growling, biting and rolling over each other; all to show their dominance


    over the other. The onlookers cheered, screamed and ced bets to decide who would win the fight.


    Up until now both the wolves were critically injured. Bleeding, w marks, broken bones and other


    injuries was amon sight. Einar was worried for his friend but at the same time he was thoroughly


    impressed by the resistance that Aldous had put on. To level a wolf of Garrick''s calibre was no small


    feat and for Aldous to stay put in this match for so long wasmendable.


    With haggard breaths and injured legs both the contenders circled each other. Garrick realised that


    Aldous was wasting time to regain his strength and his end was near. He found an opportune moment


    when Aldous slightly faltered moving ahead andunched himself over his opponent with all his might.


    Aldous was thrashed to the ground by the weight of Garrick''s wolf and the canines were now piercing


    through his mane deeper and deeper. With nowhere to run Aldous reluctantly buried his head to the


    ground and whined. The announcer crashed the gong with the hammer indicating that Aldous had


    submitted and the match was over. Every member in the arena stood up for the wolves with a


    thunderous apuse appreciating the valor and will power of the fighters.


    The sight in front of them was a wake up call for the other contestants. Aldous and Garrick had


    transformed in their humans but both of them were heavily bruised and blood oozed from every part of


    their injuries. The match had taken such a toll on their bodies that their senses were badly affected and


    they were supported by other arms to even stand on their feet.


    Both of them waved their hands to the audience and bowed to the Alpha before leaving the premises.


    The dong went again and next was the battle for the position of gamma of the pack. The biggest


    advantage for Arthur was that he was quick on his feet and relied mostly on his wits. He made a sorry


    figure for two of his opponents before a gruelling duel between him and Tusker took ce. The fight


    was captivating and nail biting to say the least. Eventually Arthur was helmed as the better of the two


    men. Both the Alpha and Luna had smiles on their faces when the men bowed before them.


    However the stretch of Einar''s lips reduced when the hammer hit the metal disc again for now it was


    time for his mate to enter the ring.


    Can slowly motioned his legs to the centre and bowed before the audiences and the Alpha. As


    expected he received a luke warm response from the onlookers. No pping, no cheering; just blind


    stares. As if they were uninterested to be there or they wanted the match to be over in an instant. At


    that very moment Can dreaded his decision to participate. The undue pressure of winning was


    overwhelming him. Everything hinged on what he did inside the ring. There was no backing down now.


    Moreover, whatever happened today could not be undone ever. There wont be any second chances


    and so he had to pass the test.


    Can stared at his hands as he felt the warmth of the sun. His eyes wandered the rugged surface


    beneath all the way to the stands were his parents were breathing in anxiety. Can just smiled at them


    and reassured them that their son would be victorious today. Memories of his training shed in front of


    his eyes. The sweat and efforts his father put in to craft his son and make him a skilled fighter and all


    those years of hardship were a dose of encouragement for him.


    Rosaline seemed pretty excited when Can''s name was announced. She had even wished him


    sess before the ceremony started. On the contrary Einar supported his elbows through his thighs


    and leaned his chin to the entangled fists. He stared keenly at the uing match. Can could


    deduce that the Alpha did not seem too enthusiastic about the bout. However today he was out there to


    prove every assumption wrong and win people.


    The announcer introduced the first random opponent to the audience. He was a huge buff man who


    devilishly smirked at Can for he towered over him easily by a foot. Can stood head to head with


    the man never breaking his gaze. The man yfully shouldered Can which pushed him back by a


    few steps. The sudden faltering in his steps was cheered by the people around. It was concocted that


    the man would easily break Can''s neck and win the match.


    The dong rang once more and both the men took their respective positions. In his haste to finish


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    Can''s chapter the man elerated towards him. The menacing look in his eyes confirmed his


    intentions to Can. But as soon as he reached the handsome man every mouth in the arenay hung


    open for Can swiftly jumped over his shoulders and grabbed his opponents hands backwards. He


    kicked the back of his legs to stumble him to the ground and stretched the hands with force, dislocating


    it from the joints. His opponenty on the ground moaning in grave pain as his handsid behind his


    back in an unnaturally twisted position.


    Everyone around was stunned.


    People looked at the scene with utter disbelief. To defeat a man of such a built was praiseworthy. What


    surprised them though was that the man was taken down by the most ''weak'' being of the pack, a


    human. The astonishment was such that even the announcer forgot to ring the bell for a moment. He


    steadily hammered the ring and dered Can as the winner with a low voice, seemingly confused


    and unsure of himself.


    Can seemed relieved as the match did the trick. For the next several gongs a number of his


    opponents did not show up. While the once who did, suffered a simr fate as the first match. Though


    Can was now gaining more confidence within, he was constantly on his nerves as he wanted to save


    his energy and finish his matches as early as possible. He made quick jobs of his easy opponents


    while he used his bag of tricks to fend off the others. But now the challenge was getting real.


    He was left with just two opponents- Richard and Marden.


    Can was exhaling long breaths as he was exhausted going through the long list of fighters. He knew


    that the hurdles before him were the final obstacle before he gained his moment of glory. The first


    person to enter the ring was Richard. He carefully undressed his clothes ever so slowly as if he was


    taunting Can with his steady motions. He then oscited in a particr area before growling loudly


    and transforming into his wolf.


    There were no holds barred when Richard made the dash. Initially the wolf only made fake passes and


    mock attacks at Can. He wasn''t trying to battle him. His main intention was to prolong time in the ring


    and worn out the human. The trick seemed to be working as Can had now lost momentum and his


    mind waspelling his body to rx, to breathe, to slow down perhaps. Can was taken by surprise


    when the wolf jumped over his head and turned his body to attack him from behind. The wolf in the


    very next instant caught hold of Can''s leg from behind. He bit the flesh of his lower leg and forced


    him to kneel down. The canines were sunk in deep and Can could feel the protruding of his flesh, the


    spilling of his blood. Though Can was in excruciating pain he knew that he would have to retaliate or


    else the game would be over for him.


    The wolf used its strength and pulled Can''s body backwards through the power of his mane. Can


    moaned in pain so loud that his voice echoed throughout the arena. He took deep breaths and with


    great efforts retrieved a dagger from his chest pocket. With one breath of confidence he swayed his left


    hand all the way down to the back of his knee to hit the mane of the wolf, piercing the dagger through


    it. As soon as he did the motion the wolf detached its canines from Can''s flesh and roared in agony.


    Can took this moment and pressed the metal deep inside the wolfs flesh. This led the wolf toy on


    his side pressing his body to the ground while Can tied a rope around its neck and pulled the wolf


    backwards by bending its spine.


    The pain and suffocation forced the wolf to submit as heid his body to the ground. Can pulled


    himself up but wobbled in his stance due to his grievous injury. He had taken just two steps forward


    when suddenly the back of his leg was thrashed with a force by a shoulder. Richard had shifted to his


    human and attacked Can blindsided. Though the match was over the gong had not belled. Richard


    took advantage of this situation and further injured the already weak man.


    Pain seared through Can''s leg as his minds focus was now on solely to recuperate through his


    wounds. But as fate would have it he was in more pain than he thought. The canines had pierced at a


    deeper interjection while the agony wasing in like waves. The blindsided hit made matters worse


    for him. He looked at a smiling Richard whose eyes were lined in at a smirking Marden. Can sighed


    for he now understood what this was all about. It was a n by the two of them to make him weak and


    take him out of the match.


    Richard raised both his hands in mock surrender and with a devilish smile he stepped out of the ring.


    Marden entered the ring as the announcer dered the final match for the trials.


    This was it. This was the moment where Can had to decide to either rise or perish. He was asked if


    he wanted to quit from the duel but he refused every time. He gathered his courage and with blood


    dripping injured leg he took his position. When the hammer hit the gong onest time he stayed put in


    his position for he knew that he needed just one powerful but effective move to take down Marden. On


    the other side Marden had changed in his wolf and his eyes were now set to the already injured leg of


    Can. He dashed his way ahead but before he could make any of his moves Can walloped his


    hidden dart straight to one of the hind legs of the wolf and he faltered. The wolf bounced a few steps


    before unintentionally leaning his head in front of the man. The dart had made the wolfs movements


    numb and he copsed. Every effort to move his limbs was in vain as Can thrashed his leg to the


    mane of the wolf and forced him to submit. With a frozen body and no where to escape, Marden


    reluctantly submitted to the man standing on his neck.


    The entire crowd was mere mute spectators. They could not believe what they saw! The most


    underrated man among all of the pack proved to be the best among all the fighters. People were left


    speechless. Their heart sank while there was worry and hatred in their eyes. For them it was like a


    nightmare that came to life..


    The gong ran once again and Can was over the moon for he had defeated every opponent of the


    pack and sessfully proved his worth. The years of torture, pain and resentment had finally made


    him realise his dreams. It was a sweet victory for him. The first thing he wanted to do was to hug his


    parents and embrace their love for he knew that he had made them proud.


    The once stunned and unresponsive crowd were on their feet again as they cheered, whistled and


    roared their voices. Can was taken aback by the sudden reaction of the people and his mind was at


    expressed in the happy tears that were brimming his eyes. He grinned from ear to ear between his


    deep breaths. He was overwhelmed with jubtion because people had finally epted him..


    With the excruciating pain and wobbly feet, he moved a leg forward to step out of the ring but his


    gesture came to a halt by the sudden loud ringing of therge metal disc. The ringing of the gong


    indicated just one thing- someone had challenged Can!


    Can was addled. As far as he remembered he had defeated every one of the men who had stepped


    foot in the ring. Then who could this new opposer be? After facing a number of men and exhausting his


    body to the limits how was it fair to him! He was drained physically while his mind lost its capability to


    think rationally. However if the dong had belled one more time he was left with no choice but to face


    whoever was in front of him.


    He carefully moved his body around with a limping leg and took a defensive stance when all air left his


    lungs. His eyes widened like saucers while his mouth was left ajar. He could not believe what he was


    witnessing. He did not miss the ring of the nose, the eyes full of rage and the snarling and huffing in


    between. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought that he woulde across an opponent as such.


    Can''s hopes just came crashing down as standing before him was non other than the Alpha himself!


    ********