The Lycan Kings and the White Wolf. Chapter 30

Coban's POV

We had a very large turnout this year. More this year than any previous year. We had 450 warriors sign up for the tournament.

I'm so glad we added the course to the tournament. I'm figuring that it will at least cut that number in half. If not more.

We added the course this year because many warriors, especially alphas, can fight. That's exactly what they are trained for. A lot of them are very strong as they are ranked wolves. Let's face it. A lot of them are huge. I'm talking 6 ft or taller, in human form, and 250+ pounds of solid muscle. Now, don't get me wrong, a lot are that way, but we do have some smaller, less muscular forms as well. In both situations, each will have advantages and disadvantages related to its size.

The smaller forms can move faster. Dodge easier. The larger, more muscular forms have the strength to power themselves up the mountain or through the rungs, but when it comes to the fire blast, they might move more slowly.

The way the course is set up is fair to all.

This year, instead of just relying on their strength and fighting skills, we're testing their endurance and much more. We're testing everything as a whole.

The first part of the course, level 1, is "the beams". They will be running while balancing on beams, jumping, and leaping from one platform to the next. The platforms do move.

Level 2 is the hanger. On this level, they will use their upper body strength to swing from one rung to the next. At the last rung, it must be jumped or knocked from the latch it's on to get it to slide you down a slope. Once at the bottom, it will abruptly stop. Then you must work your way up, jumping the rungs, to the top and exiting onto the large platform.

"The climb" is level 3. It is exactly that. They will be climbing a mountain as boulders fall from the top. You must use your skills to dodge them and use the right footing to make it.

Next, level 4 is the blast. It's our fire challenge. Timing is everything on this level. You must avoid fire blasts as you cross beams, rings, and rising platforms. The last stage, level 5, is the ice challenge. One must dive into the pool, swim to the other side, dive down, and retrieve a key. Take that key to unlock the door and enter the ice zone. One wrong step and you will slide right off the course. Skill. Logic. Only the best, most worthy will advance to the combat round.

In my opinion, "the course" should have been run from the start of the tournament years ago.

To be a royal guard or a member of the royal army, you need more than strength and fighting skills. You need to be able to problem solve, think on the spot, and make fast, efficient decisions. You need to know how to correct a mistake if you make one.

Only the best will finish. That's what we're looking for, the best of the best.

The way this course is set up, two people can run this course at a time. Then we have to reset it before the next two can go.

The order in which you will be called and run the course was randomly generated.

“First up Trixie WhiteClaw and Justin Thomas.” was announced over the speakers. I heard Trixie really wanted to run the course. She wanted to prove to herself that she could do it.

I watched her closely. I couldn't take my eyes off her. She blasted through the first obstacle with ease. Justin fell on the second beam.

“She is going to clear the second obstacle.” Caden said excitedly.

“I wouldn't doubt if she finished the entire thing.” I said proudly.

She started the next obstacle, the climb and on she went to reach up and her hand slipped, almost falling. She tightened her grip, holding on with one hand only, repositioned herself and moved on. She got through the blast in no time at all leaving only the ice challenge.

“Come on Trixie, you got this.” I say to myself as I watch her.

She slid a few times but then she extracted her claws, gripped ahold of the ice and got to the end to hit the bell. She raised both her hands up.

“Finishing the course in no time at all and the first person to complete it is Trixie WhiteClaw.”

I watched as Darien and Lucian was there to take her back to the booth. She had a smile on her face. She was definitely happy. I can't believe she actually finished it.

“Too bad were not letting her compete.” Caden says with a sigh.

“Yeah, maybe next year.” I say with a smile.

"Up next, Gamma Calvin of the White Claw pack and future alpha Charles of the White Claw pack."

"You're going down, loser," Charlie said to Calvin. "Get ready to lose."

Gamma Calvin shakes his head at Charles ignorance. He doesn't say anything to him. Smart man.

"Brother, didn't we make it clear that this isn't a race. That they are not competing against each other." Coban says to me.

"Everything is a competition for some. Pay attention. Charles won't make it past the second level." I say to my brother.

The announcer started the two. Here we go. Shows starting.

Both men made it through the first level. Clearing the beam with no problems. As I predicted, Charles went to swing from one rung to the next, got way too cocky, miscalculated, and missed the rung.

"This is set up," Charles screams. "He got the easy side. Look, his rungs are moving more slowly. I demand a rematch."

What a jerk. Is that entire family crazy?

Gamma Calvin cleared the next two rounds. Level four, the fire. As he starts, he's hesitant. Then he stops second-guessing himself as he dives into the pool, starting the last level. If he completes this level, he will be the first one to finish the course.

As he's on his final jump, he leaps into the air. When he lands, his foot slips right before he falls. His wolf takes over, his claws coming out, gripping the ice. He lands the jump. He finished.

"Gamma Calvin is the first competitor and second person to complete the course," is announced for everyone to hear.

"He cheated," Charles screams.

"He should be disqualified."

I roll my eyes at his behavior as I motion for my guards to get him.

"Damn, he's good," I say to my brother.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he won this whole competition," Coban said back to me.

"We need him as the lead to our Royal warriors," I say. "We need him as a Royal guard to guard our mate," my brother smirks.

He's got a point there. He's loyal to Trixie. He would give up his own life for her.