I shot him a cocky smile, which sent a jolt of pain through my face. No more smiling for me today. “I was born ready.” I latched on to the horn handles of the tray and heaved itup.
“Want help withthat?”
Even though my joints smarted a little, I said, “I don’t need anyone’s help.” I gave him a wide berth so our arms wouldn’t graze, then pressed my shoulder into the swingingdoor.
The only thing I needed was for Evelyn to keep loving me in spite of the beast Iwas.
Chapter Eight
Ichangedout of my work uniform before meeting with the five elders. I slid on skinny jeans and a pair of much-loved, scuffed-up Timberlands that seemed appropriate footwear forpaintballing.
Lucas, Matt, and Liam were already in the conference room when I arrived, lounging on the springy officechairs.
“Close the door, Ness,” Bushy-Eyebrowsinstructed.
Even though the idea of being locked in a room with eight men was unpleasant, I shut the door before making my way to the free seat next to Matt. I felt his gaze rake over my face. Lucas lookedtoo.
The bald elder leaned forward and clasped his hands. “Did someone…hurtyou?”
“No.” I didn’t offer details. “So what’s on theagenda?”
Chairs squeaked as bodiesshifted.
Bushy-Eyebrows took a swig of water from the glass in front of him. “Okay. Let’s get down to business. There will be three tests. The first, endurance. You will have to run twenty miles in wolf form over a terrain set with obstacles and traps. The last person to arrive at the marked destination will lose. And anyone who switches into his or her human form will be automaticallydisqualified.”
My pulse jackhammered inside my veins. To compete, I would need to change. Fully change. Not the pathetic attempt I’d gone through lastnight.
Praying the assembled werewolves’ heightened senses wouldn’t pick up on my nervousness, I asked, “When will this takeplace?”
“The sooner the better. Would next weekend work foreveryone?”
That gave me one week to master my wolf form. Not ideal but better than a couple hours. I toyed with Mom’s ring, slotting it around one finger, then slipping it overanother.
Everyonenodded.
“We will test your cunning next. The details of that trial will only be given to the three winners of the first contest,” Bushy-Eyebrowssaid.
I could do cunning. I released Mom’s ring and tucked it back into my tank top where the warmed metal rested against myheart.
“And then we’ll end with a test of strength. A fight between the last twocontenders.”
“A fight?” Icroaked.
“Did you think this was some sort of beauty pageant, Ness?” Ericasked.
I squashed my aching lips tight to seal off the sharp comeback that threatened to pop out. A fight wasn’t fair, but I supposed the elders knew that. Even though I was strong, how much damage could a hundred-and-twenty-pound girl inflict on a two-hundred-plus-pound monster like Matt? I could hurt him, sure, but beat him…unlikely. But maybe Matt wouldn’t be the one in thering.
MaybeIwouldn’t be the one in thering.
Bushy-Eyebrows leaned forward in his seat. “Does anyone havequestions?”
The other three shook their heads. I neither shook my head nor nodded. I stayed perfectlystill.
“Now let’s talk rules. Eric?” Bushy-Eyebrows nodded to the baldelder.
Eric started, “Non-packmembers—”
I bristled. “So these rules only apply tome?”
