I flipped through every candidate’s file, my eyes scanning the pages. Five in total, from across the Umbra realm: Moonclaw pack, Duskhowl pack, Frostclaw pack, Darkmoon, and then the drop from there was worth noting—the pack ranked 13th and lowest on the Concord, Hollowfang. The pack right by the torn Veil itself. The pack with the least amount of shifters due to the leaching of Lunar flux into the Terra realm.
The door to my office opened, and a burly man with tawny hair cropped short with the sides in fades stepped in. His uniform gleamed with the moonstone gem that hung on it, signifying his rank as my fourth in command after the beta and the high gamma of the Wintercrest military.
"Good afternoon, Alpha." He bowed low, like he always did, though I’d asked him countless times that a simple nod would suffice. He was my head guard, after all.
"Afternoon, Arlo." My eyes fell back on the paper, still reading. "Update?"
"The beta candidates are here."
I flipped another page, and my eyes narrowed. "Did you conduct thorough background checks on each of them?"
He nodded. "Yes, their files have been verified. Everything checked out—mostly standard backgrounds, nothing immediately concerning."
Arlo shifted slightly. "One of them has... gaps in their history. But nothing that disqualified them from the trials."
I closed the file, meeting his gaze. "I’ll be the judge of that." I stood, straightening my jacket. "Have them brought to the main hall. I want to see them myself."
"Yes, Alpha." He bowed again and turned to leave.
He paused at the door.
"Make sure Lilith is informed. She’ll be observing."
A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly suppressed. "Of course, Alpha."
As the door closed behind him, I gathered the files and made my way toward the hall.
Let’s see which one of them was worth my time.
They were all lined up, each with their hands folded behind their backs. All facing forward with expressions carved in stone. I did not need to glance over at Lilith, who sat in a chair in the corner to know she would have preferred to be anywhere else.
I needed a beta that wouldn’t choke her out next time, so in a way, here she would have a say. Maybe not in the most literal way, but close enough to matter above everything else.
I looked them over once again before clearing my throat and addressing them. "In an orderly fashion, introduce yourself."
Instantly, the tallest man stepped forward, the gel in his hair shining brighter than Arlo’s moonstone. His sharp eyes met mine. "My name is Konstantin Orlov of Moonclaw pack." His voice carried—not too loud, not too firm. He had the correct cadence.
I looked over his result from the exam he took to qualify as a candidate before my eyes flickered back up to him. "It says here that your score was 71."
His lips twitched up into a smile he could not hide.
"It was the fifth overall."
"And the lowest score among everyone here."
I watched his lip twitch down, something wild and hot flaring in his gaze even as he looked right at me.
It was neither embarrassment nor disappointment.
His con was his pride, his ego.
I did not need to look too hard to see the arrogance in the way he puffed his chest or the fact that he was triggered by the simple fact that some others scored above him in the test and that I announced it.
If he saw his fellow candidates as inferior, Lilith would not be too safe under his watch.
"Your physical assessment scores, however, are exemplary." I tapped the file. "Top marks in combat trials, endurance testing, and tactical formations. Three military commendations. Seven years of active service in border defence."
The pride returned to his posture immediately. His shoulders squared.
"You’ve clearly earned your place here through strength and discipline," I continued, watching his reaction carefully. "That will serve you well in the trials ahead."
"Thank you, High Alpha." His tone had regained its confidence, the momentary sting of the test scores already forgotten.
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I set his file aside and looked at the line. "Next."
A woman stepped forward with the kind of grace that came from years of practice. Tall, blonde, striking green eyes that swept the room before settling on me with calculated interest.
"Sylvanna Korvin of Duskhowl pack, High Alpha." She inclined her head—not quite a bow, more of an acknowledgement between equals.
"Your examination score was 87," I stated, watching her expression remain perfectly neutral. "Second highest overall. Your file notes extensive experience in diplomatic relations and intelligence gathering."
"I’ve served my pack in various capacities," she said smoothly. "Whatever was required of me."
"And what do you believe is required of a beta?"
Her smile was measured, professional. "Loyalty above all else. The ability to anticipate the Alpha’s needs and execute their will without question." A pause. "And the discretion to handle matters that require a... delicate touch." Her lashes fluttered rather delicately for a selection process for position of beta
From the corner of my eye, I caught the slightest shift in Lilith’s posture. Uncomfortable.
"Discretion is valuable," I acknowledged. "Though I prefer transparency to subtlety when it comes to matters of pack security."
Something flickered across Sylvanna’s face, too quick to read, before she inclined her head again. "Of course, High Alpha. I simply meant that a beta should be adaptable to any situation."
"Noted." I gestured for her to step back. "Next."
The next man who stepped forward was less a man and more a mountain. Easily the largest wolf I’d seen in years, his frame barely contained by the formal attire he’d been instructed to wear.
"Ragnar Thornson. Frostclaw." His voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"82 on the examination. Combat scores..." I scanned the page, "...exceptional. You’ve broken every strength record in your pack’s recent history."
He grunted. Not quite agreement, not quite acknowledgement. Just... sound.
"And your understanding of pack hierarchy?"
"Strong leads. Weak follows." He crossed his arms. "Simple."
Too simple. But I noted it and moved on. "Step back."
The fourth candidate moved forward before I could call for him—quiet, almost unnervingly so. Shadows seemed to cling to him despite the morning light streaming through the windows.
"Silas Vane. Darkmoon pack." His voice was soft, but it carried an edge that made even Konstantin shift slightly.
"Score of 82 as well," I observed. "Though your file is... notably sparse on details."
"My pack values discretion, High Alpha."
"And I value transparency."
His lips curved—not quite a smile. "Then perhaps we’ll find common ground during the trials."
I held his gaze for a moment longer than necessary. There was something there—something that set my instincts on edge. But nothing concrete enough to disqualify him.
The smallest of the group stepped forward, and I heard it immediately—the sharp intake of breath from Konstantin. The barely concealed snort from Ragnar.
"Dmitri Kozlov. Hollowfang pack." His voice was quiet, steady, but lacking the bravado of the others.
I looked at his file, then back at him. Young. Unremarkable features. Ordinary in every physical sense. Compared to a human, he could be more but not in this realm. With his almost too-slight frame, skin inching towards a sickly pallor and darkness that seemed to be the type of cling permanently beneath his eyes.
He looked the least prepared.
Except for the score.
"99," I stated. "Highest examination score by a significant margin."
Konstantin’s jaw tightened visibly.
"And yet," I continued, scanning the page, "your physical assessment scores are... average at best. No military commendations. No notable pack positions." I looked up, still caught off guard even as I read it for the first time. "And you’re wolfless."