Chapter 67: Chapter 67

I froze slightly at the sudden voice of Nancy I had just heard. I didn't hear any approaching footsteps, nor did I catch a trace of a shadow or figure when I arrived at the forest, so I didn't expect Nancy or anyone else to show up without my knowledge.

I lowered my head and quickly wiped away the tears with my right hand before prying away Nancy's hands, which hugged me from behind. I turned to Nancy after inhaling deeply to calm my emotions and then feigned a calm smile. "Thank you."

Upon seeing my face, Nancy's eyes widened, and her lips parted in a gasp. She eyed me pitifully, but deep in her eyes I could see glee written in them; I couldn't help furrowing my brows while wondering what Nancy was being joyful and feigning pity for.

Nancy tried to grab my hand, but I quickly evaded her hand before it could touch mine.

Nancy lowered her head, her expression filled with 'pity'. "Instead of crying on your own, why don't you tell Alpha Oswald that you'd rather not participate in this dangerous trial? Getting yourself in danger when you know you have no strength to defend yourself is not advisable." Nancy 'consoled' me. Even though her words were spoken as if she cared for me, they were filled with mockery.

My lips parted slightly in bewilderment at Nancy's words. So Nancy thought I'd been crying all because I was afraid to battle with the rogues?

I didn't realize how low Nancy's IQ was until now! Why will I participate in a competition if I don't have the strength to back it up?

However, it's good that Nancy misunderstood the reason behind my tears. I can guess that she'll soon spread the news of me crying to the pack members, which is a good thing. I could see a lot of people betting their money against my winning! Great! More money is on the way. I hope they'll raise the odds to twenty-five.

Despite the excitement I was feeling, I lowered my head, sniffled sadly, and began to feign pity.

I bit my lower lips hard until tears pooled in my eyes again, but I feigned biting my lower lip to prevent my tears from falling. "I have nowhere to go. If I choose to forfeit the trial, that means I'll be kicked out of the power axis pack. I can't let myself be kicked out no matter what." I cried out pitifully, my body trembling.

The next minute, I purposely hardened my expression and pretended to smile encouragingly. "So I have to do my best. I've practiced these last few days, and I'm already improving. Perhaps the moon goddess will make a miracle happen today." I pumped my fist in the air as if to encourage myself.

Nancy shook her head and sighed pitifully. "Oh, you're so pitiful. However, I choose to believe in you. Good luck." Nancy commented.

I almost laughed at her words. She believed in me, but she couldn't bet her money to support me. Ok, Nancy is just being realistic; that's it!

I pretended to fall and leaned against the trees weakly. "I hope I'll win also." I weakly pronounced in an unsure tone.

"I'll leave now." Nancy sighed pitifully, but I could see the faint joy in her eyes until she left.

Immediately after Nancy left, I dug my hands into my pocket for a quick search.

My eyes darkened as soon as I felt the presence of a tiny, smooth thing in my trouser pocket. Even without taking it out, I recognized the thing as a pill.

My eyes darkened in anger. Just as I expected, Nancy's presence was intended to scheme at me.

If I hadn't been so suspicious, I wouldn't have realized that Nancy used the slight chance she used to hug me to do something wicked to me!

I winced upon feeling a burning feeling in my hand. I took out the pill and stared at it to study it.

The pill was pink, and it had a burning effect just by touching it, which made me recognize that it was a poisonous pill. Soon, I felt a feeling of faint dizziness and weakness wash over me.

I finally realized what Nancy intended to do. Had I been searched and caught with this drug, I'd have lost my chance to fight, which meant I'd be kicked out of the pack.

And if I end up not getting caught, this drug has a weakening effect; I'll end up being so weak I won't be able to fight.

Such a cruel plan.

Unfortunately for her, trashy pills like this don't work. Even if I ate five of them, I could guarantee that nothing would happen to me. She thought she was smart, but she was really naive and stupid.

I casually pretended to touch my hair, but at that second, I threw the pill on a small grassy path far from my current location and then moved away.

I gently touched my pocket and sighed when I felt emptiness. I can't help but miss my phone so much. At this time, I'll have seen what's currently going on in the pack just by using the forum.

I brushed all my thoughts aside and began to do warm-up exercises. Different thoughts began to run through my mind so much that I ended up being distracted and sitting on a fallen log.

I propped my head while thinking of what Oswald's reaction would be when I won, and I revealed that I was departing from the power axis pack.

My thoughts continued to drift until I recalled how hurt Wyatt sounded. Did Wyatt like me that much? But why me? He's so outstanding and perfect.

I couldn't help thinking about Rex as well. I knew I'd be getting married to Rex once I left the power axis pack. Will the vampire tribe accept a werewolf like me? What'll Wyatt and Oswald think? How will they react?

A flick on my forehead jolted me awake from my reverie.

"Ouch!" I winced and glared at Asher, the perpetrator.

Asher grinned mischievously and sat next to me. He threw his hand on my shoulder, but I frowned and threw it off immediately.

"Oy. You! So cranky. What are you thinking so hard about that you didn't realize everyone was already waiting for you? You don't have any belief in yourself?" Asher suddenly clutched his chest and gasped dramatically. "You can't? I bet on you!" He revealed, and that made me roll my eyes.

As if I will believe a dramatic Asher!

I raised my head to see that a lot of students were already making their way toward the forest entrance, where we were, with excitement vivid in their eyes. I frowned slightly. Was I that absentminded? I didn't even notice everyone's presence or hear approaching footsteps!

"Thank you, Asher." I appreciated him with a sincere bow. I wasn't thanking him for today only, but for all the things he had done in the past.

Asher shrugged indifferently at my appreciation. I could see that he didn't understand what I meant. However, it's not concerning; he'll know soon.

Suddenly, the faint agarwood scent drifted into my nose. I frowned and lowered my head in a bid not to look at that stuck-up Oswald, who was already a few steps from me.

"Is it starting now?" I stood up and fixed my eyes on Asher seriously.

Asher grabbed my chin and lowered his head to stare into my eyes. He caressed my chin gently and whispered, "Have you fallen in love with me, or you're trying to make your mate jealous?" He smirked mischievously.

I leaned forward and whispered next to Asher's ears. "None. Just sincerely asking..."

I gritted my teeth when the agarwood scent suddenly rushed toward me strongly and began to stir me up.

I clenched my fist angrily. Stupid Oswald, he doesn't want me, yet he doesn't want to see me with another man. I've never seen someone as crazy as Oswald before. Is he okay?

"Yes, it's starting." Asher seriously replied and took a step back from me. His actions evoked a decrease in the agarwood scent of the stinky Alpha.

I took a look at the incoming crowd, and I saw Arya wave at me happily. I smiled and waved to her in return.

Arya's eyes lit up, and she beamed at me joyfully. It was as if she was happy that I responded to her. Immediately, she sent a lot of air kisses to me and yelled, "Sister-in-law, good luck."

Infected by Arya's cheerfulness, I smiled, waved at Arya, and mouthed a thank you, inwardly sighing at the tag Arya gave me.

Immediately, I felt a cold glare on me. I didn't even have to think before knowing that Oswald was being jealous again! That damn jerk!

Nevertheless, I refused to pay attention to him and continued to ignore him.

I continued to take a look at the crowd, and just as I thought, the person I wished to see the most didn't appear. A wave of sadness overtook my whole being. Wyatt is still angry and sad, isn't he?

Nancy waved her hand toward me as if to cheer me up, but I pretended not to see her amid the crowd. Bitch!

"The forest had been prepared, Alpha." A man putting on eyeglasses announced to Oswald and everyone loudly.

Asher took a step forward and ran his hand through his hair elegantly, eliciting excited screams from the girls.

As soon as Asher dropped his hands to his side, hidden projectors were revealed to the crowd, creating an enchanting image that made everyone, including me, gasp slightly.

The man in eyeglasses took a step forward and pointed to the big projectors, saying, "The projectors are meant to showcase the fight from different angles." He explained.

"Woah." The crowd cheered and clapped excitedly. I lowered my head, understanding that the projectors were meant to display all my actions and reveal if I cheated or not.

The man in the eyeglasses pointed to me and smiled gently. "Miss Maia, you can go into the forest now. Good luck."

"Sure." I nodded and turned to leave for the forest with a straight back and raised chin. I caught a trace of unhappiness in Nancy's ears, and I couldn't help rolling my eyes inwardly. I knew she was expecting me to be checked...

"Wait!" Oswald suddenly ordered in a cold tone and took a step toward me.