Kain Locke
The guide from earlier placed a pair of dark trousers and a fitted turtleneck on the bed, then set a pair of boots on the floor beside it.
"The clothing department didn't have anything in your size, so I borrowed these from someone. You'll need them for your homecoming," he said. "I made sure they have your measurements, though. Your actual clothes should be ready by tomorrow or the day after. So for now, you'll have to make do with these."
He said, glancing at his wristwatch. "You have exactly five minutes. Be quick, or you'll be late."
I gave him a small nod of thanks and he nodded repeatedly, turning on his heels as he started walking away.
However, at the door, he paused and offered a faint smile. "If it gets too bad, you can always fall. They should stop if you throw in the handkerchief."
I knew what he meant, even without him saying it outright.
"I'll keep that in mind," I murmured. Knowing how harsh it can be in the base, after all, I grew up in a base. And if you're in a situation where you see little kids like you falling every single day, you'll have to give it your all, strive to survive. And that's exactly what I do.
He gave a short nod before stepping out.
I quickly changed into the clothes he brought, given that five minutes is such a short time for someone who wasn't used to the base, and wasn't listening when the guide was explaining. Therefore, the only choice I've got now is to turn to the directories.
By the time I'm done changing, he wasn't wrong, the trousers were a little loose at the waist, so I had to tighten them with a belt. I slipped on the boots, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.
This was going to be a long, wild day.
****
After more than five minutes, I found the hall,
Bella wasn't lying. The moment I stepped into the hall, dozens of eyes fell on me almost immediately, which was followed by low indistinct murmur.
The place was packed with both Betas and Omegas standing shoulder to shoulder, Bella had mentioned the Beta's being at Omega's throats every now and then, so i hadn't expected to see them standing as one, i could say that's good enough.
Some looked curious, others indifferent, but a few had smirks on their lips, like they already knew something I didn't.
Thankfully, I see no Draeven. Neither the father nor the son. That means he wasn't here yet.
But there are three other Beta's standing on the higher platforms, but unlike every other person in the hall, they have guns strapped to their belt holsters. They're definitely instructors, contrary to the fact that they wore the same uniform as the instructors in the former base. The only difference was that they were Omegas while these ones are Betas.
"Get the fuck away from here!" a Beta sneered as I tried to step into the empty space beside him.
I barely had time to react before someone else shoved me, knocking my shoulder hard enough to make me stumble. Another Beta beside him chuckled, shaking his head like I was nothing but a joke.
Even the Omegas weren't any better. A few of them snickered and laughed at the scenario, while others just looked away, pretending I didn't exist.
I clenched my jaw and lowered my gaze, choosing not to respond. There was no point in making things worse.
I was thinking of looking for Bella, or find a place where I can fit in and hide my presence for a while before Caspian arrives.
So I looked, line by line, left and right , but there was no sight of her, if anything, it earned me more pushing, but amidst all the hostility, a voice suddenly called out behind me.
"Hey."
Making me turned to see a tall Beta, lean but well-built, he was standing near the back. His wavy, dark purple hair fell over his forehead, barely covering his sharp, deep purple eyes that held an easy calm. He had a faint scar on his chin, and a barely visible one on his forehead.
"You don't mind standing here, do you?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Not at all." I didn't hesitate as I stepped over, ignoring the weird gazes of the others, and stood beside him. A nice beta? "thanks." I said, but why were people in the hall looking at me like that?
I hadn't figured it out yet when he smiled faintly like he knew I'd end up standing beside him. But why was that spot empty to begin with? "You must be the newcomer." He said.
I managed a forced smile, "Yeah. That's me."
He let out a small hum, like he had already guessed it. "Figured as much the moment you walked in. This place isn't exactly welcoming to fresh faces. Wasn't for me either when I first got here."
I stared at him for a second, more surprised than anything. Not by the Betas—I already expected nothing from them. But the Omegas… why were they acting the same way as the beta? Some of them had even shoved me away.
Before I could even ask, he answered like he already knew what was on my mind.
"They get pushed around too," he said simply. "And the only way to feel like they matter is by picking on someone weaker."
I let out a slow breath, understanding immediately.
So this is how things worked here now?
We were more like a family before, always looking out for each other because all we have was one another, moreover if there's no love or unity, even a dynasty is doomed to fall
I was still thinking when I heard one of the inspectors speak. "Kain Locke. Step forward."
"Why do you look so surprised?" He asked with a low chuckle beside me, "It's your homecoming after all. Although, I've never heard of one being done before but now I'm curious…" he said with a smiling face.
"I'd say you're excited." I mumbled to myself, but he heard anyway and nodded affirmatively.
"You read people so well." he mused with a slight smile.
"Maybe." I answered, stepping away to go to the front, but his voice came from behind me again.
"So bad I might not get to know you more than this. Why don't they last long anyway." He muttered more to himself thoughtfully. "You know, you can always call it a quit? I think dying on the island, or of a poisonous snake bite is better than being squashed to death on a platform like that."
What is he really? One moment, he's friendly, the next, he's talking like this. Making it hard to tell if he's being helpful or just enjoys watching people struggle.
Nevertheless,
I threw him a look over my shoulder, "I'm not planning to die here today—nor on some island." I answered with a smile and stepped out to the platform afterwards.
As soon as I got out to stand before the Instructors, the iron door on the right hand side of the hall opened.
And a tall, broad-shouldered Beta walked in. His uniform clinging snugly to his body, emphasizing thick arms and a solid chest. His face was set in a deep scowl, his jaw tight, eyes sharp as they fixated on me.
I didn't need anyone to tell me what's likely going to happen.
Firstly the guide had warned me to throw in the handkerchief, now the Beta who'd offer me a space to stand beside him had said the same warning.
If I don't take those as hints then I must be gullible.
He stopped in my front and the room quieted immediately as the inspector began to say.
"We are gathered here to celebrate the homecoming of a new member. And as you can see, a male Omega, going by the name Kain Locke."
"For starters, there are several stages to test the abilities and strength of any new recruit. We have several segments, and tests for each recruits…but…" he paused.
"Your's is a homecoming match," he continued, his voice even, "That is, you fight. And if by luck you win, you get to stay. You lose…well, you wouldn't want to." He finalized.
The Beta on the other hand rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles as he took position. He looked too relaxed, like I was nothing to him. Of course, anyone could predict the ending of this kind of fight, a lean Omega against a huge muscular Beta.
I exhaled slowly, reminding myself of the guide's words from earlier. If it gets too bad, you can always fall.
But I knew that wasn't an option. Kael wants me here to live, Brian was still out there, waiting for my return.
So I steadied my stance, my eyes focusing on him, I hadn't done anything like this for the past five years, but the options now are weightless.
The inspector gave a short nod. "You can begin. Step into the circle." He beckon the circle on the higher platform to us, and I walked there, even as I did, I could still hear murmurings, not all of what they're saying, but i can still make out the likes of.
"Ken's going to kill this one with a single blow."
"Who wants the newcomer dead? I wouldn't even dream of fighting against Ken."
"Thinking about it, I've heard that name before, and the face is kind of familiar."
"Don't you dare get blood on my clothes or I'm going to hack your corpse into pieces!"
I shut them out of my head and focus on Ken that was walking closer, the moment he climbed up into the circle, he caught me unexpectedly as he lunged at me before I could react.