(Amaia)

The next day, the training session with Saiph turns out to be obstacle crossing. Instead of focusing on weapon training, he concentrates on enhancing our agility, mental resilience, and physical strength.

Ranging from Tire Agility runs to Rope Climbing, Net Crawling, Balance Beam, Maze and finally the 12-foot-tall wall, which needed working as a team to climb.

"Whoever crosses all the obstacles first will win today’s challenge," Saiph briefs us, wearing a whistle around his neck. He stands tall with his legs wide open, appearing intimidating.

"But you can only win if every guild member crosses this wall after overcoming the other obstacles. Remember to use teamwork to cross the wall. The winning guild will be awarded 25 points."

Excitement runs through us at his announcement. Our Guild sits at the bottom of the table but we are only 10 and 15 points behind Serpens and Pegasus. So if we can win today, we can top the table.

Rahria has been chosen as the captain for today’s challenge, and she is in charge of putting us against the other members of the guilds.

We huddle together and discuss. She takes everyone’s opinion before arranging us against our opponents.

We will be competing in a trio. Each member is going against another from a different guild.

I am set up against Filana from Pegasus and Hazel Aines (the human recruit) from Serpens.

Alnitak chose to go against Ramian and another boy from Serpens.

Mintaka will be against Luthial and Cristo.

Alnitak is first followed by Kacir, Mintaka, me and then Rahria at the end.

"Can I push him into the tyres?" Alnitak cranes his neck left and right, warming up while he menacingly stares at Ramian. His right hand adjusts the glove on his left hand.

"Bury him but with your speed and strength," Rahria tells him with a snort. Kacir shakes his head while Mintaka urges his twin on.

"You are going to give us a head start and we will match your speed." I thump his back, wishing him good luck and he blows me a kiss.

From the moment he figured out that he might be my mate along with Rigel, he has been more persistent in showing his affections. He clings to me at all times, and I know he will try to make Rigel jealous, too.

Rigel hasn’t returned.

The first trio takes their position in front of the tyres laid out. Alnitak rubs his hands together. The blazing sun from the sky makes his vermilion hair glow like a phoenix’s.

My mate indeed is breathtaking.

The whistle sounds and off they go. Their legs and arms move in synch as they cross the first hurdle. Alnitak easily takes the lead, making this appear like a piece of cake. Ramian is right on his heels. They move to rope climbing. Alnitak effortlessly grabs it and begins to climb.

Grunting and huffing, Ramian is behind him. I can see Alnitak has left Ramian frustrated.

"Shit!" Ramian curses as he almost slips and Alnitak lets out a triumphant chuckle. That man knows how to get on Ramian’s nerves.

The second trio, which has Kacir, starts from the tyres with Kacir having a few seconds’ lead because of Alnitak.

Mintaka and his opponents go next.

"Come on guys!" Rahria claps her hands together and shouts. Our team is still in the lead as I stand just behind the tyres waiting for Saiph’s instructions.

He is observing everything with the eyes of a hawk, sharp and precise.

"Go." He gestures towards me, ahead of my opponents as my team is still leading. My legs pump forward crossing the tyres laid out.

"Come on, Amaia!" Rahria urges me forward.

I jump and catch the dangling rope, shifting all my weight on my arms, and I hang from it and propel myself forward. My short stature gives me an advantage. I cross the hurdles and jump down, running towards the next one.

Flattening myself on the ground I dig my hands into the net hanging a few feet above the ground. Now, this is a tricky one and I haven’t done it before. Crawling underneath the heavy net woven from jute, it bites into my hands.

The merciless sun shines down from above. I squint, shielding my eyes. The sweat pours out of my skin in buckets, drenching my uniform.

My arms burn from the effort, but I keep going. I need to keep my team in the lead.

Alnitak and Mintaka seem to have already reached the wall, which we need to climb as a team.

"Come on, Amaia," both of them call out to me.

"You are doing brilliantly," Alnitak’s encouraging voice makes me push harder. How he kissed me yesterday–the possessiveness, the passion, I can’t get that out of my mind.

He believes I can’t feel the mate bond, I can’t sense him but little does he know that I feel every bit of him. Every atom I am made of, he has been ingrained into it. Even with the curse he has been able to get closer to me, recognise me and yet the curse remains unbroken.

I jump and climb on the balance beam. It’s hardly wide enough to plant my boots’ central part and stand up on it. Spreading my arms, I balance myself on the wooden beam, trying not to fall on the muddy ground below.

My opponents are far behind and I can hear Filana cursing from the back.

Rahria is just behind me as boys stand in front of us, the 12-foot wall behind them. Alnitak loudly claps, Mintaka enthusiastically watches while Kacir calls out. "You can do it, girls."

That’s how the guild should be, encouraging each other, pushing everyone forward. Their encouragement pushes me to do better, to come out victorious and lift them up.

Keeping myself properly balanced, I walk the beam and jump down, rushing towards my mates and Kacir. My cheeks burn from the heat, and the sweat coats my whole body, but I don’t care.

Alnitak’s open arms are waiting for me as I land myself in them.

"My lassie, you did so well." He plants a slobbering kiss on the top of my head. Mintaka and Kacir both thump my back.

"That was quick. Good job," Mintaka praises me and I lovingly watch him from Alnitak’s arms.

Then we all turn and watch Rahria and collectively clap and chant.

"Rahria!!!

Rahria!!!

Rahria!!!"