Sacred Flame: His Enemy, His Mate (BL) Chapter 11: Who Wants him dead?

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 departnt didn't have anything in your size, so I borrowed these from soone. You'll need them for your hocoming," he said. "I made sure they have your asurents, 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 ant, 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 ti for soone 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 ti 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 mont I stepped into the hall, dozens of eyes fell on almost imdiately, which was followed by low indistinct murmur.

The place was packed with both Betas and Ogas standing shoulder to shoulder, Bella had ntioned the Beta's being at Oga's throats every now and then, so i hadn't expected to see them standing as one, i could say that's good enough.

So looked curious, others indifferent, but a few had smirks on their lips, like they already knew sothing I didn't.

Thankfully, I see no Draeven. Neither the father nor the son. That ans 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 sa uniform as the instructors in the forr base. The only difference was that they were Ogas 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 ti to react before soone else shoved , knocking my shoulder hard enough to make stumble. Another Beta beside him chuckled, shaking his head like I was nothing but a joke.

Even the Ogas 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 more pushing, but amidst all the hostility, a voice suddenly called out behind .

"Hey."

Making 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 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 newcor." He said.

I managed a forced smile, "Yeah. That's ."

He let out a small hum, like he had already guessed it. "Figured as much the mont you walked in. This place isn't exactly welcoming to fresh faces. Wasn't for 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 Ogas... why were they acting the sa way as the beta? So of them had even shoved 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 soone weaker."

I let out a slow breath, understanding imdiately.

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 dood 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 , "It's your hocoming 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 ca from behind 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 mont, 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 so 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 .

I didn't need anyone to tell what's likely going to happen.

Firstly the guide had warned to throw in the handkerchief, now the Beta who'd offer a space to stand beside him had said the sa warning.

If I don't take those as hints then I must be gullible.

He stopped in my front and the room quieted imdiately as the inspector began to say.

"We are gathered here to celebrate the hocoming of a new mber. And as you can see, a male Oga, going by the na Kain Locke."

"For starters, there are several stages to test the abilities and strength of any new recruit. We have several segnts, and tests for each recruits...but..." he paused.

"Your's is a hocoming 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 Oga 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 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 newcor dead? I wouldn't even dream of fighting against Ken."

"Thinking about it, I've heard that na 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 mont he climbed up into the circle, he caught unexpectedly as he lunged at before I could react.