Chapter 4 The Shifting Exercise

The Course of Obstacles The extensive training fields of the academy were alive with a frantic intensity. In front of the gathered kids was a complicated obstacle course, a maze of barriers, ropes, and unstable platforms. Both invigorating and intimidating, the earthy perfume of the forest beyond blended with the scent of sweat and adrenaline. Victor was at the starting line, staring straight ahead at the course. He sensed the adulation in some of his classmates' eyes and the thinly veiled disdain in others. Ignoring them, he concentrated on the work at hand.

The course was created to assess mental toughness and strategic thinking in addition to physical strength and agility. The trial began with the sound of a horn. Victor had a graceful, fluid gait and made accurate, effective moves. His hold was solid and unyielding as he climbed the first wall, his muscles rippling beneath his tunic. His body was a whirl of movement as he swung across a set of ropes, his balance flawless.

Even he was startled by how quickly and nimbly he moved through the course. He had rarely felt this in his life as Victoria, yet he moved with a basic instinct, a sense of oneness with his body. He experienced the rush of adrenaline in his veins, the wind in his hair, and the harsh feel of the ropes against his flesh. His feet landed softly on a thin platform as he jumped across a chasm. He scaled a tall wall, his feet and hands gripping the jagged rock. His movements were controlled and regular as he swung from a series of rings, his body a pendulum. The instructors' surprised and appreciative looks were palpable in their eyes. He could hear the pupils whispering to each other, their voices full of reluctant admiration. He was aware that'll he was making an impression on them and demonstrating his value. However, he was also aware that his outstanding success was escalating their animosity and that he was alienating others.

He witnessed the scowls, the muttered taunts, and the barely concealed dangers. He was aware that he was upsetting the status quo and creating enemies. He arrived at the last barrier, a tall wall that appeared to reach the sky. His muscles clenched, his thoughts focussed, he inhaled deeply. He jumped, his fingers grabbing hold of the jagged rock. Muscles burning, his body straining, he pulled himself up. His chest heaved as he neared the top, his eyes riveted to the finish line. With a quiet thump, his boots hit the earth as he jumped down. His motions were strong and fluid as he ran towards the finish line. With his heart racing and his chest heaving, he crossed the line. He had outperformed even the academy's most accomplished warriors, finishing the course in record speed.

He had demonstrated his strength, dexterity, and resolve. However, he also experienced a feeling of exposure and vulnerability. He had tested himself to the maximum and shown his actual abilities. He was aware that he had made himself a target and attracted attention to himself. Xander was almost obsessive in his observation of Victor's performance. He paid attention to every gesture, every movement, and every minute detail of his posture and way of walking. He witnessed the easy force of his leaps and climbs, as well as the fluid beauty of his motions. He observed the small discrepancies, the hesitancies, and the brief flashes of a more feminine elegance concealed below the masculine exterior. He observed Victor's hips, shoulders, and hands moving with a delicate precision that contrasted with his rugged demeanour.

He recalled the fragrance, the subtle hint of lavender mixed with something else, something he recognised, something that evoked a memory from long ago. He recalled the emerald green eyes that had a glimmer of vulnerability and a flare of defiance. He thought of the young girl he had met years before; her eyes had a similar sparkle, and she smelt like a combination of lavender and an unidentified substance. His suspicions were rising, and he had a persistent sense that he was being duped. He had a nagging feeling that something frightening and secret was out there. He saw Victor's actions, his thoughts whirling and his head racing. He examined every nuance, contradiction, every brief flash of reality. He contrasted the mental pictures, the girl's recollections, and Victor's observations. He observed Victor's body movements, his slight posture changes, and the brief hints of a more feminine figure showing through the baggy tunic. He observed the precise accuracy and almost artistic beauty of Victor's hand movements. He recalled the aroma, the subtle hint of lavender and something more, something that stuck in his mind, something that made him feel familiar.

He recalled the emerald green eyes, which had a similar intensity and spark. He experienced an increasing sense of assurance, knowledge, and comprehension. He was aware that Victor was not who he claimed to be and was concealing something. He was aware that he needed to expose the deceit and find the truth. He kept a steady stare and a focused thought as he observed Victor's moves. He observed Victor's chest movements, the faint rise and fall, and the nearly undetectable binding under the tunic. He saw the movement of Victor's hair, the delicate changes in the short, dark locks, and the almost feminine softness. There was a faint lavender perfume that he remembered, along with something else that stuck in his mind and reverberated in his dreams. He recalled the eyes, the emerald green eyes that possessed a similar fragility and flare. He experienced an increasing allure, a feeling of familiarity, a sense of connection, and an indisputable feeling.

He was aware of his attraction to Victor and how his strength, agility, and resolve enthralled him. In addition, he had feelings of rage, betrayal, and deception. He was aware that Victor was not being truthful and was concealing something. He was aware that he needed to face the deceit and find the truth. With a sharp vision and a rushing mind, he observed Victor's moves. He observed Victor's body's movements, the minute changes, the brief moments, and the indisputable reality. He could see the fragility, the intensity, and the spark in Victor's eyes. He recalled the aroma, the lavender, the recognition, and something else. He recalled the girl, the Victor, the eyes, and the emerald green. He was aware.

The shifting exercise, a ceremonial demonstration of authority and control, started. The pupils started to change, their forms changing, their muscles rippling, their bodies taut, their eyes focused. The smell of fur and the werewolves' unadulterated strength filled the room as the energy crackled in the air. Victor started to change, his body stiff, his thoughts focused. He could feel the energy rush, the transformation in his body, and the shift in his bones. Within himself, he sensed the wolf's strength, instinct, and power. He changed, his muscles growing, his fur sprouting, his body changing. He experienced the liberation of the wolf, the unfurling of his human limitations, and the realisation of his full potential. He had a graceful, fluid gait, strong motions, and keen senses. He sensed the soil beneath his paws, the wind in his fur, and the other wolves around.

There was a stunned hush, followed by a gasp and a sharp intake of breath. He sensed a tear, a rend, a tug. He experienced anxiety, vulnerability, and exposure. He gazed down at his shredded clothes, the binding showing through the ripped fabric. He caught sight of his actual shape, including the smoothness of his skin and the curvature of his hip. He could hear the murmurs, the whispers, the startled responses. The wide, incredulous, and knowing eyes were all visible to him. He experienced dread, anxiety, and desperation. He sensed the weakness, the exposure, and the impending devastation. A student nearby gasped sharply, his face white, his eyes wide with amazement.

"Its... its a..."Unspoken and incomplete, the sentence lingered in the air. In the hush hovered the moment of near-exposure, the moment of possible destruction.