What an eventful day.

I have been in the Capital for just one day, but I already had a chance encounter with the crown prince that almost got me booted from the royal palace and the tournament. I was saved by the skin of my teeth, so I should make the most of this opportunity because there will be no second chance for me.

After a busy afternoon, uncle Damian left the castle to go check in to the hotel where he would be staying for the duration of the tournament. Only actual contestants are allowed to sleep inside Chateau Blanc, the King's official residence. And we have to share rooms because there are too many competitors.

I am sure that every pack is sending a representative to fight for the right to be the next King of America. Even if most people believe it's just a sham event to legitimize Prince Elton as the next ruler. Honestly, I am here under no illusion that I will become the next monarch of the United States. I'd settle for finding my mate so I can force my uncle to step down as regent of our pack.

I am certain that I will have plenty of opportunities to meet eligible people in my range while I am here in the Capital. I am counting on being the third Pendragon getting mated here in D.C.

Last night, I spent a great deal of time talking to my roommate and encouraging him to set his sights higher than his father aimed for him. Even if he strikes out here in the Capital - and let's face it, probably we all will - he still shouldn't let his father's opinion on him matter more than his self-worth.

The way I see it, he can turn this whole situation upside down and even find a job here afterward. Maybe a new path for him going forward. I can only hope that my mate will want to come back to Utah with me once we discover each other.

Now that I come to think about it, both my father and my uncle discovered their mates already in their twenties. My mate could be in college right now and I would never discover them. Oh Goddess, why did I agree to come here...

Colin and I were instructed to go to the staff cafeteria to have our breakfast. Considering the multitude of contestants, they are going to do this in steps. Each group will have their own schedule to eat. There isn't enough space for everybody to eat at the same time.

At least, not until the first cut of competitors.

Both he and I were amazed at the structure of this place. Neither of us had ever seen such a professional operation. We came, we served ourselves some food, ate then left in a coordinated matter. It gave me the chance to see my competition. Men of all shapes, colors, and sizes have poured in from all fifty states.

After we returned from the cafeteria, we found a note attached to our dormitory. The message said: ten o'clock, MacCarthy Hall, mandatory assembly. I guess we will have our first roundup of competitors today. Here I thought I would only see the rest of them at the King's reception. I guess I was wrong, though I don't know if that note applied to all competitors.

Later that morning, we walked out of the East Wing to find the so-called MacCarthy room in the castle. Fortunately, there were soldiers along the way to guide us so we wouldn't get lost. Colin and I saw hordes of boys walking in the same direction. Per our instruction at the gate yesterday, we were using our identification badges hanging around our necks. Trespassers are shot here in the most secure building in the entire country.

We easily found a line of boys waiting to enter the hall. Several soldiers were coordinating the operation. First, we gave them our names to mark on a clipboard. Once we were registered, they ushered us inside the enormous hall that had two or three connecting rooms.

We saw several desks with men and women wearing aprons, they had stethoscopes around their necks, and on their desks, there were several forms and other paperwork.

"I think they are going to do a physical on the competitors." I whispered to Colin, who was by my side cramming in the tight space as more and more boys entered the hall. I guess that makes sense if we are going to compete together in a tour of force.

Near the end of the hall, I saw Prince Elton talking to one of his friends who I met yesterday. I am glad the room is too crowded for him to notice me. I couldn't estimate the number of young men crowding the room, but by the time we all got inside, there was barely enough space to breathe.

Finally, the soldier who was spearheading the operation began addressing the crowd.

"Good morning, gentlemen. My name is Lieutenant-Colonel Burns and I'm the Chief Medical Officer of the United States Army. With me today are several medical officers that I gathered per this occasion." The tall man spoke with a commanding tone.

"We are here today to do a medical assessment of all the competitors in His Majesty's tournament. We can not have anyone in the arena who isn't fit to compete. Let me tell you right now, you will be challenged unlike you have ever been before. From this moment on, your lives are at the service of a greater purpose. You lot represent the future of this country and that future starts now." He spoke with deference for the momentous occasion.

Wow. What a nice speech. I should've expected they would do a full physical on us. It makes sense given the seriousness of the competition.

"Fair warning: if any of you make use of drugs, recreational or not, you will be disqualified from the tournament. The King already left instructions in this regard and there will be no exceptions. And before you ask, we will do a full panel of bloodwork on everybody to detect the presence of drugs in your system. Even if you consumed a month ago, the exam will detect." He warned us, causing some of the men to gasp in shock.

"If you have consumed drugs, don't worry, we won't arrest you for it. You can just leave now and we'll simply risk your name from the forms. No harm, no foul." He continued, offering space for whoever wanted to come clean about their drug use.

He stared at the group for a minute while nobody said anything. No one volunteered.

"However, if you decide to go through with the examination and you end up wasting our time by doing a drug test that you knew you were going to fail, I will refer your name to the United States Attorney and she will prosecute you to the full extent of the law. I mean it, guys. Don't waste my time!" He threatened us in a dead serious tone.

I guess this is the part where I am glad to have never experimented with drugs. Someone asked him if prescribed medicine counted, to which he replied of course not. But depending on the medicine, he will need to see the prescription to validate their exam.

Fearing for the worst, a dozen or so men left the room quietly. The soldiers outside would collect their names to cross them off the roster. I guess this is serious business. Like he said, it is a serious competition.

"Well, now that we are done with the pleasantries, please remove all articles of clothing to be examined." He instructed and I was like... what?

"You want us to get naked right here, in front of all these people?" One of the boys asked him, baffled by the request.

Lieutenant Burns laughed at his words.

"Do I want you to get naked, no I don't. I am a happily mated man, a father of two children, who loves his wife. But I am not here to do what I want, I do what is required of me. Because I am a doctor, I am required to do a full physical examination of all the contestants. Period." He said in a deadpan tone.

"Is this mandatory? I mean, do we have to?" Another boy asked him, embarrassed about the prospect of disrobing in front of thousands of people. gulp

"Of course not!" He was quick to reply, much to our immediate relief.

"This is America. No one is forced to do anything. You can all just walk through that door and go back to your lives. I will even throw in a voucher for the bus trip." He said in a snarky tone.

All of us gasped in shock at his words. What?!

A|N: This is my fifth naked chapter (different songs), but none have been this naked before. LOL

Love,

Léo.