I am hungry.

After we left McCarthy Hall, starving, Colin and I walked to the cafeteria hungry for breakfast. Uncle Damian brought me some fruits yesterday, and we ate them this morning, but I am still hungry. It's past nine in the morning, I am used to the early bird special. If I were still in Utah, I'd be training by now.

Uncle Damian used to tell me when I was a boy that Alphas needed to train twice as hard as any other warrior for the pack. We were supposed to be leaders, so we were the ones who spearheaded the attack, like my father did when he defended our pack on the day that rogues killed him.

Considering how much I had to lose by not complying with his demands and how much I feared being killed like my father was once I became Alpha, I convinced myself that he was only acting in my best interest and that everything he wanted was for our dynasty to remain leading this small pack in a State far away from my his home town.

People like my father and uncle rarely get to ascend as Alpha. You have to be born one to become one, and even so, you have to be born first. Second children are only spares in case something happens to the first one. It's the same in the nobility and royal family.

Only the first child inherits the land and title from their father. The first male heir receives the nobility title his father has after he dies. All children of the King are called princes and princesses, but only one of them can be the next monarch. Even the son of a princess, like Elton, is called a prince. But he would only inherit his father's title, a Lord, as it stands now.

Nowadays, titles of nobility only matter to those who inherit vast properties and have a seat at the decision-making table. We live in a constitutional monarchy, so the King does not have limitless powers. He is bound by the Constitution of the United States of America, but as the Head of State and Government, he has a lot on his plate.

Regular folks like me or my roommate could have lived our entire lives without ever meeting a Lord or an Earl, especially because they walk in much different circles than we do. The nobility's main occupation, besides getting rich off the people's backs, is to legislate in the Senate - a place where only the King's appointees can fill the seats.

It all boils down to one simple truth: the game is rigged.

If you are not the child of a Lord or an Alpha's heir, there's little that you can do to change things around for yourself. There are people who strike rich in commerce or technology but it takes a brilliant idea for that to work. Like the guy who created an app for regular people to drive other regular people instead of having to depend on taxis that can be unreliable sometimes and expensive. That guy is probably very rich.

Anyway, back to my original point, my father was lucky when the King elevated him to be an Alpha. Even if our pack is small, farm folks. I love my small town and I wouldn't trade it for a big city. I just hope my mate feels the same when I find them. Fingers crossed.

It was a war to get breakfast after the meeting, so I guess I am not that mad about the idea of cutting our numbers in half tomorrow. I just hope to be a part of the remaining half. Hopefully, Colin as well. I like him as a roommate and I could use a friend while I am here.

Let me tell you, uncle Damian was not amused when I told him of the offer we received last night. Even though he already knew I had turned it down, he was livid that someone could potentially derail our plans for me to compete in the tournament. The guy was shaken in terror by that perspective. He actually believes I could be the next King of America. So delusional...

Like Colin and I, he was shocked to hear they were going to cut our numbers in half tomorrow. He did not expect that to happen so soon, but I guess feeding five thousand men is mighty expensive, even for a rich country like ours.

Colin took some time while I talked to my uncle to call his mother, who was looking forward to hearing from him. The way he spoke of her was so endearing that it reminded me of the need to call my mother. We have been texting since I arrived in D.C. but I will make time to FaceTime her soon.

Damian told me there was a gym in the North Wing of the castle and that I was allowed to use it for a limited amount of time during the day. They gave us a brochure of the castle regulation and he read it from cover to cover in his time off. He is a lawyer by trade.

Around eleven a.m. I had some time to kill before lunch, so I went to check out the place. It is a little daunting to walk the halls of this centenary castle, it is so beautifully constructed. Wherever I went, there was a soldier stationed to safeguard the building. I asked them for directions and they instructed me on how to get to the North Wing through connecting corridors.

I marveled at the place even more. There used to be a prison here, but it was discontinued in the 20th Century, now the King built something else in its stead. A wellness center for when he is bored, complete with a sauna, fitness center, gym, and a massive indoor pool that I would die to take a swim if I was allowed. Oh, it is heated.

I guess when you are the undisputed ruler of a country, you can do everything you want. Who can challenge him? The only thing they could do would be to impeach him to put his successor on the throne, but they cannot change the line of succession. It's illegal and unconstitutional.

When I arrived at the wellness center, it seemed that everybody read the brochure and had the same idea as me. The place was packed to the brim with thousands of men doing exercises before tomorrow's challenge. We have no way of knowing what it is, unless you bribe a military personnel and I don't have that kind of budget - nor would I risk my reputation like this, especially considering who my father was.

I entered the place, looking around for empty gym equipment, but all I could find was a weight-lifting bar. That will do, I guess. Apparently, we all want to burn some energy before lunch and train for tomorrow. It's not like I can tell any of them to let me have the chance to train, we are all competitors here.

I lifted the weights that were at my disposal, but they weren't doing anything for me, so I put them back on the ground and walked around the place. It is a large space like a real-life center, even the sauna was occupied. No, I do not need to see more men naked, thank you very much. Not after yesterday's physical.

As I walked around, getting to know the place, I finally reached the indoor pool. I am not going to lie, I love swimming. I would kill for some laps in this gorgeous place fit for a King.

"Go ahead. The door is unlocked." One boy told me, approaching me from behind with a mischievous grin.

"So I get disqualified for entering a place I am not supposed to enter? Nice try, dude. I may come from a small town, but I'm not stupid. I know you'll call the guard as soon as I walk inside to catch me in the act and report back to Colonel Armstrong." I told him, amused that he thought I'd fall for that. This isn't the same as invading the municipal pool for a private party. This is the royal castle and the consequences for trespassers are dire.

He laughed at my statement. It was a nice try, but I won't trust anyone while I am here.

He was right though, the door to the pool was ajar and I could hear splashes of water inside and it was making my body squirm. I wonder who is swimming at this hour because I don't think it is the King - or the security here would be a lot tighter.

I got lost in thought, picturing myself in the swimming pool, when I heard laughter inside as two boys were leaving the place wearing only towels wrapped around their waists. Quelle surprise, it's Prince Elton and his snobby friend.

"YOU!" He was surprised to see me there, though I am not sure why if the place was packed. I bowed my head to him to avoid any misinterpretation.

"Good morning, Your Royal Highness. How was the pool?" I tried to be courteous to him, though that was a serious question.

"It was fantastic, as always. Would you like to take a swim?" He offered me with the same smile the other guy had. These people...

"No, Your Highness. I am not allowed inside the swimming pool, says so in the brochure." I replied, playing dumb that he didn't just try to entrap me.

"My friends are allowed to go for a swim." He insisted with a wicked smile.

"Of course, my Prince. But I am good, thank you for the kind offer." I smiled at him, pretending to be dumb as it was my only recourse. Damn, the prince is certainly taking advantage of the place. His abdomen is so ripped! He and his friend looked like Abercrombie models.

"You are so welcome. Now if you excuse us, we were on our way to the sauna." He spoke before walking past me. His friend had a look of disdain plastered on his face as if I was beneath him. That is so outdated...

The Prince closed the door to the indoor pool, which automatically locked and could only be opened by a swipe card coded to that specific place. One that the members of the royal family possess.

Now I am feeling frustrated, so I sought out anything I could use to work out. At this point, I am okay to lift one of the boys here, as long as I can work off my anger.

A|N: You go, boy. There will be a lot of traps that you must escape.

Love,

Léo.