Nearly twenty students from my senior class were waiting on the packhouse lawn when we arrived. I bounced up and down on my toes and looked over at Vanessa who was sitting on the ground with her legs spread,stretching.
Dear Moon Goddess.
The warrior wolves walked out of the packhouse, sizing up the possible new recruits. Some of the women and men had necklaces with pendants shaped like the moon on their chests—a cultural symbol of being mated to someone that they loved. Along with a bite mark on the neck, it was the tradition in our pack and surrounding packs to give someone a necklace. It showed love between one’s wolf side and love between his or her human side.
I smiled at Kerrie and Henry, two of the best warrior wolves. They were mated to each other, and each had their own personalized necklaces. I couldn’t wait until I found my mate who—I knew—would be a strong fighter like me. I had been waiting for my mate since I was a girl and used to watch Mom’s necklace sparkle in the moonlight every night. Just two more weeks, and I’d officially be able to find him.
The wolves walked down the stairs and tossed their training gear near the side of the house, then stood in front of us. I stared curiously at them, while Vanessa smiled seductively.
I took one look at her, leaned my forehead against Derek’s arm, and tried to stifle a laugh at how stupid she looked. It was childish, yes. But I didn’t like her, and she didn’t like me. It had always been senseless, childish drama with her.
If she didn’t try so hard, she could probably get anyone she wanted. She was beautiful. Tall, blonde, curvy, and I was all for flirting with people and self-empowerment, but this… this was too much.
“Is something funny?”
My eyes widened, and I sucked in a breath. Damn it. Alpha Roman stood in front of me, his grey t-shirt hugging his sculpted frame. He gazed at me with those dark sinister eyes, those same eyes that devoured my body last night.
“I asked you a question.”
Everyone stared at us, waiting for me to answer him.
“N-no, Alpha,” I said, trying not to inhale his minty scent and turn to mush.
“And you are laughing, why?” He crossed his arms over his chest, flexing his biceps. I glanced around, trying to come up with somethingthat would get me out of this, but he gripped my chin and forced me to look him in the eye.
His pure dominance made me want to test him. I placed my hands by my side, holding them in clenched fists, so I wouldn’t do something stupid in front of the whole pack. But, then, because I couldn’t help myself, I shrugged.
He took a threatening step closer to me. “If you’re not going to take this seriously, you can leave.” He set his lips in a tight line. “I don’t need a pup like you wasting my time.”
The corner of Vanessa’s lip curled. I could just hear herhmmf-ing at me in that snobby way she always did.
Roman grasped my chin harder, his fingers digging into my skin. His golden eyes were smirking at me, like I was right where he wanted, like he had pure control over me. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
He released his grip and turned back to the warrior wolves, whispering something to his beta, Cayden. Cayden nodded and looked curiously at me. I let out a breath, fixed my gaze on the kicked-up grass under my feet, and clenched my fists behind my back.
Damn him.
“Five-mile run. Human form only.” Roman stared out at the thick green brush. “When you get back here, we will partner up and start the training.”
The warriors led the run through the forest, some peeling away and running faster than the others. I gazed at Derek, itching to sprint past everyone and to go at my own pace, but not wanting to be disrespectful. Cayden slowed down until he was running beside us. “Keep up,” he said to me, running faster. “If you can!”
I glanced at Derek and ran after Cayden, weaving in and out of the other warriors, jumping over fallen tree trunks, and pushing myself harder than I ever had. Cayden ran past Roman, and I followed.
My breathing was heavy, my lungs were full, my mind felt so free. I felt like the forest and I were one. Running had always been a way to connect with my wolf. When we were small, Roman and I would love getting lost in the woods, running for hours just to get nowhere.
Cayden slowed down when we reached the clearing near the packhouse. He peeled off his shirt, his abdomen glistening with sweat, and pointed to me. “You ready?”
I doubled over, placing my hands on my knees and gasping for air. “Don’t we have to wait for—”
He lunged at me, catching me off guard, and slammed me against the dirt. “No. Warriors don’t wait for anyone. They fight when they need to fight.”
Without waiting another moment, I hopped back up and crouched in my fighting stance. Well… I guess we weren’t waiting for them. I circled around Cayden, trying to find an opening to attack. But each time I went in to take him down, he stopped me and threw me to the ground.
As the others walked into the backyard, I watched Cayden’s ear continuously fly back—as if he was listening to them and not paying as close attention to me as he should have. I socked him hard in the stomach with my fist, stepped in toward him, and threw him over my shoulder.
It was the only takedown I had gotten in ten minutes.
