“My Goddess,” Lena gasps dramatically. “Nyx Stevens on time?! What is happening?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I laugh. “Scary, isn’t it?”
Reese grins. “She has to use up that energy somehow.”
Lena snorts, shaking her head. “Okay, rub it in that you get cuddles while us two are lonely and cold.”
“And not being railed through walls or trees,” I add.
He stammers. “Too much detail.”
“You started it,” I point out. “Besides, Sarah’s been glowing. We knowexactlywhat you’ve been up to, Reesey.”
Blushing, he stutters, attempting to find words. “I… you… what?”
Lena taps his shoulder. “There, there. You still have so much to learn, baby wolf. Just embrace it. Besides, imagine how Nyx is feeling. I knew there was a reason she was fast and good at cardio. The universe was preparing her.”
“You should be thankful I haven’t been concussed yet,” I mumble, laughing as Reese’s mouth pops open in shock.
“I swear I nearly dislocated my hips,” Lena mentions as the three of us start walking toward the facility. “I considered taking up yoga or something.”
Nodding, I spot Alpha Daxton and Beta Alix at the entrance, doing a head count as people arrive. “I need to meditate, learn more patience. Though, to be fair, I think I’m fairly broken in now.”
Beta Alix does a double take as we approach. “Stevens? What time do you call this?”
“I call it seven in the morning,” I answer without hesitation. “6.53am, to be exact.”
“Maverick’s punctuality is rubbing off on you,” Alpha Daxton interjects. “Good.”
“That’s not the only thing,” Lena mumbles under her breath, the three of us breaking out in laughter as the two leaders glare at us.
Quickly, we duck inside, joining the rest of the scheduled pack. Taking our place by the mats, we wait until everyone arrives, the room falling silent when Alpha Daxton and Beta Alix call for our attention.
"Listen up everyone," Alpha Daxton starts. "Now more than ever it's important to be prepared. I don't want to see anyone holding back. Beta Alix will partner you up and you will resume tactical attack and defence strategies. However, please be mindful as to not injure yourselves or your partner."
"This feels ominous," Lena whispers, a frown appearing on her face.
I nod. "I guess they knew all along."
"I used to make fun of the fact we were forced to do this," she replies. "It had been so long since the Great War. Now, I feel like an idiot."
"It's okay," I tell her. "We have a good life. It was natural to assume things would always be that way. At least we are prepared. Imagine the packs who aren't."
"Like the ones who vanished?" Reese asks.
Shaking my head, I give him a sad smile. "They didn't stand a chance. But this is more than just cosmic balance and divine disturbance. Packs like the Seventh Circle can't be trusted. I honestly believe it's because of Alpha Daxton's training that we've been safe. Most aren't game enough to try. to take us But that doesn't mean there isn't an exception."
Beta Alix reaches us, pointing Reese in the direction of another pack member while Lena is partnered with Destine.
"Stevens, the Alpha and I agree the best option for you is to practice with me again," he says after the others walk away.
I nod. "Just like old times, eh?"
His lips twitch slightly in amusement. "That's a positive way to look at it."
"Are you scared?" I ask with a grin. "You know—of my mates getting angry?"
Beta Alix snorts. "Well, try not to get your ass kicked and I'll be fine."
