Ch. 141..150

Chapter 0141 She flinches back and I briefly feel bad for being so nasty to her, when she only wants to help, but I shake it off. I walk to the chair that has my dirty, bloodstained clothes. I drop the hospital gown, not caring who sees my scars anymore. If they want to care for me they can look at me as I am, and learn to do it without looking at me like I arn broken or with pity. I despise pity. I dress slowly , keeping every sound of pain stuffed deep in my chest. I know it 's punishing me to not ask for help, but this is howit has always been for me and they should see that too. going to the Beta house, to my isolated room where no one bothers me or cares about what I am doing. I'm going back to having freedom and control without having to checkin every three seconds with someone or having people follow me and force me to do things differently without a second thought or even just asking if I'm alright with the change, assuming they know what's best for me. You think you can make me healthy? I wouldn't even know what that is. I seeth, on a roll now, directing all my unfiltered anger out into the hallway to the guys,

Sierra, the Alpha, Gamma and Deltas. "I am broken beyond repair and I have been surviving that way for as long as I can remember. You heard the doc, irreparable damage has been done. There is nothing you can fix, cause even on my worst day I still perform better than everyone in that hallway pretending to care about me, while overlooking everything that has ever been wrong with me. I will heal myself, by myself, it just works better that way. I'm sorry Luna, I just can't do this anymore, it hurts too much. My voice is raspy and my throat hurts but I continue to speak. "Maybe somewhere everyone has a soft spot for the small, spare beta The one her father can't even stand to look at Or be around, who TOLD the principal to punish her more because she is unworthy and could use the lesson in humility. I do not want pity love. I don't want love that comes from feeling bad for my situation. This is me, damaged and messed up, love me like this or not at all. I can't change for everyone else anymore. I turn my back on her and walk toward the treatment room door and find all of my so- called friends and family huddled red -eyed and grief stricken. Their eyes widened at the gruesome

sight of me. Even my dad had the decency to show up and feign a look of shame. I just rolled my eyes and walked past everyone down the hallway and out the door. I ran all the way back to my house, pain shooting up my legs, not noticing or caring if people were staring at me. I let myself in the back door like always and walked the silent halls to the staircase leading to my former prison. I ascend slowly, everything about this feels wrong, but so does the thought of going to my room at the packhouse_ I don't belong here, it doesn't fit anymore. Like clothes that are just too small, no longer comfortable and easy, but suffocating and tight. I agree with my wolf, the packhouse is home now, but I just can 't be around the guys or even Sierra right now. I make it into my room and head straight for the shower to get rid of the evidence Of my self destruction. I don't cry though, which is something new forme- I'm not sure if I am just all cried out or if the anger has finally taken over the sadness. I climb out, dry off and get dressed. The first thing I need to do is figure out how long I have been at the hospital and see if I have missed any school. All my stuff is in my room at the packhouse. Just another thing I'm going to have to deal with later. I leave my door locked and head out the window, just like old times. I can't believe it's been almost a year since I

have had to sneak out. I don't need anyone scenting me come and go. I head straight for school taking the well worn long way through the woods. Sneaking in a back entrance that I broke a couple years ago so I had a quick escape in or out if I needed it. And I needed it on a regular basis. Now, who to talk to to get caught up on the day? Doc T. is a no go. The pack doctor is just going to send me back to the hospital and almost guaranteed to call Luna Ava. The only other person who doesn 't completely hate me is Mr. Lyons the history teacher. He is old and could care less about pack drama. The hallways are empty and I think it's too early for lunches. I take all the paths that I know are blindspots for the security cameras. That will be one of the first things I fix when I get back from training, but for now I'm going to use them to my advantage. I peak around corners like a criminal just trying to make it to his classroom and not get caught sneaking into school.

Chapter 0142 I get about five feet from his door when a hand grabs my wrist. I instinctively twist and take a defensive stance ready for an attack "Relax! It's just me. Sierra whisper yells, dodging my fist as it comes flying at her face. 'Il told the guys you would show up here, they didn't believe me. They are all still camped at your house trying to figure out how to get you to come out and reason with you. I go to open my mouth to argue, but she puts her whole hand on my mouth. "Stop! I don't want to hear it and I'm not here to fight. I am not your enemy and no matter how stupid the guys are, neither are they. That's all I am going to say about it now though. You are not going to avoid me and I will not force you to be around the guys, cause whatever this is," she gestures at all of me, It's bigger than any of us thought. Your trauma runs deep and you are the only person who can get yourself past that since you won't let anyone in that far. Now, it's Monday and we have about eight minutes before the bell will ring for second period. I already went to the packhouse and grabbed your stuff and to your locker and got everything you usually have for all classes before lunch. I talked to the school counselor and I have been moved into all of your classes, that way neither of us are alone per Luna Ava's request. The guys might catch on by then, so I will switch everything out for you and we can make a better plan for tomorrow, cause this hiding sh*t isn 't going to fly past today." With that she handed me my overly stuffed backpack and started to walk off. "Sierra, Pm not going to come between you and the guys, I won't make you choose. But I just can't..." "Stop. I told you Pm not talking about them today. You are my concern right now. I had to watch your basically dead body, covered in blood, being carried out of the basement. I watched Gamma Brett run with you to the pack hospital, barely breathing. I can't feel your emotions like Oliver and apparently the twins, I don't know where your mind is at, but that was the scariest f*cking thing I have ever had to go through. And we do care, I care, but I can't help if you keep things from me. I didn't realize getting out of here was life or death for you, but that's how bad it is, isn't it? You will die

if you don't get out of here." Tears are rolling down her cheeks. I just step up to her and pull her in for a hug. This is what I didn't want, my needs are affecting others. This is wthy I feel stuck Like her, I'm not going to think about it though. We are here, right now, and she is on my side, apparently, no matter what I do or say. We both took a big breath in and sighed out, silently agreeing to just get through today. We walked off to second period and she filled me in on how long I was in the hospital, which was only overnight. We made it through the day uneventfully, the guys never showed up. She even helped me come up with a reasonable excuse for missing the first class. I was at the pack hospital for a training injury. Mostly the truth so I don't feel bad about the lie and it could be verified by Doc. T. She then helped me sneak food into my room so I don't have to leave, but only on the promise that I wouldn't shut her out and I would meet her for breakfast at the diner tomorrow. She only stayed for a little while after that. Sam started blowing up her phone and I kept reminding her that I wasn't going to come between her friendships with the guys even though mine were imploding around "What do you want me to say to them? You know they are going to smell you on me and ask questions." "Just tell them that you were right and I did show up at school. You understand me better than they do." I shrug. She just rolls her eyes, but doesn't argue either. "DO I really have to go out the window?" "I don 't want them to know I can come and go even if they are playing at being guards at my door. They can't Imow you were here. So yes, out the window it is." I sat on my bed in the quiet and got the little homework I had left done and then laid down to read a book in the silence of my childhood bedroom. All pack members 15 and older, with their wolf, will begin running patrol shifts effective immediately. We have a potential threat on our hands and our leadership council has decided training for all is vital for pack safety. You will get your schedule at your regularly scheduled training session tomorrow. Any students, this will not affect your studies. Alpha Lucas mindlinks the pack

 

Chapter 0143 That's strange, I thought he wasn't going to say anything to the pack until he actually had something to tell. My wolf questions. Maybe news from the Alpha King set him off. We aren't in the pack house so we aren't privileged to that info anymore. Or he just thinks it's a good idea to be prepared. I mean, it's the reason we train pups so early, isn't it? She has a point. I guess we'll find out tomorrow. Are you sure you're okay with this? Being away from the guys and all. You are getting so strong, I don 't want the separation to harm you too. I have a feeling it will be alright and we are still close enough that I can talk to their wolves, they really aren't that far away. That's enough for now. When you all are done being emotional humans let me know and we'll set things right. I just roll my eyes. Goodnight. Goodnight. Luna Ava said to tell you goodnight as well and your room will always be available and waiting for you. I just smiled. We got up early the next day feeling a little better. My stomach is still in knots at the thought of staying away from the guys, like I'm physically not well, but I push past that so I can focus on getting out of here. I force myself to eat a few of the protein bars I stashed along with a bottle of water. Mateo and Oliver stayed by my door last night. They might have even slept against it with how strong their scents were wafting under it. I will say the scent was calming and I had a calm dreamless sleep. They get points for perseverance that's for sure, but I have to keep my mind on my goal. My goal is to get trained to be the best warrior I can be for my pack I can 't let my, as my wolf calls them, 'human emotions get in the way of that. I can feel it in my bones, that I need to go do this, more than I need them by my side at this moment. I packa bag with a change of clothes so I don't have to leave the training arena after we are done. I will just shower and change there, again like old times. As soon as I have everything I will need for the day, I head out my trusty window, making sure to take a good look around to make sure the

coast is clear. They aren't stupid and will figure out what Pm doing sooner rather than later. But I will use my advantage for now. I know Sierra said I was her priority, but she may think telling the guys I can sneak out would be helping me. So I am treating everything as if I can only trust myself and my wolf implicitly. We make it out okay and head toward the diner, Sierra met me outside and we headed to a table in the complete opposite corner of where the guys normally go. A fact Martha was quick to point out. "We just needed some girl time and didn 't want them hounding us about being here without them. So we'd rather leave our scents way over here and hope they don 't notice if they do come in. Sierra says easily and I don't know if Martha buys it or just decides to go with it. She brings everything out in to go containers and a wink "Luna Ava gave me a heads up and you have about three minutes to clear out. Enjoy your day ladies!" She is way too cheerful about this sneaking around thing than she should be. "Wait! How much do we owe you?" I ask, confused. "I told you. You eat for free! I haven't had this much fun in so long. The looks on those boys' faces when they think they know wthat's what and either of you put them in their places is so entertaining, it's worth it. Now go out the back I think" She winks again and we laugh as we take off. When we get to the training arena a note on the outside gate says training has been postponed today while the warriors are in planning meetings so we head off to find a place to eat our breakfast in peace while we wait for school to start. We were not as lucky in our avoidance tactics at school. The guys came and were in all their broody glory, snapping at anyone who got in their way. They caught up with us and walked wordlessly to each class we had together and managed, somehow, to be even angrier when they realized that Sierra was no longer in their classes if I wasn't. We didn't approach the subject of why none of us were talking and I only interacted if and when absolutely required for class. Sierra and I were leaving English, one of the few classes the guys aren't in. "I officially hate you for how smart you are, just so you are aware. How do you even understand what she is saying? It's English, it's not supposed to be that hard." Sierra groans. "You are going to have to do my homework for the rest of the year if I stay in that class. I'm pretty sure that one is for seniors.”

I giggle at her, but my amusement doesn’t last long as We walk into the lunchroom. Sam walks straight to us, but doesn’t make eye contact with me.

 

Chapter 0144 "We all need to report to dad after school, all warriors fifteen and older are going to start running patrols. He wants to pair underage warriors with seasoned warriors so we can all learn the routes and procedures. Ride with us or don't, it's up to you, but we're all going to the same place." Sam huffs at both of us, still not looking at me, before heading off to get lunch. The rest of the guys stand in the hallway a little longer just staring at us, then they all walk away as well. "Well they must really be pissed at me if Sam is the one giving the cold shoulder. You should go sit with them, you both do not deserve to be caught up in the BS between the twins, Oliver and I. I swear I will be okay on my own for a little bit. I promise I will even sit close enough for you to keep an eye on me. I look at Sierra, who's staring longingly at Sam's retreating back I walk away, not waiting for her to respond, to a corner table no one is occupying, my appetite is lost after realizing what my behavior is doing to my friends' relationship. This time I can't just give in when they say sorry though. Their opinion won 't change, but neither will mine. It's nice and quiet over here. Most people don't like it because it is tucked into a corner, you cannot see a portion of the lunch room and, more importantly, you can't be seen. I can keep Sierra in my sights, which means she can see me, so Pm technically not alone. I pull out a book from our strategies class. We are working through wars that have happened in the last hundred years and analyzing why they started in the first place, what ultimately ended them and how each side was either successful or failed. Our teacher also posed the question of should they have started in the first place? I was so caught up in a war that Alpha King Reggie's grandfather fought in, I didn't see my brother sneak up on me. Another downside to this corner is the AC unit blowing across my head making me upwind, I didn't smell him coming up behind me either. "You need to see this from our side, Shorty. Wecan't protect you if you go away and we don't know who you'll be with or what they are going to do with you and that scares the sh*t out of all of us." I didn 't look up from my book. "I will accept your

position..." He took a deep breath in, sighed it out loudly and relaxed next to me, but I wasn't finished. When you all accept my position. You do not NEED to protect me. Pm sure in our short time together you have all at least figured that out. As far as who I will be hanging around with, get over yourselves. Do I need to remind you that until Sierra came, none of you gave two sh*ts what happened to me, or who I was with. So find a new excuse for your behavior. Just because you care now doesn't change that. I am doing my best to not hold that against you, but it's hard when your archaic misogynistic sides come out in all their flying colors." "That's not fair, you never said anything, never asked for help, never complained. Had you said something we would have stepped in sooner." I take a deep calming breath, I cannot lose my temper here. "Did you just say it's my fault that dad treated me the way he did? Pawned me off on a nanny who wasn't allowed to do more than feed me and get me to school. Or that getting bullied was my fault? What happens to me now, I will fully own, it is my choice to take the burdens of those younger and weaker than me, but not originally. You did not take notice and I won't let you put that blame on rne_ I am full on glaring at him now. "I'm not going to let you make me feel guilty for how you feel now. "That's not what I said., and you know it." "That's exactly what you just said! At least I know how you really feel. It won't matter howmany times I beat you and the guys, you all think you are better than me and that I need you and can't survive life without you. Thank you for clarifying Mateo, excuse me, I have class to get to." I shoved everything in my bag and got up to leave. I wasn't waiting for anyone to catch up with me. I got to our Health and healing class and made my way to the backof the room in the corner, hoping that people would sit around me and none of them could come near me. I was not lucky enough though, no one was going to mess with the guys looking the way they did when they came in the room. Sierra sat next to me, Oliver in front of me, Mateo diagonal, and Sam, Kota and Cam finished out the back row next to Sierra. Again we all only speak when necessary, but you could cut the tension in the room with a knife. If this keeps up, I may go to the Luna and see if I can just finish my classes remotely. This is ridiculous.

Chapter 0145 We play the rest of our day the same. Slerra and I trying to hold awkward, mundane conversations while the guys listened in, but pretended not to pay any attention to us. As I was putting my books away at the end of this mind-numbingly long day while Sierra waited on me so we could head over to check in with Delta Kyle, Kaley walks up and goes to slam my locker shut. This time I don't let her. My reactions are fast and I'm done with her bullsh*t as much as the guys'.

I catch the edge Of the locker and push it back open, then glare at her. I won't do anything here at school, my conditioning still won't let me retaliate against her here, but I'm not going to let her walk all over me anymore either. She lets out a little squeak before she composes herself again. "Whatever you did to piss off our future Alphas, you need to fix now! Your stupid childish games are making life hard for the rest of us. Apologize, grovel, kiss their feet or whatever they want and make this better. They have been yelling and growling at people all day. You even have them raising their voices at me, which is unacceptable. "I don 't see how my relationship with any of them is any of your business. And I will not take responsibility for whatever stupidity of yours that got you yelled at. I said without looking at her and finished what I was doing, then closed my locker and turned to walkin the opposite direction,

Sierra close behind. 'How dare you turn your back on your future Luna and speak to her like that! She grabs my shoulder to spin me around. But before I can do anything a shout from down the hallway stops everyone. "TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HER!" Oh goody, just another incident where Mateo thinks he needs to step in for me. "And stop talking in third person, it's weird." Sierra adds under her breath. Kaley either doesn't hear or chooses to ignore it, but doesn 't take her hand off my shoulder and it takes all my patience to not

rip her fingers off me. "I was just explaining that she needs to be more kind to her future Luna. Her childish behavior is going to get her into more trouble, and I think there has been enough of that, don't you, Skylar? I mean you have spent more time in the principal's office than in class. And she is constantly distracting you all which is unacceptable as well.

The guys all 100k at me. It's actually not true, but I come and go from classes as I need to because I am so far ahead and I am only in one class with her, so she wouldn't actually know if Pm in class or not. I spent a ton of time there last year though, due to her antics, but she conveniently left that part out. I choose not to answer, they want to think and act for me, I'm not going to stop them. They can prove how well they know me by choosing to believe her accusations or not. I cross my arms and look defiantly at everyone daring the guys to choose, Kaley or me. As predicted, none of them say anything. They are not supporting me or her, which hurts just as bad as if they would have taken her side. At least then I would know where I stand. Based on the look on her face, she thinks that they agree with her. They just showed both of us they think of us as equals or at the very least are chickensh*t and don't want to look like they are taking sides which solidified my belief in my true place in their life. I roll my eyes and turn to walk away.

Chapter 0146 "We're going to be late to meet Delta Kyle." I say over my shoulder to no one in particular. "Are we walking together or not?" I don't get an answer as Kaley grabs their attention again. "Should Marnie, Jeanie and I meet you at the packhouse Saturday for the ball or are you boys going to come and pick us up? I'm sure Daddy can arrange a car to take us all, that probably would be best to really showcase our arrival. I roll my eyes again and start walking faster. As often as they have told Sierra and I that they have shut those three down, clearly they aren't doing a good enough job. I don't want to hear their lameass answers, diplomatic and vague replies are clearly not working, not if there is any opening for interpretation. Those three girls only hear what they want, I'm over the back and forth and passive aggressive tiptoeing around her. They are going to have to learn to make solid decisions, even if they make some people mad. That's part of being a leader, do what's right and best for the majority, not everyone will be happy about it. Make decisions and deal with the outcome that plays out.

Sierra and I walk into the training grounds surrounded by a bunch of our peers. Delta Kyle is at the front of the group ready to give instructions. "We are going to be pairing you up with a current patrol warrior. This will allow us to give our warriors much needed rest and you all a chance to learn tracking and surveillance skills. For those of you still in school, we have done our best to not interfere with that, but you may need to arrive late or leave early.

We have already spoken to your teachers if that is the case and only those who are excelling in their studies will get that privilege. Patrol is not an excuse to be lazy, your homework and classwork is still expected to be complete and on time. As we are almost into the summer, we will rotate the

patrols and your partners on a monthly basis. That will also allow us to account for those of you traveling for training and school outside the pack. If you have questions, ask your warrior partner first then come find me. The list will be on the training announcement board. Take a good look, some of you start training tonight.

There was no direct dismissal from him, but we all took our cue to line up and see when our shift was. Waiting in comfortable silence, the guys roll in looking, if it was possible, more irritated than they have been all day. They head over to Delta Kyle and talk to him briefly before turning around to leave again, with no notice of Sierra or I.

Sierra huffs. "Just go with them." I say trying not to sound defeated. "You need to spend time with Sam. This whole situation is stupid and neither of you should be caught up in it. I will have Delta Kyle take me back to my house. " Knowing the argument that is about to come out of her mouth. "They will kill me once they find out I left you here alone, even if it is with the Delta. I'm not dealing with that. I will just meet up with him in a little bit... After I make sure you get home and can tell them that honestly did. I rolled my eyes at her, but I'm done arguing, this protection detail is getting tiresome. "Fine, let's get our assignments and then you can go console your suddenly moody boyfriend." I try to lighten the mood. "Not my boyfriend, my mate is the only one that will get any Idnd of title. She smiles and winks at me.

Chapter 0147 "Whatever you say. I smile back at her. It doesn't take long for us to get to the front of the line. "They split us up, how dare they?" Sierra lets out mock indignation. "At least I don't have to get up in the middle Of the night. You have fun with that." "You act like I don't do that already. I have to report at 4 which is my usual time to get up, the only problem is I will miss morning training." "I'm sure that was by design, based on the last couple of days with the guys. Don't thinkany of this has gone unnoticed by all your parents. I think they are hoping the separation will be beneficial for you all to at least concentrate on what you are supposed to be doing. I don't know if you noticed, but none of us are in your group time. I had noticed and unfortunately I felt a surge of excitement to do something without them, followed by a sense of sadness followed by guilt at not being disappointed. I didn't say any of that though. "Let's go to the Beta house, so you can give your notboyfriend some attention.

We start walking. "Not home?" She asks cautiously. "No, it's never been home, it's the Beta's house, which is currently my father and then will be my brother and his family. The woods are my home, even the room Luna Ava gave me at the packhouse is more home than what I grew up in. It just doesn't feel right to go to the packhouse right now. I need that separation. I have to figure out what to do with myself when all six of you leave this summer anyway, might as well get used to it now." "So this might get me in trouble, but what about the dance this weekend?" She cringes at me. "What about it?" "You're still coming right? You promised to go with me since it will be my first and probably my last. But I wasn't sure how you felt now that things are also strained.. She trailed off, but I understand what she is asking me.

"I will go with you and for you. You have been an amazing friend to me and don't deserve all the crap you've been thrown in the middle of. I will be on my best behavior with the guys and I promise to not start any fights with them. I will not hesitate to finish a fight or leave if they start sh*t though. I giggle at her, and just to make her day I add, "I will even let you do whatever you want with my hair and makeup." "YES! This is why I love you! We made it to my father's house in record time and headed towards the back after checking thoroughly that the guys weren't lingering. Once I was safely inside I waved Sierra off to go meet up with Sam at the packhouse. I did all my usual things, homework, shower, read and then lay on my bed and stared at the ceiling. Not being able to train alone was awful. Sometime after the sun went down, there was a knock on my door. As usual, I didn't answer. "Skylar? Sky, I have food out here. I know you didn't eat lunch and I have no idea if you've eaten today or not. I have to go run my patrol shift. I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow when you're done with yours. I love you. I hope you know that." I heard Mateo sigh then retreating footsteps.

 

Chapter 0148 A single tear escaped. Deep down I know they all care and this is punishing everyone, but I can 't back down, I need to get out of here and the sooner the better. I la-low I am not weak or useless, but that little voice in the back of my head that sounds suspiciously like Kaley likes to tell me otherwise. I just feel the absolute need to prove myself and my worth. No amount of words from them will make me believe I am good enough until I do. I finally conceded and went to the door and grabbed the food he brought up after I was completely sure he and everyone else was out of my house. I eat slowly, not hungry, but I am tired of hearing how small I am from too much training and not eating enough. I leave the empty dishes outside my door, to show him I took the offering and appreciate the gesture. After the most fitful sleep, I got up groggily and dressed half asleep. I was so tired I forgot to use the window and headed to my patrol spot out the front door. It shocked me for a minute when I bumped into a solid mass as I was walking down the sidewalk lost in my thoughts.

"Whoa there Smalls, I mean Skylar. Cam cleared his throat and let go of me as quickly as he grabbed me. He tried for a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You headed for patrol." I just nodded my head and looked away. I couldn't take the lookin his sad green eyes. Do you want me to walk..." He gestured back over his shoulder. "Uh, nevermind. Okay, I'll see you at school later. Training isn't going to be the same without you, you know. "I agree." I gave him a small smile, but couldn't look him in the eye. "I'll see you later." I move around him and do my best to hold it together, I miss them. I knew I would, but this sucks so much more than I thought. I hurry faster to meet up with Gamma Brett, I really need a distraction now. Breaking out into a run I took in the different shades of greens and browns of the forest and the earthy smell that always calms my nerves. I arrived too quickly at the patrol cabin, where everyone checks in before their patrol starts, a full ten minutes before Gamma Brett did, which gave me time to school my emotions.

"I should have known you'd get here before us." He smiles at me and I return it before it hits me. '[Who ' s us? "1100k at him confused. "We came across an issue yesterday and had to reorganize some of the groups. We figured with your background and level of training it wouldn't be a problem to double up." He shifts and Marnie is behind him looking worse for wear. Her hair is in a tangled mess on top of her head, her eye make- up is smeared and her well chosen outfit looks like she put it on in a hurry and maybe in the dark The bright colors clash with the muted tones Of the forest and aren't something you want to wear out in the woods like this, unless you want to be spotted...by the enemy. What the f*ck? I say to my wolf You're asking me? I was going to say the same thing. Watch your back, we don't know why she was put with you. It could be an honest pairing and Gamma Brett thinks you won't need as much or any help so he can focus on her. Or it's a set up to spy on you for Kaley. She's not supposed to be here, she doesn't have her wolf yet. I thought that's what the Alpha said the other day. She must be here to spy, or cause problems. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "So what do you want us to do first?" I ask Gamma Brett, completely ignoring Marnie’s presence. ‘We are going to run the perimeter, in human form since Marnie can’t shift yet, and that will give mea chance to show you ladies the things we are looking for while we are on patrol. The pattern we run is similar to what you were talking about with the Alpha King the other night, Skylar...”

Chapter 0149 Marnie lets out a little squeak interrupting him. "You got to talk to the Alpha King?" Eyes wide at the thought. "Uh, yeah. He stayed at the pack house so we had a couple interactions I kept my information brief and Gamma Brett looked at me with an eyebrow raised. I usually like to talk about strategy, what he doesn't understand is I like talking with people who understand what I 'm talking about. Marnie is not one of those people. I can at least say she shows up to training and does parts of the workouts, mostly stretching to get attention from the guys when she's bent over suggestively, but there is no reason for her to be out here with us, she doesn 't like training, she doesn't like to get dirty and she can't shift yet. Maybe that's why she is with Gamma Brett and I. If something happens we can protect her and defend together, rather than her being a liability that would get everyone killed. "Like I was saying, we will run one of seven different patterns that surround and cross the territory. It keeps the patrol schedules less predictable and we focus on the pack territory as a whole, not just the perimeter." We start jogging our portion of the perimeter, passing other teams on the way. Gamma Brett is keeping up a hushed commentary of what to look for without stopping our movement, giving us insights to basic tracking. Things I've studied in strategy and battle classes, but it is nice to put it to practical use. "We are accomplishing a few things by patrolling. One is to scent the area so outside wolves know where the territory begins. Our situation is unique because we are surrounded by water on three sides. Land based packs define their territory by scenting. There are several small islands between us and the mainland and the mountains that run through the center of our area give us a good vantage point, but you can never be too careful. The mainland is only about a thirty to forty minute boat ride away on this side of our territory and not all the islands from here to there are inhabited, several are considered part of the National park our territory is on and can't be built on. That doesn't stop people from using them as pit stops on the way to us. The second reason is having teams

overlap doesn't give intruders much opportunity to pass through our patrol lines undetected. We are also looking for any disturbance in the foliage. There aren't many small animals that stay here since wolves are predators and they naturally steer clear, so broken branches and leaves could mean a wolf passed through. Pups also can smell the stronger scent here and know that this is the end of the territory and their boundary, it helps keep them safe if they wander off." We made it a whole 45 minutes before Marnie started asking when we are done and whining about leg cramps and being hungry and thirsty. It's not even five in the morning yet and we all run a five hour shift. We have four hours to go. I will strangle her myself if she whines the rest of the time. "I didn't thinkwe would be running the whole time or I would never have signed up to do this. And when I was told the Gamma would be my partner, I thought they meant Oliver." She pouted with her lip out, not looking at Gamma Brett, knowing she probably offended him. "What exactly did you think was? What did you think you were going to be doing Out here with Oliver? We're here to protect our pack from unwanted intruders, what did you expect?" I couldn't help asking. Gamma Brett had to stifle a laugh. "For sure not this. I thought we would be cuddled up monitoring some screens attached to security cameras or something. Kaley's dad said Jeanie and I would be safer with Mateo or Oliver and he would make sure we were all paired up with the best and the men would do the real work, we were just here to observe.” Then I turned to Gamma Brett, “I didn’t realize we signed up for this, I thought everyone had to run patrols. And since when can we make requests on assignments?” I look back at Marnie. “And what is this crap about the men doing the real work? You just weren’t planning to be helpful at all?” She winced a little and I looked back at Gamma Brett.

 

Chapter 0150 He gave me that dad look that said I was really close to crossing some line, but I also wasn't too far off the mark of annoying situations. Which means one of the twins was probably going to have to deal with Kaley in their group and my brother probably got Jeanie in his. I'm going to have to ask Sierra about that. I can't believe they are putting our packin danger just to try and spend time with the guys. Don't they know how serious this actually is? "At least you know you are paired up with the literal best. Skylar has beaten out all the guys in every test we have done so far, so Cunningham wasn't wrong. We still have time, quite a bit actually, so you are going to have to figure out how to suck it up today, because we are in the middle of a shift and can't take you back. None of us can be out here on our own, not even me. We always team up just in case. I will mention to the Delta, who is coordinating the rotations, of your misinformation. With that he turned around and continued jogging. I guess it was a good enough answer for her, she didn 't bring it up the rest of the time.

That was the second most torturous experience Of my life. Marnie even kind of tried, and it was terrible. She stopped complaining after Gamma Brett told her to suck it up, but she progressively got slower as the time went on and Gamma Brett had to call for another team to come in early to pickup the slack. I was actually embarrassed that, as a team, we couldn't get her to move faster without literally carrying her the whole time. And that was never going to happen. I headed straight to the Beta house after to take a quick shower and get to school. I know Luna Ava said not to be alone, but the walk to and from patrol was pleasantly quiet and drama free. I walked up to my house and Sam was on my porch, just casually waiting. At least the scowl was gone, hopefully meaning that he was able to spend some quality time with Sierra and therefore less angry and short tempered. He stood when he noticed me, walked straight over and gave me a huge hug, locking my arms to my sides. "I'm sorry, I didn 't know how bad it was here for you. Don't be mad at Sierra for telling me, she

needed to vent as much as I did. I won 't stop you from leaving or tell you you can't go. You're not wrong, we all get to come and go as we please and you feel stuck and we made you feel more trapped. You do make us better though and we are afraid you won't ever come home once you get away. He word vomited all over me. Then as an afterthought asked, "How was your training?" He gave me a knowing look before letting a huge smile break out over his face. "It sucked as much as you think it did. What happened? How did they weasel their way into rotations? Who got stuckwith the other two?" There was no need to specify who we were talking about. "Sierra got Jeanie and I got Kaley. Neither were happy with the pairings and I'm sure my dad will hear about it from my uncle. But my uncle also can 't come right out and say he's trying to force Kaley on Cam and Kota, even though everyone sees that's what he's doing. My dad isn't stupid and this is actually a serious situation that my uncle thinks is a game he can use to play matchmaker by forced proximity."