Ch. 21..30

Chapter 0021

“Sorry ladies, we got called into the weekend training, so it's a light and early night for us. Maybe next time.” Dakota said as the five guys turned around and started ushering us up the lit pathway before anyone else could argue.

“Damn, that was brutal” Sam let out under his breath before we even made it through the path opening. “Don’t get me wrong, I loved the two-female body shot, we will definitely be revisiting that situation, but did anyone else feel like the whole night just tanked as soon as the party got too big?”

“First, over my dead body are taking a shot off my sister and second yes. I don’t think it’s ever been like that before.” Mateo says

I realize they are talking in code and I am smart enough to know who is the reason for the code, but at the same time I don’t know why.

The twins say goodbye to us from the back patio and say they will drive us all to training in the morning. Also a new situation, because I’m pretty sure I was included in that invitation, but we will see come morning. Once we get to the front Mateo, Sam, Sierra and I split off toward our side of the packhouse and Oliver starts walking to the other side towards his house. He shouts over his shoulder that we will leave at 6am sharp so none of us should be late, no matter how long it takes some of us to say goodnight.

I started openly laughing at the insinuation and then again at the look on Sam’s face. I hugged Sierra goodnight at the end of our sidewalk and she and Sam kept on walking to her house.

When we finally get home Mateo stops to take his jacket off at the door, I just continue into the kitchen looking for a snack. All I had was soda and water and I was starving. I walk into the dimly lit kitchen, the light over the sink the only illumination in the room.

“Where the hell have you been!” I jumped about a mile into the air and screamed at the growling words. Mateo came running in and grabbed my shoulders pulling me behind him protectively looking around for what scared me. He relaxed a little when he noticed my dad sitting at our rectangular kitchen table, a short empty glass in front of him.

When my heart rate started to go back to a normal rhythm, I looked at my dad and had to force an eye roll back. I stepped around my brother to fully face my dad. “After school I showed the new girl, Sierra, around and then we were hanging out with Mateo and the guys. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize the time. When we noticed what time it was and that we have training in the morning we all went home to get some sleep.”

“Is that true son?” I could barely hold back the growl from my wolf at my brother being questioned to see if I was lying. My hands balling into fists at my sides to curb the anger. I never do anything out of line, always his perfect little beta daughter, but worth nothing to him other than an image he presents to the outside world.

“Yes, sir. She’s been with us the whole time. It was the annual back to school bonfire.” Simple explanation that would have gotten me a smack to the face and grounded.

“And are you really going to training in the morning?” He asks looking at my brother only, as if I’m not even here.

“I go to training every day. Delta Kyle reports my progress weekly to you, sir.” I snap at him, before walking out of the kitchen to the stairs, towards my room. I hear the loud scrape of the chair, knowing my father will rush to yell at me for my back talk, little girls don’t back talk, they do what they are told and stay silent. But I don’t get far when I hear my brother.

“Leave her alone. She convinced us all that we should invest more time training, especially after her display this morning. All the guys and I decided it’s time to invest more into pack training. Sky is going to show us the ropes since she is the most familiar with the set up.”

“We have been asking you boys to go to weekend trainings for years. Why the change now?” My dad asks.

“I guess she’s just more convincing than you. Now, It’s late and I need to sleep if I am going to be able to function that early.” Then I heard Mateo’s boots clomping up the stairs behind me. I let him catch up and he swung his arm around my shoulder again and kissed my temple. “I’m sorry, I can’t pretend like the way he treats you is okay anymore, it was never okay. I never should have let it get this far. I know why you work and train as hard as you do. You don’t have to do it alone anymore.” He walks me to my door and kisses my forehead before turning around and walking to the door across the hall from mine.

Chapter 0022

“Thank you Mateo.” I whisper, but I know he can hear me.

That was the first night in a long time that I cried. I never cried after getting beaten by Kaley and her friends, I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction and I have never been close to my dad so there was never an emotional connection to feel sad about. But Mateo. Mateo was a loss that I didn’t know hurt me until now when I got a glimpse of what we had before he started focusing on his duties as the next beta. I fell asleep hoping he and I could have the close relationship we did when we were little. Today was just one day though, and they only noticed me after they found out I was better at something than they were. And the only reason they even noticed was because Sierra happened to partner with me. So, we’ll see how long this lasts

The morning came quickly after that. I was actually too antsy to sleep much. At 4 I finally decided I needed to go for a jog, my wolf agreed. A run in the forest really early helped clear my mind and settle conflicting thoughts. It’s like everything falls into place out here. I was trying to gather my thoughts on my emotions. Was I more excited or scared that they were going to join me? I was planning to ask Sierra if she wanted to come anyway, but adding the guys was something I never thought of. They always had their own things going on and too busy to look in on how the rest of the pack fared or trained. I walked back into my house at 5 after running half the patrol border route and went to start breakfast. It's the one thing I did on the weekends for my brother and dad. Neither acknowledged or thanked me, but there was never anything left, so it must be at least decent. I plated everything and left it on the island then I went to knock on Mateo’s door to make sure he was up and getting ready.

“Hey sleeping beauty, you up?” I sing in at him. “We have to get moving or we will be late and I don’t actually know what Oliver does to people who are late, nor do I want to find out the hard way.”

“I think I actually hate you. Why do you sound so chipper already?” He grumbles with his face still firmly planted in his pillow.

“Lies, you love me. Get in the shower, it helps and I made breakfast and coffee.” I smack him on the back and he groans again.

“How long have you been up exactly?”

“Little while, I went for a run and made breakfast, no big deal. I do it every weekend. This is my normal.”

“Wait, you run and make breakfast…before you go to training. Since when do you make breakfast?”

“I always make breakfast on the weekends, it’s the only time Gretchen takes off.”

“Does dad know it’s you and not her? Cause, I had no idea. I just thought she came in and made quick stuff before spending the day with her family. I am feeling more and more inferior the longer I talk to you.” He groans, finally stepping away from his bed toward the bathroom.

“Whatever, Beta, get ready fast, you only have 15 minutes before we have to meet the guys.”

I walk out of his room smiling. His subtle compliment gives me a little more hope that we can be friends. It’s a bit strange. I haven’t had this much conversation with my brother in years. My dad has had him so busy training for becoming the next beta that he hasn’t had any time for me since he was about 10. But, as strange as it is, I would be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy it. Even if it is only temporary. I know they are all only coming today because Oliver felt a slight to his male ego knowing that I train more than he does, even with the extra time they put in with their dads. He needs to know if he could handle it. The rest of the guys are coming to either cheer him on when he does it, or have proof when he fails. What he doesn’t know is that I don’t do half the things they do. I don’t go to parties, or hang out with friends. I don’t go to study groups or hold meetings with our current leaders to understand how the pack functions. Physical training is my only escape from the hell that Kaley and her friends bring me.

Chapter 0023

She has actually taken to searching for kids misbehaving, and letting me know what her punishment for those deeds are. The punishments are always way over the top and far more sadistic than they should be. But if I don’t step in and take the punishment, she will really perform it on these kids.

I found out at the end of last year her father appointed her and a few others to ‘monitor’ the school for minor infractions that are beneath the administration's interference, but need to be handled. Then hand out and fulfill punishments accordingly. A few have gone to the principal about the abusive tactics she uses, but our administrators either agree with what she is doing or something else is allowing her to get away with it. It doesn’t matter, I won’t allow her to torture our pack members and she knows it. So I am her personal punching bag.

I don’t talk about it and neither do the students I am taking the punishment for. We have all decided that nothing will be done to her and I refuse to look weak and keep tattling when she comes up with the best stories for her actions and every adult has been lead to not believe me or fears siding with me. I do know the kids I take punishments for appreciate it, even if they can’t say anything directly to me. It’s in their eyes, when we pass in the halls. I know they would approach me if they could, and that is part of the reason I endure this, it doesn’t go unnoticed by everyone. I just wish the people who could do something to stop it would open their eyes. Kids shouldn’t be afraid of going to school.

But training, she rarely attends training and manages to get out of most of our ‘mandatory’ trainings too. I will never complain about her not being at trainings, the peace is divine. The only reason I don’t retaliate and fight back is my father. The one time I fought back and punched her in the nose which also fractured the bone around her right eye. She went straight to her dad with some sob story about me bullying her since I was a higher rank and therefore stronger than her. My father was called in and the verbal lashing I received in front of Kaley, the principal, and her father is one I will never forget. I was called worthless, a slacker, spoiled and so difficult that my mother’s body

couldn’t survive having me. I should be working with other ranked members to make the pack better, not beating up on weaker members.

That was the day I stopped talking to my father. If he didn’t directly talk to me, I no longer made the effort. My only problem was I thought if I just did better, became stronger, tried harder and was able to hide the bullying, he would see that I am worthy. So like a crazy person I threw myself into everything he made me believe was important like being the top student. I’m sure he knows, but he will never say anything to me about it. I also have made myself the best warrior in the pack. Just because I won’t be the Beta here, doesn’t mean I can’t be a warrior here or even in a different pack if my mate happens to be from another. That would be my dream, to meet my mate and get to leave. I would miss Luna Ava and Delta Kyle, maybe even my brother a little bit, but being free to walk around and have friends, to not be looking over my shoulder all of the time or feel like a waste of someone’s space. That would be heaven.

Mateo and I walk out the door together and I start to turn, out of habit, walking away from the houses to my usual shortcut to get to the training grounds.

“Where are you going? The packhouse is this way.” He calls over to me.

“Training, where else? It’s faster to cut through the woods behind Oliver’s house.”

“We are not walking.” He scoffs at me. “Cam and Kota are going to drive us, remember?”

“Oh, I figured that was a you guys thing.” I mumbled out, looking down at my shoes. “I didn’t think I was included in that, I never have been before.” When he doesn't answer I look up at him and he winces, just enough for me to notice before he schools his face.

It was mean of me, but I couldn’t help the little jab. Since the twins started driving all five of the guys have been riding to school together, and I was left walking. I didn’t really mind, it’s not actually that far, but there was never even an offer, like I was invisible to them. Which I guess I was until

yesterday. That thought was the little reality check I needed to remember, things will not change once we are back at school Monday. They will go back to being the popular guys at school that everyone fights to talk to and I will go back to being invisible, unless Kaley says otherwise.

Chapter 0024

“Come on, you are not walking either.” he wraps me in that headlock hug and starts to drag me towards the massive truck in the packhouse driveway.

“It’s about time, I was worried you were making up all that extra training crap last night.” Sam laughs before removing his arm from around Sierra's shoulder and jumping in the truck’s backseat. My brother climbs in and slides to the middle of the back and Oliver sits on his other side. I move to stand beside Sierra, the twins are in the front looking over at us.

“She’s already been on a run and made breakfast.” Mateo laughs out to the group, elbowing Oliver. Oliver groans and rolls his eyes.

Sierra and I just look at each other. “Do you expect us to sit in the truck bed?” She laughs at them as they look around and realize we are not a normal part of their entourage. They really don’t spend much time outside their bro bubble.

“We can just do laps, it’s not that far. Sierra, you can join me.” Sam pats his thigh and wiggles his eyebrows at her. “Little bit you can ride on Oliver.” I did not miss the s*xual innuendo that time and my cheeks flamed.

“Tiny can ride up here in the front, she’ll fit in between us.” Cameron says a little clipped from the driver's seat.

Dakota nods, but instead of getting out like I thought he would, he just says, “Climb on up.” With an evil smirk on his face. He must know how weird this is for me, and I’m sure my face is going an even brighter shade of red.

I take a deep breath and slowly climb up the truck sideboard, but I must be going too slow for Dakota, because he grabs my waist and plants me on his lap before closing the door. I started to slide off his lap and In between the twins as Cameron pulled out of the driveway. Dakota’s arm

stays behind my back as I move and slowly drags his fingers across the back of my t-shirt. I gasp a bit as he nudges on of the fresh wounds from Kaley’s latest punishment, and I also realize my shirt is still a bit damp from my early morning run.

“How are you already sweaty, Smalls. We haven’t done anything yet.” Dakota looks over at me again with that crooked grin.

“I told you, Miss Shorty overachiever here has already gotten a run in this morning along with cooking up a feast. That’s why we were right on time, I was not letting any of that go to waste.” My brother spouts behind me. I can hear the smile in his voice though, so I think he’s teasing me.

“Wait, you made food and didn’t bring us any?” Sam asked. I couldn’t help but laugh at his expression when I looked over my shoulder. “I would have complained less if I knew there was food involved.” Everyone laughed.

“There wasn’t any extra to bring. I’ll remember you are all easily bribed with food next time.” I laughed as we pulled up barely five minutes later.

We all piled out of the truck like it was our own personal clown car. Much to the surprise of Delta Kyle who was checking the pups in. He definitely did not expect to see us this morning. Did Sam not tell him they were joining me?

“Hey Delta, I brought some help, hope you don’t mind.” I skipped up to him. Training with the pups was one of my favorite things to do.

“How in the hell did you manage that?” He points behind me, eyeballs wide, chin basically on the ground. “I couldn’t even get my son to come to training with me by force and he shows up with you looking kind of awake and happy about it. You need to teach me your secrets.”

I just laugh at him. “No secret, Oliver asked how often I trained and I told them, now they are here.” I shrug my shoulders. It didn’t seem that big a deal to me, but clearly it was based on his reaction.

Chapter 0025

“Will you get the pups warmed up, I have a couple more things to wrap up here.” He says to me but not looking at me. He is genuinely confused about the guy's presence here.

I grab Sierra’s hand, “Come on, you can help with warm-up.” We walk in the smaller arena. We have three so we can run multiple training sessions or training styles at a time. This arena also has an obstacle course at one end that we let the kids run on at the end of class. All the pups start shouting their hello’s to me and then I watch their eyes pop as they realize who is following behind me. It was really cute to see them starstruck with the future Alphas, Beta, Gamma and Delta. They are celebrities at school, but I don’t think they understand what these little kids think of them.

“Why do they all look terrified?” Oliver asks in my ear. I almost jumped not realizing how close he was to me.

“You guys are idols to them. They’ve never seen you up close before since you spend very little time with pack members younger than you.” Was that mean? The way the guys are looking at me makes me feel like I said something wrong. Sierra nudges me with a huge smile on her face and I shake off the thought and get started. “These are our youngest pups, they range from five to seven. They are learning basic movements and body control, really.”

I introduce the guys and explain that they are joining us today to see what we have been teaching and that they better make me look good. That earned a small laugh from the pups and broke the tension a bit.

We go through our usual warm-ups and Sierra and the guys follow my lead walking around and giving corrections. The kids must have thought this was the best day ever, based on their faces every time someone stopped to talk to them. I looked around after an hour and noticed Delta Kyle never came back, so I just kept on going. We do a lot of games to teach the pups, it keeps them

engaged and they do the conditioning with less groaning if they know we will do something fun after. Today is tag, but I have an idea to make it more fun for them and for me.

“Okay, today’s game is tag!” An eruption of cheers follows. “Wait though, we are going to play a little differently than normal.” A chorus of AWW’s has me rolling my eyes. “You didn’t even hear how we are changing it up.” I put my hands on my hips and look at them sternly. “We are going to see which leader you can catch the fastest. You are all going to be chasers against one of our future leaders, work as a team to tag them. Let’s see what you can do. Get together to make your strategy.” I turn around to the guys and they are looking at me like I have lost my mind. Sierra is openly laughing. “What, all you have to do is not get tagged.” I shrug my shoulders.

“But there’s like a thousand of them.” Sam whines.

“It’s only 50, you’ll be fine. You can use any means except leaving the arena to steer clear of them for as long as possible, and just so you know. They take this game very seriously. Don’t let their little cuteness distract you.” I wink at them. “Who wants to go first?!”

“I’ll go. It can’t be that hard, can it?” Oliver volunteers.

I turn around. “Alright we have our first victim, I mean volunteer.” I laugh. “Future Gamma Oliver is up. Remember he is going to try and evade you at all costs for as long as possible. Ready? Go!”

The kids all charge at us and the momentary panic in Oliver’s eyes has SIerra and I almost crying with laughter. I don’t think he expected them to be that fast and they work really well together due to the team building games we play. At two minutes and 40 seconds they finally cornered him. He walked back to the group panting.

“Should maybe work a bit on that cardio, less on the weights.” Sierra pats him on the back.

"I really don't like you." He says to the ground, but he could be talking to either Sierra or me at this point.

“Who’s next?” I ask, ignoring him.

“Let’s get this over with.” Mateo grumbled good naturedly.

Chapter 0026

“We have Future Beta Mateo. Ready? GO!”

Mateo has a better strategy at least, he runs a couple circles around the obstacle course and when they catch on he runs under it to cut off the two groups they formed, jumping to the rope climb, I’m sure he’s hoping they don’t know how to use, but he underestimates my training or their abilities or both. A kid follows him up his rope and two jump on the ropes on either side of him, effectively blocking him in.

“That was done in two minutes thirty five seconds.” The kids scream at their accomplishment.

“Damn, they are fast. What kind of training do you put them through?” Mateo asks, going to grab a bottle of water and stands next to Oliver.

“Let’s do this. All I have to do is make it longer than two forty.” Sam chuckles.

“Willing to make a bet?” Oliver asks. Seriously these two and making bets. I’m sure they bet on who can hold their pee the longest. I roll my eyes.

“You’re on, winner buys lunch, for all seven of us.” Sam wiggles his eyebrows. This must be a very good wager. I’m not sure if I will ever understand the dynamic of boys.

“Okay, Ready for Future Delta Sam?" I don't even wait for their response before shouting, "GO!” trying not to laugh at their antics. Sam is actually really fast and seems to be just as sporadic in his movements as the kids. I hate to doubt Oliver, but Sam might actually win this bet. He’s laughing and dodging, spinning and jumping over the kids' heads. He clearly has the movements of a natural born warrior. He’s leaner than the rest of the guys, like a runner who just happens to lift a ton of weight. The kids eventually break into 5 groups, 4 of them covering an entrance to the obstacle course Sam decided to climb and the rest have made a perimeter around in case he decides to

jump from somewhere random. Which of course he did. He made a running jump to the rope climb, but did not anticipate the kids being able to shimmy up and tag him.

He climbs down laughing with the kids, looking at me expectantly. “Sorry… Oliver, he made it, two minutes and 43 seconds.” I looked at Oliver apologetically, while Sam is hooting and hollering doing the do-se-do with some of the pups.

“Ugh! I’m never going to hear the end of it now.” Oliver rolls his eyes, but has a smile on his face.

Both of the twins take their turns, but they are less serious about it. Opting to tease and taunt the kids before letting themselves be caught after only a minute or so. I’m not sure if they were trying to give the kids a break or if they didn’t want the added pressure of having to beat Sam. He would definitely gloat.

“Alright cadets, now it's time to see if you can finally stop your biggest nemesis.” Delta Kyle calls from the seats near the center of the arena, only he isn’t alone. For the first time in a long time he is accompanied by the Alpha, Luna, Beta, Gamma and a couple of our Elite warriors.

Some of the kids groaned and some cheered. I get why, though. This is the only challenge they haven’t won yet.

“What’s he talking about?” Sierra asked.

“They have to play capture the flag against me.” I wink at her.

“Wait, you’re their biggest nemesis?” Dakota asks.

“I guess, you could call it that. I think Delta Kyle is being dramatic, but they haven’t beaten me yet.” I shrug my shoulders.

“What do you have to do?” Cameron asks.

“I have to capture the flag.” I point to the flag one of the pups is attaching to the top of the forty foot rope climb. “And get back to this side of the stadium without being tagged in under a minute.

“WHAT? And they haven’t beaten you? How many times have you played this? Once or twice.” Oliver asks

“We have played this at the end of every Saturday training for almost a year.” I say walking to my end of the field, not looking over my shoulder. I don’t want to look at them and I also have to get my head in the game. I’ve never had an audience before and the current and future leaders are here, including my dad. It’s a little bit nerve wracking.

Chapter 0027

“You ready Sky?” Delta Kyle calls out to me. I nod my head without looking away from my target. “Ready? GO!”

A torrent of sound comes from the kids. Several charge my way as I run towards them. Just before they reach me I break left towards the side walls of the arena and jump to the ledge continuing to run without a missed step. I go as far as I can and make a large broad jump landing on the tips of my toes on the top of the curved climbing bars leading up to the main platform of the obstacle course. I continue running and make the same leap to the ropes that Sam did. The only thing I did differently is jump from the side collecting 2 of the three ropes in my legs while reaching for the third. I climb up taking the extra ropes with me so they can’t follow. I get to the top and grab the flag, stuffing it carefully in my sports bra. I look around to assess where the kids are. For the most part they are starting to swarm the ground where the ropes would land if I let them go. I choose to pull them up over the support beam and walk across the support structure like a gymnast. Making it to the cargo net before any of them can make it around, climbing only as low as I need to jump to the arena wall on the other side, almost missing my footing. As soon as I’m sure, I take off as fast as I can. I know I have to be close to time. They made me run more than in the past. They are starting to learn to trust their instincts and learn my habits, weaknesses and strengths. Kyle and I decided to not let them win this without a fight to make them build their long term observation skills, anticipation, tracking and learning from past mistakes. I jump from the wall, the kids hot on my tail and run like my life depends on it over the finish line. I didn’t get tagged, which sucks for the kids, but I want to know if I maintained my time.

I look expectantly at Delta Kyle, my hands on my knees while I am bent over panting, trying desperately to ignore the looks on the faces surrounding him. He just stares at me blank faced. I am ready to cry from anticipation. He looks down at the stop watch and back up at me a couple times before taking a deep breath in.

“52 seconds.” His face breaks out into the biggest smile I have ever seen. I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding and matched his smile and then it’s like someone turned the volume on full blast. Cheers and yelling surround me with all of the pups coming up to congratulate me.

Sierra wades through the crowd of kids and gives me a hug. “Why are they so excited, they lost?”

“That was my fastest time yet and they put the flag as high as it could go. Today was hard, they put up a good fight.” I say patting a little boy on the back, while one of the girls is trying to hug my leg.

There is just a commotion of words. I catch bits and pieces, but you would have thought the kids had won the challenge the way they were retelling it. “Did you see that jump? It was at least 20 feet.” “No way, it was more like 30, we could totally do that.” “I’m going to remember that rope trick, it was crazy good.” “I think she’s part cat not wolf, the way she ran on those walls.” “I bet she’s faster than a cheetah.”

“Nice work today.” A deep booming voice comes up from behind me.

I jump and the kids go silent. “Alpha Lucas! Hi! Thank you. It’s a game we have been working on for a while, so I’ve had some practice.” I say blushing again. I don’t think my cheeks are ever going to be normal color again.

“I wasn’t talking about the game, although that was impressive. I will be having you show us some of the training you do to be able to move like that, I think you should join the trainers and help them plan, come to think of it. No, I was talking about the fact that you got the entire future leadership team out of bed before 6am on a Saturday to teach a class with you and they participated fully. That my dear is pretty close to a miracle.” My eyes just go wide and I am speechless as the rest of our leaders collectively laugh at their sons. “You are also a very skilled teacher for someone so young, you are a natural with these kids. No wonder Delta Kyle praises you so highly.” And there goes my cheeks again and I’m pretty sure the blush is creeping down my neck too.

Chapter 0028

“Well, thank you for the absolute destruction of our fragile egos, but we have a date after all of that and Oliver has some lunch to buy us.” Sam walks up and puts his arm around my shoulder.

“Actually there's another class.” I say biting my lip, looking as apologetic as I can. “But you guys can go, I’ll catch up later.” I have no intention of chasing them down at all. I feel like this little friend bubble we have been in for the last 12 hours is about to break.

“How many more classes are we talking?” Sam leans back to look at me. “I am slowly dying from lack of food here.”

“You should have eaten before we came, like a normal person.” Sierra laughs at him.

“I was unaware of the team breakfast at the beta house to satisfy the ridiculous amount of exercise I would be subjected to today. How many more Little Bit? If you’re here, then we’re here so you can stop making us look pathetic.” He laughs.

“The next class is a basics class for beginners and non-warriors just to stay sharp and in shape. It’s less intense than the rest of the training, but I think it’s super important. It runs for 2 hours. Then we’re done for the day.”

“Remind me to never, ever, ever rise to your challenge again. I’m going to die.” Sam walks off to grab his water bottle as the rest of the guys, the Luna and Sierra all laugh at him.

"I'm pretty sure I didn't challenge anyone." I say to no one in particular.

Basic training goes better and as we all walk through correcting form and technique, I can see the current leaders watching us again with curious and hopeful expressions on their faces. They even come down to do some of the exercises with us, which is a rare thing. They don’t normally have

time to intermingle casually like this. I think it’s great for the pack members that are here. If anything the looks on the pack members faces is totally worth the full interruption of having all of them here.

The slow stretching and body weight exercises are great for our newer, younger fighters and our older fighters who want to stay in shape. We work on dynamic and functional movement, building up muscle memory so they don’t hesitate in an unfriendly situation.

Even though the training is light for us we are all still a sweaty mess when we are walking out of the arena. “Should we go home and change before we eat?” I ask noting I probably look something close to a drowned rat that's been run over a couple times.

“Not a chance Little Bit, get your sweaty ass in the truck and for the love of my sanity somebody feed me!” Sam growls out. “Martha won’t care, when she hands Oliver the bill. I’m going to eat one of everything on that menu. You guys are going to have to roll me out the door.” Everyone is laughing now.

Mateo, Oliver and Sam jump in the back. Sam basically hauls Sierra in and on his lap with a lot of protesting on her part. Dakota picks me up from behind and slides me into the center of the front seat like I weigh nothing as Cameron jumps in and fires up the truck. Is it weird that after all of that working out and sweating, I am not at all bothered by the smell of these boys? Collectively, it's a musky scent that is all male, but not bad by any means. I, however, am sure that I wreak.

Another five minutes later and we are pulling into the local diner. The guys must be regulars because they didn't even wait to be seated, they walked straight back to an extra large corner booth. I somehow ended up between Cameron and Oliver making me notice my small size. I look like a toddler next to all these guys and I can’t help but laugh.

“What?” Cameron asks.

“Some situations make my lack of size very apparent.” I laugh again pointedly turning my natural line of sight to the middle of his bicep then looking up at his face, then doing the same to Oliver. Everyone else joins in.

“Would you like a booster seat, I’m sure they have one around here somewhere?” Sam asks.

“Nope, I’m good. It would be my luck to fall out of it.” I blush. Everyone chuckles at me again.

Chapter 0029

An older woman comes out with a tray full of drinks. “Oh! You boys brought company. How did you manage to get these lovely ladies to even come near you like this? You smell like a locker room that hasn’t been cleaned in a year.” Oh Goddess, I love her already. I stifled my giggle. Sierra didn't even try.

“Hey! I smell sexy!” Sam actually looks a little offended. “All man here.”

“Martha, if you must know it was actually her fault we are like this, she is a ruthless trainer that made us train for four hours straight, early, on a saturday morning. So if you’re going to complain, talk to Tiny here., but only after you bring us something to eat, we're dying here!” Dakota laughs and points at me.

She looks at me and smiles like the rat that got the cheese. “You did this deary?” I nod my head at her, slowly, not sure where this is going and her face is unreadable. “You eat for free. Keep these boys on their toes. They have never once come to see me on a Saturday after training, nor have they ever looked this ragged after their usual training. Keep up the good work.” She winks at me. Sierra and I both laugh at her description.

“Martha, babe. We have been coming here forever and you have never let any of us eat for free. I thought we had something special.” Sam pouts at her.

“You are something special, sweetheart.” She pats his cheek. “But us girls have to stick together, and she’s probably the first girl, in your lives, that hasn’t had her pants charmed off by one or more of the five of you. And, you certainly never bring those…bed warmers here.” I actually spit my drink out and began choking. Super attractive I’m sure. WHAT?! I can’t decide if I love this woman or am scared of her. Maybe a little of both. She just says it how it is without any regard to who’s around and listening in. Cameron and Oliver are both patting my back as I cough up the rest of the water that went down my windpipe.

When I finally calmed down Martha looked at me pointedly. “Oh, did you not know? They don’t bring girls in here to me, they know better, this is a known fact, so you two must be special.” My eyes are wide, but not as wide as the guys, and are they blushing? Like she just gave away their greatest secret.

“We bring girls in here Martha.” Oliver says looking confused.

“Yeah, all the time.” Sam follows up, sits up straight eyes wide and then looks at Sierra who’s eyebrows shot up in question. He then sits back looking a little sheepish at the confession.

“We are always in here with groups of people, both guys and girls.” Cameron tries to calm the tension while contributing to the point.

“Yeah, but how many sit here, at this booth, with you? Hmmm? None, that’s how many. Think about that while I grab your food. Ladies, are you just going to pick off the guys’ plates or do you want to see the menu?” She abruptly changes the subject.

“Oh, I am definitely going to need a menu.” I say far too quickly.

“Same.” Says Sierra.

She smiles brightly at us. “Girls who eat and make decisions for themselves. See, special.” She says, pointing and winking at us then walking away.

Martha comes back quickly with a tray full of waters and sodas. She clearly doesn't need the guys to tell her what they want.

Sierra and I order and once our food comes out, it looks like we are feeding a small army. I did not even hesitate to smash the plate of waffles and fruit in front of me. Sierra followed suit and the guys looked at us with surprise in their eyes before coming to their senses and digging into their own food. After we each polished off our first course quickly, we all settled into a slow graze of the rest of

the food, passing plates and sharing biites. I couldn't even tell you how long we had been sitting there. We are all enjoying a great time and most of the food is gone when again the moment is ruined by the condescendingly chipper voice of Kaley.

“Oh wow, we didn’t know you boys would be here today, you should have called us and we would have come to keep you company. We were just out doing some shopping. We have to look good for our future Alphas and company.” She giggles and it sounds strained.

“We’re good in company, but thanks.” Oliver points out and I want to melt into the seat. He has no idea what kind of target he just put on Sierra and I. Although, Sierra doesn't give a sh*t.

Chapter 0030 "Oh, really?' She just notices us sitting here. She looks daggers at me then at Sierra and there's nothing can do or say. I'm stuck between these two giant guys and I just stuffed a large bite of burger into my mouth.

'You never have extras at your table. We are with you all the time and have never sat with you. Are you guys changing it up? I cant wait to come here with you next time." She pleads or whines, I'm not quite sure which.

It takes me several minutes to chew and swallow without choking again. I don't need to embarrass myself in front of these guys any more than I already have. She takes the time to assess the plate in front of me and gets a large grin on her face. "l hope you have more sense than to eat that whole plate of calories at least, you wouldn't catch me eating any of this. It will destroy your figure and we all have to look our best for our mates, no one wants to be with someone who looks sloppy and lazy."

She looks straight at me and I place the burger back on my plate, feeling ashamed of the amount of food I have put down before she even got here. I have never cared before, I have always just eaten when I'm hungry, but she is the most popular girl in our school and always has boys looking at and talking to her, no one talks to me. I know I'm not fat, by any means, but the words don't sting

any less. She's also got the attention of most of the people in the diner now, with her loud rambling. "Are you kidding?" Oliver asks, is he upset? He places his arm across the chair back behind me as he turns toward her. It feels almost protective. "After the amount of calories we all burned training, I'm surprised she hasnt eaten more. She worked harder than the rest of us today." He wrapped his bulky, tattooed arm around me and pulled me a fraction closer.

Yeah, I like my girl with an appetite, it means she can hang with the big boys. Not trying to keep up with some stupid fad." Sam says, putting his arm around Sierra's shoulder who is still happily eating her fries. He winks over at me, knowing I just smashed an omelet and hash browns before digging into the burger and fries. I smiled appreciatively at him and the rest of the guys mumbled that they agreed with him. You all trained together? Is that like the new guy code for getting laid? Is that why you left early last night and haven't called me, because you're cheating?" Her hand goes to her hip, but she looks hurt, actually hurt by the thought, looking between the twins. "NO! NO! Not at all. They really did come to training this morning. I teach with Delta-" I started to protest. The last thing I need is her trying to murder me in my sleep for trying to •steal' the twins.

She put her hand up at me to stop me talking. "Don't speak, you little homewrecker, don't defend them. They can explain it for themselves and I will decide if I want to forgive them or not. You will be dealt with later." Kaley snaps at me and close my mouth and look down at my lap. This week is going to be one of the worst of my life if she thinks I am actively trying to steal the twins from her. At least it's Oliver's arm around me and not Cam's. "First, we aren't dating so there is no cheating„." Cameron starts, motioning between himself and Kaley. "Second, who we hang out with is none of your concern." Dakota finishes, doing the twin thing. "It is when we are going to be mated." She basically screams. "And you better figure that out quickly and stop trying to take mates that aren't yours." She snarls, pointing at me before she flips her platinum blonde hair and struts out of the diner, her friends close behind, before any of us can say a thing.

"What the hell was that mate stuff all about?' Sam asks. " Please tell me she isnt going to be our

Luna, I might shoot myself. We're only 16, she's younger, like Little Bits age, right? How would she know if you guys are mates or not?" He's rambling now, almost panicky.