Ch. 291..300

Chapter 0291

“Sky! Relax. First I can guarantee that no guy in the history of guys has ever had any of those thoughts. They think with their d*ck first. Using being a male and needing to ‘release"

tension or energy or whatever it is as the excuse. If your mate didn’t save himself for you then he can't say anything about you doing the exact same thing. Now breathe. If it feels wrong, then it’s wrong. If it feels right, then go for it."

She shrugs like it’s that easy. “So this is what you are going to do. Keep being your own fabulous self and listen to your gut and your wolf. You have great instincts. Now, go finish our homework so we can get packing. I can't wait to get back to the compound and get our brands so we can do more on this mission. I get why Jorge and William are getting antsy, this part is taking forever and the only thing we know is that there is a large population of wolves here."

She hops off my bed and heads for the bathroom, coming out ten minutes later ready for bed, but typing furiously on her phone, lost in concentration.

“Who are you texting so aggressively with?” I laugh as she startles out of her thoughts.

“I’m trying to get the names of those two guys that came over to talk to us at dinner tonight. I don’t remember since I was paying more attention to Beth's boyfriend talking about the campus. But Ellie said they are students too and one of

them was asking about us, like together.” She grimaces then rolls her eyes. “Like, you are hot and I can appreciate all that you have going on, but I just don't swing like that.” She giggles at me. “But, I was so focused on the conversation I was having, that I didn't catch what else was going on.” She smacks herself in the forehead. “This is why we need more training, but I guess mistakes on the fly are what we are going to get.”

“Max and Eli.” I say not looking up from my computer.

“What?”

“Max and Eli, are the names you're looking for. Max is a sophomore and Eli is the same age but a freshman, technically speaking, he took a year off to travel before starting school. They both play basketball, but I couldn't figure out if they play for the school or if that was just a line.

Max is majoring in business and Eli in sports medicine.”

I look up when she doesn't respond to find her stopped in her tracks staring at me.

“What?!”

“You barely talk to anyone, how did you get all of that information?”

“Just because I don't initiate conversation doesn’t mean I don't listen, idiot.” I laugh at her. “Ellie was flirting hard and asking a ton of questions that seemed kind of invasive, and she really didn't listen to the answers either.” I roll my eyes. “

She just wanted to keep their attention on herself. But it was helpful for us apparently. And what do you mean one of them is asking about us ‘together’ I finish up my last line of English homework, save my progress and close my laptop.

I look at her and hope I have been able to school my face into something curious and not disgusted. Because, like her, I can appreciate how beautiful she is, but that isn’t what I’m interested in either.

“Yeah, it’s exactly what you're thinking.” She laughs, I need to work on my facial expressions, especially when I'm not happy about something. I don't tend to hide that very well. ° They asked if we were open to a three or foursome.” She rolls her eyes. “Ellie offered to be one of the three or four if one of us wasn't interested.”

Now I am openly laughing, this is so stupid. What guy asks that the first time they meet a girl?

“That is all you. I'm not even ready to hold hands or kiss romantically let alone have s*x with additional people in the room."

“Nah, Ellie can have them, or, at least, break them in and see if it’s even worth it.” She laughs.

Chapter 0292

The weather is still turning fast, but no snow has fallen, just gusty cold wind and frost in the mornings that is taking longer and longer to melt each day.

“Three days! I can't wait.” Mina is jumping up and down.

She has taken on some of the mannerisms of these college girls, and while it’s endearing when she does it, the rest of them just kind of annoy me. I don't understand getting excited about a nail polish color or the sale at a certain store, but I get the excitement of going home for a few days.

Home. That is such a weird thing to think about, because the compound is home to me. The castle is home to me. If I really think about it the Blue Crescent packhouse is home sort of. I don't know if it will feel the same if or when I go back though. I have changed a lot being with the warriors and it hasn't even been a year yet.

I miss Lillian, Wyatt and Nathaniel. They took me in without question and honestly very little information. Everyone else seems to be an open book, but they all understand that I have my reasons for keeping details to myself. They all know the condensed story of how I got the scars on my back, even Mina has asked since they always seem to be on display whenever Luna Anne and Sierra dress me. And they know I was attacked and drugged before coming here.

These friends don't see me as weak though, they see me as

a survivor and I have started to believe them. It makes me feel lighter, better, bigger somehow in my tiny five foot tall self.

Just as I finish the thought, the front door to our little rental bursts open with Nickolas covered in snow.

“What the hell?!" Mina shouts.

“Some kind of Nor'easter, I've been sensing snow for days, but I didn’t expect anything like this.” Nickolas says, shaking out his hair and untying his boots. “The rest of the team is back at camp getting things settled there, ready if the storm moves that far south. I got supplies, but we need to be ready to be stuck for a bit.”

“WHAT! NO! We were supposed to go and meet with the Elders this weekend so we could get our brands. Why does it feel like something is always stalling this process?"

“Maybe because you both are too young to be doing this.

Maybe because you are now eighteen and your mate is close so the universe is trying to keep you from blocking the pull. Maybe it’s the Goddess telling all these f*ckers that think you both are disposable little girls, that you are too important to be throwing out as bait for grown ass wolves to take advantage of if things go wrong.” He takes a deep breath and heads through the small sitting room to our open concept kitchen and starts digging in the fridge. :

He still hasn't given up the idea that we aren't supposed to

be here. I have tried talking to him about it and he just says it’s an instinct. He seems to be overly protective of the two of us specifically though, also ‘an instinct.’ He doesn't act this way with Alyssa and she's only a couple years older than Mina and she hasn't found or searched for her mate either and she was given her brand with the rest of her warrior class without all the fuss. So I don’t understand why he’s hung up on the two of us.

“I have coolers all set for the stuff in the fridge to go outside if we lose power. There is plenty of dry firewood in the shed outback and more in the yard. The biggest thing is keeping the pipes in the house from freezing and exploding.”

He moves to walk back to his room, which is where he spends most of his time. I love that here in the house he doesn’t hover at all. He lets us be and do what we want.

The minute we leave the house is a whole other story, but he has his reasons I guess.

“But seriously, aside from being able to see other people and train properly and use the hot tub, what about our brands? We need them and you know it. What is the point of all of this if we can't even go out and know that you guys can track us if sh*t hits the fan?

Because that’s the endgame right? For sh*t to hit the fan and for one or both of us to be kidnapped. No one else has thought of a solution to the lack of being able to track by scent and apparently that is the only type of tracking we know or teach, also something we should be working on.” Mina is on fire and

I'm not about to stop her, cause I agree. The dependence on our abilities has made us blind to the fact that they could be taken away.

Chapter 0293

This was something I was working with our pups back home since they have only slightly better than human senses before they get their wolf. I figured it was something most packs do, apparently not.

“It’s a field skill that we teach later, you two just started and haven't gotten that far in your very messed up and back-ass- wards training schedule.”

“But, it’s not us tracking though is it?” I finally speak up. He will not use this as an excuse to delay longer. Mina is right, I want my brand and I want to actually be able to help with this mission. "We aren't allowed more than ten feet from you. We are just the distraction, the bait.

So what is stopping those who have been trained to track without scent?’ Sarcasm is dripping off of me now. It's really not his fault, he’s trying to protect us, but I'm done with the delays and the idea of being stuck here, inside for days while also being delayed put me in an instant bad mood.

“Jorge is sending someone here. He agrees with the two of you, and it’s time to get this done. We have to let the storm hit and settle, but as soon as she can travel she will meet us here to give you your temporary brand. At least this way we don't have to do the two day long ceremony.” He rubs his temples.

“Really! Their ceremony takes two days?” Mina scoffs.

“Yeah, but all of that is just ritual stuff. Basically each Elder welcomes you into the fold. There are meals and speeches and what they call trials, but you sit in a quiet room for 10 hours reflecting on your time in training, coming to terms with giving up access to your mate while you wear the brand, meditating on being a devoted servant to the king, crap like that. Well, it's not crap really, those are

things to think through, but in my opinion it should be considered long before you decide to go through with the ceremony.”

He rolis his eyes. "Then each Elder blesses each warrior individually, which takes forever, then a witch and the Alpha King apply the brand, which hurts, a lot by the way, but the magic has to be powerful for the mark to work the way it does. It lets you communicate over any distance, including the ocean. A spell has been worked in to allow you to shift without tearing through your clothes, we can also minimize our scent to appear more closely to human. And the rest of the warriors can sense where you are, allowing us to track you if something happens. We can Even track you if you're unconscious, which has saved many lives in the past.”

Both Mina’s and my jaws drop open. “So there is a way to magically get rid of your scent?” Mina screeches. “What are we doing looking for that spell then? Isn't that a waste of time?”

“No, we can minimize it, not get rid of it. All living things are

designed to have a scent. It is for knowing the difference between friends and foes, predator versus prey, poison or something safe. What this group is doing is removing the scent all together. But, not only from themselves, but their victims too. It’s like a blanket and it’s dangerous because we don’t know how far that blanket covers.”

“So, this storm just started. How long is it supposed to last? How much longer do we have to wait for our brands?”

Chapter 0294

Five days. It’s been five days of constant snowfall. We've gotten more than 24 inches of snow, which is unheard of for this time of year according to the friends we have been able to check in on. In reality the snow doesn't really bother us, neither does the cold since we all run hotter than the average human, but we have to maintain the secret so we have to act human in a human dense city.

Nickolas has been out to help some of the neighbors keep the sidewalks and driveways shoveled. I don't think he can help himself, always the protector and caretaker. We've been out to help a bunch too, but not nearly as willingly as he is. So we help to fill in the time, otherwise we would die of boredom since we can't go anywhere.

The major problem is we can’t shift and travel as wolves, it’s too easy to be spotted right now with all the fresh white snow. And I'm sure the humans would wonder at our sudden disappearance. And traveling in a vehicle of any kind just isn't safe with the amount of snow, icy winds and temperatures dropping so low at night that everything gets a sheen of ice. So we are still stuck.

There has been no power loss in our neighborhood though, but I think that is more due to Nickolas sneaking out at night to check wires and transformers near us to remove any ice and snow that could damage them. According to him we have skills that are very useful, but the humans won't understand. But he is not about to have to rough it for the sake of keeping a secret. We both laughed at his declaration. I guess there had to be something wrong with his perfect persona, it was only a matter of time before we figured out he is a bit of a princess under all that tough guy.

Finally on the fourth day, our doorbell rings and Mina and I jump up and fight to get to the door first. Scrambling and laughing, we open it in a heap of tangled legs and arms to find a very somber looking woman who eyes us with suspicion.

“I’m looking for Warrior Nickolas, be quick about it and get out of the doorway, it's freezing and my uncomfortable journey has been long enough.” Her voice is almost bored, but with that craggy sound someone would do if they were telling a witch story to little kids.

We both jump up and move out of the way. Neither of us is trying to piss off the woman who is about to make a dream come true. She steps past us and moves into the living room.

It’s not much, but none of us needed much to be here. We have a job to do and sitting in luxury was not part of the plan. The basic creme white walls are what you would find in any cookie cutter development home, The place came fully furnished so the decorations are neutral with no personal touches at all. The living room, dining room and

kitchen are all open concept, which was a must for Nickolas. He's too big to have human sized doors and walls cutting everything off. The cream white theme travels the lower level completely. Some light and dark green accents are in the pictures hanging on the walls and some of the details, but off-white is the dominating color here.

“This space will need to be cleared.” The woman talks to the air and points to the dining room. “I will need the bags and boxes from my car, be sure not to jostle anything. I will find my room, Warrior Nickolas can consult me there, come get me when you are done."

Without another word or introduction, she walks to the stairs and glides up.

“The hell?” Mina whispers next to me.

“No idea, but we better get started. I'm not giving her any reason not to brand us. We've waited long enough."

“Yep.” Mina pops the ‘P’ and we both move to the dining room and begin to shift the chairs to other places around the living room and kitchen.

The table was a bit more difficult to maneuver. I don't think it was designed to be moved from this spot once it was put together. We had to shift the couches in the living room up against walls and then get the ten person table around the massive island that separated the three spaces. Eventually we made it happen though and then layered up in all our winter gear to bring in whatever supplies she needed for this ritual.

Chapter 0295

For only two people, this seems like a ton of stuff. What the hell goes on in this branding ceremony? There are five bags, but to be honest a couple smell like they could be her clothes, and four plastic totes of stuff that are not light, even with our strength.

“Perfect!” We both jump. Where in the hell did she come from and how did we not hear her? “Not to worry, I use a silencing spell. You will never hear me coming.” She basically reads my mind.

I look over at her and she winks, tapping her nose. Did she just confirm my thoughts? Now I have to be careful what I let fly through my thoughts and that isn't always easy.

“Let’s begin setting up. I think you girls have waited long enough. I'm here now and no one else can delay this process. It is meant to be and must happen now, before time runs out."

Well that was cryptic. Mina says over the mind link.

Might as well talk out loud, I think she can read our minds or hear our thoughts. Whatever it is, there is probably no way to keep secrets from her. I responded.

“You are a smart one.” She looks at me. “You both are and you both are very important. I have spoken to Nickolas and we will begin shortly. He is not a part of the ceremony, but he will be standing guard. Both of you will be vulnerable for a few hours while the spell works. This takes time even without all of the fluff your elders seem to think necessary."

We both just nod and wait anxiously for directions.

Without words, the witch, who still has not said her name, hands us different items from the boxes and points to different locations of the room. She is consulting, what I think is a compass and some kind of chart while she does all of this.

There are candles everywhere, all different shapes and sizes. Many of them look handmade and have leaves, flowers and herbs mixed into the wax. Some look like they have been used many times, others are brand new.

We have drawn a large circle onto the wood floor with a white substance that is the consistency of flour or crushed up chalk. I’m not sure. In the center of the circle is a small metal bowl on three legs, like a mini fire pit, if the smoke smell coming off of it is an indicator.

There are small clumps of different materials from outside.

Dirt, rocks, moss, dried flowers, gemstones in all sorts of colors.

“We are ready to begin.” She finally says after hours of setting up and adjusting the things around the room.

She waves her hand and all the candles light at once. My eyes go wide and I can feel my jaw drop open. It’s the first ' magical’ thing she has done all day. I wonder if she could have set all this up in ten minutes with magic, instead of the painstaking manual set up we did.

“Of course child, but no one appreciates the things that come too easy. You must first understand what things are for, where they come from and how to obtain them properly to truly appreciate what you have.” And she at least confirmed that she can, in fact, read minds. “Please step into the circle ladies."

We both step forward looking at each other, not sure what to expect since this is the most she has said all day. The only other instruction we were given was to change into a black sports bra and shorts, like at training, and pull our hair back.

Our faces illuminated by the flickering light of candles. A sense of reverence and anticipation fills the air. The witch steps forward, as close to the circle as she can be without stepping over the line.

Another wave of her hand and the herbs in the fire pit between Mina and I lights. I jump a little at the sudden spark and heat, but I don’t move from my position.

Chapter 0296 She begins humming and then chanting under her breath. It's a language I don't understand, but the flame in the pit goes from a warm yellow orange to a deep green. "Tonight, we initiate these two into our Elite Warrior brotherhood and sisterhood. To mark their devotion, we shall bestow upon them the symbol of the Royal Elite." She begins humming again and the flames change to blue. As she continues to hum she places a long metal pole into the fire, this must be the branding iron. "Are you willing to pledge your loyalty and power to the Elite Warriors, regardless of the consequences?" She asks. We both respond without hesitation. "Yes." "Are you willing to put the Kingdom's needs above your own and do all in your power to protect Its vast members?' 'Yes." We reply no breaking eye contact with each other. The air in the room begins to thicken with the smoke from the candles and the fire pit, but also the tingling of whatever magic she is wielding. "Will you uphold the integrity of the Alpha King and Luna Queen? "Yes."

"Will you lay your life on the line to protect those who are weaker than you?" "Yes." The flames turn purple this time. "You are being granted a great honor and hold the power to help the Royal Pack grow and thrive. Do you swear, on your life, to uphold that honor while you wear your brand?' "Yes." "Kneel then raise your right arm, inside of your wrist up." We both follow her instructions. She kneels between us and grabs the handle of the brand and lifts it from the purple flame. She

moves to Mina first, chanting low under her breath, gently holding the back of Mina's hand and pressing the branding iron to the inside of her wrist. can hear the skin sizzle and see the smoke lift from her skin.

Other than a sharp intake of breath, Mina doesn't move or say anything. Her arm is visibly shaking from the pain, I'm sure, she feels and tears run from her eyes, but she doesnt move to wipe them away.

The branding iron is pulled away and placed back into the fire pit, turning the flames a bright white. The witch reaches for vials of herbs sitting next to her and she begins chanting again, in more of a melody while she sprinkles little bits of things on Mina's burnt flesh.

Mina's tears subside, by the time the witch is done with her and she just stares at me, but it feels more like she's not seeing me. She's lost in her mind somewhere and it takes everything that have to not go to her and comfort her after all of that.

I thought I might fall into a panic memory like the first time we got to see the mission camp when I smelt her burning flesh. The panic fought to take over. I had to keep reminding myself that this is not Kaley's torture, but something that will make me stronger, I have survived worse and Mina and Nickolas are here with me. I'm not going through it alone.

I take a deep breath and look at the witch who seems to just be waiting for me to go through my own panic and be ready for her. I blink and nod. She grabs the branding iron from the still white flames and begins chanting and repeating the ceremony she just completed with Mina.

This time the searing pain and the smell of burning flesh pull me into my memory, but I am still

conscious enough to keep my body still, but the struggle is real. I hear her soothing voice chanting next to me, but I also hear a voice in my head that isn't my wolf.

You are very strong and important. Remember that Little One. All of those you come into contact with and help will benefit, but be wary of those who seek you out for favors. You still have trials in your future that must be navigated through. Keep pushing forward, you are stronger than

anyone knows. This ritual is different for all who go through it, even though the physical branding appears to be the same. No one speaks of their expenence or what is revealed to them through the process. Each must make their own journey without bias or influence. Remember that when you speak of your ritual. I slowly blink and come back to the present. Mina and I are still kneeling in front of the fire pit, but it is cold and all the candles have been blown out. The room isn't completely dark though. Small rays of light are coming through the window in the kitchen. Have we been here all night? "Oh, man. I feel like I got hit by a truck." Mina mumbles like she just woke up. "Yeah. I guess I understand why it takes days." I blink like I'm trying to get sleep out of my eyes. We both look down at our brands. It is a simple crescent moon shape with the opening facing towards our elbows. That is the only smilarity though. Mina's crescent is delicate, made from thin intertwining lines like vines dancing upa lattice. Mine is more sharp and angular like a tribal print. "This is so weird. I know she used the same brand for both of us." I exclaim looking closer at the details on my brand. It looks like there are words training around some of the shapes making up the crescent, but they are too small to make out.

"l don't remember much, do you?' Mina asks me. "Probably more than you since you went first. We ended up in a kind of trance or sleep or something. don't remember anything after the brand touched me other than a voice in my head giving me instructions." I shrug.

"l don't feel any different, do you?' "No, but I'm also afraid to move right now. My body feels really heavy, like when I woke up in the hospital with Doc Ganon. What were the herbs and thinks she sealed the brand with, do you think? "Not sure, but they must be part of what gives us the special link and shift control. Maybe it's the way the spell is linked to us for tracking. Ugh, my brain hurts thinking about it. I need water and sleep. Where did she go? And Nickolas, have you seen him?' "No, but she said the brand takes time and we would be vulnerable, maybe this is what she was talking about. We are weak, and my brain feels off like my thoughts are running through sand to process." "Yeah, let's get water and head up to bed. I have to trust them right now, since I don't think I could put up a fight with a paper towel." She giggles and we both get up slowly, leaning on each other for support. Once we both down a full glass of water each and refill to take to our room, we both head up. I crawl to my bed and she crawls to hers. "Well, I am glad that I didn't have to go through that alone, that was a little scary and hurt like a b*tch." I laugh a little. 'We too, see you whenever these after effects wear off." I close my eyes and roll over, falling asleep immediately.

Chapter 0297 My eyes open slowly as I come out of a dreamless sleep. I have never not had a dream before. Everything was just black. Normally I relive all of the things Kaley has done to me over the years, but from a third person perspective.

I don't wake from them in a cold sweat anymore, but I don't know how to pull myself out of them either. have learned to just go along with the dream until the end. I can't change what happens, but watching it play out isn't fun either. I have gotten so used to the dreams, ifs a part of my day and waking up fully rested for the first time ever is unusual. I can hear Mina moving next to me, but I can't seem to get my body to move very fast. I am super like moving through quicksand.

"Mina?" My voice is gravelly and my throat is really dry and scratchy. 'Yeah?" Her's is just as rough. "What happened?" "l think we got everything we hoped and dreamed of and it came back to bite us in the ass." She groans and I can see her out of the corner of my eye now. just realized my vision was blurry. I blink rapidly and roll to my side. "Remind me to not want anything ever again." grab my head to try and stop the pounding. "Hey! Are you okay? I have been trying to talk to you for days." My wolf asks. "Days?! What do you mean days?' "l could tell that you were okay but I was disconnected from you." "Was that supposed to happen?' "Not sure, but I wish someone would have said what the witch's spell was going to do to us. I was

scared...for both of us." What the hell happened? How were we out for days. How many days? My head is killing me. "Hey, Mina? How's your wolf?" I look over at her. "Confused and she sounds like she's been drugged. How about yours?" "Same, She said weWe been out for days. No one said that our wolves would be affected by this branding thing.." "Or that we would feel like we have the worst hangover of our lives." She finishes my sentence. "l have never been hungover, so I will take your word for it." I laugh back at her, but laughing hurts. I groan. "Man, we have got to get you out more."

"Fifteen, remember? Not a lot of 'out' options to be had. And I'm not super interested in being drunk. I've seen how stupid people are and that is not my type of good time." "You don't have to get stupid drunk, but a few drinks can loosen up your tight ass, and maybe help you have a good time. I think Sierra would agree with me." I roll my eyes at her, because I can't argue. Sierra has been trying to get me to do 'teenager things' since I got here and I just don't really care to. She says I need to let go of my need to control everything. I then responded with 'Hell no!' and then laughed at her expression. I will, someday, but I just don't care about that stuff, right now. "You know you will need to practice before we hit up college parties right? Otherwise you're going to have one drink and pass out on me." "There will be no passing out on my end. Why can't just be your DD and call it a day?" "Because you can't always be the DD. At some point you will have to join in to get the information you want and you are going to want to be prepared, not be a newbie and you know it. Control the •training' of your alcohol tolerance in a way." "Ugh! I hate it when you use logic on me. And kind of make sense."

"You don't have to drink a ton or all the time. I'm not trying to turn you into an alcohol drinking champion, but knowing what things taste like, knowing what you like and don't like, knowing how drinks are made so someone cant slip something in yours. You need to know." "Fine. NICKOLAS!!" I shout and she jumps back. "What the hell?" "Might as well start now, the snow isn't going anywhere." The door bangs open as he rushes in. "What?! Are you two okay?" He looks a little panicked. "As good as we can be after getting branded and feeling like we got hit by trucks and then backed over a few more times for good measure."

Chapter 0298 "Sh*t! You can not do that to me!! I thought someone found you and was trying to take off With you." He's gasping and holding his chest He doesn't come further into the room but leans back against the doorframe letting his head thunk back on the wood frame while he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "We need a drink after all of that. And what do you mean ' found us'? Mina asks, folding her arms across her chest, trying and failing to look intimidating in her pink pajamas. Wait..pajamas? When did she change into pajamas? I look down at myself. When did change? We were in jeans and tshirts when we did the ceremony, but that's the last thing I remember. Everything else is hazy flashes of memory. 5 "l can grab you guys some water. I'll be right back." He says, breathing almost normal now. "Oh, no. You misunderstood me. We need drinks, as in alcohol. Midget here has never had a drink and if we are going onto campus after the break, she needs to have some kind of knowledge and tolerance. We feel like garbage and can't go anywhere, might as well start now. And you still didn't answer my question. What did you mean 'found us'? "Not answering your question and as pissed as everyone will be, I agree with you. You both need a tolerance. We can't keep bouncing between you two being ready for the challenge and being too young to handle things. You were sent here, might as well do it right. Let's go." He waves us out of the room. "l don't have beer though, which is what you will get at most parties. I can't stand the sh*t." "Did you know that we would be out for days? Is that how the brand ceremony usually is?" I try to change the topic, but still get us answers. He was scared for us and I don't like the thought of that at all. He knows what the branding ceremony is and what will happen. There should have been no reason to worry. "Why don't I remember changing my clothes? And how did we get upstairs?' "That was mostly Gentry. You both managed to get yourselves upstairs, but just enough to fall into

bed. She changed you both and tucked you in. That is a little more than my job description calls for." He smiles back at us as we head downstairs. "As far as the time, no, no one is usually out that long. But you both are so young, that might be the reason. I mean, Mina just turned eighteen, and that's when you're supposed to start the training. And Midge you're supposed to still be in school, just figuring out boys and make-up and other girly sh*t like that. You were probably a teenager when you were six." He laughs at his own joke and I just roll my eyes. He walks to the island and pulls out two of the stools. We both take a silent seat and watch as he pulls glasses out of the cabinet, along with an array of other things. It looks like he is going to set up a buffet, not just serve us a drink. "First thing you need to know is that drinks come in various forms..." He begins with shots, then moves to on-the-rocks and then mixed drinks. We get a whole lesson on alcohol types, how things are measured and poured properly, what drinks are common in college and what to look for and avoid. I am completely fascinated by the whole thing. He only has whiskey on hand, but that does the trick and I can feel the effect of my brain being sluggishly slow and not matching up with what my body is trying to do. He didn't give us more than a small sip of each type of pour, but since I have zero experience, my body and brain are doing whatever they want. "Now, you both need something to eat before you throw up all over the kitchen." He catches me as start to slide sideways, but can't be bothered to right myself. "l don't like this at all. I can't move my body, I just feel floppy." I giggle and can feel my emotions bouncing all over the place. "Why would anyone choose this? It's like torture." I feel grumpy again. Mina is next to me and she has been giggling the whole time. It started with my faces when we first started tasting the whisky. Then she just never really stopped. "For control freaks like you to loosen up a bit. You don't have a choice now, you have to ride the drunk train to get it out of your system. Woohoo! We need some music!" She pops up faster than anyone should be allowed right now and disappears somewhere, then I hear her pop music blaring from a corner of the living room.

"Nope, this is stupid and never happening again." I drop my head onto my forearms on the island counter.

Chapter 0299 Just then, my favorite song comes on and I jump out of my seat. "YES!!!" My mood is shifting again, and I am vaguely aware that the whiplash will suck later. I run over to Mina and we both start dancing. I have never been much for dancing around, I just don't really know how, but here with Mina and Nickolas, hidden in the house where no one else can see me, I can't bring myself to care at all. I let the music tell my body what to do and could care less about anything around me.

I hear a low chuckle from somewhere behind me and I spin to see who it is. Who else is here watching us? In my haste I trip over my feet and almost faceplant into the coffee table. Big strong hands pick me up and help me straighten up.

"Well, I can see that we are all using ourtime wisely." I know this voice, why do I know this voice? It's comforting like Cameron's.... but it doesn't make my tummy tingle the same way.

Why does my tummy tingle when Cam talks? I'll have to remember to ask Sierra about that. Or when Dakota held my hand. There are those little pricks of electricity that me and my wolf like. And why do sleep the best when Oliver is super close?

Like my whole body is just safe so I can relax. Sam and my brother give the best hugs, but they don't make the butterflies flap around. But, when the twins made me into a sandwich, that was the best sleep. That seems like a silly thing, but a sandwich is not a silly thing..

"Oh!" I gasp, focusing on the guys in front of me. "I'm hungry! Nickolas, you said need to eat. Can you help me make a sandwich? My arms are really heavy and I feel wobbly, but I want to eat." I groan.

More laughing. did you do to her?" "Nothing, I swear. The branding did not do them any favors. They were out longer than any of us thought. But.„they are both over-tired and bored and decided that since they are going to embrace the college ife when the next semester starts, they need a lesson in alcohol tolerance. We clearly need to practice a bit more and she's right, she needs to Someone is pushing me back to the island where the little glass I was using still sits. A plate magically appears in front of me. How did he do that? He must know witchcraft too. Witchcraft is so cool, I really should study with Gentry. I wonder where she is. I didn't see when we came down. "Why do I feel fuzzy?" I say around the most delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich I have ever had in my l'fe. "The alcohol makes your brain work a little slow, and since you've never had any and decided to start on a whim, there really wasn't any way to ease you in, so welcome to being drunk off a couple of whiskey shots." Nickolas laughs at me. "You started her on straight whiskey? What were you thinking?" The gruff familiar voice comes from behind me, but it doesn't sound angry, is he laughing too? "Why do you keep laughing? And who else is here?' I finish the last of my sandwich, and feel my body coming back to normal a little bit. I still feel slow, but the minute the food starts to settle in my stomach, the fuzzy, delayed feeling is going away quickly. "l don't know how I feel about that. It was like being stuck in my head and having multiple toddlers trying to make decisions for me, but not agreeing on anything." "Woohoo! I love this song!" I turn to see Mina dancing away, well I think it's supposed to be dancing. Her limbs are flailing almost to the beat of the music. "What's wrong with her?" I turn to look at Nickolas and Alpha Reggie. When did he get here?

"Seriously! That's it? No hangover, no stumbling around? Just hand you some food and you burn the liquor off just like that? I mean wolves tend to burn through alcohol quickly, but that's nuts for what I gave you!" Nickolas looks incredulous. "What? What did I do?" I look between both of them. "l told you she was special. I was curious how this would work for you based on how you metabolize silver. How much did you give her anyway? Alpha Reggie turns from Nickolas to me. "A shot, on the rocks and they shared two drinks with different kinds of mixers. What do you mean 'metabolizes silver'? No werewolf metabolizes silver, it hurts like a bitch and if we take on too much we die from it." Nickolas is still baffled and not trying to hide it.

Chapter 0300 The end of November sucks and the stupid snow doesn't let up at all. And of course we ive near more humans than wolves so any time we want to go out we have to bundle up like our natural body heat is non-existent. And we can't spend more than the necessary amount of time outside, otherwise it would look weird to the neighbors. The only light in this tunnel of frost is Nickolas has taken us out everyday since the three of us spent a lonely, drunken Thanksgiving together. I guess he had several guards surrounding the house that day so he could take a break and he indeed took full advantage of the situation.

We tried every flavor of vodka he could bring us and I have decided that whiskey is my sipping slow drink and vodka is the party drink. He did bring us a beer and I have to agree that 'that sh *t sucks!' The skunky bitter flavor was awful and made me feel full and bloated. If I can avoid it, I will never drink it again.

We have figured out that I metabolize all alcohols the same way. I do get drunk, but the minute I eat something the sensation is completely gone and when I don't eat, because we are very thorough in our research and have tested every theory we can think of in our state of boredom, it takes me about an hour to completely burn it off. I have taken to keeping a protein bar or something else small on me at all times, just in case.

We have also gotten back to some semblance of training. I have shifted more in the last couple weeks than have in the last year. My wolf loves it and I love feeling stronger as she grows in strength and size.

I am still shifting and changing physically too. In the seven months I have been here, I have leaned out even more, but I'm not necessarily getting smaller.

I have packed on about fifteen pounds of muscle on my tiny frame and most of my muscles are defined even in a relaxed state. Oliver would be happy with my progress, he always said I was too small.

We are learning to use the benefits our brands give us. Shifting with our clothes intact is a huge plus. Even though it is part of the magic, we have to concentrate on mentally making the clothes a part of our body, it's basically invoking the spell to work. The first couple of tries were hilarious. One time, Mina ended up with the right half of her clothes hanging from her body, while the left side was in shreds. She was super proud of herself for getting in half right until she noticed Nickolas' cheeks turn bright red and he spun away from us so fast I thought he might fall over.

Her bra and underwear were also in the mix of being half there and half not, so her left boob was hanging out for all the world to see. She had to stay in wolf form until Nickolas could get her a change of clothes so she wasn't seen or would freeze her girl bits off.

We may run warmer than the average human, but we are still susceptible to the elements, and she does not need to freeze her t*ts off! After Mina's debacle, we both carried a couple extra sets of clothes whenever we trained. My efforts were less entertaining, but I still lost more clothes than she did. I seemed to get stuck in the top half or the bottom half of my clothes. I did end up in my underwear and bra once, which led Mina down a whole rabbit hole of me getting new lingerie, because I was not supposed to dress like a grandma' when I am a badass warrior, and as soon as we are able she is taking me shopping with Sierra and the only thing I am allowed to buy is under garments that my mate would appreciate.

I had to remind her...again... that would be three years before I could find my mate, so it shouldn't matter now. Her only response was that I might find a boy here to fool around with and practice on until then. My heart stopped for a second, until she started laughing at me. I'm sure my face was one of total repulsion.

"Why are you so hung up on saving yourself for your mate? You know none of the guys save themselves for us right? All the guys we know personally are out frolicking in the sheets with whichever set of legs will spread for them. And you aren't even interested in finding your mate right now anyway, hence your presence here." She points dramatically at the muddy area surrounding us.

"l don't know what it is, Mina. Any time we even talk and joke about me being with just anyone I physically feel sick. I understand what you are but I just don't think I could really go through with being like that with anyone but my mate" I rub my face with my towel, we are both sparring in a patch of woods behind the new house we found closer to campus. "Is that stupid?' I look back up at her, really wanting an answer.