Ch. 441..450

Chapter 0441

"Thank you Skylar. I know that wasn't easy for either of you." Alpha Lucas looks at me with sympathy.

I just nod and scrub my hands over my face. "I need to go workout or run or something, Alpha Lucas, what are our orders? I obviously have training to work on," I say patting the wrapped book on the edge of his desk. "Is there anything else?"

"Warrior Brogen wanted you three to maintain your regular warrior training schedule and for you to focus heavily on Elena's directions for you. He was not concerned with you being in school," He rolled his eyes as we both remember Kevin's suggestion last night, "But it might not be a bad idea for you to have a presence in the school. Those kids love you and seeing you back will motivate them to work a little harder in their own training. We need everyone ready, especially if the fight is coming here." I nod at him.

"We could do a patrol in the school. I know they aren't doing regular gym classes now that it's being substituted with training to fit more time in. Jena could beef up security and monitoring too at the school and around the pack." I look over at my friend. She still looks like she is in shock, but she makes eye contact with me and nods.

"Yeah. We should really look at all of that since there are so many ways to get into your pack because of the water access. I also don't think Sky should be a part of the patrol loop. Don't look at me like that, you know I'm right. Those d*ckheads are after you, you can't deny it anymore. That is proof." She points to the box, her fire is coming back. I know how she feels about being seen as a victim and feeling like a helpless girl. It makes her angry and she's in a mood. "He may have been a backstabbing asshole, but he was the one person outside your team that got close to you. You don't get to be reckless, you have to be smart. Do what you do best, analyze and give us a plan. Let the warriors do the patrols, you need to lead."

The three men in the room are just watching us like a tennis match.

"Jena, I don't want to be stuck here in lock down any more than you do."

"Who said you would be in lockdown? Who is dumb enough to try that?" I tilt my head to the side and look around the room. "Well, men are stupid, so there's that."

"What am I supposed to analyze and plan?"

"We need to be in the school, Alpha Lucas said it himself, you get these kids motivated. We all need to be ready. Ready to fight, ready to protect. We need to have a plan to keep those kids safe, to keep your pack safe so they can make it through this." Her eyes well up. I see what this means to her now. I move in to hug her. "They have to make it through this," She whispers in my neck, "It can't happen again." She sniffles and then takes another deep breath before letting me go.

"Okay, I will go into the school, you should be with me, that way you can see what they are working with and update whatever is needed. I will keep Lil on patrol detail. It will allow us to cover more ground. Go catch up with Lil and the guys and take notes of the surroundings and we will get more border security. I really need to workout and figure out what Elena wants me to do." I turn and look at the guys and Alpha Lucas. "Are you okay with that, sir? I'm not sure what plans you have for your warriors, but we brought this here, we really need to make sure it doesn't cost any more lives."

"Yes, Sky, that sounds good. Why don't you go do your initial run around the pack Jena, and Sky after you go through your instructions from Elena we can all meet back here for lunch and Brett, Kyle, Daniel and I can go over our strategy with all of you."

We all nod and I turn to Oliver, "Let's go big guy, I need to hit something." Everyone but Jena laughs, she knows what I mean.

"You aren't going to fight me on following you around?" He sounds skeptical.

"No. One, you'd do it anyway, so there's no point. Two, I have been tied up, tortured, beaten, starved and left for dead too many times. Clearly, I am not supposed to do things on my own and this is karma's way of beating that into my head."

He huffs a laugh and nods in agreement as I grab the wrapped book and head out of the room. I go to the kitchen, because I'm starving and Lenny still has the best breakfast ever. As I walk in she has a smile on her face as she hands me a full plate and then looks at Oliver behind me.

"I made you one too, Gamma." She turns and grabs a plate that was hidden behind her on the counter. Oliver takes it with a surprised look on his face.

"Ummm, thank you Lenny.?" It sounds more like a question and she giggles.

"You are taking care of our Skylar here, not just in the mood to be lazy." She winks at me. "Are you planning to be out all day? Should I make you lunch? You like to forget to eat when you are onto something and we can't have that, Miss Skylar."

"It might get a little busy, we just got orders and have things to do today. A lunch would be great Lenny, thank you. The rest of my team and the guys will be starving too, when they get back. We got sidetracked on the way down here before training. Can you make sure they eat too, please?"

"Of course, sweet girl. Now go eat, before you get busy and forget." She winks again.

We sit at the table set near the

retractable window wall and start to dig in. Lenny is a genius, this food is so delicious. She knows exactly what we need and when we need it. But, we aren't two bites in when the unmistakable sound of heels comes down the tiled hallway. Knowing what's probably coming Pstart to stuff my face.

"Lenny, I need an egg white omelet with one ounce of cheese and no extra fattening ingredients this time. Oh, and a coffee with two creams, two sugars, one pump of vanilla and one pump of caramel. And, make it fast I'm running late for school today."

She still hasn't noticed us, both Oliver and I have stopped eating and possibly stopped breathing to keep her from noticing us.

"Lenny! Now!"

"Unfortunately the kitchen does not serve breakfast until 6am, I am still preparing. There is coffee in the pot over there, if you would like to pour yourself a mug." Lenny says, as calmly as can be with her back to Kaley, while shooting me a side look that tells me she wants to smack this girl in the head for her manners.

"Why do I smell food then? It smells like people have already eaten in here." Kaley places a hand on her hip stopping at the island where Lenny is prepping our lunch.

 

Chapter 0442

"Because all of our future leaders are already out working for the day, they eat before they go. Their schedule is different from the students and I accommodate that. The breakfast buffet will be set up in thirty minutes for everyone else in the house." Lenny is calm and collected, like she is explaining something new to a toddler.

"I am your future Luna, one of your future leaders, you should accommodate me too." Kaley growls at Lenny and I am ready to get up and smack her myself, but Oliver shakes his head at me almost imperceptibly.

"Listen here, you little trollop. You may be in the Alpha's home, living off of his generosity, but you are not our future Luna. Our future Luna will be kind and respectful to all of the pack members. Our future Luna will appreciate everything that is done by the pack members. Our future Luna will see and notice each and every pack member. Before she takes the title. You will never be a Luna. Now get your coffee and leave my kitchen, you are interrupting my breakfast preparations."

Kaley's jaw is on the floor. I don't know if anyone in a service position has told her off like that and I can't help the smile and small laugh that escapes me. I look back to Oliver who is also smiling. We both cram the last of our food in our mouths.

Lenny looks over at us. "Miss Skylar, where will you and Gamma Oliver be? I will bring lunch to you after I deal with this." Lenny flutters her hand towards Kaley.

"We are going to start in the weight room, but I don't know how long we'll be there. I don't want you to have to come looking for us. Why don't we stop back by when we leave?"

"I will have it ready, sorry for the delay." Lenny is laying it on thick and Oliver and I are here for it.

"Thank you Lenny." Oliver leans in to kiss her cheek.

"Yes, Thank you." I give her a hug.

"Anything for you sweet girl." She hugs me tight and then we leave to head to Alpha Lucas' weight room.

As we walk down the hallway we hear Kaley start to argue with Lenny. I can't help but smile. At least not everyone lets the Cunnigham's get away with everything.

We walk down the stairs that lead to the cells. I can smell the rogue even if I can't see him. I was waiting until we had orders, but he may have no idea what's going on now that it seems like the rogue king's plans have changed. But, I am going to enjoy interrogating him anyway.

We walk past the cells to the Alpha's weight room and head in. Once I get about ten feet in I notice the loss of Oliver's radiating heat from behind me, and turn around. "What's wrong?" I can feel my whole face scrunch in confusion as he just stands in the door. He seems to be stuck in the doorway.

"Uh..." He moves like he wants to follow, but stops himself. "I haven't been down here since...umm. I don't come down here." He looks down at his feet. And it takes me a full two minutes to figure out what he's talking about.

"Oliver, that was almost two years ago. You're telling me you haven't been down here the whole time I was gone?"

"No. I don't know if anyone has actually. That sh*t was scary, Bitty. You had no color and were limp in my dad's arms. I actually had bruises form on my arms. I didn't know why at the time, but I know it was a reaction to what you were doing to yourself. I don't know what's going on with us, but you have no idea how hard it was to sit outside that door and listen to you beat the sh*t out of the bag and feel all the rage you had towards me and I couldn't do anything about it."

 

Chapter 0443

"I'm sorry you went through that. I wish I could turn that connection off so my moods wouldn't affect you like that." I look down at my feet. I know we need to talk, I guess now is as good a time as any. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I don't. If you could shut it down, I never would have found you. You wouldn't be here at all."

"What are you talking about?" My heartrate is starting to pick up.

"Who do you think got to you first in that locker room? We are connected for some reason. I think part of it is so I can find you when you are suffering all alone."

"How did you know?"

"I felt off when we were getting ready for the ball, but I brushed it off. Then I got a massive headache, the only kind I get with you. I tried to mindlink you and couldn't. You were blocked from me. I linked dad, I didn't want to say anything to the guys until I knew for sure you weren't still training or doing something equally stupid with him or Kyle." I got a small smile then. Then his eyes go dark and glossed over. "Then my mouth started to bleed, like I took a sucker punch from Kota and my whole chest seized. My wolf took over, I shifted and he jumped out the window of Cam's room. You were so broken," He takes a deep breath in and a tear falls from his eyes, but I can't move. I'm frozen in place. "I don't think there was a part of you that wasn't damaged." He takes another deep breath in and squats down, pressing the heels of his hands to his eyes. "You told me to let you die." He sobs and sags to his knees. I couldn't hold back anymore and I walked over to him.

Even on his knees, his head comes to my ribcage. He wraps his arms around my waist and buries his face in my stomach. We are both crying now. He found me. He always finds me.

"I'm sorry."

"Then you were gone, they ripped you from my arms. No information, no word of how you were, what happened, who was involved. We were just told you were alive and that's all we needed to know." He takes a deep breath in and lets it out slowly. Then continues talking into my shirt. "The only thing we got was that one page letter. You said you were healthy and training and that was it."

"That's all I had. I was alive. I became a science experiment for Sierra's parents, a freakshow for the other warriors. You know the usual for me."

He huffs a laugh, but doesn't let go or look at me.

"I'm sorry, Bitty. I'm sorry it took you leaving for us to understand. My dad and Delta Kyle sat us down after we got back from that summer training and told us what was going on, or what they knew. I wish you trusted us enough to tell us, but I know we hadn't earned that right, still haven't if I'm being honest. So many things are f*cked up and we need you. I'm glad you're stuck here right now. You can't run away, even if you wanted to."

 

Chapter 0444

He's crying. This massive, tattooed guy who is scared of nothing is crying into my shirt. My broody, moody Gamma's never shown this much emotion in living memory, but with just the two of us, he's breaking down and holding me tight, like I might disappear if he lets go. This is our thing, this raw emotion, this connection will stay in this room for only the two of us to bear. I let all my calming thoughts flow to him, like he does for me.

"Why have you been so angry with me if you missed me this much?" I run my fingers through his rich dark hair.

"You never looked this happy and healthy here. Even dead on your feet from lack of sleep and covered in everything that you could possibly be covered in from fighting in the forest, I could see the glow in your skin and in your eyes. You have put on weight, you have so much more muscle now. Being away has been good for you. That's what made me angry. It was better for you to be away, you are better off without us." He takes another deep breath in and lets it out.

That is not what I expected to hear at all.

"It's not that it was better or worse for me anywhere. I had to get away for a little while. I just needed a break from the drama and to experience life and things outside the pack. To see what I was capable of on my own in a place that was unfamiliar without the safety net of you guys around. I wish it didn't happen the way it did, but I can't say I regret it. I was always going to come home. That has always been the plan, it's still the plan even if I have to leave again."

"What happens when you become an Elite Warrior trainer and they keep you until you find your mate?" His hoarse voice is barely above a whisper.

"Is that really what you think will happen?"

"Who knows." He shrugs, still maintaining a tight grip. "You still have a lot of time. You make so many things happen in such short amounts of time, who the hell knows what you'll do in under two years." "Well, for now, I am here and the pack is in danger. I'm not leaving again until I know everyone is safe and even then I know I can't stay away from you guys like that again. It hurts too much and I don't sleep well. We'll figure something out if the Alpha King needs me. I think we have all grown a lot since I have been away. Now I really need to workout and then I need to figure out what Elena wants me to do." He lets me go slowly, scrubbing his face as he stands up. "So who's Elena and what is she teaching you?" He goes into business mode right away. The mushy conversation is over.

"Elena is a witch, she is actually in Gentry's coven. Gentry is Nickolas' mate. Long story. But, turns out that I have more abilities due to my connection with Alpha Reggie and she and I are training in the basics of magic."

"Uh, you're gonna have to give me more than that Bitty. Magic?"

"I'm sure that Alpha Lucas told you I'm Alpha King Reggie's relation. I forget the actual lineage, but he calls me his niece. And the first born females in the Alpha King's blood line traditionally have an extra ability, like the power to be immune to things, manipulate emotions, heal others, use magic, things like that. Apparently there was a prophecy a long time ago about one of the females having more than one ability. Alpha Reggie thinks that my sense of smell is one of mine, but also my ability to withstand silver, even when it's injected into me..."

"Who the f*ck tested that on you? That's not something you just try out to see if you have the ability, Bitty." He blurts. His whole body is shaking with rage.

I grab both of his massive forearms

with my tiny hands. "It wasn't

voluntary. That's what happened that night in the locker room. It's why you couldn't link me. I was injected with wolfsbane and silver and possibly some other poisons. Doc Ganon and Doc Sylvia took a ton of samples and are studying it, but what I was given should have killed me within minutes, from what I understand."

"You need to tell me who did this to you. Is it the same person that gave you the silver scars on your back?"

"Yes, it was the same person and no I won't tell you. You wouldn't be able to deal with it in a diplomatic way..."

"Who gives a sh*t about diplomacy when you were tortured?"

"I do when it is a pack member who has been getting away with things pretty much forever. I won't condone it, but at the same time, no one has ever made it clear the behavior is unacceptable. The pack leaders are responsible for that. Yes, things need to change, but current things need to be fixed, past stuff has already happened and cannot be taken back. Keep working with the pups, teach them to stand up for themselves. Teach them to be decent pack members, not to hurt people in order to get what they want. But we need to get back to the magic. I have some control over elements and I need to work on that like I work with weights. Magic is like a muscle, but it still takes a lot of energy for me to sustain, so I need someone with me just in case I overdo it by accident."

"So let's get to work here, a quick full body thing and then where do we need to do your magic? Is there like a special room or what?"

I move over and start setting up weights while I explain about being outside and what I have to focus on for the flow of magic to happen. I also have to read whatever instructions Elena gave me too.

We don't talk much, we have never really had to when we work out. I love the silence and the ability to lose myself in my thoughts, but at the same time, I'm not alone. His large protective presence also makes me feel safe and loved.

When we are done and clean up the mess of weights everywhere, we head toward the kitchen to check in with Lenny for our lunch.

"I am so sorry that I have been so distracted this morning. Some demands are more involved than others."

"Lenny, it is okay. We are more than capable of making our own lunch. I just didn't want to be in your way. There are so many extra people in the packhouse right now. I know that prep takes time." She hands me a basket, and it's heavy. "What's in here, we just needed lunch!" I laugh.

"Well, you're breakfast was on the

small side and I know you just

worked out and you are planning some more training. I want to make sure you maintain that figure, little miss. You are finally healthy and I want to keep it that way." Sho winks at me and I giggle again as Oliver

takes it out of my hands and leads me out the back door.

 

Chapter 0445

"So what are we doing? What can I expect from this magic thing, Bitty?" Oliver asks as we head back to where my semi-hidden hammock is.

"Really, I can't do much with magic, but I'm focusing on how to sense it and have been able to start manipulating elements a little with it. Magic is really hard. Do you remember learning to shift for the first time?" He nods at me. "It's kind of like that when I use magic. Somewhere in me I have the capacity for it, but because it isn't my first nature the learning is slow and draining. With the Rogues using magic, sensing it is my main focus and Elena agrees. If we can avoid things and people that are being manipulated and controlled by magic, we can keep more pack members safe. What happened to Jena's pack and Tyler's pack is unacceptable and I believe magic is going to be the Rogue King's weakness."

"How so?"

"The rogues are lazy and weak when it comes to real fighting. They are too reliant on magic to take control with no real effort. That's how Jena and I were able to get away after Gentry kept the wolfsbane and other poisons out of our food. We had to fight a little, but not as much as I would have thought once they discovered us gone. I was also able to kill Janice without a lot of effort too when she tried to take me on one on one. I didn't think about it at the time, but I don't sleep well so I've had time on my hands."

"What do you mean you don't sleep well? You slept fine last night."

"I have always slept better with you guys around." I smile at him. "I'm pretty sure it's the only time I actually hit a deep sleep really. You guys are just my people, you're safe, home." He pulls me into a hug and I can hear his wolf purr softly in his chest.

"That was the ego boost we needed. Now he isn't going to shut up the rest of the day." Oliver laughs. "So what do I need to do?"

I walk him through what it looks like for me to work with the elements and some of the history that Elena has been teaching me. He's as big of a geek as I am, so I know he appreciates the in-depth information. The rest of the guys would have stayed and pretended to pay attention while spacing out. Cam would have lasted the longest, while Sam would have made it two minutes before offering to get snacks and drinks. I also explained that he needs to watch me for signs of distress, because the concentration is so deep, I can't always pull myself out of it and I can actually get hurt while I'm in a trance.

We finally unwrap and open the ancient grimoire. I know that this thing has been around for generations, but the thought of it being here outside the safety of the Royal pack makes me a little nervous and excited all at the same time. It is clearly important, if she broke her own rule to bring it to me.

There is an envelope tucked in between pages. I open straight to it and see why immediately. I open the thick envelope and unfold the heavy, hand pressed paper. I can feel the hum through my fingers just touching it. I know there is magic, even here. I begin to read.

Skylar, I wish I could be with you, but my coven needs me more right now. Your rogues are terrorizing my kind and we must help put an end to the injustice. Our leaders can no longer avoid it or pretend it is not happening. We are going to bring our brothers and sisters home.

You must continue your training. I believe you are vital to our cause. Read the grimoire from front to back and stop where the magic calls you. Your wolf can guide you as well since she is of the same magic. Make sure you are safe when practicing, knowing who to trust is becoming a dangerous game. I have marked three pages for you to follow before and after you practice casting. This will keep you and your watcher safe as well as suppress your strong aura.

The first will help you veil your practice area and bar anyone outside your space from entering until you drop the veil. This may affect your ability to mindlink when you first begin to cast. As you get better at the skill, it will be less broad and you can manipulate it to your will.

The second will help you ground and become intune with the elements around you before you cast. This meditation is what we did together, but will take some energy from you as you align with the earth to cast.

The third is instructions to infuse

magic into elements that can be worn for protection. Make one protection pièce per day and no

more. The magic is powerful and et

contained, but you and your team will need the added protection. The elements can be placed in everyday Wearable items. I suggest infusing at night before you sleep so you can rest and recover overnight and no one will be suspicious of your lack of energy.

Check in with Nikolas and he will get messages to me if you need anything. Good Luck my girl.

"Okay, well, I have my work cut out for me then. What do you think I should start with first?" I look back at Oliver who is rubbing his forehead. "What's wrong?"

"Everytime I tried to read over your shoulder, I got a splitting headache. Is that a normal thing when you get a letter from a witch?"

"Uh, no. I could read it just fine. I can

feel magic on it though, so maybe she made it so only I can read it. I'm curious, though. Can you read anything in the book? I know it has all kinds of magic cast over it, but does it have some kind of repelling spell too?"

He starts to slowly flip the pages. "That one is fuzzy, but it doesn't hurt my brain like the letter did." He points to one that has the coven's lineage. "AH!" He turns a page and quickly flips it again.

"What?"

"That one actually burned. It burned my fingers and my eyes. What the hell is on that one?"

"It is coven locations. Clearly that is a bigger secret than the people in the covens." I turn to the page marked with the spell to protect my practice area. "Can you read this? You are my bodyguard for this whole thing."

"Umm, yeah. I can. Is it weird that someone went through and put individual spells on pages and pieces of information?"

"Not really, and it wasn't just one person. This is a collection from many witches. So I'm sure each entry was protected by the witch who wrote it." I shrug, admiring the effort that this book took to make. Let's just practice the protection spell and see how that goes. I've never done it on my own, but I've seen Elena do it and Gentry did one when we got our warrior brands, I just didn't know it at the time."

We spend the rest of the afternoon setting and unsetting the protection circle around us. We let our friends know so we could practice mind linking them too.

 

Chapter 0446

"Okay, I didn't do anything and I am exhausted. You really did this everyday, Bitty?" Oliver and I were sitting out at the patio table with the rest of the guys, Jena and Lil eating dinner and going over what we did for the day.

"Yeah, I don't do it alone though. Not that you weren't helpful." I backtrack quickly. "I just don't normally do the magic part on my own. It's a lot. What about you guys? How was Sky training?" I smile at Jena and Lil. "Was Dwight as lippy this morning as he was yesterday?"

"Not after his smug ass was paired with me for the patrol run and then Alpha Jen for the first hour of training."

"You have got to quit calling me that." Jena complains. "And yes, that pansy will think long and hard before he says something smartass to a team lead again.

"Technically you are an Alpha, the Alpha of your pack in fact. Why should we not use your title?" Mateo is just stirring the pot. "I still call Alpha Lucas, Alpha and I will call the twins Alpha when it's their time." He shrugs like that is the most natural thing.

"But, like this, sitting here at dinner with no other pack members around, you will still refer to them by their title? I know you don't. You have been friends your whole lives, you use their names in casual settings."

She is sitting next to me, so when he leans in to whisper in her ear, I can hear everything.

"There is nothing casual about you." He growls at her and I can feel my own face flush and she gasps low.

I have never seen my brother like this with any girl. He would flirt a little, but he seems to actually be trying here. He's never given attention to one girl over another. I wonder if he is practicing for his mate. They will be 18 in the spring, maybe his wolf can sense a connection with her even though we have our warrior brands.

"Ugh, stop." She pushes him away and Lil and I share a smile.

When we are all done and heading upstairs, I grab the girls and bring them with me. We have each been attached to at least one of the guys since we got here and I want a little time alone with my friends. No one questions it, until I shut the guys out of my room and we laugh at their whining protests.

"At least dinner wasn't interrupted by the banshee and her dad." Jena says. "It's really hard to have a conversation with them around. They seem like the kind of people who take words and twist them or they like to spread gossip. I don't know how your Alpha deals with it or why. It doesn't make sense for him to just let them roam around the way that they do, and he seems like a pretty strong and authoritative Alpha most of the time. No offense to your

Alpha, they just seem to have some underlying control that they shouldn't."

"None taken. I always thought the same thing, but being so far removed from everyone for so long I didn't know that what they were doing and how they were behaving was wrong. Even when I was getting beat up on a regular basis, it never occurred to me that maybe someone should have stopped it."

"So it was her that caused you all the trouble." Lil says

pointing to me. "The guys asked us today about it and said you would never tell them who was beating you up."

"I never said it was her." I try to sound convincing as I flop onto my bed.

"You didn't have to, but now you need to explain what the hell is going on. Why does she think she is going to be Luna? Why would anyone allow one person to cause so much trouble unchecked?" Jena asks, sitting next to me.

I sigh. "I don't really know the origin. Luna Ava mentioned that Kaley's parents have been trying to convince her and the Alpha since she was born to make her the twins chosen mate. I know that Kevin didn't take too well to being looked over for the Delta position, even though Delta Kyle is older and the position should be his for that and so many other reasons. She has never really liked me, and I have no idea why, other than no one liked me because of my dad's feelings about my birth." 2

"That's harsh." Lil says. "What's with your dad anyway? You always said he doesn't like you, but you kind of avoid

actually explaining."

"There isn't much to explain. I'm the spare Beta, and a female, so that's usually enough for most people. Everyone in this pack knows that my mom died giving birth to me. I am the reason he lost his mate and the reason he suffers everyday." I rub my hands over my face. "I know more now that I have been training with the Alpha King. I guess the women in my family have a hard time giving birth to the next female because of the extra abilities our bloodline gives. They actually need to have special potions and a witch to help them get through labor. I mean they had to have something bad going for them right?" I can't help but laugh. I don't wish for things to be easier, but would it be too much to ask that things aren't always the hard way too?

"So, you're telling me that when you get around to having kids, it's going to be this big production if or when you have a girl?" Lil asks.

"Something like that. But, I'd really like to be in my twenties before I even have to think about that. I feel like the more I know about mates and all of that stuff, I feel like the Moon Goddess should give us some more time without mates."

"You want more time to fool around with other boys before you finally settle down with your mate?" Jena asks and winks at me and of course I blush and shoot up.

"NO! I just wish we got more time to be adults and do things that didn't involve settling down and having kids right after finally being considered an adult." I stick my tongue out to her.

"I think she's right, you want to play the field!" Lil cackles and almost falls off my bed which makes us all erupt in

laughter. "But really your pack is kind of weird when it comes to Kaley and her dad. It's not just here, I noticed out on the run too. People talk about them, but indirectly. No one likes them and they don't seem to be of use to anyone in the pack and yet they instill some kind of morbid fear. What is really going on?"

 

Chapter 0447

"Honestly, I don't know about Kevin, he's been a part of the school forever, but Kaley uses fear to stay in control of the kids at school. It started as small threats and mean girl comments, but people got used to it and she had to up her game. I caught her physically beating a little girl and I stepped in, that's when she started targeting me. She broke the leg of one of the warrior's daughters with three of her minions and recorded it when I wouldn't give her the answers to a test. The message that came with the video was 'choose better next time.' When I went to my dad the video was gone and couldn't be found and I got in trouble for causing problems. But the little girl was harmed and nothing happened to Kaley."

"She didn't say anything. She was afraid. I'm sure they told her she would be hurt more if she did. That's how things always happen. We have cameras all over the school and yet every time I was pulled into a closet and smacked around or the day I was taken and whipped then dragged out to the forest, no evidence could be found and therefore I 'must be lying to get attention' according to her dad. Since of course I envy her intelligence and beauty.

"AHHH! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!" This time Lil did roll off the bed laughing. She pops up like a gopher from the far side. "You have got to be kidding me! That make-up caked-up diva

wannabe? No one wants to be her! That's the dumbest thing I think I have ever heard! They are delusional."

"We need to get into the school and I need access to the computers. She can't cause this many problems and not make some kind of mistake. You are the smartest person I know, there is no way she is outwitting you. You just happen to take her threats seriously and she is crazy enough to follow through on the violence. But there is something we are missing. You are a Beta, beat her ass at her own game and then beat her ass for real. I have been here two days and I want to punch her teeth in." Jena growls.

"I agree. We are stuck here and we train just fine on our own, we don't need to follow your puppies around everyday. How do we get in? What's a good reason for us to be at school since none of us need to be in the building? We need a reason to snoop around and get into every nook and cranny of that school at all times of the day and night." Lil settles herself next to Jena, like she needs to show they are both in this for real.

"They are not my puppies and I'm down with filling our time. I have to have some time between sessions of magic work. It's exhausting. I didn't realize how much Elena was helping me."

"You say they aren't your puppies, but you knew exactly who I was talking about." Lil raises an eyebrow at me.

"Who else would you be talking about? I don't have a large

group of friends. And besides, I think one of the puppies has imprinted on Jena." I smile at her.

"Mateo has not imprinted on me, you are delusional. We annoy each other." She rolls her eyes and Lil snaps her head to the side.

"But you knew exactly who she was talking about." Lil's sh*t eating grin says everything and we all start laughing.

"I can admit that he is good looking, they all are. I mean, I'm surprised you were able to leave, Midge. But he has a huge hero complex and I don't need a knight in shining armor." She shrugs. "The chivalry can be a little overbearing and condescending."

"Okay, I don't disagree. They are overprotective at the best of times though. So I guess it's just something I got used to. I usually just tell them off and then go destroy a punching bag or fight all of them in a round robin. And I also agree that we could be doing something specific with our time. I guess the school is the best place to start. The other thing is the severed fingers that were left, with no scent or anything, similar to Tyler's eyes. It was a message then. I just donn't know if I was the intended target then or if it was Luna Ava or Luna Queen Anne, since she was here too."

"Why does it seem like your pack goes through so much more than the average pack?" Lil asks.

"I always thought it was because we are surrounded by water and a perceived easy target or that Alpha Lucas is really close friends with Alpha Reggie. So we are targeted like family would be." I shrug. "I mean, we haven't been attacked the same way Jena's or Tyler's packs were, so I can't say it's unique or unusual."

"But, I don't remember having this much drama with pack members."

"Maybe they tried to keep it quiet too?" Lil supplies.

"What do you mean?" Jena and I ask at the same time.

"Well, think of it this way. You don't want the whole pack thinking that the Alpha doesn't have control, so instead of addressing every single little infraction, certain things are allowed to slide and only major life changing issues are handled when they can't be avoided."

"So you're saying that Skylar being whipped and having silver powder sprinkled on for good measure isn't a big enough reason to discipline?" Jena sounds offended.

"I think that anyone who causes problems should be made an example, but that is why I am a warrior and not a pack leader. If there was no proof other than Midge's injuries, who's to say that Midge didn't do it to herself and try to blame Kaley? Don't look at me like that! It's a known fact that they don't like each other. I think Kaley and her dad are a waste of space, but they have a great system. Think about

it. If you want to beat your enemy you have to think like them. It's what we are trained to do. And as Midge's enemy Kaley planted so much doubt against her, over literal years, that no one would believe her. So without concrete proof no one is going to go near the Cunninghams. It's your noncredible avoid-everybody word against their very involved-in-the-community word. It's what I would do, cause doubt and chaos from the inside and watch it implode on its own. No effort really." She shrugs again and I have to fight to pull my jaw off the floor. 2

 

Chapter 0448

"I never thought of it like that before. All the times I went to my dad and he never believed me. Even Alpha Lucas and Luna Ava, everyone is always willing to help in the moment, but no one ever actually listened to me until they found out how good of a warrior I am and things didn't add up. But by then it was too late. We have to figure this Kaley thing out. She is a trainwreck and would be terrible for the pack, or any pack for that matter. I'm not so much worried about getting justice for the things she's done to me, but I do want to stop whatever her and her dad are up to."

"So, to school we go. What's the story we are going to tell?" Lil jumps up. "And do I really have to take classes, cause didn't exactly love it the first time around." She giggles.

We spent the rest of the night coming up with a plan to get into the school and what we are going to do when we get there. I always just dealt with the sh*t thrown at me and never really thought to fight back off the training field. I didn't want to make waves and cause problems for others. It feels good to work towards making things better.

We stayed up way too long coming up with our plans for getting into the school, then I just kept them up here to sleep. I have so much room, there really is no reason for them to have rooms downstairs. I know it's because of Kaley, because she tries to push her way into places she doesn't belong. Luna Ava is just trying to keep the drama down in her home. But, I can't believe that we have to sneak

around our home just to avoid her. We have to figure out how to get her out of here. I mention that to the girls too as our next project.

Getting up was less off-putting than yesterday. Jena slept really well, but she always does when she's close to me. We all take it in turn to use my shower and get ready for training in our usual gear. At least Luna Ave has caught on to the fact that none of us really like the bright girly colors. It really doesn't make sense with how hard we train.

I laugh as I tie my hair up.

"What's up with you?" Jena asks. "What's so funny this early?"

"You'll see." I wink at them both and walk towards the door and hesitate for a beat before opening it and just smile at Kota with his hand raised to knock. "We don't want to be late." I look from the guys to my team again and smile.

"Show off." I hear someone mumble behind me and I laugh again and head towards the stairs.

None of us are super talkative as we head down the short flight, but as soon as I open the door to the second floor I'm accosted in arms and then tossed back.

"What the hell?! Where are my boys? Why are you leading them down the stairs, they always lead. Your Alphas should always be first in line." Kaley is screeching at me.

"What are you talking about? It is too early for your brand of crazy." I can't help the curdled feeling in my stomach at her

mention of 'my boys.' That has been my name for them. She can't use it. I stuff the feeling as I rub my arm where one of her fake nails caught me. It didn't do any real damage and it's already healed, but the sensation is still lingering.

"You good Smalls?" Kota comes up behind me and places a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah. Can someone translate? I can't speak crazy this early. What is she talking about?"

"You should not precede your Alphas into a room, it's not proper. They should always be first with their Luna."

"Translation, she wanted to jump them while they were too tired to fight her off and you c*ckblocked her." Lil stage whispers in my ear and I smile again as Kaley scoffs.

I will not give her any more time and I'm not even acknowledging the Luna comment. I'm sure she is still referring to herself when she says sh*t like that.

"Kaley, we came down from our bedrooms. This isn't a grand entrance, it's the second floor landing. Dial the drama down. We need to go eat so we can get to training so we aren't late for school."

I turn and keep walking, the rest of my friends in tow. She doesn't come down with us and we don't see her at training, which should make me very suspicious, but I just don't care anymore.

We have a great time with the highschoolers at training.

They have all really come a long way and the training is so well attended now. I wish it had more to do with kids wanting to train rather than them needing to because of regular attacks, but I'll take what I can get.

We were all entertained by Mateo and Jena's banter during their spar at the end. They are equally matched and they both seem to have something to prove.

"You okay there Beta boy?" Jena taunts after she

suckerpunched him right in the side, in the soft spot just below his ribs. It's a signature move that I have learned to not give her an opportunity to use. It sucks and hurts like a b *tch.

"Just making sure to stroke your ego Alpha." He draws out the words. "I don't want you to feel bad when I take you down." His smile is one I've seen him use before to seduce girls. My brother is handsome, I can admit that, but he doesn't stand a chance against Jena. She can't feel the hormonal pull, but she sure as sh*t knows how to play the game. I've seen more guys succumb to her beauty and flirtatiousness than I have seen girls fall for all my boys combined.

They both race at each other and it's a volley of arms swinging, legs punching and grunts and small groans as they each land hits. The movement is so fast and neither of them seem to be tiring. Jena finally gets her leg to sweep Mateo's and he starts to go down, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her with him. He twists so she ends up underneath him and he drops all his weight on her earning an 'ompf' as her breath is pushed out of her lungs. He pins

her arms above her head.

"Looks like our boy won!" Sam says excitedly from next to me. Oliver lets out a grunt of agreement.

"Don't underestimate her. Neither have gotten up yet. Your Beta is still in it, even if he doesn't know." Lil starts.

"The fight isn't over until someone is unconscious or both people stand up and walk away." I finish and I can feel the eyes on us. I can only imagine what is running through their heads. "She's not done, he just doesn't know it yet." I smile, because my brother's face is one of triumph and gloating and his rug is about to be swept from under his feet.

 

Chapter 0449

Jena returns his smile, thrusts her hips up into his, his eyes go wide and I can hear his intake of breath. Then she shoots her head forward and kisses him full on the lips. He whimpers a little before she reverses their position, lightening fast, and flips him on his stomach, locking his arms behind his back and one of his legs up so he has no leverage.

"What the f*ck?!" Mateo shouts from the dirt.

"Do you surrender Beta Boy?" Jena sits there, straddling his free leg, knee firmly pressed to his d*ck, holding his hands and bent knee like she has all the time in the world.

"F*ck no! You cheated!" He tries to squirm, but she reminds him she's in control.

"How is using all of my assets and your weaknesses cheating?"

"You don't make out with your enemy."

"That wasn't making out, you need someone to broaden

your horizons if that is your definition of making out. That was a distraction tactic. Do. You. Surrender?"

"I want to table this fight until later, we are not done here." He grunts as she shifts again.

"I will take that as a win for me, this round. It was a pleasure rolling around with you." She lets him go and slaps his

cheek and Lil and I are openly laughing now.

"I have to agree, that was a low blow, bordering on cheating." Cam says as they both get off the ground and Mateo is looking at Jena like he's never seen her before.

"So, you've never flashed a smile at a girl to melt her panties and get your way?" I ask.

"I mean, that's different." He coughs. "That's not how you win a fight."

"So if I was pinned down by someone three times my size, who thinks he's better than me because of his size, you're saying I shouldn't use all my strengths and all his weaknesses against him to win and get myself free?"

"You should not be in that position to begin with. You should always have back-up."

"That isn't always possible and you aren't answering her question, meaning you agree, but don't want to." Lil chimes in. 1

"It really is a distraction tactic and it works ninety-nine

percent of the time. On both males and females." I shrug, smiling as wickedly as I can and start walking, Jena and Lil following me to the locker room so we can change.

"I think you broke them." Lil is looking over her shoulder. I turn to look back and they all have various levels of surprise on their faces, but with jaws hanging to the floor.

"Nah, I just don't talk like that around them. I think they forget sometimes that I'm not a little girl anymore, even

though technically speaking, I'm little." I laugh at my own joke and head in not giving them a second glance. "They have never liked the idea that I can defend myself, but they also appreciate that I am a good fighter. It's a weird dynamic."

We get ready and head over to the school. I mindlinked Luna Ava this morning on our way to training and let her know what we were up to. She has always been the most understanding of what has been going on with me in regards to Kaley, even though I never confirmed my bully, and she gave us a great cover story that our principal really can't go against since it's by order of the Luna.

We walk into the principal's office and as predicted Kevin Cunningham is already here leaning over the principal's desk looking very red in the face. Something has his panties in a wad this morning. I assume it's the fact that we are here, but the guys are not.

I take a deep breath and walk up to the desk. "Hello Principal Duncan. I'm sure that Luna Ava informed you of our involvement in the school."

"The Luna did call this morning and mentioned you ladies would like to help out with classes. We will work on a schedule for you to assist the teachers and have something by the end of the week." He moves to turn back to Kevin, who of course is smiling, thinking we have been outsmarted and will just back down.

"I think you misunderstood, Mr. Duncan. We are here to evaluate the school's safety protocols." Jena starts and he

goes to open his mouth, I'm sure to protest, but she holds her hand up. "It's not a matter of us being assigned anywhere. We have our orders and will follow them through, with no interference. There is no need to trouble yourself." Kevin clears his throat, "I don't believe you young ladies

have run any of your plans by the school board for approval. We can't have non-students just walking around the school unsupervised."

"Weren't you asking for our enrollment, not 48 hours ago?" Lil asks. "But now that we are here, you are questioning our presence?" She cocks an eyebrow at him.

He opens his mouth, but I stop him.

"There's nothing to be approved. There are attacks on the pack and the pups are at risk. We are Elite Warriors, this is what we do. We will be using that office there." I point out of the office door and to the left. "We will have safety drills drawn up for you and full reports will be going to the Luna and Alpha daily.

"You are mistaken, child, that is my office. There is no need for you ladies to have any kind of office here in the school. All the warrior training should be done on the training grounds as our current Delta and future leaders have seen fit to implement without your help."

"Actually the training was Skylar's idea and main project before she came to train at the Royal pack." Lil jumps in." The future leaders just maintained the program while she was with us getting stronger."

"Having a central HQ for us, near the principal, so we can bring our implementations to you directly is vital for our operation and not up for negotiation. We were just informing you of what our next steps are. You have an hour to gather your things Mr. Cunningham. Your home office has plenty of space for you." I look right at Kevin. "We also need access to all of the security cameras within the hour. I'm going to give Lillian and Jena a tour of the school. When we are done we will get started. Thank you gentlemen." I look both of them in the eye before turning around and leading the girls out, appearing more confident than I feel.

"Yes! Keep strutting, they are still looking at us." Lil encourages me as we walk out and I just roll my eyes.

"Well, now that that entertainment is over, I want to see where you got jumped the most often." Jena looks at me from my right.

"Why?! What purpose is that going to serve?" I stop in my tracks.

"I have a feeling we just need to get this over with. We haven't seen your favorite girl since you walked away from her this morning. What are the chances she is going to revert to old habit to see if she can try to put you back in a place she can control?"

 

Chapter 0450

I can't argue with that and Kaley isn't exactly original with her torture. So I led them down the hall. Our school has a central office that deals with all of the students, but from there the school is like a compound that branches from the main office.

Our elementary wing houses all of our younger pups from preschool to second grade. We even have a daycare that our high school students help with for the Omegas that have both parents working. Our gym and indoor pool separate the younger elementary kids from the older elementary kids. The third through sixth graders were always my favorite kids to work with on the weekends. We pass the middle school wing and the tardiness is amplified as we hear the kids and teachers in discussion.

The area between the middle school and the high school area houses all of our maintenance offices and storage. This is where I was taken most often when Kaley had her goons grab me.

"What are you looking for?" I ask Jena who is very intrigued with the wall.

"There aren't any cameras visible here. But this is probably the most used portion of the hallway. All the lockers over there and the stairwell here, every single highschool student passes this way. If I was watching for problems or really wanting to gauge literally anything going on with the high

school students I would have cameras facing down both ends of the hallway, up the stairs and down the

maintenance hallway. Cause we all know if kids are skipping class, it's to get laid in a janitor's closet."

"Gross." I can't hide the look of disgust on my face.

"Meh, not really. It's probably the cleanest place. Better than the bathroom." Lil shrugs and my eyes pop. "What? You act like you've never gotten handsy with a boy. Even you aren't that innocent."

"Uh, no. Like I said gross and did you forget about the part where no one but the guys and Sierra talked to me before I left?"

"Honestly, I assumed you had a little fun with all of them, except your brother, the way they hang on you."

I choke on air. The coughing fit lasts longer than it should with Lil laughing at me and Jena doing a half ass job at hiding her amusement.

"NO!" I try not to shout as I get the ability to talk back. "What the hell?! None of them look at me like that. Besides, Mateo would have killed any of them for trying even if they did look at me as something other than a little sister."

"You, girlfriend, are blind." Jena says.

"Huh?!" I'm so lost, but I don't get my question answered when we are accosted by my favorite people.

"What the f*ck are you doing here? Aren't you too good to be back at high school?" Kaley snarks. I wish I could just

smack her, but old habits die hard and here at school, I find myself frozen in her presence. I just want to walk away and not bring attention to our group. But my friends have no such problems.

"Get back to whatever Diva hole you crawled out of." Lil starts in. "We are too good to be here...as students. We're here to make improvements, move along." Lil twiddles her fingers down the hallway.

"You little b*tch, you don't have any authority here."

"That is where you are wrong." Jena steps out of the maintenance hallway. "We all outrank you on so many levels, it's ridiculous. We are all Elite Warriors placing us above everyone except your Alpha and Luna, for starters. If that wasn't enough, Lillian is a Delta rank, placing her above you. A am THE Alpha of my pack, placing me above you. Skylar here is your Beta. Neither her or her brother have taken over the title so they are equal. You are a Delta's second son's daughter. You have Delta blood, but do not act like a leader in this pack, no one respects you which is why you bully the kids in this school. Let us do our job while we are here and like Lillian said, move along."

"None of you will get away with treating your future Luna this way! You will all pay. I will have you thrown out of here tomorrow. Just wait until my dad hears about this."

For some reason the idea that she thinks she can kick me and my friends, who are helping in the fight against the rogues, out of the pack just because she doesn't like us is what sets me off.

"Kaley, go fucking tell your dad whatever story you can come up with. It will be a long walk home for you. Like Jena said, you have no authority here, you never have. Go b* tch to someone else. We have work to do." I mimic Lil's hand gesture and twiddle my fingers down the hallway.

Kaley growls and stomps away pushing people as she goes and I notice that Marnie and Jeanie are with her, but not at her heels like they used to be.

"Please tell me when we can just beat her ass. I really think that's what she needs. Clearly she's never had an ounce of discipline in her life." Lil growls at her retreating back.

"Actually the bigger pain would be to make her an Omega. Someone who works all day out in the dirt or slaving over the little kids or something equally gross." I say and they both laugh. "What? I'm not kidding."

"You are way too nice. She needs to be a rogue and live without a pack. No money, no friends, no one to help her out. Like you did inside this pack for years." Jena says, still inspecting the wall. "Got it!"

"Got what?" Lil and I both move closer.

"I knew there was no way someone wasn't checking this hallway. But this isn't your typical CCTV school security camera. This is something that Nathaniel would design and put in for us on big ops."

"What the hell is it doing here?" I ask. "And how long has it been here?"

"That is the million dollar question. We need to get back to our office and I need a laptop." Jena smiles. It is not the kind of smile that lets me know we are doing something fun. It lets me know she's on the hunt. Someone is about to have their ass handed to them.

"Are you going to take it with us?"

"No. I don't know if it has sound yet, but if it doesn't, I don't want the owner to know we found it. Plus, if it stays live, I will be able to track the signal better. We need to get in contact with Nathaniel and Wyatt."

"But Wyatt is hurt and we don't even know how badly." | don't want him to worry while he's trying to recover.

"Stop!" Jena puts her finger in my face the way I've seen Luna Ava do with the guys. "I can see where your head went. You know they both would be pissed to find out you needed them after it was too late to help. They are warriors, like us. They don't want to be put in a corner because they have been in a battle any more than you like to be pigeonholed into the weak little girl category by your friends."