Ch. 71..80
Chapter 0071
I blasted through my workout, not going too heavy since I was on my own, but I took all of my muscles to complete failure. I have to start pushing myself now. I need to be better, stronger. I have a year to get ready.
I got home around 6:30 and went straight to the kitchen to fuel back up. I didn’t have more than my protein shake before my workout, which was a mistake. I am starving and my grumbling stomach is agreeing with me. If I don't eat, I'm going to be sore in the morning.
“Where have you been? We eat dinner at six.” A growl comes from the table making me jump and turn around gripping the edge of the counter.
"Oh, sh*t!" I really wish people would stop that.
I look over to see my dad and Mateo sitting together at the kitchen table, plates half empty. They never eat in here. Mateo is looking at me, but his face is blank, like he’s trying to hide his emotions from me.
“You are never to be late for or miss a family dinner again. Do you understand?” My dad growls out.
I look at him confused, I can't even hide it. I have never been allowed to eat with them unless we had company. And as far as I can tell, there is or was no company. I took a look around the kitchen to make sure I didn’t miss anyone else in the room. “I don’t understand, sir.” I have nothing better to say.
“You will join us from now on, 6pm every night, family dinner, that is an order.” He’s talking to his plate now. He can’t even look at me when he’s giving me directions. My blood starts to boil.
This has to be Mateo’s doing after what I told him last night. I asked him not to try and fix things. I may want my dad to want me, but not by force. I can see in his eyes he’s only doing this for Mateo’s
sake, not for me. To appease my brother, not because he suddenly feels affection for me. I take a deep breath to steady the anger that is now surging through me.
“Unfortunately, I have training every night during that time. I have had training during that time, seven days a week for the last two years. You have never wanted me to sit with you before and I don’t believe that you actually want me around now. So, no offense, sir, but I must decline your invitation. I will continue my regular schedule.” I turn and walk out of the kitchen, my appetite long gone.
I hear the screech of chair legs and the unmistakable sound of my brother’s footsteps. I don’t slow for him this time though. It is taking all I have to not turn around and rip him a new a*shole. It’s been 12 hours and he’s already gone against what I asked of him and the guys.
“Shorty, wait.” He tries for a playful tone and grabs my elbow when we reach the landing. I let him stop me, but I didn't turn towards him. “He’s trying, he even waited until 6:15 to start eating and sat at the kitchen table.” The plea in his voice almost does me in, but I can’t let it.
“No.” I take a deep breath and blink back the tears forming. “You are trying, do not force something that isn’t there. He will never love me the way I want him to and need him to. I am finally wrapping my head and my heart around that. I am the daily, living, reminder of the fact that he lost the most precious gift the moon goddess gives us. He and I are both counting the days to when I can leave and neither of us has to face each other ever again. I asked you not to try and fix anything.” I take a deep shuddering breath and let a single tear fall before I walk to my door. “Goodnight Mateo, I love you too.” I say, not looking at him. Then I step through my door and head straight for the shower, my one source of emotional release.
I wake up feeling better than I thought after last night’s trainwreck ending. I made sure to get up extra early, eat really well and head to the training grounds an hour before the guys usually meet up to drive there. I have decided it will take too much energy to actively avoid them all of the time, so I
am just going to put as much distance as possible between us. No more unnecessary rides to places five minutes away. No lingering after classes with any of them, including Sierra. They will just try and use our friendship against me and it isn’t fair to put her in the middle.
Chapter 0072
I’m at the training grounds so early, not even Delta Kyle or any of the other training warriors are there yet. I start running laps at a nice leisurely pace to keep my mind from wandering.
“Seriously?! Now you’re beating me to morning training? Where are your extra large shadows, still dragging themselves in?” Delta Kyle laughs at his own joke and I just stare at him in disbelief.
“I actually wanted to ask you something before everyone else started showing up, I just guessed at what time you got in.” I lied on the spot, I couldn’t tell if he believed me or not. “I wanted to ask about the elite warrior training. Some rumors are flying around already and I am curious.”
He crosses his giant arms over his chest and lifts an eyebrow at me. Definitely doesn’t believe me, but now that I brought it up I really am curious. “Is it true they are holding trials because of the amount of applications they are receiving?”
He stares at me and takes a deep breath before nodding his head.
“And are they letting Juniors and Seniors join the trials for exposure? Will they choose any current students if they are good enough?”
Both eyebrows shot up at that. “Who did you get your information from, that was just a discussion we were having yesterday, nothing is set in stone about age restrictions.”
My eyes go wide. I didn’t want to get the two warriors in trouble for gossiping about something that wasn’t confirmed yet. “I was at the gym yesterday and heard a couple of guys in passing, that’s all. I figured I would check the information with you. Is the Alpha King really going to attend some of the trials?” I cross my arms over my chest mirroring the Delta, trying to look calm and curious but I am sure looking like a pouting child next to him, instead of a hulking warrior.
“Maybe, we do have some guest trainers today, so it will be interesting to see what they think about all of you.”
Before I could ask anything else people started filing in the large arena. We moved to the biggest space today because we were going to be fighting human to wolf. Not quite half the group could shift, but all the highschoolers were going to work in groups with a warrior. The warrior was going to be in wolf form, we were all staying human. Once we learn these basics and get comfortable, then they will start letting those of us who can to shift and reverse the training.
I didn’t even have a chance to look around for a group to join when Sierra walked up behind me, linking my arm with hers and dragging me over to the guys who were in a back corner, looking disappointed.
“You didn’t wait for us this morning.” Sam tries the pouty lip and I just look at the ground.
“Are you still mad at us? Cause I am running out of ways to apologize for the little stupid things and everything else is just going to take time. I don’t think any of us can handle you avoiding us Bite Size, while we make up for literal years of stupidity.” Oliver taps my shoulder.
I just shake my head, keeping my eyes down. “I’m not mad, but it doesn’t just go away.” I sigh and rub my temples. “You have to remember I have been in basic isolation for most of my life, you guys are kind of a lot to handle all the time. Don’t get your panties in a twist when I need to not be around you, and be okay if I don’t tell you why.” I shrug, it’s as honest as I can be right now. I am avoiding them and will continue to separate myself from them, but it’s going to have to be slow so they don’t notice the change I guess.
Chapter 0073
Chapter 0073 "There you all are, I was wondering where the hottest and best fighters were hiding.
The unmistakable peel of Kaley's voice rings out across the grounds.
"I am so excited for training today, it should be so much fun! This is my favorite thing ever! She doesn't even notice the weird looks she's getting from the crowd as they part like the sea to avoid her.
She's here in a hot pink sports bra that's about two sizes too small, smashing her cleavage together and almost out the top with matching leggings.
She looks like a highlighter.
thought you boys could help me with some of my techniques.
I really need help with submissions.
n She giggles and winks. Everyone knows she doesn't train, so Pm not sure who she's trying to lie to right now.
She really is stupid and completely self absorbed.
She is so focused on her own personal agenda that she has no idea that Delta Kyle has stopped talking while she made her entrance and the whole crowd heard her stupid s*xual innuendo, maybe that was her plan, to be the center of attention and make an entrance.
Prn sure she doesn't even know or care what we are actually doing today.
Delta Kyle coughs to gain our attention back and resumes introducing the guest trainers, but I can't hear well over the conversation next to me. "Training really is the best.
I love getting all sweaty and the close combat moves can be used for so many different applications." She 's giggling again.
Who is she talking to? What? Who is she trying to fool? She barely attends training, let alone participates.
Her acting skills are terrible, she's clearly putting on a show for someone. "Our group is actually full and we have different instructions from Delta Kyle, so you'll have to work with another group today.
" Mateo steps towards her, blocking her path to the twins, pointing to another group on the other side of the arena. "Awe, come on Matty, I'm sure you have room for me.
You know I won't be in the way." She runs a clawed finger down his arm then tries that handsclasped swaying motion again.
That little girl act must work for it to be her go-to movement. "It's Mateo, and no, you can't fight at our level so you would be very much in the way and you would probably get hurt.
We are trainingwith wolves today.
Go find another group." He says a bit more firmly at
the end. "Why are those two here, if you don't want girls in your group?" She pouts again, head tilting to one side quickly changing tactics.
At least she's not yelling at me.
She either is trying to use a sweet demeanor to get what she wants, even if she has to pretend to be nice to me and Sierra Or she found Out quickly that threatening us is a very fast way to get on the guys sh *t list. "We didn't say we didn't want girls, Mateo said you don't fight at our level, I've actually never seen you fight at all.
These two are warriors, train with us every day and know how to keep up." Oliver supplies, blandly, clearly bored of having to explain this concept to her.
"Go find another group so we can pay attention to Delta Kyle." Kaley turns towards the clearly about to appeal to them to allow her to stay.
Both Cameron and Dakota just point their fingers to the side without making eye contact.
She huffs and glares at me as she walks past our group and to one only feet from us, pushing another girl out of her way.
How she thinks that behavior is going to gain loyalty from anyone is beyond me. "It's her, isn't it?" Sierra whispers in my ear.
I don't respond, I can't, she'll see through any lie I tell her, it's not the first time she's asked me and if I confirm it here, now, she's likely to rush over and rip Kaley's hair off.
I keep looking straight ahead, trying desperately to hear the instructors.
"Fine, you ignoring me basically confirms it. "Let it go, let's warm up." I say under my breath making a point to look at the guys, hoping they aren't eavesdropping. One of the guest trainers walks overto us first, I'm sure because the future alphas are in our group.
While Delta Kyle gets everyone else grouped up with pack warriors and starts their training, the guest trainer introduces himself to us.
Chapter 0074 "Hello gentlemen, ladies.
I'm Nickolas, one of the Elite Warrior trainers.
I work closely with the Alpha King's personal warriors.
I have heard great things about all of you." He looks at each of us in turn.
"I wanted to watch each of you spar in human form before we started with the wolf versus human portion to get an idea of how all of you move as humans yourselves.
Delta Kyle says you all train daily as a group.
Are you all pretty comfortable being paired up at random?" "Yes." We all say in unison, then laugh a bit.
Warrior Nickolas just smiles. "Alright then, let's see you and you together." He pointed to Sam and Mateo. They were pretty evenly matched.
Mateo has more muscle than Sam, but Sam's lean build is quicker.
They both have advantages and disadvantages which they are quick to try and exploit from each other. We play a pinning game several times a week One of us is 'it' and has to fight off the rest for a certain time limit.
We change the length of time to keep us on our toes so we don't get complacent.
The goal is to be the first to pin your opponent in a way that they can't release themselves, without causing them to lose consciousness.
It's a great tactic for when you want to keep someone alive for questioning.
It's fun because we get to work as a team against the person who is 'it' and that single person is fighting against six others at once.
We have all agreed that it's not considered an official win for the person who is 'it' unless they have four or more submissions.
And the group only gets a win if each person submits the person who is 'it' in the time period. Mateo and Sam face off and waste no time fighting for dominance.
Mateo leans down and tries to get Sam on the ground by taking out his legs, since he is weaker at grappling.
Sam stands his ground and grabs Mateo by the waist from the back to steady himself and lands a few good punches to the kidneys, sending Mateo down to a knee.
Mateo uses the downward motion to twist and pull Sam under him, essentially cushioning his fall.
They go on for a fewmore minutes, until Warrior Nickolas calls them to a stop. "I'm impressed, you both have a few things to work on, but your strength and speed is great.
Who's next? How about you two?" He points to Kota and Sierra. '"Thank the goddess! I thought he was going to pair me with you since we are both girls.
I don't know if I could handle you today.
She laughed at me and I rolled my eyes, noticing Warrior Nickolas watching our exchange curiously. "What am I? Chopped liver?" Kota tries and fails to 100k offended. "You know what I meant, She's in rare form right now and super pissed at all of you.
I don't want to be on the receiving end of anything she's dishing out today?' The rest of the guys laugh.
I just stare at all of them confused.
I don't get to dwell on it for very long though.
Warrior Nickolas starts their fight pretty quickly. He only let their fight go on for a few minutes as well.
He really was just assessing our basic talents.
It was fun watching him analyze.
I wish I could hear the play-by-play going on in his head on all the corrections and what we were doing that really did impress him. "Alright, you two." He pointed to Oliver and I. "It was nice Imowing you man.
Kota pats him on the shoulder. "Shut up, you pansy." We took our stance and I waited for Oliver to make the first move.
He's been getting faster with his reaction time since we all started training together.
I try to take the time to read my opponent, study their stance and look for any initial weaknesses I can use early on.
Pm not one for dragging out a fight if I can help it.
I want a quick finish, which is something Oliver likes to push with me.
He tries to wear me out, by keeping me moving and staying just out of reach for a full takedown with his long ass arms.
I have to catch him off guard to get him to submit.
We haven't trained together all weekend and Oliver is the most adaptable of all the guys. He seems to read me the same way I read him. We almost move in sync, like the twins do.
Chapter 0075 We start circling each other.
Neither wanting to make the first move.
"You have to succumb to her wrath sometime bro, might as well get it over with.
Dakota shouts over at us. "Yeah, she's been suppressing her anger at us all weekend, glad it's you and not me." Sam adds. I'm not sure who they are trying to distract more, me or Oliver, but I have to tune them out and focus.
Oliver's movements are more lithe today, like a panther stalking its prey.
He's got something in mind and I can't spare any of my attention to anyone else. Just as I had the thought, he strikes.
He lunges forward and I thought he was going to grab my waist, but he drops down and grabs one of my legs trying to sweep it backward, knocking me to my front.
I let the momentum take me and tuck my chin to roll forward, twisting slightly and planting my hands on the ground to throw a kick to his back before following through and jumping on his back, trying to get my arms around his thickneck.
He was too fast for me though, spinning to a crouching position and driving at my legs again.
This time knocking me to the ground, I kept one of my legs in between his and one around his waist to keep him from pinning my legs down.
I bucked my hips trying to use the force from our fall, cause once we stop moving he can use his large weight against me.
He was thinking the same thing and trying to force me flat on my back grabbing one of my arms and trying to hold it down, so I did what any rational girl would do, I nailed him in the junk, well the very high inner thigh, I not that mean.
Oliver grunts and slackens his grip on me. Using the distraction, I roll us over and get out from under him, but he recovers too quickly and gets up before I can grab him or throw a punch. We both continue to move around each other throwing and taking hits pretty equally.
He got me in the ribs really well and I can feel my lungs fighting for air.
I got a good right hook to his cheek close to his ear, followed by a punch to the solar plexus.
At least he's having as much trouble as I am breathing now.
so many punches and kicks trying to gain a leg up in this fight, 11m losing track of what is working and what isn 't.
I feel like this fight is going on far longer than the rest of our friends' matches, but Pm not really sure, maybe it just feels longer since I can't breathe.
Maybe Warrior Nickloas must actually want to see who will win. After a few more minutes Oliver is behind me with his
bulky forearm around my neck.
I struggle to find an opening in his arm to pull myself out, but his grip is solid.
I manage to wriggle my hand up between my neck and his arm as I'm starting to see spots and pull back under his armpit, we are both so sweaty I slip out from his arm easily.
Once I get loose I bring his arm with me and effectively pinning his arm behind his back Before he can counter the movement.
Warrior Nickolas stops us.
"That was a really well matched spar, but we have an odd man out.
Skylar, are you up for a back to back match?" "Sure, I guess." I'm panting and rolled my shoulders and my neck, at one point Oliver had got a lead on me and pulled me over his shoulder to body slam me pretty hard.
I'm lucky he didn't dislocate anything. "Do you need a minute to recover?" Warrior Nickolas looks at me with a strange look in his eye and for some reason it feels like a test. "No. I mean if we are going to be attacked, it's not like the opponents are going to come at us one at a time or give us snacks and water breaks." I shrug my shoulders and get set in front of Cam, who looks like he's going to enjoy this. I notice there is less noise around us now, but I can't focus on that.
Cam is great at spotting when you're distracted or have a weakness, like an injury.
I actually like sparring with him, because he seems to become more difficult each time, like he learns and retains new information with each interaction.
He's like the opposite of Oliver, who improves his own Cam's not as fast as me, which is usually my saving grace, but he has had me pinned and submitted enough times to know how to break me quickly.
But I have had him submitted too.
His weakness is me, specifically.
I'm not sure if it's because I'm a friend, Mateo's sister or just my gender in general, but he tends to let me get too far in my fight, causing him injuries, before he puts in effort to take me down and it's a weakness I try to exploit.
If I can wear him down a bit, he's easier for me to dominate.
Chapter 0076 "FIGHT! Warrior Nicholas' voice booms from somewhere on my right.
I move straight toward Cam, aiming to jump over his shoulder and onto his back like a monkey.
We have been practicing multiple on one for a while now, so my stamina is pretty good, but damn is he strong.
I got as far as moving around him and using his shoulder like a vault.
I landed a great kidney punch across his back when he elbowed me in the side, in the same place Oliver hit me.
Dirty fighter, well two can play that game.
I was knocked to the ground behind him with the rib hit, I rolled out of the way, but I wasn't fast enough and he grabbed one Of my legs dragging me along the dirt back to him.
I rolled over and kicked up wildly with my free leg, making contact, but Pm not sure what I hit.
Then I hear a loud gasp from a lot of people, like a lot, a lot of people as I roll back over my shoulder to a crouching position. I look up to see Cam holding his face and blood pouring out from his hands.
I can't tell if it's from his nose or his mouth, but it's a lot of blood.
He makes eye contact with me and several emotions cross his face at once.
Surprise, pride, and then something more primal. I am in deep sh*t.
He lunges for me and I scramble back, knocking into a few people as I quickly stand and block a wide punch coming at me.
He is throwing punch after punch, harder each time.
I am able to block all of them for now, but they hurt and his speed is picking up and I won't be able to hold him off for long.
I can see he thinks he has me trapped against the wall Of people who have stopped to watch the spectacle.
He lunges forward to try and grab me again and I use my shortness to my advantage and climb through his legs, turning to jump on his back and wrap my arm around his neck It's almost hard to lock my arms with the thickness of his neck and the blood flowing from his face making his neck slick but I manage and after what seems like another eternity.
Warrior Nickolas calls us to a halt. I let go and dropped to the dirt behind Cam and lay on my back breathing heavily.
Cam sits next to me, not even having to look to see where I am.
His butt is even with my shoulders and his outstretched legs are almost as long as my whole body.
If I wasn't so tired I would think it was funny. "How dare you hit one of our future alphas, you should be beaten and thrown out of the pack for your disrespect! Oh the dulcet tones of my favorite
person.l just close my eyes and ignore her. "What are you talking about Kaley? They were sparring, like everyone else, bleeding and injuries happen.
She makes us bleed all of the time actually.
Sam cringes and I really do giggle this time from my prone position on the ground.
"That actually sounded way more pathetic out loud." He sits next to me. Besides, did you see how many hits your future alpha got in before she submitted him? I think it's safe to say they were pretty evenly matched. "That was actually one of the best matches I've seen in a while.
Warrior Nickolas walks over to us.
His back to Kaley like she didn't even speak "Now let's see what you all have against a wolf." His smile is one of a person who enjoys putting people through their paces with just a little bit of torture to see where their breaking point is. I am really going to love this or hate it completely, but I guess this is like a snapshot of what Elite Warrior training will be like if I make it, so I guess it won't matter if it sucks, I'd better get used to it. Everyone back to your groups, your warrior will brief you on the basics of fighting against a wolf.
You seven are with me." He points to us and starts to walk away to the farthest corner of the arena.
Kota walks over and gives a hand to his brother to help him up, then reaches for me.
We all turn to start walking slowly behind Warrior Nickolas. "What about me a*shole?" Sam grumbles from the ground before helping himself up and following.
None of us turn to him, but all of us are smiling and laughing low at his dramatics.
Chapter 0077 'I would really like to train you all separately from the others, you all are a distraction to them." He laughs to himself.
"But I need to help the other trainers keep an eye on your pack members for this.
The biggest thing you need to know is any attackwill come as an ambush as much as possible.
They will want to attack you in your human form since it is more vulnerable to injury.
It has nothing to do with weakness, just the difference in the hide of the wolf versus the skin of the human.
Any attacker will want to identify you and your mates, when you find them.
Because once they take out any of the leadership the bond to the pack is weakened and you are all more vulnerable.
Your Luna will be a major target, especially during the transition from one alpha to the next.
The Alpha or Alphas in this case will gain their full strength wthen they have marked and mated with their goddess given Luna on the full moon following the commitment ceremony.
She will also gain full strength.
That is why most packs have the commitment ceremony on the full moon, but that is not always possible for a variety of reasons.
The time between mating and the full moon is the Alpha and Luna's weakest, which is why all the warriors and ranked members must be well trained. It is when packs are most often attacked. So, let's begin. Nickolas proceeds to tell us several weaknesses in the wolf's form that can be used to subdue the wolf long enough to get away.
My wolf was grumbling around in my head the whole time, saying she isn't that weak and could never be taken out like that.
She kept a running commentary until Warrior Nickolas stopped and said.
can see many of your wolves are fighting against my teaching.
Understand these are not tactics to kill a wolf, they are right, it is very difficult as a human without weapons to kill a wolf.
The whole point is to get away, or give yourself time to shift and have a more evenly matched fight.
11m not trying to bruise any egos, but you need to know what can be used against you so your ego doesn 't get you killed." "Thank you for that.
My wolf was starting to give me a migraine.
" Mateo said and I smiled, I was thinking the same thing. From there he would show us a maneuver, shift and have each of us try it, then shift back to give corrections.
It would be helpful if he could just mindlink us, since every time he shifted back to human he was naked and I really had to work hard to not stare at his manhood, just hanging out for all to see.
It didn't bother the guys since they shifted
together all of the time and Sierra clearly had no qualms with it, but I have just never seen one in real life and this was not the time to be curious.
He was also a really well built man with defined muscles bulging everywhere.
I had to shake my head a few times to keep my thoughts on track. This part Of the training was less greuling for us since we were all taking turns and watching and analyzing each other then taking time to ask questions and get answers. When Delta Kyle finally came over to check out our progress, I didn't realize how much time had passed.
The whole arena was already cleared out and the sun had passed completely over the arena showing late afternoon.
How long have we been here? Time went so fast, but Omegas brought water and snacks continuously so we never really stopped to look at the time. "You guys obviously missed meals and school today.
You are all exempt from anything that was due today or assigned today.
Go clean up and you can all meet at the packhouse, the Alpha wants you all over for an early dinner and to talk about today's training. The minute he mentioned dinner my stomach growled, loudly.
My eyes went wide in embarassment.
"Let's get the gremlin fed before she devours us all.
Dakota comes at me and I start running.
I can hear the rest of them followlng and to two adults just chuckling, watching our antics. "You know I 'll catch you eventually, right Smalls?" Kota yells when I start zig zagging to stay out of his reach.
"Or we can just herd you in." I make the mistake of looking over my shoulder to see how far away he is, when I run smack into a hard chest, bounce off and start to fall towards the ground when strong hands grab my upper arms and steady me before I am whipped around and thrown over a shoulder.
Of course, they are all laughing.
I am fighting a smile as I realize this is the only way they can catch me.
They have to work together as a group, not one of them can do it on their own and that gives me some kind of weird pride.
I realize from the scent of citrus that Cam has me and he is clearly not putting me down as we head out of the arena.
I think this is the only way he has ever carried me, it's becoming his signature move.
Chapter 0078 "You are riding backwith us Tiny, don 't argue." Cam's low growl makes my tummy flutter.
"And you are not avoiding us anymore, so knock it off. He stops walking suddenly and I feel myself being launched, only to land in another pair of large hands.
Instinctually I wrap my arms around a neck as hands grab under my knees and around my back "Urnpf! You guys do realize I'm not actually a doll to throw around right?!" I look up at Dakota who has this devilish grin on his face. "But, it's too fun to resist." He gets dangerously close to my face before he opens the door with one hand and slides me between him and his brother. We make the short trip back to the packhouse.
As we all jump out of the truck, I am once again thrown over a shoulder. "What now? I need to take a shower.
I am covered in mud and sweat and Cam's blood.
I wish I would have known your nose is a geyser before I kicked you.
I look over at Cam as I figure out who has me now.
"I would have chosen better." I laugh at my own joke, the only one who joins in is Sierra. Stupid boys, it's okay when it's me they make fun of, but not when the tables have been turned. I open my mouth to say so, when Oliver stops abruptly and jars my stomach into his shoulder.
"What the. He slides me down and places me gently on the ground before stepping in front of me, but not in my line of sight. His arm is stretched Out across my waist, like he's ready to shove me
behind him if needed. "I 'm here!" Is she singing now? She's like a cockroach, f*cking everywhere.
heard there was dinner with the Alpha and Luna, so I dressed up special.
Kaley giggles, motioning to her very short black and purple dress with a deep v cut all the way to her belly button.
I don't know how she thinks that's appropriate to wear to dinner with the Alpha and Luna.
"You boys need to get cleaned up, why are you still all dirty from this morning's training? You're going to be late and you can 't make the Alpha and Luna wait.
Cam you can wear that nice black button down shirt and your pinstripe pants and Dakota can wear his white button down with black slacks.
I brought you both ties that will match my outfit perfectly." She giggles and claps like a toddler. "I think you misheard Kaley, we," Cam gestures to the group, "Are having dinner with our parents and
the Alpha King's warriors before they leave in the morning.
It's not a formal event and we did not invite additional guests." "What are you talking about? Daddy said that the Alpha was hosting the Elite warriors and I should be here to support you both since I will soon be leading this pack with you as Luna It's the best time to learn all of my hosting duties as the next Luna and what better way to learn than to be here with the current Luna while she entertains the Alpha King's warriors?" Man she is grasping at straws and how many times can you use the word 'Luna' in a sentence? "No, we've gone over this. We aren't eighteen yet and have no idea who our Luna will be, stop
trying to force this, it's not happening. We will only take our Goddess given mate and nothing else. You and your father need to figure this out?' This is one of the rare times Dakota drops his fun personality. "We are running late though, excuse us." Cameron, always the peacekeeper. They both push past her and Oliver shifts his arm, his large hand is on the small of my back and his large body is between her and I.
Sarn does the same for Sierra.
I don't look her way hoping she won't notice me, but that is wishful thinking.
"WHAT THE F*CK? What is she doing here?!? You said no additional guests." Kaley has a pink claw pointed right at me.
"If she is here, then I demand, as your girlfriend, to be here too.
How does it look with you parading around with another girl all the time?"
Chapter 0079 Oliver moves me behind him so fast it took me a second to blinkand register it happened, Sam moved Sierra next to me and stood shoulder to shoulder with Oliver.
The wall of male testosterone should piss me off and to some extent it does.
But with Kaley, I will let them handle her as long as possible.
I know one day she will come for me and I won't let her hurt me anymore, I won't have to.
For now, they can have her. "Well, it's about time you kids got here!" Luna Ava's voice rings over to us, I peek around Oliver's arm to take in the scene.
Kaley's psycho face switches back to the sweet mask she wears to get adults to give her her own way. "Luna! It's so great to see you! The guys were just telling me about dinner tonight, I hope you don 't mind an addition to the table." Cue folded hands and the little girl twist.
I have to admit, she put a good spin on the situation and a weaker person would have given in to her. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I wish you would have called me boys, but I only made enough for the usual group. Maybe another time...umm "Kaley." She gives the Luna her name, but her smile falters a bit. "Right, Kaley. Maybe another time. Skylar, Sierra come on, you can use my bathroom while the boys use the guest rooms, I want to hear all about training today.
Lucas said it was amazing. Have a good evening Kaley.
Luna Ava waves her off and moves into the doorway, clearly the conversation was over and we were all happy to comply with the Luna's wishes. Oliver turned around keeping me directly in front of him and pushed me toward the front door where Luna Ava stood waiting.
Sam and Sierra right behind. Mateo and the twins bringing up the rear.
I could see in the reflection of the windows that none of them spared a backward glance at Kaley and she looked murderous. As soon as we were all inside Luna Ava started laughing.
"You should have seen your faces when she tried to say you invited her for dinner." She grabbed her stomach.
"But her face when I said 'no' was even better.
The Cunningham's have been trying since Kaley was born to find a way to force a chosen mate bond with the boys.
It's getting absurd.
Kevin showed up earlier today, I'm sure with the same intention of getting an invite to dinner.
Anyway, you all really do smell which I guess is to be expected when you train for almost ten hours.
Girls come on, I'll show you to my bathroom and we'll get you something to wear." She says sweetly, then turns to the guys "Boys, move it! They all hustle up the stairs to the second and third floors.
Sierra and I giggle at how she can get these boys, who are easily twice her size and strength, to move like she electrocuted them.
The first floor houses the Alpha and Luna's offices to the left of the massive central staircase, the formal living room that is set up for pack meetings and other large events to the right of the staircase and the massive kitchen at the back.
The second floor of the packhouse is for guests.
There are six large rooms, three to each side of the house.
The main staircase stops at a beautiful walkway on the second floor where you have a great vantage point of the front door and living room.
I'm sure many speeches and grand entrances have been made on this set of stairs.
Alpha Lucas does as few unnecessary speeches as possible. From what I have heard, each guest room was individually decorated to perfection by the Luna herself.
They are large enough to make any neighboring Alpha feel welcome and comfortable with their own ensuite bathroom and minibar, but not obnoxiously overdone. The third floor is for the twins.
I believe there are actually four bedrooms on their floor, for the four kids their ancestor had when he built it originally.
I think I heard Mateo say that one room has been turned into a study of sorts and another into a game room, then each has their own room. The fourth floor is the Alpha and Luna's floor.
No one but the Alpha, Luna and their kids go up there.
It's the one place they can just be.
Away from all the pack business and responsibilities.
LunaAva leads us to an elevator housed behind the staircase that goes up the center of the house to her floor.
It's hidden in plain sight and can be locked down like the staircase that takes you from the second floor to the twins floor.
It helps keep people from snooping around during parties.
Chapter 0080 I am actually nervous going up to the top floor. It's like being invited to the inner circle. We arrive at the top floor and the elevator opens to a small sitting room. We step out and directly across from us is a gorgeous fireplace that is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
Two oversized armchairs sit facing the fireplace.
It is so inviting, I want to just plop down and get lost in a book.
The room is bright white with dark wood beams across the ceiling and a dark wood floor covered in a very comfy looking area rug.
It's such a contrast to the lower floors, which are more neutral.
The walls and furniture are pure white, the floor is darkwood to match the beams.
Little accents of forest greens and navy blue are around the room, but subtly done.
I am totally blown away with just the entry, I have totally forgotten why we are here. "I thought you might like the sitting room." Luna Ava gave a small laugh as she placed her hand on my shoulder.
"If you ever need an escape, my library downstairs is the same, you can always come over.
She gives my shoulder a squeeze before letting go and walking ahead of us. The sitting room is separated from a small living room and kitchen to the left of the little sitting area, by a short white cabinet that houses books on the sitting room side and closed storage on the other.
A large white L shaped couch faced another fireplace that has a large framed abstract picture over the mantle.
Just beyond that a small kitchen filled the end of the long rectangular room.
The clean white theme extended here too.
White cabinets with a light gray countertop, with an island in the center matching the rest of the kitchen. "The bathroom is just through there, she points to the right where you can see a massive King sized bed with fluffy white comforter that makes it look like a cloud that Iwould really like to lay on.
Just beyond that double doors open to the bathroom.
I will grab you both some clothes and put some snacks out.
I'm sure you could use an energy boost after putting those boys in their places." She laughs as she points us through the open concept area. "Oh sh*t! I think this bathroom is as big as my whole room at home! Sierra laughs as we walk in and just starts stripping in front of me. "What are you doing?!" I all but shout at her turning around.
"What? We have the same parts and the Luna and I have both seen your scars.
Stop being shy, this will go faster and there are four shower heads in this shower fit for 20.
We can both shower on either side and get done more quickly, I am hungry and I want to hang out by that fireplace.
When are we ever going to be in the alpha suite again?" She lifts an eyebrow at me as she steps to the far side of the shower. "Fine. This is really weird though." "What's weird? It's no different than a communal shower in the locker room. "You forget I use the stalls for obvious reasons.
This communal thing is weird." I say stepping to the other side, keeping my back to her and showering faster than I ever have before.
This is really uncomfortable, even with Sierra. "You won't think it's weird when it's you and your mates. She giggles. "What? I have barely seen a guy naked, being around Warrior Nickolas today was awkward enough.
I am not even thinking about any of that right now.
And what do you mean 'mates'? " She just steps around me and heads out of the bathroom, towel tied around her body, pretending like I didn't say a thing.