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2024-10-29 19:42:56As quickly as I noticed it Rhodes had pulled his hand away and I willed the furious blush to subside from my cheeks. As someone flicked on the lights, the room started to clear, chatter about the movie and ongoing pack programs lingering in the air. I looked towards Alpha Rhodes, but he didn't meet my gaze. My head was swimming, confused with thoughts of confusion and longing for this strange new Alpha. I barely knew him, knew so little of his story but I couldn't deny the magnetic pull I had to him.
Beta Gideon mentioned something about reviewing border lines before patrol to the Alpha and he nodded, leaving the room with the last of the warriors as the credits finished rolling across the screen. I collected my thoughts, swallowing hard as the dark room filled with light, willing the blush forming on my cheeks to subside before Torrance or her mother noticed. They chattered away, talking plot points and sequels, before Leona turned to me, "Would you like to stay a litt
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I awoke refreshed, my mind alert and buzzing. I'd fallen to sleep early after the exertion of the sparring training, even Mom had commented on how fast I was fading. I lay happily in the quiet, the only sound being the thump of my heartbeat and the light patter of rain on our cabin roof. I took my time getting out of bed and inching to the shower. I still worked at the library, but we'd worked it out that I had no set shift time, just that I was expected on my days free from training and in a drop-in basis. Mains was still hard at work reviewing the historical texts pulled from the old town hall ruins, and with the sudden influx in population size mom was kept on her toes serving new customers. She would need an extra set of hands if this traffic kept up, and I made a note to poke around the training grounds for any young wolf who may be interested.I turned on the shower to warm up while I examined my bruise on my back. The tape had held through the night, and where a
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My mind was occupied all day with the information Mains and I had dug up, coupled with worry for his health. The coughing fits were getting more frequent and violent as time continued to pass, and I couldn't stop my brain from believing the worst. I pushed my worry aside as much as I could and focused my energy on preparing for the training session ahead of me.I dressed simply and warmly, a pair of striped leggings and a deep blue long sleeved athletic shirt, my usual uniform. I secured my hair in two thick braids, and pulled on my sneakers before beginning my new ritual run to the field. I drowned out the pounding thoughts of worry with the rush of blood pulsing through my body, focusing instead on each step and stride before me.Once I arrived at the field I claimed a seat on the bleachers and tried to engage in conversation with Torrance and Alex as they happily chattered about their day off and weekend plans. I kept zoning out into my own head, their voices be
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I leaned my forehead on the cool window of Leona's SUV as it drove along the winding roads from our remote village towards the bustling city a little over three hours away. My mom, in the front seat, excitedly chatted with the Beta girls, learning about their old pack and lives before coming to Stay's landing. I took a long swig of the coffee we had stopped for before leaving town, the spicy sweet liquid gliding down my throat and waking me up from the inside out."When was the last time you girls went shopping?" Leona asked, looking at me through the rear view mirror."Oh gosh, it would have been just before the old Beta's wife passed. So what, at least three years, Theo?" my Mom answered, and I nodded in confirmation."Three years?!" Torrance exclaimed, her voice shrill with shock and mock disgust, "what cruel and unusual punishment you've had to endure."Leona laughed as Torrance pawed at my hair, a pout on her face, "Don't worry, lik
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The chrome and glass structures grew larger the closer we drove into the city, towering over us like a concrete jungle. People walked by, fixated on their phones and paying no mind to the people they passed. They stared straight ahead, cold and unbothered. The juxtaposition to our tiny community, filled with friendliness and warmth, was stark. People here didn't know or care about their neighbour, only focused on staying ever in motion.We made a few turns and the shopping mall came into view. It's structure matched the bustling metropolis, sharp angles and blue-grey glass curving up the walls. A fountain sat out front of the main entrance, and kids crawled all over the sides, desperately reaching out to play with the water, only to be yanked back by tired mothers carrying mountains of bags. Torrance was nearly buzzing beside me as her mother maneuvered the car into an empty parking space."Now girls. We're going to leave the mall for dinner at 5, is that underst
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I woke the next morning groggily, but alert. My heart and mind felt full after the previous day, and I thought back fondly on my excursion. Mom and Leona had become fast friends, bonding over parenting and fine wine, off in their own world as we sat and sipped in the Italian place Leona had chosen for dinner. Their warm laughter bubbled over the whole restaurant, joking about the perils of motherhood and raising teenage daughters. While Leona had Beta Gideon to aid her, she had performed a lot of the child rearing alone after he had assumed his position within the pack. They laughed and carried on over the perils of raising teenagers and the monotony of small town life. Our trek home had been filled with stories and laughter, making the long drive pass in what felt like only a few moments.I welcomed the new day, warmth echoing through my windows and the still, calm of the air around me. Training was set to resume tomorrow, and Mains was being treated again by Kip, so I
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The next two weeks were here and gone in a blur, between training and studying and battening down the hatches I began to know myself in a whole new level of exhaustion. Muscles I didn't even know existed ached, I loaded up on more carbs than I even thought possible, I pushed myself past the limit and past the next one too. Even Sage, deep within me, panted for a rest.The promised week of rest could not come faster, I yearned for the days of easy patrol runs and light agility training. I hadn't run for leisure in weeks, and the feeling was sorely missed. I felt a lot of myself slipping. I hadn't been back to my pier since the day my mother left. I hadn't run for myself, I hadn't read a piece of broken poetry or breathed in the calming sense of nature. It felt like an eternity since I paused and felt the earth under my feet, since I felt the swimming thoughts in my mind clear. I felt like I was but a blur.Rhodes had pulled away, too, the pressure of the imp
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"Mate."Torrance replied, stepping out from behind me, her breathing heavy. They drifted towards each other weightlessly, almost as if on autopilot, They glided into one another's arms, holding each other at the elbows. Their conversation was hushed, in whispers, as the familiarity of their souls called out to their mate.Leona sighed, and I looked back at her beaming smile, her eyes brimming with tears and pride as she watched her daughter meeting her other half. I beamed, squeezing the Alpha's hand in excitement as I watched my best friend accept her new role. The daughter of a Beta now the mate of another. A Goddess perfect pairing.Moments passed, no one dare interrupt the fate's meeting. The duo seemed to hold the same regard for public forum, however, and they pulled apart to let the official meeting commence. Torrance stood nervously close to her new mate, their arms touching as she let the Alpha speak."Well! Even more now than b
