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2024-10-29 19:42:56While I'd slept in some, I nearly shot out of bed the next morning, full of excited nerves shooting through me like live wires. I was nearly tipping over with excitement to begin combat training today, to learn how to move my body on the offensive, to become a weapon in protection of my pack. I had never thought about it before yesterday, the physical classes we took in our towns small high school were lacklustre and unenthusiastic. Our pack had resigned in the past decade to allow the elements to act as our main line of defence. Sage had always urged me to seek training once I turned 18, had always been teething at the bit to unleash the furious side of her and use her given talent, but I'd never given in. I had always perceived myself as a small meek girl, incapable of this level of power but in only one assessment I was shown my potential. I love a challenge.
The clock read just after noon, meaning I had plenty of time to get ready for training and relax a bit. My mindRelated chapters
Ablaze Pages
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
Ablaze Offence
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
Ablaze Changes
The days droned on, long and monotonous. The worry that plagued me never fully left, but every day Mains seemed stronger, and we came closer to finding answers in the pages of the old books. We cross-referenced the claims in the leatherbound history with newspapers, land surveys, even medical charts and death certificates. As much as I didn't want it to be true- the claims were adding up. Our pile of confirmed Rogue battles was growing taller with reports of casualties, all verified by death certificates and obituaries. Land surveys from the time period proved the area was littered with charred rubble, especially on the outskirts. Mains took these discoveries hard, disappointed that he couldn't remember this time of turmoil and chaos. He was the only one in town who would have been alive when this all transpired, though he was a child. The dates were almost 75 years ago to the day, the larger events happening as winter trickled in.I begged Mains to let us take our find
Ablaze Niko
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
Ablaze Shopping
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
Ablaze Run
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
Ablaze Discovery
Following the breach Alpha Rhodes pulled in the reins on our tiny town for safety. I never heard what had happened, they remained tight lipped, but from whispers around the pack house whenever I visited Torrance I learned that the fires had been getting closer and spreading, and the warriors had picked off Rogues as they came to close to our borders. Only one had managed to get in, but luckily it had been tracked and disposed of before it made it's way to town.The town was in perpetual unrest, some saying the Alpha spoke too soon by locking us down, others questioning if enough was being done to ensure our collective safety. My mission remained clear: find the reason behind the attacks.Mains and I continued to work with the historic documents at our disposal. Following the breach Alpha Rhodes had suspended our evening training, instead asking all training pack members to spar during the daylight, and clearing the streets at dark. His safety measures were
Ablaze Ronelda
"It would have been her maiden name, of course, she inherited the house and started her career under it and kept it professionally. I don't know why I didn't catch it," Mains said, his face in awe, "it all makes so much sense now!""So you think your grandmother is behind the texts?" I asked, equally awestruck by our discovery. Mains nodded solemnly, his mind whisked away in memory."She ignited my love of history. She tended to the archives before me, she taught me so much of what I know. I don't know why I didn't immediately peg this as her. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time remembering." He said, defeat laced thick in his words."I have the day off from training tomorrow. I can come over. Maybe there's more evidence in your personal family documents?" I posed, desperate for a reason to cheer him up and continue the chase."You're right, kid, and hopefully the old photos will drum up some memory. Be over early."I agreed an
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The rest of the day milled on, dry and aching as I felt out in the space for my mate. I wanted nothing more than to be with him, surrounded by him and the electric heat that closed the space between us. I so longed for him, but the turmoil of my body and mind were not in harmony. Inwardly my thoughts were muddled, painful. Normally I would turn to my mom in times like these. I would spill my fears over her perfectly cooked eggs at the counter in our little cottage, the hot coffee and morning sunbeams washing away my dread. I thought now to the charred walls and burnt memories, our cottage another ruin in the wasteland my land has become. Even my beloved dock, steadfast and strong as it was, had become much to dangerous for me to sit alone and work through my maze of thoughts. I felt so alone under the weight of my life. What a way to spend your birthday. I thought of my friends, how I so desperately wanted to let them in and to celebrate. I had found my mate! He loved me too! I
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As the strategy meeting came to a close and we all retreated to our preparation points I felt the calloused hand of Jonas meet my elbow, his low whisper in my ear."Alpha's chambers, now."His voice was gruff and bone chilling, the fear lingered on the back of my neck as I swallowed it down. Funny how I was not afraid of the battle ahead, but the scolding tone of my own packmate sent my senses into a fight or flight frenzy.As we walked through the wooden corridor towards the office I could pick up the residual hints of my mate's scent wafting in the air. Somehow that reminder of him, that hint of his once-before closeness worked magic in calming my nerves. Seeing his towering, chiseled frame as we broke the threshhold of his office even more so. His back was turned, he'd clearly been pacing, but the crease of his furrowed brow softened as our eyes met.This miniscule act of intimacy was enough to send Jonas back into a rage. His low, ne
Ablaze Caught
The Pack House's Great Hall was a room rarely used. It was reserved for tactical meetings and the occasional party, but I couldn't remember the last time the wide oak doors were swung open, the room aired out and the curtains drawn. With all of our warriors and the visiting help we found ourselves with way too many ranks for any other room, so here we stood.I timed my entrance, not wanting to walk in with Rhodes, knowing I couldn't stop myself from standing too close, his scent intoxicating and the invisible strings tied around our souls straining to pull us back together. I was only a few feet away from him and yet I missed him. I yearned to be next to him, buried safe in his arms and drunk with love and comfort. But being with him had to wait. As blurred as our minds both were with the confirmation of our hunch, there were more important tasks at hand.I stepped over the threshhold, my eyes taking in the rows and rows of brave men and women we had gather
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Rhodes drew in a sharp breath, almost a gasp. We stared at each other, in disbelief, drinking the moment. I felt myself being drawn to him, as if a thread was holding us together, pulling us nearer. The only thing I could see were his amber eyes, boring into mine, I swear I could hear the thump of our hearts beating in time, could feel the blood pulsating through my veins. It’s as if the whole world fell away and there was only him.“Come with me.” Rhodes said gruffly, “Now.” His eyes darkened and his voice was rough, he wrapped his calloused hand around my wrist, sparks emanating from his palm as he gently pulled me through the pack house corridors and towards his bedroom.Once we were alone he turned to me,“Is it? Are you…&rd
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Sleep came easy, but rest was unrelenting. As soon as my eyes closed I was tormented by images of shadows draping themselves sickeningly across the swells of Stay's landing. Their menacing black grip grasped at our buildings, dragging them from the light and into the clutches of a ravenous night. Truth be told, I had expected the nightmares to come. I had expected the feeling of ice in my veins, of panic and cold sweats and fear as I lie between sleep and waking. In a way this prepared me for the mania that would come, the fear that would undoubtedly paralyse me where I stood. The shadows slunk along the stone pathways of my home, hissing as they slithered like indiscernible snakes around the structures of town. They singed the ground beneath them, the air around them growing thick and warm as the world burned. I felt myself gasping for air as the embers in the shadow's wake begain to flutter as the flames caught. Smoke was billowing all aro
Ablaze Torrance
Torrance’s bedroom was already emptier than I had expected. She’d gone ahead and wrestled all of her summer clothes, every tank top and sparkly sandal shoved into trunks and boxes. Her round, bubbly handwriting decorated the sides, little hearts dotting the i’s and swirling underlines cementing in that she was really leaving.“Don’t look so sad, Red. I’ll be back to visit!” She said, sticking out her bottom lip as she hugged me into her.“I can’t help it,” I said, trying to make my tone sound light even though it was weighed down with merciless grief, “you’re my best friend and you’re leaving me.”“I’m going with my mate!”“Why couldn’t you have mated with an orphan with no responsibilities that loves mountains? Maybe a geologist. A geologist would be happy here.”Torrance only rolled her eyes at my antics, her sparkling grin both
Ablaze Alex
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
Ablaze Winter’s Morning
I was no stranger to the falsified sense of peace that had graced our dinner table the evening before. Everything and everyone I loved shared in the final meal, my mother to my right and Alpha Rhodes seated at the head of the table to my left. Torrance and her newfound mate were cuddled up, sharing in hushed whispers as they got to know one another. Her parents looked on adoringly, and laughter and warmth radiated across the room. I was all but haunted by my conversation with Clarice, the promise of a new and unfamiliar future on the horizon. When morning came, everything would change.As the dawning light crept in the Alpha and I sighed. Neither of us had slept a wink, but we hadn’t shared a word either. It was as if we were both in denial of what was to come. As the frost settled and the cold winter air whipped around the pack house, the haunting whistles made soundtrack to our somber morning. We worked in tandem, handing each other
Ablaze Jack
"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
