3

FALLON 

  

I’m a little winded from dragging my suitcase across the grass to the barracks, but I’m hustling to stay at the front of the pack. These guys have been watching us from the minute we stepped off the busses, assessing whether we have what it takes to make the squad. I’m sure as hell going to make sure they know I do. 

Though she’s struggling to keep up, Brooke’s right on my heels. She doesn’t have anything to prove- she’s already in- but her anxiety has her sticking close. We stop where the other trainees have gathered and I get my first look at the guys who run the place- and holy hell. I think I stop breathing for a second. The five guys standing in front of us are fucking gorgeous. 

Every one of them is absolutely shredded, from their corded forearms crossed at their chests to their abs stretching the front of their black t-shirts. I thought that Davis was built, but these guys are ripped. Not only that, but every one of them is tattooed and heart-stoppingly handsome. Most wolf shifters are attractive, but these guys look like goddamn movie stars. 

Get it together, Fallon. 

The tallest guy stands in the center, and he steps forward to address us, clapping his hands together. The breeze rustles his tousled dark hair, and I swear I can smell him from here. He smells good. “Listen up, recruits,” he starts, his deep voice reverberating off the aluminum walls enclosing the squad complex. “Now you may have come here with your friends, but this isn’t summer camp.” 

The command in his tone has me a little weak in the knees. 

“This is going to be the hardest summer of your lives, and if you can make it through, you just might make the squad,” he continues. “If you don’t think you have what it takes, now’s your last chance to turn back.” 

I try to remind myself that I’m here for a purpose- to train- but my wolf is swooning and I can’t think about anything other than climbing this guy like a tree. 

I dart a glance over to Brooke, and I can tell she’s thinking the same thing. I clap my hand over my mouth to stifle a laugh, but it slips through. 

The guy’s eyes go straight to me, narrowing, and I immediately know that I fucked up. 

“Is something funny, recruit?” he asks, folding his arms across his chest. Tribal tattoos run the length of his bulky forearms. 

Shit. 

I let another nervous giggle slip, then press my lips together and shake my head. 

He takes a step toward me. 

The group of other trainees standing in front of me part to let him through, until he’s standing right in front of me. 

I suck in a breath, and I swear my heart stops. All of those years of training, and I blow it within the first two minutes? Nice going, Fallon. 

The guy peers down at me with his dark brown eyes and I feel like his gaze is slicing right through me. “What’s your name, recruit?” he growls. 

I swallow hard and forget my own name for a second, until I feel Brooke slyly nudge me. 

“Fallon,” I choke out, then regain some of my composure and straighten. “Fallon Eastwick.” It comes out smooth and confident the second time. 

The guy just stares me down for what feels like forever before he parts his lips to speak again. He’s trying to intimidate me, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to cower. That’s not what fighters do. 

“Well, Fallon, did something I say amuse you?” His heavy gaze is still intense. 

I shake my head, crossing my arms to match his stance. “No.” 

“No what?” 

“I didn’t catch your name.” As soon as I say it, I regret it. It’s like the smart-ass response slipped out before I could even think. I know he was expecting me to say ‘no sir’, like I was responding to a sergeant, but of course I just couldn’t bite back the sarcasm. 

Some of the recruits gasp, and there are a few titters of laughter from the crowd. 

The guy doesn’t react, though his eyes flicker gold. He arches a brow, then turns on a heel, stalking back over to the other guys. He stops and turns back to the trainees, and I’m gritting my teeth, waiting for him to tell me to leave. I totally blew it. 

“I’m Alpha Gray,” the guy announces loudly, “and this is Jax, Brock, Reid, and Theo.” He gestures to each of the men around him as he names them off. 

I suddenly recognize Theo- he’s part of my pack. He looks just like his dad, Alpha Anders. My dad’s close with our alpha. Maybe that’ll save my skin. 

Gray continues. “But all of you may address us as ‘sir’.” 

I want to roll my eyes so badly, but I bite my lip to stop myself from reacting. 

“Got it?” he asks, and the other trainees around me start mumbling ‘yes sir’. 

Gray looks right at me, and I force myself to mouth the words. 

“Good,” Gray snaps, folding his arms across his broad chest again. “Now your friend Fallon here has shown me that you all may need a little lesson in discipline.” 

Shit. I knew I wasn’t going to get off that easy. I hold my breath. 

“So I think we should all start with twenty laps around the track.” 

I hear a chorus of groans and feel the sting of eyes on me. My face flushes hot. 

Great. Five minutes in, and all of the other trainees already hate me. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a flicker of movement as Brooke’s hand shoots up. I whip around to stare at her- about to ask her what the hell she’s doing- when she pipes up. 

“Um, sir?” she asks, her voice small. 

Gray looks to her questioningly, and Brooke steps forward, clearing her throat and pushing her glasses up her nose. 

“I’m actually here for the IT unit, not training camp.” 

Gray nods, gesturing for Brooke to come closer. “Jax,” he calls over his shoulder, and a blonde guy moves to join him. “Why don’t you take…” 

“Brooke,” she supplies. 

Gray nods again. “Why don’t you take Brooke over to the IT hub so she can get started.” 

“Sure thing,” Jax replies, smiling warmly at Brooke. “Come on.” Jax turns and waves for Brooke to follow, and she trots after him. 

Once they’re a couple of paces away, Gray turns back to the trainees, scanning the crowd. “What are you waiting for?” he asks. 

Almost in unison, we all break off into a jog toward the track. Several of the other recruits are scowling at me as they pass, and inside, I’m kicking myself.