An encounter

The next training did nothing. Alpha Magnus was true to his words at “treating me harshly” as he decided to step in between my training with Dimitri. 

“Step aside Dimitri. From now on, I’ll be her training partner.” He said after a while and Dimitri glanced at me. He sighed, nodding at his alpha and leaving us. 

I clicked my tongue, “Don’t you have other tasks to do as an Alpha? I mean, like monitor your other members?” 

He’s so keen on the idea of “protecting” me…as if something had attacked me. As far as I know, I’m safe here. Why is he so up to his riled-up sleeves and always on alert?

Well, he’s one of the terror alpha after all. Of course, this harsh training would be normal.

“You can launch at me,” He said, giving me many openings. 

I did as Dimitri advised me. Since I was small compared to most people here, he wanted me to take advantage of it and be much quicker. 

I managed to land a blow and he shook his head, “Still not enough.” 

He grabbed my arm and hit it, making me yelp in pain. I gritted my teeth, now attacking his sides but couldn’t land a blow. 

To think I was confident at how I could manage a blow at him. I became strong, but it’s nothing compared to his strength. 

We continued on like that, with me panting and catching my breath and him, not even leaving sweat on his forehead. 

The bell rang, signaling the end of our training. 

“Not bad.” Alpha Magnus commented as he gazed down at me. 

I rolled my eyes, “you’re not that bad too, but you’ll have to improve,” I said carelessly, silently agreeing that he’s worthy of his reputation but I won't dare to say that in front of him. It’ll only make his ego bigger, and I won’t have him that power over me.  

Suddenly, I was harshly thrown to the lockers behind me. A gasp escaped my lips as I looked up at Alpha Magnus, not expecting him to do this.

“Improve, you say?” His lips were formed into a sly smirk and whispered in my ears, “I think it’s you who should be working on yourself, dear.” 

I clenched my jaw and I smirked back at him, “Let’s see. I know I’m small, but I’m a fast learner and don’t forget I gained this newfound power. Don’t underestimate me, Alpha.” 

At that, he removed his hold on me and I brushed myself off, flipped my hair, and walked towards Owen, Thora, and Tyra who had wide grins plastered on their faces as they watch me walk over them. 

“Damn girl, I could feel the tension from up here,” Tyra commented, smirking and patting me on the back. 

“You did a good job back there, Kamilah,” Thora commented, “I mean our Alpha is kind but we never could do that in front of him….you’re really one of a kind.” 

“What did you do to the alpha?” Asked Tyra once Alpha Magnus left the area, “He seemed too…caught up to you….” 

Owen patted my back, “You’re pretty close to him.”

Thora nudged me in the arm, “Did you already find your mate? Who knows, maybe the alpha is yours.”

I scoffed, hating the idea of it, “No way, that would never…happen.” 

But then…we’ll never know…

I gulped at the possibility. If anything, I don’t want to be associated with him. I think I could settle for someone like Dimitri…but the Alpha…that’s absurd. 

I suddenly thought of wanting to explore the pack. I mean sure I walked in some areas but a bit far from the packhouse…I still didn’t. 

“Want me to come with you?” Offered Tyra, noticing my trailing eyes looking at the trees. “I mean if you want to explore the place. I know you're always locked up in your room.”

Owen looked at her with a terrified expression, “I want to come with you two! But damn my mom’s been asking me to help her with her gardens.” 

Tyra chuckled, “Then go to her, you know how she’ll scold you. She can be terrifying.”

Owen leaned into Tyra and smashed his lips into hers.  

I rolled my eyes, disgusted at how I am standing real close to them, having a close-up look at their makeout session.

Owen smirked as he broke the kiss, “Want to join in?”

As if my face couldn’t turn bitter, I grimaced, “Eww, Owen!”  

Tyra chuckled, “Leave her alone, babe.” She planted a small kiss on Owen’s lips, “You can go to your mom now.” 

I looked at Thora, “What about you?”

She smiled bitterly, her face hating the idea, “The Alpha asks me to report.” 

Tyra rolled her eyes at her, “Yeah yeah, then it’s a date between me and Kamilah! Come on, dear!” 

She locked her arms on mine and guided me to the woods. Owen and Thora walked away and we continued to the deep forest for a few minutes. Tyra was busy telling me stories of their childhood. About the past alpha, and how they lived in harmony. 

“You know, Alpha Magnus is strict, but his father was much more intimidating. Whenever he was in the room, we would shut up. We never even had any parties, for all I could remember..” 

Tyra was much more fun to be with than I had imagined. I found out that her parents died from the past war, where Alpha Magnus took her in, which explains why her house was near us. 

I didn’t know someone that happy was alone…”I guess that makes us pretty the same. I’m an orphan. So since my last pack, I never had anyone, no parents, no siblings…just some friends and some bullies.” 

She gasped, “No way, you have another Stacy there?”

I chuckled, “Yeah, I guess no matter what pack, there would always be a b*tch.”

She busted into fits of laughter as we continued on a trail. 

“How was Alpha Magnus when you were kids?” I couldn’t help but ask. 

Tyra pursed her lips, thinking about it for a minute, “Oh, he was too quiet and never played with us.” 

“Really?”

“Yeah, he was a weird pup, not even socializing with us. He only stayed inside their house because he had gone too pale.” 

I nodded, feeling that was some strange information. I really thought he would be that outgoing extrovert kid…

“What about his parents?” I asked more, “Oh, sorry, just curious.” 

Tyra just smiled, “Well, I only know his father who was a famous dreaded alpha at that time. According to what I could hear from the others since I was just a kid at that time, his father, the past alpha, killed his mate and disappeared for some woman…

No one knew who the woman was and suddenly, his father, who was in tears, just reappeared one day carrying Alpha Magnus as a 5-year-old. His father was shouting to kill Druscilla that time.” 

“Druscilla?” I blinked, knowing full well him. He’s the elder for our region who maintains the balance and keeps our existence away from humans…

Tyra was silent and then her ears perked up, “Did you hear that?” 

“Hear what?”

She grinned, “A rush of water! We are near the river that we were playing when we were kids!” She happily exclaimed, grabbing my hand and running to the sound. 

Hidden in the bushes, she opened it to reveal a river. I gasped at how clean it was. The smell of earthy scent and leaves and the fresh air made it look so relaxing.

Tyra instantly removed her pants and t-shirt, only leaving her underwear, and jumped excitedly to the water. 

When she reappeared, she motioned for me to follow, “What are you waiting for? Jump!” 

I instantly removed my sweaty shorts and sports bra before diving in the water too. I released a sigh as I felt the calming water soothe my body.

“Ah! This is the best! I could swim here all day!” Tyra exclaimed, fully enjoying the water. 

We played in the water, being with Tyra made me forget about my past. About my past pack, about what happened to me even after a while. 

I swam to the sides and relaxed my head. I closed my eyes, feeling that it was not bad after all here. 

We stayed here for a few more minutes until Tyra got out of the water. 

“I’ll get dressed now. You’re going to stay here?” 

“I’ll stay for a few more minutes. Let me just enjoy it more.”

She smiled, “It’s really calming right?” Standing up, she grabbed her clothes and dried up herself. 

I closed my eyes still until a loud yell woke me up. A few birds hummed, giving me melody and some crickets were in harmony. 

“Kamilah!” 

It was Tyra’s voice, breaking my trance. Sensing danger, I instantly got out of the water and hurried to where I heard the voice. 

It was broad daylight and panic flashed in me. 

Was it the humans? Or other enemies? Isn’t it still Alpha Magnus territory? Tyra is really in danger, but I couldn’t find her! I instantly transformed into my white wolf and sniffed her smell, and was led into a tree. 

A gasp let out from my mouth as I saw a head dangling from the branches. 

It was…Tyra.

She didn’t even have the chance to shapeshift and was still in her human form. Meaning, the attacker was too quick. And strong. 

I felt a loss of words, my vision blurry and my mind hazy. I gulped, trying to stand still. 

No, no. No. This is not happening. We were just-we were just swimming by the river!

Who would dare to do this in broad daylight and worse, at Alpha Magnus’s territory?

I racked my brains for any information. No, the attacker is still here, judging from the smell of Tyra’s blood. 

I couldn’t whisp out the fact that Tyra is dead. She was attacked. Right there near me. And I couldn’t even do anything to help her. I howled to inform the other members. 

I need to find the attacker. 

***

In a far corner, a tall figure hid behind the trees, watching Kamilah who was in despair. 

He looked at the dead body hanging by the tree, the foul smell and the gushing of blood coming out disgusted him. But the incident ignited a fire in his mind, blazing his thoughts to never miss this chance to poke his nose into. 

He had seen who the attacker was. He doesn't want to get involved, but knowing Kamilah is here, living like a ghost, excites him.

“I’ve been looking for you… who knows you were just here.”

What would happen if the others knew she was here? For sure there will be riots…but it would be fun to watch…

He smirked, “This is going to be interesting.” Muttering those words, he quickly ran away, off to another location.