The Prick of the Thorn

Rose-

After being tardy for training, my father lectured me for what seemed like hours.  He had added extra time to my training, no doubt due to last nights argument.  We usually spent an hour on the obstacle course and another hour sparing.  This time he wanted me on the course for two hours and had me sparing with the pack’s Beta and second strongest fighter, Leo.  The man was rough to say the least.  The fact that I was a girl had no where crossed his mind.  He slammed me hard into the mat multiple times making me gasp for air.  I finally was able to make him tap when I knocked him to his back and wrapped his arm into submission.  I thought I was going to break it before he finally gave up.  My father looked displeased as I walked passed him, panting.  I headed to the showers hurriedly, already missing my first two classes.  By the time I got out of school, my body was feeling the pain of this morning’s training.  The lake was on the way on my walk home.  Sometimes I’d sit by the edge and dip my feet into the icy water.  Today, I thought it would help my aching muscles to go for a swim.  The lake was quite popular in the summer, but as it was almost winter, there wouldn’t be anyone around.  I left my bag and shoes on the dock and dove in, clothes and all.  I might’ve misjudged how cold the water was because my teeth were chattering and I was shaking.  I needed to raise my body heat and stay submerged at least for thirty minutes for it to be beneficial to my muscles.  I swam and swam, bobbing my head in and out of the water.  I didn’t realize how far I had gone, until I was almost at the other end of the lake.  I knew that side of the lake did not belong to us and was about to turn around when something caught my eye.  I saw a couple, sitting at the lakes edge.  It was a pretty brunette and a man who looked oddly familiar, but I was still a bit too far to see clearly.  I swam a bit closer until I was able to make out his features and sure enough, it was as I thought.  It was the man I had met this morning when I was running.  His gaze came my way and I dipped down beneath the surface and swam back to my pack.  I had finally reached the other side and pulled myself out of the water.  I was shivering uncontrollably and could barely slip my shoes back on.  I headed home, eager for a nice warm bath.

When I arrived, all the lights were off.  I guess my parents had gone out for the night.  I ran upstairs to shower and get into my pajamas.  When I came downstairs, our maid Courtney, offered me supper.  To my luck, she made soup.  I gladly accepted her offer and wolfed down two bowls as I was starving after my hard day.  My parents still had not returned and I entered my father’s office as I sometimes did when I was looking for a new book to read.  I glanced at my father’s desk and noticed the blue folders in a neat pile.  I rolled my eyes angrily, but curiosity got the best of me as I grabbed the pile and began to rifle through them.  Some of the folders had stars drawn on the outside, no doubt meaning those were my parent’s favorites.  They were all good looking Alphas and Betas.  Most of them were well accomplished, but this meant nothing to me.  I knew what men were like, especially Alphas and I had no intention of being bound to one.  I flipped the last folder open and paused over the man staring back at me.  It was him.  The man I ran into in the forest and the one I saw by the lake.  Ugh!  I must have looked so stupid barely being able to mutter my responses as I lay on the ground.  He said nothing!  He could’ve introduced himself as the Alpha or said something!  I looked through his accomplishments.  Jeremy Hawthorne…Blue Moon Pack…Ranked Second in Hands Defense, Weapons Defense, Archery…First in Chemistry, History, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Social Studies…  So this guy was a nerd and my father wanted to mate a Elite wolf to these type of Alphas?  I snickered and threw the file back onto the desk.  I yawned loudly as I was overtaken with tiredness.  I forgot about the book and headed back upstairs for some much needed rest.

Rose…Roselia..baby..open those beautiful eyes. A man’s voice woke me from my slumber.  I was in my bed in my room, but someone called me from the balcony.  I got out of bed and followed the luring voice to the balcony.  Rose..come to me my love..  I opened the doors to the balcony and the bright sun shined onto my face, making me shield my eyes from it.  Baby, please don’t make me wait..  The voice called to me and I walked into the light where it vanished and I was able to see that I now stood in the forest.  I could hear someone running, but when I looked all around me, my room was gone and I stood alone in the forest.  Hello? I called out.

Rose..  The voice sounded so close that when I turned around, I was met by a pair of golden eyes.  It was him, Jeremy.  He wrapped me in his muscular arms.  I could feel his bare chest as he stared into my eyes.  He brought his lips to mine and kissed me passionately, sending waves of electricity through my body…

Suddenly, everything grew dark when I woke up and sat up on my bed, panting.  I was sweating and my heart was beating a million miles an hour.  Why the hell was I having a dream about that pig head when I knew perfectly well he had a girlfriend?  I shook the idea out of my mind when my alarm went off.  There was no school today, but I still had training.  I forced myself out of bed to dress.  When I went to open my bedroom door, my heart nearly dropped.  Garrison stood in the hallway, facing my door with his arms folded across his chest.  He was big, muscular, and had a beard that looked like he trimmed it neatly every morning.  His brown eyebrows and hair looked like he had shaped and sprayed them, keeping them locked in place.  He took a great care of his appearance, but he was not a morning person.  After I was able to avoid him yesterday morning, I’m sure my father had scolded him hard enough that here he stood at 5am outside my door.  I gave a sigh, “Well come on then.”  I grabbed my bag and we headed to the trails.  About an hour in, Garrison looked like a hot mess.  He could no longer keep up with me and spent most of the time stopping to catch his breath.  We were finishing up the last 30 minutes when he tripped and landed flat on his face.  I burst into laughter as he rolled over, completely defeated.  “Come on, Gare, we’re done,” I said, unable to contain my amusement.  We headed back to the training grounds where Garrison bolted for the water stand and I went to take my spot on the obstacle course.  I was about to start the course, when my father called my name.  “Roselia,” his deep voice trailed across the course making everyone bow their head in submission.  I turned at once, giving him a bow of my head as well.  “Yes Father?” I said, still a bit annoyed from the other day.  “After training, we will be having a Region Meeting so I expect you dressed for the part,” he stated.  “Yes Alpha,” I simply replied, wondering what the hell he meant by ‘dressing the part’.  I rolled my eyes after his back was turned and began the course, the first part being crawling in mud under barbed wire.  Did he not think I dressed appropriately for a Luna?  After I passed this part quickly, I ran to the next part which was climbing over a 20 foot wall where I jumped right over.  What does how I dress have to do with running the pack anyways?  The next obstacle was a 50 foot bed of Firestone, a type of stone that burns hot without ever going out, with stepping plates about 10 feet apart.  This was always my favorite part as I was very good at leaping.  I pass this part in thirty seconds and move on to the next part of the course.  I’ll show up in what I am wearing now for all I care.  I look up to a 20 foot lattice wall of rope.  Using my upper body strength, I grasp the rope and hurl myself upward, continuing to the top and altering arms.  The next part of the course was a slender board that stretched across a 20 foot drop to the other side.  I did a cartwheel across.  The nerve of him.  There were pillars of different sizes spread across the field to descend the high point.  I made my way down easily.  The course continued on with various dangerous obstacles.  After finishing up the course, I headed to the sparing area where I found a heavy punching bag to burn the last bit of energy I still had.  The course was beginning to be less intense for me and I would have to find another way to burn out my muscles eventually.  My father’s words still echoing in my mind, I struck the bag forcefully until I tore it’s side and it began spewing grains of sand.  I was panting heavily when I heard Garrison’s voice from behind me, “Geesh, what did that punching bag ever do to you?”  I looked at him annoyed and he cleared his throat, “It’s time to start getting ready, your father has advised me.”  I roll my eyes and storm off back home, Garrison trailing behind me.

I stand in front of the mirror, still irritated by my father’s words.  ‘Dress the part’ I scoff at his words while I pull on a pair of skinny black jeans.  I look over to the pink dress my mother had laid out for me and nearly gag.  It’s like she didn’t even know me at all.  I put on a red crop tank top and throw on a black blazer, fastening the two buttons in the front.  My hair was pulled back into a long pony tail as I stare into the mirror, satisfied with my look.  I looked like I meant business, but still with a sexy sass. “Perfect,” I compliment myself as I walk over to my closet to grab a pair of black high-heeled boots.  They were long, coming up to my knee.  There was a knock at the door as Garrison had been impatiently waiting, “Let’s go Rose.  We are going to be late!”  I roll my eyes and open the door.  He can’t help, but gawk as he looks me up and down.  I fold my arms across my chest, “Done?”  He realizes what’s happening and snaps out of it, “I thought your mother laid out a dress for you?”  He tried to look over me to the dress still on the bed.  “Do you want me to spend another twenty minutes changing into that…” I start.  “No!” he interrupts me yelling and then softening his voice, “Let’s just go, you look fine.  We are late as it is.”  There’s a car outside waiting for us.  The Region Meeting was held on a part of the earth called ‘No Man’s Land.’  It wasn’t very big and didn’t hold anything significant, thus wasn’t reason to be fought over.  They had established it as a neutral zone where they could hold meetings or gatherings if there was no host.  It was also central to almost all the packs and so was ideal for most, travel wise.  It took us about twenty minutes to arrive and it was obvious we were late.  There were already many cars parked and several guards keeping watch outside.  Garrison nearly jumped out of the car before it had even stopped, “Your father is pissed.  Hurry up, let’s go.”  Garrison pushes me all the way inside while I try to compose myself as he opens the grand doors to the room for me.  The doors were very oversized to accommodate all the equally oversized wolves the building would be hosting.

As he opens the doors, every pair of eyes in the room are on me and I suddenly find myself self-conscious.  I hold my composure with my head held high as I walk to my place next to my father.  I try not to look into the audience, but I notice there are a lot of extra eyes this time.  I hear my mother’s scoff as she is clearly annoyed by my outfit.  “Nice of you to finally join us, Roselia,” my father’s voice was especially deep.  I clear my throat, “I apologize for my tardiness.”  My eyes are glued to the table in front of me, but I can sense many lustful eyes on me as well as some throwing daggers.  I subtly sniff the air.  There were many young she-wolfs among the crowd as well as young Alphas and Betas.  My father continues his conversation about the upcoming storms as I steal a glance at the room.

Shit  All the bachelors and bachelorettes are present.  I wonder what is going on when my father finally pulls me from my thoughts.  “Rose?” he says as I meet his gaze.  “Y-yes Father?” I ask nervously.  Pay attention! his eyes pierce into me as he links me.  “Roselia, please stand and introduce yourself to the room,” he says for a second time.  I close my eyes to roll them internally.  I always hated doing this in school.  I stand slowly and look to the room, my eyes not landing on anything particular.  “My name is Roselia Blackstone.  Alpha daughter of Blood Moon Pack,” I say quickly taking my seat.  One by one the young wolves stand and introduce themselves to the room.  “James Silverback.  Alpha son of Crescent Moon Pack. Ranked Elite in my pack,” he says while flashing me a smile and sits back down.  His father pats his son’s back loudly as he pumps his chest with pride. I gag inside. This must be the one my father was adamant about.  Being ranked Elite in your pack meant you were ranked first in all areas of testing, like myself.  “Brianna Winters.  Beta daughter of Mystic Shadow Pack,” she tosses her blonde hair, eyeing James as she sits down.  “Aria Redstone.  Beta daughter of Black Blood Pack.  Ranked Superior,” she gives a small smile as she sits back down, keeping her gaze on the table.  “Dean Ashbrooke.  Beta son of Grim Stone Pack. Ranked superior,” he gives me a wink as he sits back down.  I become annoyed at their arrogance.  They would be in for a big surprise when they realize I want nothing to do with them.  “Eric Racerback.  Alpha son of Golden Wolf Pack.  Ranked Elite,” he bites his lip while eyeing me as he takes his seat.  “Jeremy Hawthorne,” a deep voice says, sounding slightly annoyed.  I cock my head as this name catches my attention.  “Blue Moon Pack,” he finishes quickly without losing his gaze on the table in front of him.  He sits down immediately and crosses his arms, clearly looking as if he didn’t want to be here.  The other two girls are oogling him, but he pays them no mind as he fixates his gaze at the table.  His father beside him looks very annoyed with his behavior.  He pinches the brim of his nose as he tries to keep himself calm.  His mother places a soft hand on her husbands shoulders in an attempt to calm him.  “Mathew Waterstone.  Beta son of West Peak Pack.  Ranked Superior,” he sits down and I could almost see his cheeks blush.  I roll my eyes.  These are my choices?  My father stood to address the room, “We will be honoring my daughter next month for her 20th birthday.  We will be hosting a ball at our home and Roselia would honored if you all attended.”  My eyes shot daggers at my father.  Is he serious?  I don’t want any of these pompous pricks at my house!  “In three months time, our youth will choose their mates.  It will unite our packs and strengthen the peace that we have worked so hard to keep.  I think it would be a good idea to allow our children to spend a little more time getting to know each other,” he said as the room clapped and many nodded in agreement.

In our Region, we had no king of wolves, but if we did, my father would be it.  He was the most seasoned and wisest.  He was the one who declared truce after the Land War.  A war that lasted 12 years and almost destroyed our entire region.  My mother almost died giving birth to me.  After she recovered, my father knew he had to somehow end this war.  He held the majority of territory which made his pack the biggest.  He comprised with the other wolves, promising to give pieces of his land that would make the packs all equal in size, if they would stop fighting.  The one piece that could not be distributed, he declared as ‘No Man’s Land’, where we all currently resided.  He also declared to have regular meetings on such land, now referred to as Region Meetings.  Any pack could call an emergency meeting and they agreed to have regular meetings every quarter to discuss any new issues.  Since then, the last 20 years have been peaceful, without hiccup.  Occasionally, there are rogues from other regions that find their way into a pack.  It is up to a pack to decide what to do with them, but they have to make sure they do not belong to a fellow pack before doing so.  A pack member also could not just wander into any pack they wanted.  They had to ask for permission of passage or visitation.  “Is there any other issues before we adjourn the meeting?” my father asks.  The room was quiet.  “Okay, then the meeting is adjourned,” he says as he holds out his arm for my mother to grasp.  The room erupts in conversation as everyone stands from their seats.  Some of the young wolves gather to converse and properly introduce themselves.  As for me, I bolt for the door, only to have my exit blocked by a very big male.  I see my parents conversing with another pair of parents when I turn to look behind me.  I try to step around him, but he follows my lead.  I scoff and roll my eyes.  “Can you please move?” I ask irritated.  He simply laughs heftily as he runs his hands through his thick blonde locks.  Did this guy really think that was cute?  I look back at my parents still deep in conversation.  I look to Garrison who was now chatting with one of the Beta girls.  Fuck.  I ask again nicely, “Can I please pass?” He tries to reach for my hair, but I move away from his hand, my face frowning.  “James just wants to get to know you a little better, baby,” he says.  Was this asshole really referring to himself in third person?  I breathed in deep, trying to calm myself when I get a nose full of his scent and nearly vomit.  It was like opening a spoiled carton of milk.  This time I try to push pass him, but it was like trying to move a cow.  He barely budged when I almost slipped passed him and he grabbed my arm, pulling me close into his chest.  My reflexes kick in and I knee this asshole right in his manhood.  He wails and falls back, instantly releasing me.  “Maybe James should’ve let me pass when I asked him the first time,” I state as I stomp out of the room, whipping him in the face with my ponytail as I turn.  I see someone in my peripheral before I exit the room and turn my head to see Jeremy smirking at the incident.  When he notices I see him, he turns away and acts disinterested.  I hear my father’s voice boom through the wall, “Roselia!  Get back here and apologize now!”  I dash to the car, but the driver won’t move until Garrison joins me.  “Man.  I’d hate to be you when you get home,” he says, giving me a sympathetic look.  I sigh and stay silent.  He was right.