Chapter 7

DARIUS POV

It’s been a week. One week since Diamond has assumed her role as lead trainer for our female warrior squad. To say we got off on the wrong foot is putting it lightly. I was ready to send the girl packing. I’m glad I didn’t because the women fucking love her as their trainer. I have been hearing nothing but positive feedback from our female warriors. Even Justin has mentioned that Daya is running a great squad. I haven’t spoken to her much this last week, except the morning after she arrived- after her morning training session, she asked me for a meeting. I thought she was going to tender her resignation- which would have been fine with me. Instead, she apologized again and then she told me about some friend of hers from some pack in California who is apparently some genius when it comes to strategy and pack safety and defense.

            At first, I wanted to tell her to fuck off and save her favors for somebody who needs them. But I bit my tongue and let myself consider her offer. She is clearly trying to make amends, and she didn’t need to remind me that I could use a fresh set of eyes and brains in terms of how to better protect my pack. So, I agreed to have a video conference with her friend. To my surprise, her friend was another impressive female and when she told me about her experience with her own pack and how she has helped them ward off attacking rogue packs, as well as make strong alliances with neighboring packs. I have been wanting to do that for that last couple of years now that the Running River Pack has better financial stability, and we are growing in numbers for the first time in over two decades.

            Today is when Emerald Davis is moving to our pack to join my team of advisors as a strategist. Daya was very eager to see her friend and even offered for Emerald to stay in her apartment. We set Daya up in a one-bedroom apartment, so it would make both ladies feel pretty cramped, but I was able to get Emerald an apartment a couple floors up in the same complex. Which seemed to make Daya happy- not sure why I care about wanting her to feel happy when she is probably going to be a pain in my ass for the next few months that she is here.

            I’m making my way to the packhouse to welcome Emerald, and I walk by the training complex and fields. Daya is running her session outside, in the snow. As werewolves, we run hotter than humans, and the cold doesn’t really bother us. But these she-wolves have only been training for a week, and they are not in their wolf forms, which would make the cold weather easier to tolerate. I stop and watch the end of her session, waiting to hear the grumbles and complaints of my pack members as they head back to their homes. To my surprise, most of them are… smiling? What?

            “Thanks, Daya! That was such a great session! Can’t wait for strength training this afternoon!” Leslie, one of our younger and newly shifted she-wolves called out. This girl is only 16 and just got her wolf a couple months ago and she was one of the most vocal women about wanting to become a warrior. It makes sense, given her two older brothers, Lyle, and Logan, are warriors.  She’s a tough girl and I’m glad she is on the squad.

            “Of course, Les!” You did great. Keep up the great effort and I’ll see you this afternoon.” Daya called back to her. I have a little time before Emerald arrives, so I can chat with Diamond- ha, Diamond, and Emerald. What are the chances two girls with those names would become best friends. That’s funny. “Alpha Darius.” Daya broke me out of my thoughts and brought my attention to her. She was standing in the snow, well, now it was dirt patch where snow had been melted away, probably from her and the other women sparring and rolling around on the ground. She was in black leggings, and a matching long sleeve black top. I haven’t seen this girl in any other colors.

            “Are you a ninja or something?” I made a lame attempt at a joke. She looked at me with the most confused look on her face, her head tilted to the side, and her mouth half-open like she was staring at a math problem she couldn’t solve. “Your clothes. I’ve only seen you in black since you arrived here.” I said as I gestured to her outfit. I could see her expression relax and a slight smirk appear on her face. I have yet to see her full smile. I bet she has a great smile. What the fuck am I saying? Focus Dare!

            “Black is just practical. Training twice a day, it’s just easier to not have to think about what I’m going to wear. Besides, I’m not trying to catch anyone’s attention with bright colors. Easier to blend in if I need to.” She replied with a shrug.

            “I’m sure you still managed to capture the attention of a lot of the men at your pack back home without doing much. Your skills as a fighter are truly impressive.” I complimented her and noticed her squirm and blush from my compliment. Not wanting to make this moment any more awkward, I changed the subject quickly. “So why do you have the women training in the snow in their human forms rather than wolf forms? And did I hear you are having them strength training in the afternoon?” I asked with genuine curiosity. I had an idea why she was doing this, but wanted to hear her logic, and yea, maybe get to know her a little more. This girl is tough to read.

            “Well, none of these women have any fighting experience. Even Leslie, who has two older brothers on the warrior squad. They need to practice fighting in human form, and the more challenging the conditions, the quicker they will learn to adapt. And the strength training, I think that’s obvious. They need to get stronger. The stronger we are in human form, the stronger our wolves become. They are all enjoying it so far, and nobody has gotten badly injured. Just your usual bumps and bruises, Alpha.” She responded politely and this time not holding eye contact for as long as she did last week when we first met. I’m also surprised she has learned personal details about these women so quickly. I can see she really cares about them, which makes me smile and nod in appreciation of her explanation.

            “I totally agree with you. Our men train the same way.” I ran my hands through my hair and shifted my weight from one leg to the other. Daya was just standing there with her arms crossed under her breasts, but I was trying not to glance at them. “Well, I gotta get to my office. Your friend Emerald should be here soon, so I’m sure you’ll be excited to have a familiar face nearby.” I changed the subject again and started to turn in the direction of the packhouse.

            “Thank you so much for giving Emmy a chance. I promise she will prove her value quickly. And yes, I’m really excited to have one of my…friends around here.” She responded quickly, with excitement in her voice. She was practically jumping on the balls of her feet.

            “Emmy? Is that how she prefers to be addressed?” I asked, turning back around to face her.

            “Yea. She would never tell you that herself. She’s much too nice to ever correct anybody, especially an alpha.” Daya replied softly. I almost thought she was rolling her eyes after saying the word ‘alpha’, but I could have imagined that.

            “Noted. I’ll be sure to have her brought over to her apartment once I’ve wrapped up my introductory meeting with her.” I said while turning back around and making my way over to the packhouse.

            It was a few hours later. My meeting with Emmy went well. She is sharp. Quiet, but sharp. Tobias got good vibes from her too. He is going to introduce her to my Gamma, Lucas, who is my go-to person for battle strategy. He and Emmy should get along well, they are both smart and Emmy doesn’t seem to have an ego and even spoke about wanting to have a good working relationship with Lucas. That was a stress reliever. If only my introduction with her friend, Daya, could have been as smooth. Maybe having a close friend here will help Daya open up and feel more comfortable around the pack. A knock on my office door pulled me out of my thoughts- damn, every time I let myself think about this girl, I find myself getting stuck in my thoughts. I snapped back to the present moment and looked to the door.

            “Come on in.” I called out. There was a familiar scent on the other side of the door, but I couldn’t place it specifically. Then a familiar face walks through the door.

            “Hello Alpha. I hope I’m not pulling you away from anything important.” Mara, a she-wolf in my pack, who also joined the warrior squad. I would not have thought this girl had any interest in being a fighter. She is on the prissy side, and always cared more about looking put together. She’s pretty- dark brown hair that falls past her shoulders, with dark brown eyes. She’s average height and she has sexy curves, which she is never shy about showing off. I can only imagine how Daya’s intense training sessions are bringing this girl out of her comfort zone.

            “Not at all, Mara. What can I help you with?” I asked, extending my hand to point at the seat across from my desk, implying for her to take a seat. She shut the door as she walked all the way in, and I couldn’t help but notice that she was in short athletic shorts and a low-cut sports bra. The stretchy fabric was being tested for its strength in holding her giant breasts in and keeping them from spilling out. Not the most functional outfit for a winter training session, but I guess they are going to be inside for strength training this afternoon, like Daya mentioned.

            “I just wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be on the female warriors’ squad. I’m learning a lot.” She said while sitting up in the chair. Her hands clasped together in a way that brought her arms in, pushing her giant tits even closer together. This wouldn’t be the first time Mara, or other she-wolves from the pack, have made advances at me. I haven’t taken a chosen mate yet, and that gives them the impression that I’m holding auditions or something. I made the mistake of sleeping with Mara a couple years ago and she has clung to that as permission to believe she has claim as my future Luna- keep dreaming sweetheart. I leaned back in my chair, in an effort to create more distance between us and crossed my arms over my chest- hoping she would read my posture as disinterested. Wishful thinking- she leans forward more, placing her forearms on my desk. Her tits are literally centimeters from sitting atop my desk and acting as paperweights. I do my best to not let my gaze drop. The last thing I need is for Mara to think I’m interested in her again.

            “Don’t thank me. Thank Daya. Without her, the female squad would not be the instant success that it is.” I said curtly. I noticed her eyes roll at the mention of Daya’s name. I didn’t like that. I could feel my wolf didn’t like that sign of disrespect either. I could feel him pressing forward, but I held him back. “Is there anything else you wanted to say?” I asked, hoping she would get the message and leave.

            “Well, actually…yes. Just one more thing.” I nodded my head, encouraging her to speak faster. “Daya… she is very intense.” She said with some hesitation in her voice.

            “Yes. I know. She is a great warrior and we brought her in because of how seriously she takes training and preparation. If…when the time comes to defend our pack from rogues, or a neighboring pack, you ladies will be brought in to fight alongside us men. We cannot go easy on you in training. This isn’t a joke to me, Beta Tobias, Justin, and now Daya. Our pack has suffered greatly, and this female warrior squad is a means to bring our suffering to an end sooner rather than later. If you aren’t up for the responsibility, I understand. This isn’t for everyone. There are other ways you can support the pack.” I spoke to her seriously, rising to my feet by the end of my speech to her.

            “Yes, Alpha. I understand how serious this responsibility is. I hoped you’d be proud of me for stepping up as a female warrior…maybe see that I can be Luna material.” She said in a flirty tone, batting her eyelashes as me. Is this chick that dumb?

            “Mara. We had a fling a couple of years ago. We were younger and giving into impulses. If you joined the female warriors’ squad in an effort to catch my attention in a romantic way, please leave the squad. It is not going to happen, Mara.” I had to tell her directly. If I give this girl any reason to believe there is a chance for us, she will keep coming back.

            “Oh. N-no, Alpha. I am enjoying being on the squad. I know I will be a great warrior thanks to Daya’s training. I apologize for thinking there was more between us than there is. I will head to afternoon training now.” I could see her cheeks turning red in embarrassment. She will get over it. Maybe now, she’ll actually move on and choose a suitable mate.