TRAINING

The only thing worse than having to go to school, period - is having to go to school when the sun isn’t even up.

The minute I got to the gates of Silvercrest Prep, I had to show my student ID to the guard.

We never did that during the day.

Security measures, I guess.

The guard told me everyone was already in the gym so that’s where I headed.

When I got there, I opened the double doors and just because, they decided to let out a huge screeching sound as they effortlessly swung open.

Everyone immediately turned to stare at me. 

Oh great.

 I lowered my head and quickly walked in.

They were all gathered in the centre of the gymnasium. The candidates and two people I immediately recognised May but not the other guy.

I went to stand beside Allison, hers was the most friendly face in the room at the moment.

The man gave me a stern look. “You’re late, candidate.”

”Uh, I am?” I asked hesitantly.

The large clock on the wall read 5.01.am.

Well 5.02 now.

”You are.” He responded sternly. ”That’s three points from you and your partner.”

 My eyes widened, I looked at Joshua who was standing off to the side with Bea and he shot me a deathly glare.

I stared at the ground and muttered a “Sorry.”

”Sorry, Instructor.”

”Sorry, Instructor.” I repeated.

 I wanted to look to May for help but her eyes were set in front of her in determination.

What had I been expecting though? Just because she had said she was looking forward seeing me here, it didn’t mean I was automatically her favourite candidate.

The took a step forward, his long and lean arms tucked behind his back. He wore all black with a silver pack badge stuck to his chest.

He had chestnut brown hair with some highlights in them which was cute in a sort of fade hairstyle and some stubble around his chin. 

”Take Candidate -“ he looked at me.

”Uh... Crystal.” I muttered.

”Take candidate Crystal as an example. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Neither will disrespect.” He strode towards me, stopping right in front of me.

”Didn’t you read your handbook, candidate? You are expected to address your Instructors by their proper titles.”

”Oh right.” I blurted out. “I’m s-“

“And do not speak unless spoken to.” He ordered.

I heard a snicker come from my left and I knew it was Courtney immediately.

The ‘instructor’ slowly turned off to the side. “Something funny, candidate?” He asked.

That wiped the smile off Courtney’s face.

I fought the urge to smile in satisfaction.

”No, Major Raphael.” Courtney immediately responded, lifting her chin.

‘Major Raphael’ turned away from her. “Three points taken away from you and your partner too, Candidate Courtney.”

Courtney gaped but she knew better than to protest.

Ha! Finally a place with equal treatment.

“I’m not running a daycare. This is one of the most advanced training programs you’ll ever encounter so if you know you’re not up for it, leave.”

I looked up hopefully.

”But that also means admitting you don’t want to serve your pack.” He added.

Way to guilt trip a sister.

 I frowned and lowered my head again.

”Now, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Raphael Allon. I’m the division thirteen commander of the alpha’s army.” He announced.

 I heard the people around me muttering in what sounded like awe.

Major Raphael cleared his throat silencing everyone.

”I joined the army when I was only seventeen, alongside alpha Tristan, he was fourteen.”

I looked up in interest. I didn’t know that.

Of course that would have been before I had even moved to Woodfell.

“The year the war was at its worst.” Joshua commented.

Raphael nodded at him solemnly. “Yes. That’s the year Alpha Jean was killed.”

I saw Joshua’s jaw clenched and Mikey frown slightly. Everyone else just hang their heads low.

 I felt bad for them. I often forgot that alpha Jean had been a mother on top of being alpha.

They must have only been twelve when they had lost her. And Tristan had been fourteen.

”One of the greatest alphas this pack has ever known.” May spoke softly for the first time since I had walked in.

”Indeed.” Raphael nodded in agreement. “We had no choice but to join the army at such a young age. Our pack needed us. Just like it will need you all one day. That’s why you’re all here.”

He looked at May. May removed her hands from her back.

”You’re all here because you’re believed to be outstanding in one way or the other.” May finally spoke. “But as talented as you are, we expect you all to work your hardest. You won’t only be tested in terms of your strength and speed but also your intellect, your compassion, your loyalty. We’re training you to be in the alpha’s innermost circle. You will be trusted with the pack’s deepest secrets and most daunting tasks. The question is, can you handle it?”

I knew the answer to that question but no one seemed to want to listen to me.

“You’ll find your training attires in the locker rooms, get changed and meet us - ” May was interrupted by the door to the gym opening. I saw three familiar people walk in.

Tristan.

Everyone immediately stood at attention and I could immediately see the seriousness on everyone’s faces.

 I, on the other hand simply felt like burying myself in the ground.

”Nice of you to join us, alpha.” Raphael spoke, bowing slightly. 

When his head rose, I saw a smirk on his face directed at Tristan.

”I had to formally introduce myself to my new apprentices in training.” Tristan spoke. 

“Even though they already know who you are.” Bridget spoke with a roll of her eyes.

Tristan had walked in with Bridget and Peter, one of his apprentices and from what I had seen, one of his closet friends.

“They know me as their alpha.” Tristan spoke. “Their brother.” He spoke looking at the twins.

”And even though I am those things, I want you to see me as something more.” He continued.

”Let me re-introduce myself.” He spoke, stepping forward. “I’m Tristan Melrose, descended from he original line of Melrose alphas. Yes, I am your boss and your leader but I’m also here to groom you into being the best I could be. For generations and years, the AAP has been established to create a sort of inner circle for the alpha and his beta.” Tristan spoke nodding at Bridget. “It’s a program that not only hones your skills but it’s a program that helps you develop a bond with me,”

When he said that, his eyes scanned across the room until they landed on me.

He quickly looked away.

”And each other of course.” He added. “I’m going to need to trust you. And you’re all here to prove yourselves to me. Do you think you can do that?”

”Yes alpha.” The group chorused.

Except me. I was hoping no one would notice but Raphael’s hawk-like eyes landed on me and he rose his brows.

”I didn’t hear a yes from you, Candidate Crystal.”

All eyes turned to look at me and I froze for a second.

”Right. Sorry. Y - yeah. I mean yes. Yes, alpha.”

My eyes were trained on the ground but I felt my cheeks warm up from the embarrassment.

”You make eye contact when addressing your superiors, Candidate.” I heard Bridget’s voice.

Yeah, well thank you for that Bridget.

 I sucked in a deep breath before looking up and right at Tristan.

”My apologies, alpha.” I spoke.

He didn’t say anything. He just looked at me with a straight look on his face and nodded.

”Well I trust that you already know four out of the six of us.” Peter spoke up, thankfully saving me from the stares.

He placed his hands together. “I’m Peter Silvester. One of the alpha’s official apprentices. As you know, there are only two apprentices appointed at the end of the two year programme. Two of you will get cut at the end of this year and the rest of you will have to battle it out next year as your seniors are currently doing for the last two spots.”

”That’s not to say that this program is a competition.” May added. “Peter and I were in the program at the same time and we’re both here because we were such good partners.”

I saw the two share a knowing smile.

”But that’s also not an excuse for mediocrity.” Bridget spoke, looking at all of us. Especially me. “Being on top of your game is as great of an advantage.”

”Ladies and gentlemen, your Beta.” Raphael spoke somewhat sarcastically.

Bridget turned to glance at him.

”Well speaking of the best, you were the top of your class, weren’t you, Raphael?”

I could sense the tension between them and I wondered if anyone had noticed as well.

”Right.” Raphael spoke, grinning at her. “I was in the last class alpha Jean ever took. And I didn’t accomplish any of that by slacking off or being lazy.”

”Okay, if Major Raphael can stop bragging for a second, I need to excuse myself but I can’t wait to sit in on more of your sessions and see what you all can do.” He looked at all of us again. He nodded at his brothers one last time before turning to leave with Bridget and Peter.

 When he left, everyone started muttering in excitement.

”He’s so amazing.” Allison leaned in closer to me and whispered.

”Yeah, so amazing.” I responded dryly.

She gave me a confused look and I didn’t even have time to make up for my lack of enthusiasm before Major Raphael demanded order again.

”Alright.” May spoke. “Your training uniforms are in the locker room. Why don’t you all get changed, find your partners and let’s see what you can do.”

Fifteen minutes later, we were outside on the soccer pitch in our ‘training outfits’ which were actually quite comfortable fitted black jumpsuits. I wonder how they knew our sizes.

The suits were similar to the one May wore, they were ever so slightly padded and I knew there must have been a special material that they were made out of. I would research later on.

it didn’t take long for me to identify the partners in this situation.

Mr grumpy wolf, Joshua was mine, but so far he hadn’t said a word to me. He only looked my way to glare. He was probably mad about me losing us points already.

There was Bea and Courtney, they were probably ecstatic about that. That left Allison and Andre and Joshua and Ashton. Everyone seemed to already know each other and be on good terms.

 Then there was me standing away from everyone else, looking isolated.

”Every morning to warm you up a bit, we’re going to start off with a little cross country.” Raphael spoke. “Here’s the route, out the school gates, through the town and round back through the Belvedere woods.”

My eyes widened. Wait. He expected us to do that all without dying?

 I looked at the other candidates but they seemed unfazed.

Oh right, they all took the more advanced physical classes prior to this. This would be child’s play for them.

I am going to die today, aren’t I?

“You have twenty minutes max, go!” Raphael yelled.

Everyone sped off.

”Candidate Swan! Go! Go! Go!” I didn’t realise I had frozen in my position as everyone else went on their way.

I quickly moved my feet as fast as I could.

At first, it wasn’t so bad, I’m not an athlete in the least but I have to say, I was carrying my own.

I mean, sure I was dead last but at least I had Allison in my sights, running a few miles ahead of me.

But then... whatever little adrenaline I had going for me immediately wore out and things change.

I won’t say I got slower, let’s just say Allison got faster because in no time, I had lost her from my sight. 

I was suddenly grateful for this whole 3.am training, no one else was here to see my humiliation.

And most importantly, no one was here to see me stop by a water fountain and hunch over in an extremely unattractive way to try and catch my breath.

I felt like my chest was on fire as I struggled to breathe.

What was I thinking? I actually had hope in this program?

I lowered myself to the ground. A small breather would do right about now.

 I couldn’t help but feel humiliated, this was just the first task.

The distance was long but for a full werewolf who had been constantly training, it was nothing.

 I don’t despise my human side or anything but it really does have its downsides.

”Hey! What are you doing?” I heard a voice yell.

 I looked up and saw Mr Grumpy Wolf himself.

 I wanted to reply with ‘dying’ but judging by the look on his face, he probably wasn’t going to appreciate that response.

”Everyone is already back at the school, get up.”

You heard the man, Crystal.

With all the strength I could master up, I pushed myself back up.

At least my breathing had somewhat stabilised but there was a sharp pain in my side now.

If I was expecting a medal for this small act, I was very disappointed. Joshua just looked irritated before turning around and breaking out into a jog.

”Come on.”

I tried to move my feet again but I just couldn’t do this running thing again.

”Um... I can’t.” I called out in a small voice.

Joshua turned around. “What?” He growled.

”I-I mean I’ll meet you back at the school. You don’t have to wait for me.”

 I thought I saw a vein twitch in his forehead. “I was at the school. Everyone got tired of waiting for you and as your partner, I was sent to see if you were still alive and bring you back.”

Really? Everyone was already back at the school? Wait, how long had it been?

 I sighed.

How humiliating.

 I broke out into a jog before finally continuing with a steady pace as I ran.

I could hear Joshua behind me. He could have easily overtaken me but he didn’t and I knew that probably infuriated him all the more.

When we got back to school, everyone was gathered on the football pitch. The candidates sat by the bleachers and the instructors stood beside them.

Raphael was checking his clock just as we ran in.

Joshua finally overtook me and headed straight to Bea.

 I, on the other hand was fighting to keep myself from collapsing as I lugged myself to sit next to Andre and try not to look like a sweaty, out of breath mess.

May looked sympathetic.

Raphael looked disgusted as he said, “Forty five minutes, thirty seconds. Let’s work on our speed next time, shall we? You’re only as strong as your weakest link.”

He didn’t say my name but it was kind of obvious.

 I saw Bea whisper something and Courtney and Ashton smiled coyly before glancing at me. Joshua didn’t seem to pay his friend group any mind, still looking grumpy.

Michael Melrose, who was sitting next to them looked at me with a sort of apologetic look.

”Okay, now that we’ve tested your speed, it’s time to test your strength. Everyone up and get over to the gym, it’s time for phase two.” Raphael yelled.

What the actual - there was more?

Everyone begun to get up.

Andre, turned to me. “Dude, you need to get in shape.”

No kidding.

I just forced a smile.

He got up and held his hand out for me, I took it and let him pull me up.

He jogged off to catch up with Allison.

Everyone else got up as well.

I saw Michael look at me again and for a second, it looked like he was going to walk over to me but Joshua gave him a stern look and they both walked off.

 I thought everyone was gone until I heard a voice speak.

”You know it gets worse if you give up.”

I jumped slightly at the sound. I turned to my right and saw May.

She gave me a soft smile. “I wasn’t kidding when I told you that everyone here is the same. The amount of hard work is what determines whether you make it or not. Remember that.” With those words, she walked away.

 I sighed.

‘Keep going.’

’Just keep going.’ 

Everyone kept saying it but they just didn’t realise how hard it was for me.

 Keep going, Crystal, just freaking keep going.