CHAPTER 2 The Biggest Rival

　　Elsie's POV

　　'He will pay eventually,' I replied to Ashe 'We will torment him, but for now we have to remain level headed."

　　I made the decision there and then to leave the Autumn Pack. I didn't want to confront Rory at all, I couldn't even look at him right now.

　　Taking a seat on a nearby bench, I pulled out my phone and began to read the local stories. One caught my eye specifically.

　　The Summer Pack had opened their Warrior Selection event, open to anyone under the age of twenty. I was nineteen so I was eligible already. I continued reading the text, it seemed they were accepting anyone regardless of their pack, gender or rank. They even accepted rogue wolves.

　　I continued reading, the top ten candidates would have the opportunity to become Summer Warriors and join their pack. I chuckled to myself, this would be the perfect way to seek revenge on Rory. The Summer Pack were his Pack's biggest rival.

　　I would love to see the look on his face when he found out I had become one of their strongest warriors. All the training I had been given to this day was paying off at last.

　　That's it, my decision was made. I would make my way over to the Summer Pack in preparation for their Warrior Selection. It started tonight!

　　The evening had drawn in quickly, I decided to shift into my wolf form to make the journey quicker. As I made my way through the woods, I heard sounds of what seemed to be crying.

　　Stopping in my tracks I sniffed the air, trying to locate another person nearby, and it was then I saw the shape of a small human hiding behind a small rock.

　　Making my way over to the rock, I realised it was a little girl curled up against the stone's surface. I cautiously approached the girl, her blonde curly hair fell over her face as she cried, and I pushed my nose into her cheek to nuzzle her.

　　Startled, the girl cried harder, letting out a scream as she jumped to her feet "Please don't eat me" she sobbed.

　　It was then I realised my wolf form was terrifying this girl, so I shifted back into my human form.

　　The child watched in wonder as I quickly shifted my shape from a red furred wolf, to a woman with long red hair which cascaded down my back.

　　"Are you lost, little friend?" I asked, approaching the sweet girl carefully.

　　I noticed she had relaxed seeing I wasn't a threat anymore "What's your name?"

　　The girl sniffled and ran her hand across her nose "Gracie" she replied, "What's yours?"

　　"Elsie," I replied, "I'm kind of lost like you are, where are you from?" I knelt down at her side, wiping away her tears with my thumb "I'll take you home,"

　　Gracie fell silent, she seemed hesitant to tell me where she was from, but I wasn't settling for no answer. I had to get this girl back to her family.

　　"Gracie," I paused "Please tell me where you're from, why did you run away?"

　　"Didn't run away," Gracie replied "I just got lost,"

　　"Hm," I replied, I stood to my feet and placed my hands firmly on my hips "You know, if you tell me what happened I'll make sure you get some ice cream,"

　　"Ice cream?!" Gracie's face lit up "I love ice cream," she fell silent again

　　I sighed, this was like getting blood from a stone "Then please tell me where you're from,"

　　"And then ice cream?" Gracie asked, a big grin on her cute face.

　　"Yes," I said, sinking to my knees once more "Come on, spill,"

　　"Okay," Gracie wiped away her last remaining tears "I ran away because I hate my nanny. I said some bad words to her, and she got mad at me" Gracie began to fidget with a ribbon on her clothing "So I ran off and ended up here,"

　　"Oh," I replied "That's not nice, I'm sorry your nanny was mean," I paused "Is she usually mean to you, Gracie?" I asked with interest.

　　"Most of the time," Gracie responded "But I know she's only there because she has a crush on my Dad and wants to get into his bed,"

　　I couldn't help but laugh at Gracie's response, for such a young looking girl she was incredibly intelligent. I laughed so hard that I fell back and landed on my backside.

　　Gracie began to laugh with me, her cute laughter echoed around the trees.

　　"So, here's the big question Gracie," I said as I composed my laughter "Where do I take you home?"

　　"Ummm," Gracie paused as she pondered "Summer Pack,"

　　My eyes lit up "Summer Pack!" I smiled "Gracie, that's where I'm heading! I want to take part in the Warrior Selection," I stood to my feet and dusted off my backside now covered in sodden leaves "I'm not from a Pack Gracie, but hopefully I can join yours! Come on, let's take you home,"

　　I picked Gracie up and pulled her onto my back, I figured she would be exhausted from her adventure today. As we walked, Gracie was telling me about her Pack.

　　"Woah!" Gracie yelled "You're going to be a warrior?" she gasped "When I grow up I want to be a warrior just like you! I want to protect my people and fight the bad guys!" I felt her weight jiggle on my shoulders with her excitement "I'm going to be your biggest fan Elsie! And then when I'm older you can train me!" her voice had become a shrill noise the more excited she became.

　　Laughing, I couldn't resist thinking Gracie was the cutest little girl I had ever met. If her Father was anything like her, I looked forward to meeting him.

　　"So who is your Dad, Gracie?" I asked with interest "Just so I know who I'm returning you to," my feet began to slip into the wet leaves as we trudged through the forest a little longer.

　　"Theo, he's the Alpha of the Summer Pack," Gracie answered "Do you know him?"

　　I felt a chill run through me. Yes, I knew Theo.

　　Theo Warren.

　　I had met him back when I was with the Autumn Pack, when I was Rory's lover. Theo couldn't know it was me who brought Gracie back, he couldn't know I was linked to the Alpha of his rival, l or it would no doubt affect my chance at the Warrior Selection.

　　The conversation fell quiet after that, Gracie had become sleepy and she slumped over my shoulder wearily. I continued my way to the home of the Summer Pack Alpha.

　　Arriving at the driveway of the home, I gently pulled Gracie off my back and set her down. She stirred as the motion woke her.

　　"We're here Gracie," I said pointing to the home "Go to your Dad now,"

　　"No!" Gracie protested as she grabbed my leg, locking her arms around me "Come with me, I want you to meet him,"

　　"I can't Gracie,'' I sighed, she wouldn't understand. But I suddenly had an idea. I lowered myself to her level once more and pulled my necklace from under my shirt "Here, look at this,"

　　I removed the necklace from around me and snapped the pendant in two, separating with a natural ridge. Gracie's eyes lit up as I handed a piece to her "This means we're best friends forever, whenever you need me, that piece of pendant will lead you to me,"

　　"Really?" Gracie's eyes illuminated "Best friends forever! This is better than ice cream,"

　　She gave me one last hug before running off down the driveway. I watched and waited until I knew she was safe inside her home.