Chapter 3

Why is it so cold first thing in the morning? I thought scowling as I rugged up in my blanket before dragging my feet to the kitchen. My first night in a different bed wasn’t too bad even if I had cried myself to sleep knowing that for some reason the Luna and Alpha refused to accept me as Xander’s mate. I took solace in the fact that I would prove them both wrong in a few weeks.

“Morning sleepy head” Domini grinned at my scowling face as he made pancakes.

I poked my tongue out at him taking a seat at the island, glancing out at the window past the balcony to see the world was still dark.

“Why in Goddess’s name do I have to be awake so early?”

Domini chuckled, “cause my house, my rules” he winked playfully as he sat down a plate of pancakes and a hot cup of coffee.

“Besides, I need to be at the training grounds first to set everything up and well… I’m going to make you help.” He said with a shrug as I felt another scowl form on my face. He sighed deeply as if frustrated by my attitude, “Look, Laura, you have to learn how to fight and have to start pulling your weight around the pack.”

I pouted thinking about how stupid that was considering I was going to be next in line to be Luna but chose to keep that thought to myself. Domini obviously did not believe me yesterday and wouldn’t today. He sighed again before pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Well, is there another job you would prefer to do?”

I sipped my coffee thinking about what jobs in the pack I wouldn’t mind doing when I realized I wasn’t even sure what sort of jobs there were. My checks started to go red as I quickly looked down at my breakfast, “oh, ah I suppose I hadn’t given that any thought. I’m happy to do what you want me to do for now.”

Domini smiled turning his attention to his own food as I breathed a sigh of relief that he did question me further, how dumb was I? Surely I had learned about jobs within the pack at some point? Wasn’t that something a Luna should know? I would have to find someone to help me learn that wouldn’t give me grief. I knew Domini would tease me relentlessly if he found out I had not had a clue!

“So what did you need my help with?” I asked trying to stop the embarrassing thoughts. Domini glanced at me quickly a look of uncertainty on his face.

“Well, training normally begins once you have your wolf form however as we have so many of you kids that have been born a month apart this year we are incorporating class.”

I stared at him confused and he sighed again before giving me a look as if saying are you dumb?

“Laura, you will need to help me set up training for those of you who have not yet transformed. I, as a wolf that has already transformed, will be teaching the other kids that have transformed?” He trailed off questioning himself, I blinking blankly for a moment before it made sense.

“Oh, I get you. So who is training us?”

“Ah, no one at the moment, mostly your group will be doing typical training… like humans.”

Oh, I thought it would have been more exciting. I felt my face fall in disappointment as he gave me a sympathetic look.

It took way longer than I thought it would set up the training grounds, we were holding it towards the back end of the packhouse. Those of us, such as myself, who hadn’t had our first shift had the clearing full of boot camp-style equipment. And those who shifted last night were to start learning the patrol parameters as from now on they would be taking it in turns to protect the whole pack.

“Good job kiddo!” Domini grinned at me as I wiped the sweat off my face. I felt my chest puff up in pride knowing that even if I had not yet shifted I was strong.

“You didn’t even need my help! I’m excited to see you at your full potential!” He gave my hair a toss before turning around towards the other students starting to arrive. I looked around searching their faces for Micheal, Ellen, or Xander but couldn’t see any of them. I waited for a bit as the other kids started to funnel into groups, I was surprised that almost half the class stood near me still un-shifted. For some reason, I thought Xander and I were outliers but I guess that was a silly thought to have.

“Alright! Everyone listen up!” Domini called to our group getting our attention, looking around everyone seemed to be a mix of agitation and nervousness.

“So, you guys will be staying here till your first shift next month. Now I still expect you to work hard without my watchful eye as your bodies need to stay strong.”

One of the other girls giggled as I heard some classmates speaking in hushed whispers.

“Just as a reminder, the first shift is the hardest and most painful experience you will ever have. So keeping your bodies fit and healthy is the best way to make it easier on yourselves.” Domini’s eyes were stern, a felt my heart flutter as those words finally hit me. How painful was it going to be?

“And as proof of how awful the first shift is you can see only a handful of your other classmates were able to make it today.”

I felt myself grin as Ellen walked up next to Domini, a little weirded out by the starry, dreamy-like look she was giving him. Looking past her I could see that only 4 other students stood at the forest line separating the wilderness from the packhouse. A tall stranger caught my eye standing far away from all of us, I couldn’t make out a lot of his features but something about him made me stare. I could see an un-brushed mop of black hair sitting just above his cheekbones which were set in a scowl. His muscular arms crossed over his chest as if he wanted to be anywhere else but here. I felt my eyes trail his body up and down without meaning to when his eyes connected with mine. Immediately I hung my head in shame as the hot embarrassment of being caught checking him out hit me.

“So if you are a fan of every single bone in your body shattering I would suggest doing your stretches.” Ellen’s voice trailed off as I realized I hadn’t been paying attention. I glanced around quickly to make sure no one had noticed my embarrassment, no one had been looking at me but were all staring at the stranger too. I let out a sigh of relief before grinning at Ellen ready to congratulate her on her first shift. She was staring at Domini still as if he was the Moon Goddess herself. I elbowed her to get her attention and she turned to me with a scowl.

“Why did you do that?” She muttered rubbing her side.

“Well, you seemed too busy to notice me!” I giggled playfully before glancing at Domini and back to her, “crush? How cute?”

She glared as her nostrils flared before rolling her eyes, “no Laura, for your information I was just…”

“Okay! Now, before we separate into groups. I would just like to warn everyone that Alpha Clide and Xander have returned home early. However, they have brought a guest with them who may or may not be standing behind me at the tree line.”

Some of the girls giggled and gasped as he said that knowing he had caught most of us staring, which made me feel much less embarrassed but still way too nervous to look again.

“He is Alpha Victor of the Crimson pack, and you are all to show him the same respect as you would our own Alpha.”

Domini glared at some of the girls as they continued to giggle before glancing at me quickly, a strange look of worry in his eyes. He and Ellen turned walking towards the other students preparing to enter the woods to shift, I stole a glance at the stranger only to find his black eyes glaring back at me. I felt my heart stop in fear quickly looking back down to my feet uncertain if that was a look just for me or at all of us.

“Xander!” One of the girls from the class swooned as my heart fluttered as I stared at him approaching. He waved as a small smile played on his face before he turned his eyes away from me, I felt a pang of hurt roll over me.

“Hey everyone!” He addressed the class with a wave as people started to crowd him with questions. I waited, staring at him hoping he would acknowledge me as he used to. The class knew we were together and there were no elders here to raise suspicion. But he didn’t. He ignored me. I stood there feeling my heartbreak with hurt and confusion at his flipping attitude, as if I was nothing to him he walked straight past me without a second thought. I felt my eyes brim with tears so I did what anyone would do, I ran. I ran back inside and into my room.