Chapter 2

Summer’s POV  

The alarm went off at 6am. I managed to sleep for an hour or so. It might have been more if both twins had been here, but I challenged Zane and he was pretty thorough in meeting that challenge last night. I felt like I was doing a John Wayne walk on my way to the shower.     

Trying not to wake Zane up, I quickly dashed into the shower. If I don't scrub the scent of him off me, I'll smell like sex all day. Which is fine if I am locked up in his bedroom, but not when I am expected to face my family and they have a good sense of smell. I put on shorts and a sports bra, then braided my long brown hair down my back before leaving. As I was leaving the pack house, I swung gave the kitchen, where Mary gave me a bacon sandwich and coffee. “You are a lifesaver, Mary. Thank you,” I told her. 

She just gave me a warm smile and a kiss on the head. Glancing at my watch, I realized it was nearly 6:27 and I only had three minutes to get to the training field. I'm sure I can make it.  

I shoved the last piece of my sandwich into my mouth as I was running to the training field. I made it with a few seconds to spare. That calls for a victory dance.    

When I saw my siblings, I quickly ran over to them. I am so happy to see them. I often spar with other warriors, but often, they are worried about hurting me. I think it is because I am sleeping with the Alpha’s sons. I think they take it easy during training, but that’s not what I need. In a true battle, my enemies wouldn’t go easy on me.    

There is also nothing like fighting your siblings, though. There are no rules, they don’t hold back. We know each other’s weaknesses. They always give me a hard time no matter what, and they wouldn't want to be beaten by their little sister. They are the ones I truly learn from.  

It's often a challenging fight. Taking part is hard work and we often end up with an audience. Someone once took bets on who would win. My odds were never great, as I have never actually beaten any of them, but one day I will.     

I slammed my shoulder into my oldest brother as I walked past. He is the most protective of me. I am the baby of the family, after all. He grabs me, pulling me into a hug. He's much taller than me and lifts my feet off the ground. He has a huge grin on his face as he lets me go. “Is it your turn to beat us Summer,” he asks.    

“Not sure Rayne, but I will give it my best shot.” We smile at each other while my other siblings hug me. My sister Autumn reminds us why we are there, and we get started.    

It’s good to be home. As a part of the Forest Green Pack, I am known as Summer- a member of a loving family who is both fearless and independent. In medical school, I am known as Summer - the studious loner who works extra shifts at the hospital and never goes to parties. 

It’s like I live two different lives. I guess I do. But soon, I will be home. 

We take our positions. Mom and dad both watching from the sidelines. It’s the first time I have seen them since I have been home. I give them a wave, acknowledging their presence.      

The fight starts and carries on and carries on, each of us having our own unique fighting skills. Eventually, Autumn needs to pee, so she steps out. It’s just me and my two brothers now. While they are fighting, I sneak behind Gale and take his knees out from behind him. Rayne gives him a punch, which knocks the wind out of him. “That’s cheating,” he yells at both of us when he can speak. He's annoyed that he got knocked out before me. 

“No, that’s teamwork. Wolves often fight together.” Rayne says while laughing at him.    

That leaves just me and Rayne now. Rayne is strong and bulky, whereas I am small and nimble. He runs towards me, and I slide underneath his arm as he tries to grab me. I jumped on his back, wrapping my legs around his waist. I put my arm around his neck in a choke hold. Even though I can hardly reach around his neck, I still try it.      

When he falls, he lands on top of me, squishing me between his body and the floor. I tap out as I am struggling to breathe, and I am sure he just cracked one of my ribs.   

He gets up off me, reaching down, pulling me up. “Today is not your lucky day, sis. Maybe next time.” I grasp my knees as I try to take deep breaths. He is such a big man. I shouldn’t try that maneuver again; I mentally told myself.      

When I straighten up, Autumn pulls me in for a hug. When she lets go, Gale is right there getting one too. It’s a little painful, but worth it, Alexis will sort out any injuries I have. I love my family.    

I look around and there are people watching our interactions. I was always curious why people looked at us strangely, but then again, I saw no other family training together. They usually avoided their families during training. But not us. We make each other stronger. That is what dad always wanted.   

We all agreed to meet at mom and dad’s house for dinner later, seeing that we were going to go for a sibling run. Our wolves are as close as we are and love the opportunity to spend some time with their siblings. We all walk to the woods, strip and shift into our wolves.     

Alexis is a beautiful wolf with white fur over most of her body, but with a black patch on her chest and paws. She is also quite large for a female wolf, but I put that down to dad’s Gamma genes. Everyone tells me how unique she is. My usual response is that we are both unique while thanking them for their compliment.    

We ran for hours before settling down near a stream, where we all played in the water, fought and best of all, just relaxed together. No way could we do this as humans. We wouldn't have the time to get here. 

We get back to the edge of the forest, just before it gets dark, we all shift and get dressed. I jumped on Gale’s back for a ride. They are all much bigger than me, but the lads are strong and can easily carry me just like they did when we were kids. We laugh and joke while we make our way to mom and dad's place. They sent us upstairs to get cleaned up. I am dressed in shirt and trousers that I found in my old bedroom. It’s great being back home, even if I am not staying here tonight.    

The food mom has cooked is fabulous. I eat nothing but junk when I am at school. Rayne informed me he got accepted to join the royal guard and he would be leaving for the palace soon.    

Autumn lets me know she is now doing the pack accounting. Taking up some of dad’s Gamma duties as he starts to retire. Reminding me that Zane and Blake will take over as Alpha’s next year and they will have their own Gamma.    

Gale has just taken over as head warrior for the pack. He has a grin from ear to ear. What an exciting opportunity for him. Then there is me, who is taking my final exams in a few months. That doctor’s title is practically within my reach.    

I don’t exactly fit in with the pack life right now as I have chosen a career which requires training from humans. Right now, I have chosen a career that is not as impressive as others, but it is my dream and I am pursuing it.   

Mom and dad give a big speech about how proud they are of all of us and what amazing children we have been. Dad closes with, “don’t forget if you remain unmated by the Blue Moon in a few months. I will expect you to attend the Representative’s Meeting.” Autumn scoffs. “You mean the cattle market?” Dad scowls at her before reminding her she is the daughter of Gamma. It is her duty to represent him.    

I had never been to the Representative’s Meeting during the Blue Moon, the first time I was at school and had exams. Alpha Stan understood and excused me. But this time they would expect me to go.  

From what I have been told, our wolves are dormant for a few days, leading up to the Blue Moon. So, we can mingle and enjoy our human selves, make friends, network and have a good time. But they invite only the unmated children of senior pack members. 

On the morning after the Blue Moon, our wolf’s returns, as do any shows of dominance, rivalries and potential mate bonds.     

Autumn and I used to make fun of the ‘Representative’s Meetings’. From what we heard, it was like a cattle market when the prize cow was brought in for auction. The prettier girls got the most attention and formed the most alliances. Even though they may have the brain span of a gnat. But hey, if you looked the part.    

As we all said our goodbyes, I headed to the pack house. I require some help in relieving myself, and I know someone who is eager to assist me.