Chapter 5 - Katelyn

I can’t believe I’m actually learning to fight.  I made a simple comment to Wyatt that I wish I could be more like him and bam.  Ford and Mason are teaching me to fight.  I think I could have handled just one teacher, but with both of them, it is like an intense lesson.  When one has to leave to take care of something, the other one comes in and continues with my training. 

Usually, Mason is my primary teacher since he is the lead warrior and is the one leading all the training sessions while Ford is Wyatt’s Beta.  Between the two, they have taught me in an extremely intense training session every day.  I don’t even get Saturday or Sunday off.

However, if this is going to get me to the level that Wyatt is at, then I’ll gladly work all these hours and more.  

Well, I have little else to do, so I might as well train. 

If I was back at my old pack, I would be getting ready to go back to college.  However, I don’t really miss that either, because my parents forced me to study business when I really wanted to go through the medical program.  Ever since I was little, I had always loved watching the doctors in the pack hospital.  I don’t know if me being an omega had anything to do with it, but the idea of helping people and trying to heal them is what I really want to do. 

However, I have already given up on that idea.  My plan of disappearing means I can’t be found anywhere and if I go back to college, I would definitely be found.  No.  I would rather not go back to college if it means I can continue to stay here.

Granted, I haven’t been here long, but Wyatt has made me feel welcomed, which means the whole pack has welcomed me.  Now, I’m not saying I didn’t feel welcomed at my old pack, but I wasn’t liked by quite a few.  For some reason, me being the Beta’s daughter, even though my older brother is the next beta, meant that some people just couldn’t stand to be around me.  I still haven’t figured out why, but at this point, I really don’t care. 

Mason yells across the training field at me, “Hey, Katelyn!  Don’t be slacking!  Ford will be here soon to continue your training!”

I smile and yell back, “I’m just getting some water!  I wasn’t slacking!”

I shake my head and grab the bottle of water sitting next to my things on the bench.  As I unscrew the cap, I glance around the training field.  I’m still amazed that everyone is taught how to fight, even the omegas.  Wyatt keeps telling me it is the responsibility of everyone to learn to defend themselves and the pack.  If they are the last ones left to protect the pack and the children, then they have to know how to stop an attacker. 

I had never thought about it before, but he is right.  In my old pack, I’m always told that omegas can’t fight.  They are too weak, but here they are considered equals with the rest.  That doesn’t just mean fighting, but with everything.  Everyone takes turns cleaning and cooking, except for the ones that just want to do one job.  No one is forced to do something because of their status.  Shoot.  Even Wyatt helps cook and clean. 

I’m suddenly startled out of my thoughts as Ford’s deep voice asks, “Is there something bothering you, Katelyn?”

I glance to my side and look at Ford as I shake my head.  “No.  I’m just thinking about how different my old pack is with yours.”  I take a drink of water before I scan the training field again.

Ford turns and looks out at everyone too.  “Well, there aren’t too many packs that think like we do, but we are also a secret pack.  We have gone to great lengths to keep us hidden, which means we aren’t like all the other packs.”

Ford leans a little closer to me and softly adds, “And we like it like that.”

A small smile spreads across my face as I take another drink of water.  I still haven’t asked why they keep their pack hidden, but maybe when I decide to become part of their pack, I will ask. 

I put the cap back on the water bottle and set it down on the bench.  “Are you here to continue my training or to talk about my old pack?”

Ford chuckles.  “Well, I’m sure your old pack is interesting, but you still have a lot to learn in order for you to catch up with the others on your fighting skills.  So, let’s get back to training.”

I nod and head back out to the edge of the field where I usually do my training. 

***

“Don’t forget to protect your side.”

Well, I don’t think I’ll soon forget.  Dang.  He can really throw a punch.  The sad thing is that it probably isn’t at his full strength.  Regardless, it still hurts.

I get up off the ground as I’m breathing heavy.  “I’ll remember.  Don’t worry.”

Ford pats my shoulder.  “You are improving, and fast.  I’m sure that it won’t take long before you are just as good as other people your age.”

I put my hand on my side as it continues to throb in pain, and I shake my head.  “I don’t want to be as good as others my age.  I want to be as good as Wyatt.  If he can do it, so can I.”

Ford smiles and nods his head.  “I’m sure that you can.”

Mason walks up to us and chimes, “Katelyn, you are getting better.  Keep going and you will get there soon.  Oh, by the way, I’m going to have you fight another pack member tomorrow.

I’ve kept you from participating so far, but I think it is about time you start to fight the others.

Don’t worry.  I won’t have you fight the older pack members first.  Instead, you will start off with the younger ones, who are at about your skill level.”

What?  I thought I would have more time before I would actually have to fight the other pack members.

Ford steps closer to me and gently pats my arm.  “Don’t worry.  You can do it.”

Mason quickly adds, “I wouldn’t have you participate if I didn’t think you were ready.  Plus, we must get you to work up the ladder to the better fighters.  That is the only way you will learn how to handle yourself in an actual fight.”

Well, I guess.  However, I still wish that I had more time for training.

I slowly look between Mason and Ford.  “I guess.”

Ford smiles and once again pats my arm.  “Oh, I almost forgot.  Wyatt wants to see you in his office as soon as you are done with your training today.”

I nod my head. 

I wonder what he wants.

***

Exhausted, I grab my things, but I don’t have time to go take a shower yet.  I have to go to Wyatt’s office first and then I can relax in a nice warm bath later. 

Oh, my muscles really need it.

I don’t even look over my shoulder as I lift my hand and wave.  “Thanks, Mason, for another hard day of training.  I’m off to meet Wyatt.  Bye.”

He chuckles.  “Don’t worry.  I’m sure that it isn’t anything serious.”

How does he know that I’m worried about it?  I swear, just when I think I’ve figured something out about this pack, I’m left gaping and wondering if I’ll ever figure anything out.  Well, Wyatt did say I’ll learn the pack’s secrets, or at least some of them, when I become part of the pack.  However, until that happens, I’m left confused and lost.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and head off towards the alpha’s office.  The sooner I get there, then the faster I can figure out what he needs. 

As I walk past the various houses and building, I suddenly think about Bridget.  I usually try not to think about her too much, because it makes me sad.  I miss her so much.

For some strange reason, I can sense that she is heading towards me.  I don’t know why I’m getting that impression, but I am. 

Dang.  I must miss her a lot.  It has always been Bridget who could find me with no effort.  When I would ask how she can do it, she would always tell me she could just sense my presence and knew where I was.  However, now, I’m the one getting the feeling that she is coming to me. 

I shake my head.  This pack is making me crazy.  Well, that isn’t all bad.

I push the notion of my best friend out of my mind as I continue on my way towards Wyatt’s office. 

Within minutes, I’m at his office.  My mind is still trying to figure out what he wants as I knock on his office door.

Knock.  Knock.

He calls out, “Come in.”

I open the door and walk in.  “Did you need to see me?”

He looks up from his computer monitor and smiles.  He waves me to sit down in a chair in front of his desk.  “Yes.  I wanted to talk to you about your college.  I already know where you were going to school at, but I have never asked you what you were studying.”

I step forward and take a seat as I tilt my head.  Why does he want to know about my college?  Now that I left my previous pack, I already know I wouldn’t be going back.  I was one of only a handful of people that were allowed to go.  I’m sure my father’s status had something to do with it, but I don’t have that here. 

Here, I’m a nobody and I already know I wouldn’t be able to finish my education.  I really didn’t like what I have been studying, but that doesn’t matter now. 

Instead of answering his question, I ask, “Why do you want to know?”

His smile falters a bit as a line slowly forms across his forehead.  “Am I not allowed to ask what you were studying?  Is it some kind of secret?”

I slowly shake my head.  “No.  It isn’t a secret.  I just want to know why you are asking.  I have already accepted the fact that I won’t be going back to college, so it doesn’t really matter, anyway.”

His smile widens again as he playfully teases, “Who says that you aren’t going back?”

I don’t understand. 

A frown slides across my face.  “Well, isn’t it obvious?  I ran away from home, so there isn’t anyone to pay for my tuition.  Plus, I don’t want my family to know where I’m at and to try and force me to go back home.  So, I can’t just call up my school and ask them to forward my records to another university.  If my father talks to my old university, he will know right away where I’m at.”

I stare at the alpha as his playful smile continues to dance around on his face.   For once, since I’ve gotten here, I can’t understand what he is even thinking.  Usually, he and I are pretty close in how we think, but not this time.  I have no idea what is going on in his head. 

A gleam in his eyes suddenly sparkles as he leans forward and rests his arms on his desk.  “What would you say if I said you could be enrolled in our university here with no problems?  Granted, our university has both werewolves and humans together, but the only werewolves admitted there are wolves from my pack.  We are the only ones that can hide our scent, so if we have other werewolves come to campus, they will think the university is full of only humans.”

Is he for real?  There is no way he can do that.  Is there? 

There is no way they can really do that.  Right?

He doesn’t even know my real name.

Wyatt chuckles.  “As alpha of the pack and the owner of the university, I can do that, and I have done it in the past.  As for your real name, I already know it too.  I have just chosen not to let you know.  There are a lot of things I know about you…”  He pauses for a second and looks at me as a smirk playfully dances across his face.

Hey, there is no way he knows what my name is.  I don’t talk in my sleep, and I know I have said nothing to anyone.  Brenda is the only name that I’ve used.  I’m sure of it. 

Wyatt softly chuckles again.  “Brenda is the only name you have used since you have been here, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what you real name is.  Katelyn.”

My mouth immediately falls open.  How did he do that?