The rest of the week I trained hard. I ran every day, either with Ezra, Alfie or Lila and Brayleigh. Each day, they pushed me harder and harder. I remember the morning after my run with Ezra that I collapsed to the ground. I had run with Alfie that morning. It was just him and I.Alfie was ruthless. He made us take a new track, one that extended all the way around Takiani. He told me it was the trail that the tracker wolves run, as it went along the borders of the pack. It was a long run, the longest one I'd ever been on.But I loved it.Alfie pushed me and pushed me. He wouldn't let me slow down and only let me get faster and faster. He raced me, purposely getting me angry to try and bring out my beast's fire. He said it worked, but he said it didn't work enough.After the run, I had to sit down. I was panting hard, my heart was beating so fast that I felt it in my throat. My arms and legs were tingling with energy.I felt different. I felt great. Something I hadn't felt in a while.
When I got back from my run, I felt better. I had run until my legs gave out, and then I hauled myself to the river and slid into the water. I washed away the sweat and blood and then found some clothes stashed away in a hollow tree. I slipped on the clothes and walked back to my cabin.Upon entering my cabin, I smelt the wolves that were sitting inside. As I pushed the door open, I already knew who I was.I walked into the dining room where everyone was sitting at the table. Lila got up the moment she saw me and rushed over to me. She embraced me in a tight hug and rubbed my cheek with hers.I calmed my beast only a little. But it was enough to keep me relaxed.Brayleigh and Kade sat next to each other at the table. Kade had his arm around her shoulders and had her close to him. I looked at them longingly before tearing my eyes away.I met eyes with Alfie and smiled weakly at him. Then I did the same with Ezra.They were all sat, drinking wine and beer with a large box of biscuits in
I woke up early the next morning. My sleep hadn't been peaceful, as the nightmares had come in the night. They shocked me awake and kept me up for most of the night. But I knew that nightmares weren't an excuse to not train the next morning.I dressed in tight leggings and a tank top. I didn't intend on shifting into my fur on the run. I still had healing wounds from the day before and I didn't want to risk hurting them more whilst I ran. I decided I would wait until I sparred later on."Morning, Ali. You still coming on the run this morning?" Lila greeted me. I smiled warmly as I slipped on my sneakers and tied the laces."Hey. I'm running but I won't shift. Still have some injuries that I don't want to make bleed," I told her. I heard her wolf yip in approval in my mind and I stood up. I made my way out my room and into the kitchen where Ezra was standing.He shot me a sincere look that made me feel better. I liked that he cared for me. I hadn't known him long but we already had a c
That night, there was a bonfire. It was someone's idea to start one and let whoever wanted to come join in on the fun of roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. There was music playing somewhere in the distance. An old Katy Perry song was playing and I could hear people humming along to the tune.I was sat on log, waiting for Ezra and the others to return with the things needed to make s'mores. They were taking ages and my belly was beginning to rumble.The night was chilly. The air was bitter and my toes were cold. But the fire helped with that. It kept away the unwanted bugs and brought warmth to the area. I watched the fire and focused on it dance.I grew more and more tired as I watched it. I knew that I wouldn't be staying awake much longer. It's been a long day."You missing home yet?" A voice asked me as a figure sat down beside me on the thick log. I looked over and realised it was a girl named Gale from my pack. I smiled at her and she returned the gesture."I guess... it's
The run back to the pack was agonising. My leg was bleeding badly and it throbbed painfully. Trying to run was ridiculous, but Kade and Alfie held me up as best as they could. They pushed me to run faster so we could get back to the pack doctor quicker."I could speed you back to the pack, Ali. It would take a few seconds," Ezra told me. I shook my head as Kade pushed me back up again.I was in pain. I was hurting so badly that I felt like I might pass out. But I knew that I couldn't give in and let Ezra take me back. I had to show everyone that I was capable of taking the hard route and getting back to the pack without Ezra's help."It's fine, Ezra. It doesn't hurt that bad anyway," I told him. I looked down at my leg, noticing that the bullet hadn't even gone through my leg. It had only grazed the skin, but it still hurt. It was still going to need medical attention.When we reached the pack, all eyes turned to us almost immediately. Henry and Melissa rushed off. I could feel Henry'
After training, I took a long hot shower. I was tired for the day's work and I knew that it would be rewarding in the evening to sit down with Lila and Brayleigh. I looked forward to having them come over. My beast liked them and I trusted them.After my brother told them all about what happened to me, the reason I came here, they were so understanding. They didn't treat me differently and they made me feel safe.It felt even better to know that Brayleigh could relate to me. She knew what I was going through and she knew that I was torn up over it. She understood better than anyone and it felt good to know.I trotted down the hallway, humming to myself as I glanced at the time. It was time to start making dinner. I decided on a simple spaghetti with vegetables and special tomato sauce.Ezra has left all the good foods for me and I was keen to use them. I liked cooking, and it was nice to finally be the one who did the cooking again. Back home, I always cooked for my brothers. They wer
"When does Ezra get back? I miss his vampire butt," Lila sighed as we sat on my couch. I looked at the time on the clock that was positioned on the wall and sighed.He had said it wouldn't be until later in the night. I hoped he would be back soon. He had only been gone a day and I already missed him dearly. He said he was bringing his mate back too, and I was eager to meet her.Ezra hadn't spoken of her much whilst he was home. I only heard a few things about her every now and then. I was excited to meet her because if she was good enough for Ezra, then she was good enough for me."He said tonight but I'm sure it won't be until later. You don't have to wait up with me," I told Lila. She shook her head at me and kicked her legs up on my lap.She sighed and got comfortable on the couch. "No way am I leaving! I love Jenny. She's the best."I nodded at her as I realised that Ezra's mate's name was Jenny. It was a nice name, cute and short. I liked it."She's a better cook than Ezra too.
I woke early the next morning. The rain had stopped and Kade had told me the night before that if it had, training would go on. I was ready to get dirty in the mud and I was ready to kick some ass out there.I slipped on clothes and happily skipped out my room. I entered the kitchen where Jenny was. She was buttering toast and humming softly. The song she was singing sounded familiar and it suddenly brought sadness to my wolf.But as I listened, I couldn't figure out what it was that she was singing. It was right on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't put my finger on it. I sighed."What song is that?" I asked her softly. She turned around to face me, smiling weakly."A song that I heard while I was away. I thought it was beautiful. You know it?" She cocked her head at me. I nodded my head at her."I think. What's it from?" I asked her again. She smiled some more and bit into her toast."You know that film, called 'Holes'? The one about the boys who were sent away to the middle of now