I spent the next six months in Chicago and underwent rigorous training under Wentworth and his men. The groups were small and once you failed your mind was wiped by a witch and you went back to your old life. I felt at home even though I was the youngest by three years and I quickly became close friends with the other guys I was training with.
Most of them had green or blue dragons and one or two had a violet one. There were no yellow dragons in our unit and these were the best of the best. Training started at five am and we stopped at ten pm every day. It was hard and brutal and we even underwent torture training where we were tortured.
If I had been a boy when I walked into that building I was definitely a man after those first six months. We were taught how to fight with weapons, without weapons, with your dragon and without your dragon. There were vampires and wolves training with us and we would go head to head with each other.
We were taught how to read people and situations, how to improvise and Wentworth was suitably impressed when he realized that I sparred with my own dragon regularly. Lucas had done a good job with my training but now it was taken to a whole new level.
Abeloth seemed to prefer this life, he liked the discipline that it took and we worked hard to reach perfection. My training unit consisted of me, Jared, Omar and Felix. Jared was a wolf, Omar was a dragon like me and Felix was a vampire.
Wentworth was the only one in that unit that realized the value of me having a gray dragon since nobody had ever actually seen one before. The unit only looked at you when you reached the age of twenty and had passed through the Elite Hunter Team’s other training programs which made me a bit of a wild card.
“Soldiers,” Wentworth said loudly as we stood at ease in front of him.
“Sir!” we bellowed out.
“Your training is now complete and you truly are the best of the best out there. From now on you will receive your orders via a specialized phone that works only with your fingerprints, retina scans and voice. Lose it and lose your neck. You were trained to kill. Take the rest of the day and come see me in my office for your orders and relocations,” he said.
“Where are you hoping to go?” Felix asked me in his British accent as we sat down in the common area.
“Anywhere far away from Illinois,” I answered him honestly.
“Why?” he asked me.
“My father comes to Chicago regularly and I don’t particularly want to be found,” I said to him.
“I get that, my family’s a pain in the neck, literally,” he said and laughed at his own stupid joke.
“I heard a rumour that we might get paired off, work in teams of two instead of as a unit,” I said to him.
“Nice,” he said and smiled as he showed off his fangs.
“I still don’t understand how a future Sire ended up here,” Jared said as he joined us.
“My brother’s the future Sire, we’re twins actually. I’m the disappointment since I rejected my bonded half,” I said.
“Shit, you rejected the only person out there that will ever truly love you?” Jared asked.
“I did, it didn’t end so well for me,” I said and leaned back on the sofa.
“Aren’t you a future Alpha?” Felix asked him.
“Yes but I was sent here for training. Sure I’ll spend a year or two with the unit until I go back to my pack. My father feels this is good training for sniffing out traitors that can only help me in the future with pack dealings,” Jared said.
“At least we’ve made our own allegiances here and we’ll always have each other’s backs whether it be lair, coven or pack business,” I said and we all bumped fists together.
“I pity the ones that cross your path,” Felix said to me and laughed.
“Why? I’m a nice guy,” I said to him.
“Yes but you’re also the only person that’s ever caught a vampire running at full speed,” he said and I laughed.
“That’s Abeloth not me, he likes to hunt,” I said and Abeloth eagerly nodded in my head.
“Ryder, Wentworth asked to see you next,” Omar said as he walked down the stairs.
I stood up and made my way upstairs to Wentworth’s office. I knocked twice and opened the door. As was his usual custom he wasn’t sitting behind his desk and I stood at ease in front of it with my arms behind my back.
I had grown accustomed to wearing combat gear with boots as Wentworth liked the look of it. It was comfortable and ours were specifically designed to hold the many weapons we trained with. I had a few favourites among the knives and guns but I also especially liked the bow and arrow.
“Take a seat Ryder,” Wentworth said from behind me.
“Yes Sir,” I said and sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
“I’ve decided to send you on your own, you’re good enough to handle yourself and I can see that your performance will be enhanced by working alone,” he said.
“I don’t mind either way,” I said to him which was the truth. I had grown close to the guys in my unit but I also didn’t mind working alone.
“Since you’re still so young we’re sending you back to school. Something’s going on with the troubled boys there, they start acting differently, all bruised up at school and a few have disappeared. Councils from all over wants to know what’s going on there,” he said to me.
“I’ll be a troubled youth then,” I said and he smiled.
“Your name will be Ryder Miller, seventeen as you are now, expelled from your last school for fighting. Your persona will be the typical fighter, drinker, no nonsense, I hate the world attitude,” he said to me.
“I’m not much of a drinker but I’m sure I’ll manage,” I said to him.
“These people are human, so be careful not to kill anyone in your fights,” he said and I nodded.
“Where am I going?” I asked him.
“Monterey, California,” he said and I smiled. That was pretty far away and I was glad for the distance.
“Parents?” I asked him.
“You can make up your own back story for their absence, housing will be provided with a monthly allowance on top of your salary and the usual basics will be waiting for you, you fly out tonight and you start school on Monday,” he said.
“Yes Sir,” I said and took the envelope he held out to me.
“Check in every twelve hours,” he said and I nodded before leaving his office.
I kept my expression neutral as I went back downstairs and sat down on the sofa as Felix watched me. Omar was already packing his travel bag, he’d be travelling to Texas tonight with Jared.
“Are you really going to make me ask?” Felix asked me.
“Well you kind of just did,” I said as he shook his head at me.
“Where are we going?” he asked me.
“Wentworth’s sending me on a solo mission, California,” I said and smiled.
“Solo mission? Nobody ever goes on solo missions,” he said to me.
“I’m going back to high school,” I said and he burst out laughing.
“Sucks to be you,” he said.
“Yeah it does, all those girls looking to get laid, the free parties, sleeping in class,” I said and Felix stopped laughing.
“Asshole,” he said as I grinned at him.
Three hours later I was packed and ready to go. I had my back story and we were all driven to the airport together and then waited to board our separate flights. I had my new address in my jacket pocket and I knew exactly what was expected of me.
I tried to sleep on the plane for a bit since the flight was only four and a half hours to Los Angeles and then another hour and a half to Monterey. I kept to myself and closed my eyes as Abeloth bitched about the two children in front of us.
It was past midnight when I arrived in Monterey and I picked up the envelope that was waiting for me at the info desk. It held car keys, house keys and the location of the car. I made my way to the parking lots and found the car easily. It was a 2015 Ford F-50 truck with a few dents and scrapes. It was black and I loved it.
I drove around for a while familiarizing myself with the area, located the school and the closest stores to me. It was Sunday today and I had a whole day to prepare myself, I’d have to go grocery shopping too and then head to school on Monday.
The house was furnished but nothing special and located on Newton Street. It wasn’t too far from the school and I found a huge forest at the back of the school. I drove past a pay phone and wondered what Chase was doing. I hadn’t spoken to any of them in six months and I hadn't switched my own phone on in months since I had a team phone now.
“Hello,” his groggy voice answered the phone.
“It’s me,” I said.
“Where the hell are you Ryder? Are you okay?” Chase asked me all at once.
“I’m good, how are you?” I asked him.
“I’ve been worrying my ass off about you, everyone has,” he said in a whisper.
“Why are you whispering?” I asked him.
“Melissa’s moved in with me,” he said and I smiled.
“That’s great,” I said to him.
“Where are you, what have you been doing?” he asked me.
“Right now I’m in California and I’m working,” I said to him.
“Doing what? I miss you Ry, when are you coming home?” he asked.
“Can you keep a secret?” I asked him.
“Duh man,” he said and I laughed.
“I joined the Elite Hunter Team, so I’m working right now, how’s Mom and Dad?” I asked him.
“The fucking Elite Hunter Team?” he whisper-yelled at me.
“This is my first job and you can’t tell anyone. I just had to talk to you ... make sure you were okay,” I said to him.
“Mom and Dad are worried sick about you, they had a huge blow out after you left. Mom didn’t talk to Dad for weeks because he hit you. I know he has people looking for you so keep your head down,” he said to me.
“Thanks for the heads up, what about the Elders?” I asked him.
“Dad told them that he sent you away to clear your head,” he said.
“I have to go Chase, I’ll try and phone you again when I can,” I said and ended the call.
I spent the rest of that Sunday shopping and settling in. I had gone for a jog since I was still in the training routine and I couldn’t just sit idly at home and do nothing. I had cleaned the house, jogged, washed the truck, gone shopping and packed everything away and I had already checked in.I felt better after talking to Chase and slightly worried that Lucas was looking for me so I drove to another store and bought a new cellphone. I drove to the forest behind the school and sat in the truck and called him.“This is Lucas,” he answered.“Hi Dad,” I said.“Ryder, are you okay?” he asked me.“I’m fine,” I answered him.“Where are you?” he asked me.“It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing, stop looking for me,” I said.“I’ll never stop looking for you, you’re my son,” he said.“I’m working, taking responsibility, standing on my own two feet, you should be proud instead of trying to treat me like a little kid,” I said to him.“You have responsibilities at home,” he said to me.
It took another two weeks for Coach to organize the fight and he wanted me to be first up. I had started spending time with the other ten guys at school. They weren’t professional fighters but the fear of juvie kept them fighting even when most of them didn’t want to.The fights usually consisted of them being beaten up by adults which was hardly fair and I could see some of them were sick of it. They got paid just enough to keep them wanting more but not enough to stop or say anything.“It’s basically a blood sport where people bet on how fast our asses will be kicked in that ring,” Michael said as we sat at one of the outside tables.“Grown ass men, ex boxers, fighters or just plain crazy guys looking to vent kicking our asses all over the place, no fear of being arrested and they pay to hit us,” Denver remarked.“That’s bullshit actually,” I said as they looked at me.“There&rsquo
Felix and I spent the next nine months on the road searching for those rogue packs and eliminating them after getting the information that we needed to move on to the next one. We would call Wentworth to send in a cleaning crew after we were done and we had specific orders not to leave anyone alive.I hadn’t spoken to my father again after that one phone call and it had already been three months since the last time I phoned Chase. I couldn’t call him now as we were on the road heading to the location of a vampire coven.Felix was driving as I checked my two guns and strapped my other weapons to my legs and arms. I had started adding tattoos to my arms, one for every ten kills and I had almost completed my second sleeve. Felix had laughed as I sat in the tattoo parlor and then to my shock he sat for one too and our arms looked almost identical.We had become best friends over the last nine months and we had declared ourselves brothers of other species. We had vowed to always have each
“He should start to wake up any minute now,” Stella said.“Thanks Stella,” Lucas said as he sat next to the hospital bed.“Has Abeloth said anything?” Rev asked.“Not a word, he’s waiting for Ryder to wake up before he speaks,” Lucas said.“He’s extremely loyal,” Rylee muttered.“Too damn much for their own good,” Lucas said as he sighed.“At least Abeloth brought him home and he’s healing,” Chase said.“I want to know what the fuck happened to my son and where he’s been for this last year and a half,” Lucas said angrily and Chase looked away.“Lucas you might not like the answer,” Rev said and Lucas looked up.“What the fuck do you two know?” Lucas demanded as he looked at Rev and Chase.“I haven’t spoken to him in over three months,” Chase admitted, “but the last time we spoke he was heading to Idaho.”“And what was he doing there?” Lucas asked clenching his jaw.“I can’t tell you,” Chase said and Lucas slammed his fist down on the flimsy hospital trolley and it cracked in the middl
Stella discharged me but put me on bed rest for the next two days, I was itching to do something, anything at this point, I even missed training. Chase was busy during the days as he attended university and my father still hadn’t come to talk to me.I walked into the house at nine am and went upstairs to my room to have a decent shower. I stood under the hot water for as long as my throbbing leg allowed me and walked into my room with the towel wrapped around my waist.“You look much better,” she said as she sat on my bed.“What are you doing here?” I asked her.“I live here now, it’s good to see you Ryder,” she said as she stood up.“I really can’t say the same,” I said as I walked to my dressing room and started getting dressed.She was standing behind me shamelessly watching me as I got dressed. I ignored her as much as possible until she wrapped her arms around me from beh
I was sitting in a booth in the back, just needing some alone time and I was lost in thought as I kept seeing everything that had happened on that last assignment. It haunted me, Felix’s face just before he died. The whole setup with that ambush was puzzling me.“Is this seat taken?” I heard someone ask and I looked up.“Hey, no it’s not,” I said and smiled as she slid into the booth opposite me.“I heard a rumour that you were back,” she said and smiled at me.“Guess it’s true,” I said and she laughed.“How have you been?” she asked me.“Good and you?” I asked her.“Not too bad, my classes ended early today. I usually come here to do my homework, it’s quiet,” she said as a waitress brought her coffee over.“What are you studying?” I asked her.“Bookkeeping,” she said and then she laughed, &
“Can someone please explain what the hell is going on here?” Lucas asked as I stood shielding Megan with my body.“You can’t punish Ryder for this rejection, he did nothing wrong,” Megan said loudly.“And you are?” Elder Victor asked her.“Megan Greer,” she said.“The Elders decision is final young lady,” Elder Michael said.“I have proof,” she said and Tia’s eyes widened.“I hate you!” she yelled at Megan but I didn’t budge and she was hitting me out of frustration.“Please come here,” Elder Cliff said to Megan.I waited until Megan had reached the Elders and my father and she took her phone out. She turned the phone sideways so the Elders and Lucas could all watch the video she was playing for them. Lucas’s eyes found mine a few times and I could see rage in them.“Elko, you may let Ryder Grey go,” Elder Cliff said as the video ended.“We have seen enough proof that we support Ryder Grey’s rejection of Tia Malone. In the video it is clear that she had ill intentions with this bond a
I’d been at home for a week now and Abeloth was itching to do something more than just training for a few hours every day. Lucas was out of town on business with Jasper and Chase was either at the university or with Melissa which left me pretty much on my own.I was heading downstairs when I heard the knock on the front door. Absent-mindedly I opened it as I was on my way out as well. I needed to just get out and do something, anything.“Good morning Elders,” I said and bowed my head slightly.“Morning Ryder, is your father available?” Elder Michael asked.“I’m sorry Elder, he’s out of town on business, we expect him back on Saturday afternoon,” I said to him.“This is quite inconvenient,” Elder Cliff said as I invited them inside.“What’s the problem?” I asked as they looked me up and down.“We’re headed to a meeting not far from here, but alas without your father we might have to postpone. The Grey name holds a lot of weight in these areas and we were simply wanting to take him alon